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To obtain permit applications or further information contact the Inland Fisheries Division at 860-424-3474. Convenient fillable PDF forms of the Importation/Liberation, Live Fish Importation and Tournament permits can be found on the DEP web site (www.ct.gov/dep).

DEP’s Inland Fisheries Division administers a number of permits including the following:

Importation and/or Liberation Permit (General)

Authorizes the importation of live fish or live fish eggs from out-of-state and/or the liberation (stocking) of live fish or live fish eggs into Connecticut waters.

  • A liberation permit is necessary whenever an individual or organization stocks live fish or fish eggs into any pond, lake or stream in Connecticut.
  • An importation permit is required for the importation into Connecticut of live fish or fish eggs.
  • See “Note,” below.

Live Fish Import Permit

Required for commercial fish hatcheries and bait dealers to import live fish or live fish eggs into the state.

Note: No permit is required to import common aquarium species. It is illegal to release any aquarium fish into public or private waters. Possession or importation of a number of fish species is prohibited. These prohibited species include piranha, walking catfish, black, silver & bighead carp, gizzard shad and all species of the family Channidae (snakeheads). For further information and a complete listing, contact Inland Fisheries at 860-424-3474.

Importation and/or Liberation Permit for Triploid Grass Carp

Authorizes the importation, possession and liberation of triploid grass carp into inspected/approved ponds. Possession of diploid grass carp is prohibited. Triploid grass carp represent one method of controlling nuisance aquatic vegetation. The Inland Fisheries Division inspects all ponds to determine regulatory compliance, particularly to verify that the fish can not escape from the waters in which they were stocked, thereby preventing off-site damage to aquatic habitats. Grass carp information packets and application forms can be obtained by contacting the Inland Fisheries Division at 860-424-3474.

Inland Fishing Tournament/Derby Permit

Required to conduct a fishing tournament or derby on inland waters open to public fishing involving anglers 16 years of age and older. Open water catch-and-release-only tournaments can be granted an exemption from Bass Management Area special regulations (exemptions available for all Bass Management lakes from September 1 through June 30, exemptions granted only for Gardner Lake and Mansfield Hollow Reservoir from July 1 to August 31). Additional guidelines and restrictions may apply for open-water trout tournaments/derbies conducted on waters managed by the state for trout.

Permits are required for these activities:

  • Stock fish or import fish into the state
  • Conduct a fishing tournament or derby
  • Use grass carp to manage aquatic plants

Attention Anglers Age 65 and Older

  • The free resident “lifetime” inland fishing, hunting and trapping licenses for individuals age 65 and older became annual licenses effective October 1, 2009.
  • All “age 65 and older” free inland fishing, hunting and trapping licenses obtained since October 1, 2009 must be renewed annually.
  • Additionally, all “age 65 and older” free marine fishing licenses must be renewed annually.
  • Holders of age 65 and older “lifetime” Connecticut inland fishing licenses obtained prior to October 1, 2009 are not required to reregister, however, should one misplace this “lifetime” license, they will need to obtain a free replacement by registering through the Automated Licensing System (from their home computer or at a participating vendor).
  • All individuals with “lifetime” hunting or combination hunting and fishing licenses will need to register themselves in the Automated Licensing System to obtain the appropriate permits and tags along with their unique Conservation ID#.
  • For assistance, contact DEP Licensing and Revenue (860-424-3105).

NOTICE TO SPORTSMEN

A judgement or a plea of guilty, forfeiture of a bond, or payment of a fine for a fishing, hunting, or trapping violation may result in the suspension of your fishing, hunting, or trapping license.

OBTAINING LICENSE FEE CREDITS

During the 2010 session of the General Assembly, legislation was approved and signed into law in April reducing many of the fees for sportsmen’s licenses and permits. This was followed in June by legislation authorizing a credit to be applied against the fee for any 2011 sportsmen’s license, permit or tag when purchase of a license, permit or tag had been made at the higher prices in place between October 1, 2009 and April 14, 2010. The credit amount will be the difference between the higher amount paid during that time period and the amount set by the new fee structure established April 14, 2010.

For information about these credits, please visit the DEP website license fees and credits page:

www.ct.gov/dep/sportsmensfeereduction

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