As the leaves change color and begin to fall from the trees, most of the states across New England begin their second large batch of trout stocking. 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. Last week 275 broodstock Atlantic Salmon were stocked into the Shetucket River Broodstock Area on Tuesday, 10/18, and 270 broodstock Atlantic Salmon were stocked into the Naugatuck River (135 fish in the upper broodstock area and 135 fish into the lower broodstock area) on Friday, 10/21. In addition, 500 fish were stocked into Mount Tom Pond and 500 fish into Crystal Lake (Ellington) three weeks ago. These salmon are 2- to 6-pound fish. Additional fish will become available from the Kensington State Fish Hatchery in November, including some in the 6- to 20-pound range.
Trout stocking was delayed and modified this fall in Connecticut due to drought-like conditions. 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 ponds across Rhode Island with an additional 6,000 trout in October. Because of the extreme drought conditions present in many of the state’s freshwaters, the number of waterbodies being stocked is limited; if conditions improve, additional stocking will take place this fall.
The following waters received trout:
Carbuncle Pond, Coventry
Olney Pond, Lincoln
Silver Spring Pond, North Kingstown
Barber Pond, South Kingstown
Round Top Ponds, Burrillville
Stafford Pond, Tiverton
Wood River and Pawcatuck River, Richmond
MASSACHUSETTS
Fall Trout Stocking varies each year, but stocking takes place during a 2-week period (depending on water temperatures), beginning in the last week of September and ending before Columbus Day weekend. Fall stocking reports – updated daily – are now available here. The trout stocked waters pages provide a list of Massachusetts waters that are usually stocked in the spring and fall.
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, according to Inland Fisheries Division Chief Jason Smith.
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.
Akers Pond, Errol
Beaver Lake, Derry
Cedar Pond, Milan
Chocorua Lake, Tamworth
Crystal Lake, Gilmanton
Diamond Pond (Big), Stewartstown
Forest Lake, Winchester
Gustin Pond, Marlow
Laurel Lake, Fitzwilliam
Martin Meadow Pond, Lancaster
Massabesic Lake, Manchester
Mirror Lake, Woodstock
Newell Pond, Alstead
Opechee Lake, Laconia
Pearl Lake, Lisbon
Silver Lake, Madison
Stinson Lake, Rumney
Streeter Pond, Sugar Hill
Sunapee Lake (Little), New London
Waukewan Lake, Meredith
Wentworth Lake, Wolfeboro
Winona Lake, Center Harbor
Additionally, the Fish and Game Department hatcheries will stock out post-spawn brook and brown trout into selected waterbodies without a closed season before winter. These fish can range from 2-3 pounds each. Numbers, dates and stocking locations vary annually, depending on availability.
If anglers wish to pursue some open-water trout fishing in rivers, the Department will be stocking portions of the Cocheco and Lamprey rivers in mid-October through mid-November with surplus broodfish from our New Hampton Hatchery.
Berry Brook in Rye is also stocked with 2,500 yearling brown trout. This is a unique fishery where people can fish for “salters,” some of which can get rather large if they survive several years feeding in New Hampshire’s coastal estuaries.
