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Inland District Statewide Species Regulations
DETERMINING REGULATIONS
A summary of the Statewide Species Open Seasons, Legal Methods and Length & Daily Creel Limits is listed in the table below. The regulations on many water bodies differ from the statewide regulations.
Use this two-step process to determine regulations on a specific waterbody:
- 1. Check the table below for the general statewide regulations.
- 2. Refer to the specific waterbody in the alphabetical listings of Lakes & Ponds or Rivers & Streams for special site-specific regulations. If no site-specific regulations are listed for a waterbody, statewide regulations apply for seasons, methods, and/or limits.
Unless otherwise indicated in the Lakes & Ponds and Rivers & Streams listings:
- Lakes and ponds are open year-round.
- Rivers & streams are open from 6:00 a.m. on the 3rd Saturday in April through the last day of February (Closed to all fishing from March 1st to 6:00 a.m. on the 3rd Saturday in April).
The open seasons listed in this table do not apply in areas closed to all fishing during a period of the year.
Lower River/Tidal Waters
Designated rivers & streams with no closed season. These include the entire Connecticut and Thames Rivers, and downstream portions of the Coginchaug, Farmington, Housatonic, Mattabesset, Mystic, Naugatuck, Niantic, Quinnipiac and Salmon Rivers. Check individual waterbody listing for boundaries.
For more information on Legal Methods & Gear, Length Limits, Creel & Possession Limits and Species, refer to the definitions.
Note: Regulations for several marine species found in the Inland District are subject to change.
|
Notes |
Legal methods |
Area |
Open Season* |
Minimum Length |
Daily Creel Limit |
|
|
Alewife/Blueback Herring |
Daily creel limit is for both species in aggregate. |
Taking of anadromous alewife & blueback herring from all Connecticut waters is prohibited. Emergency closure is in effect. See Broodstock Atlantic Salmon & River Herring for more information. Exception: Landlocked alewife only may be taken from specific lakes. See Broodstock Atlantic Salmon & River Herring for list of lakes. Methods, seasons & creel limits for these lakes are as follows: |
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|
Angling |
Lakes & Ponds
|
Open year-round* |
None |
25 |
||
|
Scoop Net |
Lakes & Ponds
|
April 1 – June 15 |
None |
25 |
||
|
American Eel |
Spearing and bow and arrow use prohibited in streams or stream sections stocked with trout. Spearing prohibited in all lakes & ponds. The taking of elver eel, glass eel and silver eel is prohibited. |
Angling, Icefishing, Bobbing, |
All areas |
Open year-round* |
6″ |
50 |
|
American Shad |
— |
Angling |
Lakes & Ponds, |
3rd Saturday in April – June 30 |
None |
6 |
|
Lower Rivers/ |
April 1 – June 30 |
None |
6 |
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|
Atlantic Salmon |
Taking of Atlantic Salmon is prohibited. Exception: Atlantic Salmon Broodstock Fisheries (Broodstock Atlantic Salmon & River Herring) |
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|
Largemouth Bass |
Daily creel limit is for both species in aggregate. |
Angling, Icefishing |
Lakes & Ponds |
Open year-round* |
12″ |
6 |
|
Rivers & Streams |
Open year-round* |
None |
6 |
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|
Connecticut River |
Open year-round |
12″ |
6 |
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|
Carp, Suckers & Lampreys |
Spearing and bow and arrow use prohibited in streams or stream sections stocked with trout. Spearing prohibited in all lakes & ponds. |
Angling, Icefishing, Bobbing, |
All areas |
Open year-round* |
None |
None |
|
Chain Pickerel |
— |
Angling, Icefishing |
Lakes & Ponds |
Open year-round* |
15″ |
6 |
|
Rivers & Streams |
Open year-round* |
None |
None |
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|
Hickory Shad |
Daily creel limit is in aggregate with American shad. |
Angling, Icefishing, |
All areas |
Open year-round* |
None |
6 |
|
Kokanee |
— |
Angling, Icefishing |
All areas |
3rd Saturday in April – last day in February |
None |
8 |
|
Northern Pike |
— |
Angling, Icefishing |
All areas |
Open year-round* |
26″ |
2 |
|
Panfish |
Except White Perch, see below. |
Angling, Icefishing, Bobbing |
All areas |
Open year-round* |
None |
None |
|
Smelt |
Taking of smelt in rivers & streams is prohibited. |
Angling & Icefishing |
Lakes & Ponds |
Open year-round* |
None |
50 |
|
Striped Bass |
— |
Angling |
All areas |
Open year-round* |
28″ |
2 |
|
Sturgeon |
Taking of sturgeon is prohibited. |
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|
Trout (Brook, Brown, |
— |
Angling, Icefishing |
Lakes & Ponds, Rivers & Streams |
3rd Saturday in April – last day in February |
None |
5 |
|
Lower Rivers/ |
Open year-round* |
15″ |
2 |
|||
|
White Perch |
— |
Angling, Icefishing, Bobbing |
Connecticut River (including Coves & Tributaries) Tidally influenced Rivers & Streams |
Open year-round* |
7″ |
30 |
|
Lakes & Ponds All other Rivers & Streams |
Open year-round* |
None |
None |
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|
Walleye |
— |
Angling, Icefishing |
All areas |
Open year-round* |
18″ |
2 |
|
* Except in areas closed to all fishing during a period of the year. |
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Regulations in red are new this year.
Purple text indicates an important note.
