Connecticut wildlife authorities have begun stocking some state rivers and streams with broodstock salmon, a potential boon to thousands of recreational fishers.
The Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) Inland Fisheries Division recently released 700 salmon into the Naugatuck River, Litchfield County’s Mt. Tom Pond and Ellington’s Crystal Lake, the agency said.
Early next week, DEEP will be releasing 300 salmon into the Shetucket River.
The broodstock Atlantic salmon stocked in Connecticut were raised in state hatcheries to provide eggs for the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program and are the progeny of sea-run fish that returned to the Connecticut River.
Beginning in 1992, surplus and spawned fish have been made available to provide a recreational fishery for Connecticut anglers.
This first group of released broodstock Atlantic salmon range in weight from two to six pounds each, the agency said. In later in October, several hundred additional fish may also be available for stocking. These fish will range from two to 15 pounds each.
Following spawning later this fall, DEEP expects an additional 800-1,000 salmon from the Kensington Hatchery will be available for stocking in November. These fish will range in weight from 4 to 15 pounds each.
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. 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).
In the Naugatuck, Housatonic and Shetucket Rivers, angling for Atlantic salmon is restricted to catch-and-release only from Oct. 1 through Nov. 30. From Dec. 1 through March 31, 2013, 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 Oct. 1 through Mar. 31, fishing for other species in the designated Atlantic Salmon Broodstock Areas is restricted to the gear legal for Atlantic salmon.
