Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced that one of the most sought after freshwater game fish species in the country, the Channel Catfish, has been stocked in water bodies across Connecticut. (see list of locations below.) DEEP has stocked 17,000 channel “cats” into 24 lakes and ponds. This marks the eighth year DEEP has been able to stock Channel Catfish purchased with Federal Sport Fish Restoration Funds.
The “cats” are stocked at the adult size, averaging 12 to 18 inches in length and weigh just under 2 pounds; and as juveniles, averaging 9 to 12 inches and about ½ pound. Stocking the adult size fish provides an immediate summer fishery for a great tasting-high quality fish, while stocking of juveniles provides a cost-effective investment for great catfish fishing into the future.
“This DEEP program establishes channel catfish in lakes where we know there is sufficient habitat to support a population of large gamefish,” said Susan Whalen, Deputy Commissioner of DEEP. “Anglers have reported taking 5- to 7-pound fish from several of the lakes. DEEP believes that the combination of a popular gamefish stocked into waters that are selected based on scientific data is a winning combination. We’ve had great success in using this approach to develop exciting fisheries for northern pike and walleye and now we’re looking forward to similar results with catfish.”
Of the 24 waters being stocked, five are new to the Community Fishing Waters Program (CFW), the goal of which is to create and enhance year-round fishing opportunities in urban areas by combining trout stocking (in the spring and fall) with catfish stocking (in late spring or early summer). This program began in 2007 and this year expanded to five new waters.
“Connecticut has a diversity of fishing opportunities, freshwater and marine, all within a short drive or bus ride from most citizens. Stocking catfish in urban areas provides excellent family recreational opportunities close to home for the many local residents,” said Deputy Commissioner Whalen. “The Community Fishing Program is one of our many efforts to promote fishing throughout the state and to provide opportunities for all to enjoy the great outdoors.”
There is currently no minimum size for harvest or daily catch limit for catfish in Connecticut. DEEP strongly encourages anglers to enjoy fishing and catching this great gamefish, but please only take those fish you intend to eat.
All anglers can find fishing regulations in the 2014 Connecticut Angler’s Guide, found online at CT Anglers Guide. Print version of the guides are available at more than 350 locations statewide, including town halls, bait & tackle shops and other vendors selling outdoor equipment, DEEP facilities, and commercial marinas and campgrounds, or by contacting DEEP’s Inland Fisheries Division (860-424-FISH). Additional fishing and fisheries related information can be found on the DEEP web site at DEEP Fishing and on Facebook at CT Fish and Wildlife.
Lake – Town – Number – Size
Silver Lake – Berlin-Meriden – 1,500 – Yearlings
Bunnells Pond (Beardsley Park Pond)* – Bridgeport – 750 – Adults
Birge Pond** – Bristol – 500 – Adults
Pattaconk Lake – Chester – 720 – Yearlings
Lake Kenosia – Danbury – 695 – Yearlings
Picketts Pond – Derby – 400 – Adults
Freshwater Pond – Enfield – 400 – Adults
Batterson Park Pond – Farmington – 285 – Yearlings
Hopeville Pond – Griswold – 1,285 – Yearlings
Lake Wintergreen* – Hamden – 1,520 – Adults & Yearlings
Keeney Park Pond* – Hartford – 300 – Adults
Quinebaug Lake – Killingly – 1,290 – Yearlings
Mirror Lake (Hubbard Park Pond)** – Meriden – 350 – Adults
Black Pond – Meriden-Middlefield – 725 – Yearlings
Rowans Pond (Butternut Park Pond)** – Middletown – 200 – Adults
Stanley Quarter Pond** – New Britain – 300 – Adults
Beaver Park Lagoon (North)** – New Haven – 400 – Adults
Spaulding Pond (Mohegan Park Pond)* – Norwich – 670 – Adults
Maltby Pond #2 – Orange-West Haven – 215 – Yearlings
Maltby Pond #3 – Orange-West Haven – 235 – Yearlings
Stillwater Pond – Torrington – 930 – Yearlings
Burr Pond – Torrington – 825 – Yearlings
Lakewood Lake* – Waterbury – 1,425 – Adults
Scoville Reservoir – Wolcott – 1,150 – Yearlings
* = Community Fishing Water
** = Community Fishing Water new to the program in 2014
