Group Fishing Licenses
Now available to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations wishing to conduct group fishing programs and events for:
- Veterans with a service-related or other disability who receive services at a U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System facility;
- Persons who receives mental health or addiction services from the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), DMHAS programs or facilities, or psychiatric hospitals operated at least in part by DMHAS;
- Individuals with autism or intellectual disabilities who receive services from the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) or a facility licensed by DDS; or
- Persons receiving care from the Department of Children and Families (DCF), DCF receiving homes, or certain DCF-licensed child care facilities or programs.
Qualified tax-exempt organizations can apply for a Group Fishing License ($250.00 annual fee). Holders of this license may hold up to 50 events per year, including both inland and marine water events. Each event is limited to 50 people. The events must be supervised by organization staff or volunteers. Supervising staff and volunteers must have fishing licenses. The organization may not charge a fee to participate and the events may not be used as a fundraiser.
Contact DEEP Inland Fisheries (phone: 860-424-3474, email: dep.inland.fisheries@ct.gov) for more information and application forms.
Looking to Get The Lead Out?
Lead is a metal which, in sufficient quantities, can negatively affect the nervous and reproductive systems of animals and humans. Most fishing jigs and sinkers have historically been made with lead.
Wildlife such as eagles, loons, and other waterfowl can be poisoned by lead they’ve consumed. Hooked fish can ingest or retain attached lead fishing tackle such as hooks and jigs, and become a potential pathway of lead exposure for predatory birds consuming fish containing such lead fishing gear. In addition, lost or discarded lead fishing weights and other lead fishing tackle of smaller sizes can be ingested by wildlife, particularly dabbling and diving water birds such as such as swans, ducks, geese and loons.
There are alternatives to lead, made from non-poisonous materials such as tin, bismuth, steel, tungsten and glass that are available at established sporting goods retailers and on the internet. These will be more expensive than lead, but will be more environmentally benign, and as demand continues to grow, prices are expected to drop.
Consider asking for non-lead alternatives when purchasing new tackle or replacing old.
Websites for more information on lead sinkers include:
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency: www.pca.state.mn.us/sinkers
• US EPA: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/fishshellfish/animals.cfm
• NY DEC: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7908.html
Image courtesy of CT DEEP Wildlife — Paul Fusco
Regulations in red are new this year.
Purple text indicates an important note.
