Notice to Recreational Fishermen
2013 MARINE RECREATIONAL FISHING MEASURES
Under authority of Sections 26-25 and 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 meet the harvest level for efficient management and to comply with interstate fishery management plans adopted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). Regulations governing recreational fishing are amended as follows:
American shad:
American shad may only be harvested from the Connecticut River system, the southern boundary of which is a line extending between Griswold Point in Old Lyme and the outer light on the Old Saybrook breakwater. American shad fishing in all other waters is limited to catch and release only;
Atlantic menhaden:
Creel Limit: 50 fish or 5 gallons, whichever is the greater amount;
Black Sea Bass:
Open Season: June 15 to August 31, Creel Limit: 3 fish;
Open Season: September 1 to October 29, Creel Limit: 8 fish;
Minimum Size: 13 inches, excluding the tendril;
Scup:
Open Season: May 1 to December 31, Minimum Size: 10.5 inches, Creel Limit: 20 fish;
Except that on vessels holding a party/charter registration with DEEP, the minimum size is 11 inches and from September 1 to October 31 the possession limit for paying passengers is 45 fish.
Summer Flounder:
Open Season: May 15 to October 31, inclusive, Minimum Size: 17.5 inches, Creel Limit: 5 fish;
Tautog:
Minimum Size at all times: 16 inches.
Open Season: April 1 to April 30, inclusive, Creel Limit: 2 fish;
Open Season: July 1 to August 31, inclusive, Creel Limit: 2 fish;
Open Season: October 10 to December 6, inclusive, Creel Limit: 4 fish;
Weakfish: Open Season: Year Round, Minimum Size: 16 inches, Creel Limit: 1 fish;
Winter Flounder: Open Season April 1 to May 30, Minimum Size: 12 inches, Creel Limit: 2 fish
Refer to the 2013 Angler’s Guide for complete Marine Recreational Fishing Regulations. The Guide is expected to be delivered from the printer to licensing outlets beginning April 10.
For further information, contact the DEEP Marine Fisheries Division by email at deep.marine.fisheries@ct.gov, by mail at P.O. 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.
2013 MARINE RECREATIONAL FISHING MEASURES
Under authority of Sections 26-25 and 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 meet the harvest level for efficient management and to comply with interstate fishery management plans adopted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). Regulations governing recreational fishing are amended as follows:
American shad:
American shad may only be harvested from the Connecticut River system, the southern boundary of which is a line extending between Griswold Point in Old Lyme and the outer light on the Old Saybrook breakwater. American shad fishing in all other waters is limited to catch and release only;
Atlantic menhaden:
Creel Limit: 50 fish or 5 gallons, whichever is the greater amount;
Black Sea Bass:
Open Season: June 15 to August 31, Creel Limit: 3 fish;
Open Season: September 1 to October 29, Creel Limit: 8 fish;
Minimum Size: 13 inches, excluding the tendril;
Scup:
Open Season: May 1 to December 31, Minimum Size: 10.5 inches, Creel Limit: 20 fish;
Except that on vessels holding a party/charter registration with DEEP, the minimum size is 11 inches and from September 1 to October 31 the possession limit for paying passengers is 45 fish.
Summer Flounder:
Open Season: May 15 to October 31, inclusive, Minimum Size: 17.5 inches, Creel Limit: 5 fish;
Tautog:
Minimum Size at all times: 16 inches.
Open Season: April 1 to April 30, inclusive, Creel Limit: 2 fish;
Open Season: July 1 to August 31, inclusive, Creel Limit: 2 fish;
Open Season: October 10 to December 6, inclusive, Creel Limit: 4 fish;
Weakfish: Open Season: Year Round, Minimum Size: 16 inches, Creel Limit: 1 fish;
Winter Flounder: Open Season April 1 to May 30, Minimum Size: 12 inches, Creel Limit: 2 fish
Refer to the 2013 Angler’s Guide for complete Marine Recreational Fishing Regulations. The Guide is expected to be delivered from the printer to licensing outlets beginning April 10.
For further information, contact the DEEP Marine Fisheries Division by email at deep.marine.fisheries@ct.gov, by mail at P.O. 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.