Notice to Recreational Fishermen
May 2, 2012
Under the authority of 26-159a of the Connecticut General Statutes and Section 26-159a-22 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection is authorized to establish or adjust, by declaration, closed seasons, length limits, creel limits, trip limits and trip limit adjustment values in order to comply with interstate fishery management plans adopted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission or the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Additional Enhanced Opportunity Shore Fishing Sites:
Two sites, Fort Nathan Hale Park and the Tomlinson Bridge Fishing Pier, both located in New Haven, have been added to the list of locations where anglers can take scup and summer flounder of reduced size under the Enhanced Opportunity Shore Fishing Program.
The Enhanced Opportunity Shore Fishing Program is part of a broader Department effort to improve the fishing experience and quality of access to our Public Trust marine fisheries resources in Connecticut, especially in urban areas (see www.ct.gov/deep/saltwaterfishing). Shore-based fishing is the simplest and most affordable form of salt water fishing and a popular way to enjoy Connecticut’s coastline. At the same time, shore fishing is an opportunity to catch the evening’s meal. To that end, minimum size limits on scup and summer flounder have been reduced at 44 public fishing access areas listed in the DEEP Coastal Access Guide (except the Tomlinson Bridge Fishing Pier is not yet in the Access Guide).
These sites offer good shore based summer flounder and/or scup fishing opportunities in at least 18 different communities distributed from Stonington to Westport. At these sites, summer flounder may be taken at 16 inches (compared to 18 inches otherwise) and scup may be taken at 9 inches (versus 10.5 inches), giving the shore angler at these sites a considerably better chance of taking home a meal or two. To aid law enforcement the sites chosen for this program are separate from any boat launches or marinas where boat caught fish may be present. It is important the success and continuation of this program that anglers at these enhanced access sites take their catch directly home after fishing. Possession of these species under the standard minimum size at other locations is a violation and can result in significant fines.
For further information, contact the DEEP Marine Fisheries Division by email at dep.marine.fisheries@ct.gov, by mail at PO Box 719, Old Lyme, CT 06371 or by telephone at 860.434.6043 between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Any person with a disability who may need information in an alternative format may contact the agency's ADA Coordinator at 860-424-3194, or at deep.hrmed@ct.gov. Any person with limited proficiency in English, who may need information in another language, may contact the agency's Title VI Coordinator at (860) 4234-3035, or at deep.aaoffice@ct.gov. Any person with a hearing impairment may call the State of Connecticut relay number - 711. Discrimination complaints may be filed with DEEP's Title VI Coordinator. Requests for accommodations must be made at least two weeks prior to any agency hearing, program or event.
May 2, 2012
Under the authority of 26-159a of the Connecticut General Statutes and Section 26-159a-22 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection is authorized to establish or adjust, by declaration, closed seasons, length limits, creel limits, trip limits and trip limit adjustment values in order to comply with interstate fishery management plans adopted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission or the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Additional Enhanced Opportunity Shore Fishing Sites:
Two sites, Fort Nathan Hale Park and the Tomlinson Bridge Fishing Pier, both located in New Haven, have been added to the list of locations where anglers can take scup and summer flounder of reduced size under the Enhanced Opportunity Shore Fishing Program.
The Enhanced Opportunity Shore Fishing Program is part of a broader Department effort to improve the fishing experience and quality of access to our Public Trust marine fisheries resources in Connecticut, especially in urban areas (see www.ct.gov/deep/saltwaterfishing). Shore-based fishing is the simplest and most affordable form of salt water fishing and a popular way to enjoy Connecticut’s coastline. At the same time, shore fishing is an opportunity to catch the evening’s meal. To that end, minimum size limits on scup and summer flounder have been reduced at 44 public fishing access areas listed in the DEEP Coastal Access Guide (except the Tomlinson Bridge Fishing Pier is not yet in the Access Guide).
These sites offer good shore based summer flounder and/or scup fishing opportunities in at least 18 different communities distributed from Stonington to Westport. At these sites, summer flounder may be taken at 16 inches (compared to 18 inches otherwise) and scup may be taken at 9 inches (versus 10.5 inches), giving the shore angler at these sites a considerably better chance of taking home a meal or two. To aid law enforcement the sites chosen for this program are separate from any boat launches or marinas where boat caught fish may be present. It is important the success and continuation of this program that anglers at these enhanced access sites take their catch directly home after fishing. Possession of these species under the standard minimum size at other locations is a violation and can result in significant fines.
For further information, contact the DEEP Marine Fisheries Division by email at dep.marine.fisheries@ct.gov, by mail at PO Box 719, Old Lyme, CT 06371 or by telephone at 860.434.6043 between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Any person with a disability who may need information in an alternative format may contact the agency's ADA Coordinator at 860-424-3194, or at deep.hrmed@ct.gov. Any person with limited proficiency in English, who may need information in another language, may contact the agency's Title VI Coordinator at (860) 4234-3035, or at deep.aaoffice@ct.gov. Any person with a hearing impairment may call the State of Connecticut relay number - 711. Discrimination complaints may be filed with DEEP's Title VI Coordinator. Requests for accommodations must be made at least two weeks prior to any agency hearing, program or event.