Opening Day and Trout Parks are Fun for All
DEP TO STOCK TROUT PARKS ON OPENING DAY
Families encouraged to join in and help
LOOKING FOR A WHOLESOME EXPERIENCE THAT THE ENTIRE FAMILY CAN ENJOY THIS WEEKEND? Whether trout parks for families with children or remote rivers, streams, lakes and ponds for the experienced angler, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has just the thing for you - fishing.
OPENING DAY – April 18, 2009
Among the trout stocked for Opening Day are 2,500 surplus broodstock like this broodstock brown trout."Opening Day is the single biggest day of the fishing season for Connecticut anglers," said Susan Frechette, Deputy Commissioner of the DEP. The agency estimates that over 200,000 people will be out fishing including anglers of all ages. "Opening Day is a state-wide event that has traditionally brought families outdoors to celebrate the arrival of spring," said Deputy Commissioner Frechette.
TROUT PARKS, just the place for a fun, low-cost, family outing
Trout Parks are among the best places for family fishing outings during the spring and fall. "Our Trout Parks provide an excellent, low-cost outing for the entire family, which is very important, especially considering the current state of the economy." said Susan Frechette, Deputy Commissioner of the DEP.
First created in 2002, Connecticut’s Trout Parks are managed to enhance fishing opportunities for families and novice anglers. "Trout Parks are easily accessible, have picnic areas and other amenities nearby, and are stocked frequently so that there are plenty of trout for children, families, and novice anglers to catch," said Deputy Commissioner Frechette.
FISH STOCKING
The Opening Day target of all these anglers will be the nearly 400,000 trout that have been released into over 100 lakes and ponds and 200 rivers and streams throughout Connecticut, including eleven areas designated as Trout Parks. DEP’s spring trout stocking effort began in early-March and will continue through the end of May. "We are especially happy to once again offer a special opportunity for children to help on opening day", said Deputy Commissioner Frechette "as families are invited to help stock trout at eight of the Trout Parks on Opening Day. We have found that these stockings are a real highlight for many families on Opening Day."When the spring stockings are completed, DEP expects to have stocked nearly 700,000 catchable size trout.
Most of the fish stocked by the DEP are brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout that range from 10 to 12 inches long. However, about 2,500 of these fish are surplus broodstock that weigh up to 10 lbs each. "Any angler lucky enough to hook into one of these monsters will be in for a thrill! Every year we get pictures of children holding huge trout and you just know that they will be anglers for the rest of their lives," said Deputy Commissioner Frechette.
Opening Day and the business it generates is particularly important to many of the small businesses around the state that cater to outdoor enthusiasts. "Over the course of a year anglers in Connecticut take over 1.5 million fishing trips for trout," said William Hyatt, Director of the DEP’s Inland Fisheries Division. Trout are the most sought after species of fish in the state and the DEP estimates that this activity generates around $40M annually in trip related expenditures. "Money spent by anglers on fishing tackle, bait, food and other trip-related costs is considerable, and much of the money is spent getting ready for Opening Day," said Hyatt.
REGULATIONS
Trout Parks do have special regulations, a two trout per day creel limit. As many other specially managed areas also have special regulations, anglers are advised to consult their 2009 CT Angler’s Guide for detailed information on specific locations and angling regulations. Angler’s Guides are available at many DEP offices, all Town Clerks Offices and at many tackle shops and other retail vendors of fishing equipment. Anglers can now purchase their fishing licenses directly online, or at one of the many participating town halls, tackle retailers and DEP offices. For a complete list of vendors, visit the DEP website www.ct.gov/dep/fishing or call DEP Licensing and Revenue (860-424-3105).
LOCATIONS OF TROUT PARKS IN CONNECTICUT
The following is a list of the designated Trout Parks in Connecticut, approximate stocking times are given for the areas scheduled to be stocked on opening Day:
Trout Parks
Opening Day stocking time
Black Rock State Park* (Watertown)
10:00 - 10:30 am
Chatfield Hollow State Park* (Killingworth)
9:30 am
Day Pond (Colchester)
-
Mohegan Park Pond (Norwich)*
8:00 am
Kent Falls State Park (Kent)
-
Natchaug River (Eastford)
-
Southford Falls State Park* (Oxford)
10:00 - 10:30 am
Stratton Brook State Park* (Simsbury)
8:30 am
Valley Falls Pond (Vernon)*
11:00 am
Wharton Brook State Park* (Wallingford)
8:45 am
Wolfe Park – Great Hollow Lake* (Monroe)
8:30 am
*Stocked on Opening Day
Note- all times approximate
DEP TO STOCK TROUT PARKS ON OPENING DAY
Families encouraged to join in and help
LOOKING FOR A WHOLESOME EXPERIENCE THAT THE ENTIRE FAMILY CAN ENJOY THIS WEEKEND? Whether trout parks for families with children or remote rivers, streams, lakes and ponds for the experienced angler, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has just the thing for you - fishing.
OPENING DAY – April 18, 2009
Among the trout stocked for Opening Day are 2,500 surplus broodstock like this broodstock brown trout."Opening Day is the single biggest day of the fishing season for Connecticut anglers," said Susan Frechette, Deputy Commissioner of the DEP. The agency estimates that over 200,000 people will be out fishing including anglers of all ages. "Opening Day is a state-wide event that has traditionally brought families outdoors to celebrate the arrival of spring," said Deputy Commissioner Frechette.
TROUT PARKS, just the place for a fun, low-cost, family outing
Trout Parks are among the best places for family fishing outings during the spring and fall. "Our Trout Parks provide an excellent, low-cost outing for the entire family, which is very important, especially considering the current state of the economy." said Susan Frechette, Deputy Commissioner of the DEP.
First created in 2002, Connecticut’s Trout Parks are managed to enhance fishing opportunities for families and novice anglers. "Trout Parks are easily accessible, have picnic areas and other amenities nearby, and are stocked frequently so that there are plenty of trout for children, families, and novice anglers to catch," said Deputy Commissioner Frechette.
FISH STOCKING
The Opening Day target of all these anglers will be the nearly 400,000 trout that have been released into over 100 lakes and ponds and 200 rivers and streams throughout Connecticut, including eleven areas designated as Trout Parks. DEP’s spring trout stocking effort began in early-March and will continue through the end of May. "We are especially happy to once again offer a special opportunity for children to help on opening day", said Deputy Commissioner Frechette "as families are invited to help stock trout at eight of the Trout Parks on Opening Day. We have found that these stockings are a real highlight for many families on Opening Day."When the spring stockings are completed, DEP expects to have stocked nearly 700,000 catchable size trout.
Most of the fish stocked by the DEP are brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout that range from 10 to 12 inches long. However, about 2,500 of these fish are surplus broodstock that weigh up to 10 lbs each. "Any angler lucky enough to hook into one of these monsters will be in for a thrill! Every year we get pictures of children holding huge trout and you just know that they will be anglers for the rest of their lives," said Deputy Commissioner Frechette.
Opening Day and the business it generates is particularly important to many of the small businesses around the state that cater to outdoor enthusiasts. "Over the course of a year anglers in Connecticut take over 1.5 million fishing trips for trout," said William Hyatt, Director of the DEP’s Inland Fisheries Division. Trout are the most sought after species of fish in the state and the DEP estimates that this activity generates around $40M annually in trip related expenditures. "Money spent by anglers on fishing tackle, bait, food and other trip-related costs is considerable, and much of the money is spent getting ready for Opening Day," said Hyatt.
REGULATIONS
Trout Parks do have special regulations, a two trout per day creel limit. As many other specially managed areas also have special regulations, anglers are advised to consult their 2009 CT Angler’s Guide for detailed information on specific locations and angling regulations. Angler’s Guides are available at many DEP offices, all Town Clerks Offices and at many tackle shops and other retail vendors of fishing equipment. Anglers can now purchase their fishing licenses directly online, or at one of the many participating town halls, tackle retailers and DEP offices. For a complete list of vendors, visit the DEP website www.ct.gov/dep/fishing or call DEP Licensing and Revenue (860-424-3105).
LOCATIONS OF TROUT PARKS IN CONNECTICUT
The following is a list of the designated Trout Parks in Connecticut, approximate stocking times are given for the areas scheduled to be stocked on opening Day:
Trout Parks
Opening Day stocking time
Black Rock State Park* (Watertown)
10:00 - 10:30 am
Chatfield Hollow State Park* (Killingworth)
9:30 am
Day Pond (Colchester)
-
Mohegan Park Pond (Norwich)*
8:00 am
Kent Falls State Park (Kent)
-
Natchaug River (Eastford)
-
Southford Falls State Park* (Oxford)
10:00 - 10:30 am
Stratton Brook State Park* (Simsbury)
8:30 am
Valley Falls Pond (Vernon)*
11:00 am
Wharton Brook State Park* (Wallingford)
8:45 am
Wolfe Park – Great Hollow Lake* (Monroe)
8:30 am
*Stocked on Opening Day
Note- all times approximate