As the leaves change color and begin to fall from the trees, most of the states across New England begin stocking trout in preparation for the winter fishing season. This is also a time of the year when a lot of the broodstock fish are released so your chances of hooking up with a truly over-sized trout or even a salmon are quite high.
CONNECTICUT
Connecticut has the unique opportunity to target broodstock Atlantic salmon. On October 9, 2018, 250 broodstock Atlantic salmon were stocked into the Shetucket River Broodstock Area. On October 3, 2018, 115 fish were stocked into both Mount Tom Pond and Crystal Lake (Ellington.) Expect to see some fish stocked into the Naugatcuk River soon, too. These fish average about 4 to 5 pounds apiece and have already begun to please anglers.
Trout stocking was delayed and modified this fall in Connecticut due to low, warm water flow in many locations. However, the state hatcheries have been out, stocking fish where conditions allow across the state. Your best vet for specifics on where and how many fish have been stocked would be to review either the Fish & Wildlife Facebook page or the weekly fishing reports provided by the Deep.
RHODE ISLAND
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) stocked rainbow and brook trout in Stafford Pond in Tiverton in advance of Columbus Day weekend – a popular time for recreational fishing, but it is not the only spot to receive a slug of fall fish.
Stafford Pond is among the many Rhode Island ponds and rivers being stocked with hatchery-raised trout for the fall freshwater fishing season, including:
Burrillville – Round Top Ponds
Charlestown – Lower Shannock, Pawcatuck River
Coventry – Carbuncle Pond
Exeter – Breakheart Pond, Browning Mill Pond
Glocester – Spring Grove Pond
Lincoln – Olney Pond (Lincoln Woods State Park)
North Kingstown – Silver Spring Lake
Richmond – Meadowbrook Pond, Beaver River, Wyoming Pond
Scituate – Hope Mill Landing, Upper Pawtuxet River
South Kingstown – Barber Pond
Other selected areas on the Wood and Pawcatuck Rivers.
For daily stocking updates, follow DEM’s outdoor education page on Facebook.
Anglers and other recreationists are reminded that at this time of the year, the threat of cyanobacteria or blue-green algae may be found in Rhode Island lakes and ponds. Currently there are several advisories statewide. There is an advisory at Spectacle Pond, Blackamore Pond, Cranston; Central Pond, Ten Mile River, Omega Pond, Turner Reservoir, East Providence; Almy Pond, Newport; Tarkiln Pond, North Smithfield; Melville Ponds, Sisson Pond, Portsmouth; Mashapaug Pond, Roosevelt, Willow, Edgewood, and Pleasure Lakes, Japanese Gardens (all in Roger Williams Park), Providence; and Slack Reservoir, Smithfield-Johnston; and Little Pond, Warwick. Anglers and others should avoid these ponds for recreation. Waters with cyanobacteria and/or blue-green algae are toxic to animals.
A 2018 fishing license is required for anglers 15 years of age and older. A Trout Conservation Stamp is also required of anyone wishing to keep or possess a trout or to fish in a catch-and-release or ‘fly-fishing only’ area. Trout Stamps are not required for persons possessing trout taken from a lake or pond that shares a border with Rhode Island. Fishing licenses can only be purchased online at www.dem.ri.gov/huntfish. Online fishing licenses and the Trout Conservation Stamp can also be obtained via an authorized agent. Visit the DEM website for a current list of licensed vendors. Anglers are encouraged to check the list prior to visiting a vendor to purchase a license.
License fees are $18 for Rhode Island residents and current members of the Armed Forces, $33 for a combination hunting and fishing license, $35 for non-residents, and $16 for a tourist three-consecutive-day license. Licenses are free for anglers over 65 (trout stamp not required) – as well as for those with a 100-percent disability.
The daily creel and possession limit for trout is five from April 14, 2018, through November 30, 2018; and two from December 1, 2018, to February 28, 2019. The creel /possession limit for trout taken in the Wood River between RT. 165 and Barberville Dam at Arcadia Road is two fish from the second Saturday in May (May 12, 2018) through the last day of February (February 28, 2019). Catch and release is encouraged for wild brook trout.
MASSACHUSETTS
60,000 rainbow trout that are 12 inches or longer and 4,000 brown trout about 12 inches long will be stocked across Massachusetts this fall. Fall stocking season began in September and is usually completed by the second week of October depending on water temperatures. Anglers will be able to view daily stocking reports by visiting the trout stocking report web page. Anglers can search for a specific waterbody or town using the sortable list, or explore new fishing spots with the map feature.
Freshwater anglers are reminded that the use of lead sinkers and lead jigs weighing less than one ounce, regardless of whether they are painted, coated with rubber, covered by attached "skirts" or some other material, is prohibited.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department stocks trout every year during the fall months, mostly to bolster the winter ice fishery. This should translate into some exciting action for winter anglers.
Anglers going after trout can find lists of waters that remain open to the taking of trout year round on the Fish and Game website. For lakes and ponds, go here. For rivers and streams, go here. Rules for waterbodies with special regulations are listed in the N.H. Freshwater Fishing Digest, available from license agents or on the Fish and Game website. The trout stocking list can also be found online.
