Over the past several months, the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) has been stocking broodstock Atlantic salmon across the state. This provides a unique and exciting angling option in the fall and winter for anglers from all over New England to target a species of which they might not normally have access to due to its diminished wild population. From lakes to streams, the fish are stocked in many angler-friendly locations. Be sure to review the note at the end of this story which outlines the salmon-specific rules and regulations to ensure your compliance if you choose to try your hand at catching one. And if you do, de sure to email the images to us at tlapinski@thefisherman.com.
The following notices come from the DEEP as to their stocking status of the broodstock Atlantic salmon both on their Facebook page as well as their weekly fishing reports and stocking updates.
- The Shetucket River (Sprague) was stocked today (12/11) with large broodstock Atlantic salmon (average weight was 10 pounds with the largest fish being around 15 pounds); this was the last salmon stocking of the year.
- The lower Naugatuck River (Naugatuck – Beacon Falls area) was stocked today (12/7) with large broodstock Atlantic salmon (average weight was 10 pounds with the largest fish being around 15 pounds); this was the last of two stockings in this river section. The daily creel limit is one (1) salmon per day.
- The Naugatuck River TMA (Litchfield/Campville/Harwinton area) was stocked today (12/5) with large broodstock Atlantic salmon (average weight was 7-10 pounds with the largest fish being around 15 pounds); this was the last of two stockings in this river section. The daily creel limit is One (1) salmon per day.
- The lower Naugatuck River (Naugatuck/Beacon Falls area) was stocked today (10/18) with 81 broodstock Atlantic salmon; this was the first of at least two stockings. These fish range from 1-10 pounds each, mostly 4- to 5-pound fish with a few up to 10 pounds.
- The Naugatuck River TMA (Harwinton/Litchfield area) was stocked today (10/15) with 80 broodstock Atlantic salmon; this was the first of at least two stockings. The flows were too high to stock in the lower section today. These fish range from 1-10 pounds each, mostly 4- to 5-pound fish with a few up to 10 pounds. In addition to the salmon, the TMA also received a stocking of large broodstock brown trout.
- The Shetucket River was stocked today (10/9) with 250 broodstock Atlantic salmon. These fish average about 4-5 pounds apiece. The designated Broodstock Area on the Shetucket River is from the Scotland Dam downstream to the Occum Dam (Norwich.)
- Today (10/3), broodstock Atlantic salmon were stocked into Mount Tom Pond (115) and Crystal Lake (115) with an average weight of 4-5 pounds per fish.
Atlantic salmon fishing regulations and areas summary from the Connecticut Angler’s Guide:
Regulations for Atlantic salmon on the Shetucket and Naugatuck Rivers.
- In the Naugatuck, Housatonic and Shetucket Rivers, from September 1 through November 30, angling for Atlantic salmon is restricted to catch-and-release only.
- From December 1, 2018, through March 31, 2019, the daily creel limit for Atlantic salmon will be one.
- During the open season in the rivers, the legal method for taking Atlantic salmon is limited to angling using a single fly, or an artificial lure with a single, free-swinging hook and no additional weight can be added to the line above the fly or lure. Also, from September 1 through March 31, fishing for other species in the designated Atlantic salmon “Broodstock Areas” is restricted to the gear legal for Atlantic salmon.
- On the Shetucket River, anglers can fish for salmon downstream from the Scotland Dam (Windham) to the Water Street Bridge in Norwich (the first bridge upstream of Norwich Harbor.) The salmon are stocked into one designated Atlantic salmon “Broodstock Area”, from the Scotland Dam to the Occum Dam.
- Anglers are allowed to fish for salmon in the Naugatuck River from the confluence of the East and West Branches (Torrington) downstream to the Housatonic River (Derby.)
Anglers may also fish for Atlantic salmon in the Housatonic River downstream of Derby Dam.
- The salmon are typically stocked into two designated “Atlantic Salmon Broodstock Areas” on the Naugatuck River, the “Campville Section” of the upper Naugatuck River from Route 118 downstream to the Thomaston Flood Control Dam (Litchfield-Thomaston) and the “Beacon Falls Section” of the lower Naugatuck, from Prospect Street (Naugatuck) downstream to Pines Bridge Road (Route 42 bridge, Beacon Falls.)
- From September 1 through March 31, fishing for other species in these designated Atlantic Salmon Broodstock Areas is restricted to the gear legal for Atlantic salmon.
The regulations for Atlantic salmon released into lakes and ponds are different from the regulations for salmon on the Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers. In each lake, the regulations for methods, seasons and minimum lengths for salmon will be the same as for trout in that specific water body but the daily creel limit will be one salmon per day. (Please refer to the CT Anglers Guide for trout regulations).
