It’s December now and too many New England anglers hang up the rods while they wait for safe ice or – gulp – spring. But the truth of the matter is, there are tons of options for Northeast anglers this month and a few regulation changes and important details to go along with them.
Trout & Salmon
After a robust round of stocking across New England in the fall, trout fishing is a popular way to bend the rod this month. It’s worth keeping an eye on the Fish & Wildlife social media pages for Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut as well, because they’re all good for the occasional surprise winter round of stocking. Connecticut also stocks broodstock Atlantic salmon and these fish are designated as ‘catch and release only’ through December 15th, from December 16th through February 28th, anglers may keep one per day. Salmon caught in non-stocked rivers (meaning other than the Shetucket, Naugatuck and Housatonic) must be released immediately, because those would be wild salmon and considered extremely rare and endangered.
Special Circumstances
Both Connecticut and Massachusetts have some special circumstances in select bodies of water. In Connecticut there are three reservoirs overseen by Aquarion Water Company, these are West Pequonnock Reservoir in Monroe, Far Mill Reservoir in Shelton and the very popular Saugatuck Reservoir in Redding and Weston. All of these reservoirs close on December 31 and won’t reopen until the second Saturday in April. An Aquarion fishing permit ($30) is required in addition to your valid Connecticut Fishing License. In Massachusetts, the regulations for fishing in Wachusett Reservoir have been recently expanded through the end of the year. Wachusett is a “shore only” fishery and any bodily contact with the water is prohibited. Mass.gov has a full list of regulations for fishing in “the Chu”, only a valid Massachusetts Fishing License is required.
Striped Bass
Holdover striper fishing has become a big draw for anglers in all of our coastal New England states. These fish are found in rivers and backwaters with specific conditions that make them attractive to over-wintering striped bass. Every year anglers are ‘busted’ for fishing these areas without a license and that’s because you need more than just your saltwater license to legally fish in most of these areas. The basic rule of thumb is that once you head inland past the first bridge that spans the waterway that connects your chosen fishing area to the ocean, you need a state freshwater license to be within compliance of the law. All other regulations, including bag and size limits apply universally.
From The Bottom
We also still have a strong saltwater fishery in December, with much of the action coming from the grounds south of Block Island. This is largely a party boat game with anglers boarding headboats like the Black Hawk, Sunbeam and Frances Fleet, but some recreational boaters make the trip on flat-calm days. Most of the catch is comprised of black sea bass and porgies with some tautog and codfish in the mix as well. It’s very important that you know the regulations of the port you left from if you plan on making a run on your own boat. Leaving for Block from Massachusetts waters at this time is really not worth it, you only have scup in season. But head out of Rhody or Connecticut and you can put a good cooler together, your best bet is to board a party boat, because they have special regulations that sweeten the pot. Board a Connecticut boat and you have special regs for sea bass, five fish at 16 inches or larger through December 31, sea bass are closed for recreational anglers. Porgies are also open at an 11-inch minimum size with a 30 fish bag limit. Tautog season is closed for all in Connecticut. Board a Rhody boat and you have a six fish bag limit for sea bass with a minimum size of 16 inches (rec anglers have a three fish bag with a 16.5-inch minimum size). Porgies are the same as Connecticut, 30 fish at 11 inches or greater. And tautog are still in play for all anglers in Rhode Island waters, with a five fish bag limit at 16 inches or greater, but only one fish per limit may exceed 21 inches in length. Codfish are off limits until further notice.
