Remember 2020 and 2021, with the masks and social distancing, sold out toilet paper and everyone working from home (including your kids)? Those were unprecedented times that many would probably like to forget, but one good thing came out of the COVID years and that was year-round trout fishing in Connecticut. State officials in Connecticut relaxed their stance on an official Opening Day, allowing anglers to catch and release in trout-stocked waters during the traditional period of closure (between March 1 and opening day).

Now in its sixth year, the new ‘catch and release season’ has been a great thing for tackle shops and anglers alike. Officially, there will be no closed fishing season in trout-stocked waters, but all trout caught between March 1 and 6 a.m. on the second Saturday in April (the 11th in 2026) must be released. These regulations also apply to Kokanee salmon. These regulations DO NOT apply to waters with special fishing regulations such as trout management areas, trout management lakes and wild trout management areas, check the DEEP website before fishing these waters. And just in case you’re wondering, yes, these rules also apply to Seeforellen brown trout, as well.