The following was issued today by the Connecticut DEEP:
Under authority of Sections 26-25 and 26-159a of the Connecticut General Statutes and Section 26-159a-22 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection is authorized to establish or adjust, by declaration, closed seasons, length limits, creel limits, trip limits and trip limit adjustment values in order to meet the harvest level for efficient management and to comply with interstate fishery management plans adopted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).
Regulations governing recreational fishing are amended as follows:
American shad:
American shad may only be harvested from the Connecticut River system, the southern boundary of which is a line extending between Griswold Point in Old Lyme and the outer light on the Old Saybrook breakwater. American shad fishing in all other waters is limited to catch and release only;
Atlantic menhaden:
Creel Limit: 50 fish or 5 gallons, whichever is the greater amount;
Black Sea Bass:
Open Season: June 15 to August 31, Creel Limit: 3 fish;
Open Season: September 1 to October 29, Creel Limit: 8 fish;
Minimum Size: 13 inches, excluding the tendril;
Scup:
Open Season: May 1 to December 31, Minimum Size: 10.5 inches, Creel Limit: 20 fish;
Except that on vessels holding a party/charter registration with DEEP, the minimum size is 11 inches and from September 1 to October 31 the possession limit for paying passengers is 45 fish.
Summer Flounder (fluke):
Open Season: May 15 to October 31, inclusive, Minimum Size: 17.5 inches, Creel Limit: 5 fish;
Tautog:
Minimum Size at all times: 16 inches.
Open Season: April 1 to April 30, inclusive, Creel Limit: 2 fish;
Open Season: July 1 to August 31, inclusive, Creel Limit: 2 fish;
Open Season: October 10 to December 6, inclusive, Creel Limit: 4 fish;
Weakfish:
Open Season: Year Round, Minimum Size: 16 inches, Creel Limit: 1 fish;
Winter Flounder:
Open Season April 1 to May 30, Minimum Size: 12 inches, Creel Limit: 2 fish;
Enhanced Opportunity Shore Angler Program:
At 46 public fishing sites (the list will be posted soon at www.ct.gov by selecting saltwater recreational), the minimum sizes are adjusted as follows:
Enhanced Opportunity Summer flounder:
Minimum Size: 16 inches, (Open Season: May 15 to October 31, 5 fish limit);
Enhanced Opportunity Scup:
Minimum Size: 9 inches, (Open Season: May 1 to December 31, 20 fish limit)
Striped Bass Bonus Fishery Program:
The striped bass bonus fishery introduced on the Connecticut River only in 2011 was expanded to all state waters in 2012 and remains a statewide program in 2013. During May and June, anglers possessing a valid 2013 Connecticut Bonus Striped Bass Voucher may possess one striped bass in the designated slot of at least 22 inches but less than 28 inches total length for each voucher possessed, up to two bonus fish per day, provided the angler immediately upon capture of an eligible fish fills out the voucher recording the date caught and the total length of the retained fish in ink.
The vouchers must be kept with the fish until the angler returns home then the voucher must be mailed back to Marine Fisheries (the vouchers are pre-addressed and postage paid on the reverse side). Vouchers will be distributed at selected DEEP facilities, by EnCon Officers, Marine Angler Survey creel agents.
Further details on this program, including when vouchers will be available, will be announced in a subsequent notice. A limited number of vouchers will be reserved for programs such as the Take a Kid Fishing, Take a Veteran Fishing, Municipal youth and urban angler programs. If you or your organization sponsor such a program and would like to receive vouchers, please contact the Marine Fisheries Division.
