Closed season removed

[Ravo Himself]

Well Ned Lamont just removed the closed seasons on all inland fisheries apparently.  Gonna be interesting to see how many more people are following the stocking truck around

https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/News/Press-Releases/2021/03-2021/Governor-Lamont-Signs-Order-Opening-Connecticut-Fishing-Season-Early

[Rooster18]

I haven’t read the details yet but how does this effect trout fishing on the TMA rivers which are typically open to catch and release in March? 

I know of at least one CT lake that was stocked with 1600 trout last week just a few days before the close of ice season.  Ice isn’t good there anymore and it isn’t opened up enough for a boat either.

[michael czapor]

Does that mean we can continue to icefish on any lake in CT ?

[Rooster18]

That’s how I’m interpreting what was spelled out.

[hardfloor]

Now I don't have to drive all the way to Zoar to get my Walleye fix this weekend.

[lowaccord66]

Well Ned Lamont just removed the closed seasons on all inland fisheries apparently.  Gonna be interesting to see how many more people are following the stocking truck around

https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/News/Press-Releases/2021/03-2021/Governor-Lamont-Signs-Order-Opening-Connecticut-Fishing-Season-Early

None.  TMA's have already been stocked and the only guys out there are fly fishermen.

[lowaccord66]

Does that mean we can continue to icefish on any lake in CT ?

Yup same as last year.

[robertlbelrose]

I wouldn't think this is the best thing for the populations of the fish that spawn the end of March into April though.

[IceDog88]

I would assume that the regulations as far as catch & release have not changed on any TMA from what I have read. And that regulations would still apply on any body of water with trout. Just that the season is now open. I'm sure that the DEEP will let everyone know.

[robertlbelrose]

It isn't just Trout he opened up- it's all fishing. Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Walleye all spawn towards the end of March/ beginning of April I believe.

[lowaccord66]

For the record...this is a temporary Executive order just like last years.  They didn't make a permanent change.  I'd check with DEEP before trying to fish spawning pike on bantam.  I doubt they will let that slide.

[PikeKing23]

It isn't just Trout he opened up- it's all fishing. Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Walleye all spawn towards the end of March/ beginning of April I believe.

None of those fish have a closed season. The CT fishing "season" only pertains to trout.

[robertlbelrose]

None of those fish have a closed season. The CT fishing "season" only pertains to trout.

The way I read it it is opening up closed lakes too.. read the whole page and let me know if I'm reading it wrong. https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/News/Press-Releases/2021/03-2021/Governor-Lamont-Signs-Order-Opening-Connecticut-Fishing-Season-Early?fbclid=IwAR3QUUUUhrHAtUe5s_qfDD2-WC16mr7XZJM7rfBpjbWOfjtdd--GZpHpGFg 

"There are also plenty of opportunities to fish for bass, pike, walleye, catfish, and carp in areas that are usually closed at this time of year."

[robertlbelrose]

For the record...this is a temporary Executive order just like last years.  They didn't make a permanent change.  I'd check with DEEP before trying to fish spawning pike on bantam.  I doubt they will let that slide.

I certainly hope they don't, but the press release states otherwise. I emailed his office.

[PikeKing23]

Yes, the lakes that are closed are closed to stock trout. There is still no closed season for the fish you mentioned,  but individual bodies of water may close (usually before covid)

[hardfloor]

Looking foward to fish my Walleye lakes in March and not drive to the 3 lakes that Don't close.

[Ravo Himself]

I asked them specifically about bantam and being that it is still new they weren't 100% sure, but they were assuming the regs about keeping/ fishing pike still apply. Also as for keeping trout they posted this on Facebook

[jebra]

That’s how I’m interpreting what was spelled out.

From what I read it looks like they didn’t give any/enough specifics on ice fishing lakes that closed the last day of February. My guess is that item may not even have crossed their minds.
Personally I’m going to stay off of those lakes if for no other reason than conservation.
Given the temperatures predicted starting on Tuesday of next week it may be over soon anyway. 

[robertlbelrose]

From what I read it looks like they didn’t give any/enough specifics on ice fishing lakes that closed the last day of February. My guess is that item may not even have crossed their minds.
Personally I’m going to stay off of those lakes if for no other reason than conservation.
Given the temperatures predicted starting on Tuesday of next week it may be over soon anyway. 

Good to see a sportsman that cares! I Emailed them about it but they never got back- this is what was in their press release : "There are also plenty of opportunities to fish for bass, pike, walleye, catfish, and carp in areas that are usually closed at this time of year."

[Ravo Himself]

Apparently there's a lot of confusion about how many trout you can take. I heard there was plenty of guys at highland taking 5 fish home and the tackle shop there was even telling people you could.

[robertlbelrose]

Ya, some of the things that go on in this state are rather disturbing. I would like to see our Governor plan ahead and think things out once in a while instead of causing confusion and making a mess of things.

[vaughan]

Any questions on fishing email [email protected]

[TT]

In our area East Twin, Highland and West Hill are TroutManagement Lakes. Limit is one trout over 16” for the month of March.

[lowaccord66]

Apparently there's a lot of confusion about how many trout you can take. I heard there was plenty of guys at highland taking 5 fish home and the tackle shop there was even telling people you could.

They are literally stocked to be taken so I don't see a problem with this at all.

[eiderz]

The order leaves room for interpretation. I dont see the wardens trying to enforce special regs that are normally in effect. Could be wrong.

[robertlbelrose]

The order leaves room for interpretation. I dont see the wardens trying to enforce special regs that are normally in effect. Could be wrong.

  Yes, they are stocked to be taken, but there ARE rules for a reason. DEP does a horrible job enforcing them.

[eiderz]

  Yes, they are stocked to be taken, but there ARE rules for a reason. DEP does a horrible job enforcing them.

Enforcement is not the question in this case. The question is whether the order supersedes the special regulations. I'm not sure what the answer is, but doubt anyone in government wants to fight it out in court.

I am curious if the last two years of no first day will push DEEP to eliminate closed trout seasons.

[lowaccord66]

The order leaves room for interpretation. I dont see the wardens trying to enforce special regs that are normally in effect. Could be wrong.

In over 30 years of fishing CT I've been checked twice....compared to 0 times in Mass in the same period of time.

[eiderz]

In over 30 years of fishing CT I've been checked twice....compared to 0 times in Mass in the same period of time.

Doesn't happen often Ice fishing. Calamity Bob got ones attention at the launch this year. Had a nice chat, he was looking for unregistered atvs, not so much fishing related.

[te-pe]

good run but got checked twice this year..lilli 2 different times..2 different rangers