Info on New Freshwater Fishing Regulations - from CT DEEP

Greetings fellow fishing enthusiast - Just casting a quick line to hook you up with some freshwater fishing info for 2026. As always if you have questions, suggestions, or concerns please reach out to me anytime.

• The Regulations for sportfishing in the Inland District (freshwater) have been updated. A list of the changes can be found on the DEEP webpage and at the end of this email.

• The 2026 Fishing Guide is currently being printed and should be available shortly at many town halls, DEEP offices, and bait and tackle shops. It is also available for view/download on our web page.

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Finally - Someone once handed you a rod and reel and taught you how to fish, how to escape from everyday life, unwind, and enjoy being outdoors. Will you become that person for the next generation and your community?

DEEP's Fish with CARE program is looking for volunteers to help others learn to fish. Learn more. 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻.

👉 Learn more and register: https://portal.ct.gov/deep/fishing/care/fish-with-care-coach-certification

Regulation changes for freshwater fishing - effective January 1, 2026

Definition Changes

• Established a definition for “Artificial Lure/Lure” and for “Catch and Release Fishing.”

• Modified the definitions for “Bait,” “Fish Hook/Hook,” “Fly,” “Fly Fishing,” “Daily Creel Limit,” and “Possession Limit.”

• Removed the definition of “Bobbing.”

Regulation changes for trout

• 9-inch statewide default minimum length limit for harvest (not applicable to areas subject to catch-and-release-only regulations or a more restrictive harvest length limit).

• Establishment of three new Trout Parks: Mashamoquet Brook in Pomfret, Macedonia Brook in Kent, and Kettletown Brook in Southbury.

Special trout regulations are removed from the following waterbodies, which now will be subject to default statewide regulations:

• East Branch Naugatuck River in Torrington (previously Wild Trout Management Area-Class 3)

• Shunock Brook in North Stonington (previously Wild Trout Management Area-Class 3)

• Eightmile River in East Haddam & Lyme (previously Sea-Run Stream)

• Whitford Brook in North Stonington (previously Sea-Run Stream)

• Mianus River-outside of the Trout Management Area in Greenwich & Stamford (previously Sea-Run Stream)

• Crystal Lake in Ellington (previously Trout Management Lake)

Establishment of 22 new Class 1 Wild Trout Management Areas (entirety or portions of the following):

• Beaver Brook in Barkhamsted

• Belden Brook in Granby

• Bonemill Brook in Tolland & Ellington

• Cold Brook and tributaries in Glastonbury

• Green Falls River in North Stonington

• Gulf Stream and tributaries in Somers

• Hall Meadow Brook in Norfolk

• Thorne Brook and tributaries in Hartland

• Hurricane Brook in Hartland

• Indian Hole Brook in Shelton

• Jericho Brook in Thomaston

• Lowden Brook in Voluntown

• Mohawk Pond Outflow in Goshen

• Morgan Brook in Barkhamsted

• Pease Brook in Bozrah

• Railroad Brook in Vernon

• Sages Ravine Brook in Salisbury

• Spruce Brook and tributaries in Litchfield

• Stony Brook in Montville

• Stratton Brook in Simsbury

• West Branch Salmon Brook and tributaries in Hartland

• Willow Brook and tributaries in Hamden & Cheshire

Establishment of a protective thermal refuge in Highland Lake in Winchester, at the mouth of Taylor Brook (no fishing allowed July 1 to October 15).

Regulation Changes for Other Species

• Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: catch-and-release year-round in the Housatonic River from the CT-MA state boundary to the Bleachery Dam in New Milford.

• Establishment of three Chain Pickerel Management Lakes: Lake Wononskopomuc, East Twin Lake, and West Twin Lake in Salisbury. New chain pickerel regulations on these lakes: 22-inch harvest minimum length limit, and 1 chain pickerel per day bag limit.

• Channel Catfish: Daily limit of 3 catfish in Wharton Brook Park Pond (Allen Pond) in Wallingford & North Haven.

Best of luck in 2026!

President's Holiday Message

Tis the Season!

I wish all the members of CVTU and our friends a joyous holiday season. We are getting ready to put a wrap on 2025 and move into 2026. We as a chapter accomplished many good things this past year and will continue to do more in 2026.

I hope everyone has a wonderful time with family and friends, be thankful for what you have and share with others when possible.

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Merry Christmas!
Happy Chanukah!
Happy New Year!

Mike

Hope to see you at our January gathering on 1/14.
 

Urgent Subject on CT State Fish Hatcheries - For Immediate Action

Urgent Subject: Ask Legislators to Restore Funding for State Fish Hatcheries

We need your help to restore funding for Connecticut’s fish hatcheries.

Earlier this year, the Governor’s budget cut $500,000 from the fish hatchery program. Thanks to advocacy from anglers and hunters like you, the Appropriations Committee restored this funding—but it was stripped out again at the very end of the session, without debate. Unless legislators act, this cut will mean fewer trout produced and fewer stocked waters across Connecticut.

Friends of Connecticut Sportsmen (an organization that represents the interests of anglers and hunters in Hartford) have confirmed that there is support among legislators to restore this funding . The key now is making sure our legislative leadership hears from anglers like you.

What you can do:

• Email or write your State Representative and State Senator before October 17. You can find your legislator and Senator by using this link: Find your legislator.

• Personalize your message. Legislators pay much more attention to authentic emails than form letters.

• Make the request clear: Ask them to restore the $500,000 that was cut from the DEEP Fish Hatchery line item during the final days of the legislative session.

• Share why it matters to you. For example:

• Trout fishing is an important part of your life or your family’s life.

• Hatchery funding is supported largely by sportsmen’s license fees, permits, and excise taxes.

• Trout fishing generates over $40 million annually for Connecticut’s economy.

• Without hatchery stocking, trout fishing opportunities will decline dramatically.

Supporting Information: Consider including some of below for your email or letter

• Hatcheries are operated by the DEEP Bureau of Natural Resources (BNR). The BNR’s budget is mostly (~80%) covered by fees collected from sportsmen through the sale of licenses and permits, and through a federal excise tax on hunting & fishing equipment.

• Anglers and hunters are proud of the funding support they provide for natural resource conservation, which benefits all of Connecticut’s citizens.

• Given the funding support they provide, sportsmen do not believe it was fair to cut the hatchery budget. $500,000 is a small amount in the State Budget and it is inequitable to take away these funds from sportsmen who have contributed so much above and beyond their tax dollars.

• Anglers make over a million fishing trips for trout each year in Connecticut. These trips generate over $40 Million in expenditures that help support tackle shops, convenience stores, restaurants, and other local businesses.

• It is our understanding that this $500,000 budget cut will significantly impact trout stocking.

• Without stocking from State hatcheries, CT couldn’t come close to supporting the number of trout fishing trips anglers are making.

A Sample Opening (remember to make it your own!):

“My name is [Name], and I live in [Town]. I am an avid angler and a member of [organization/club]. Trout fishing is important to me and my family, and I am very concerned that the $500,000 cut to the DEEP hatchery budget will mean fewer trout in our waters. I respectfully ask that you work to restore this funding as soon as possible.”

Your voice matters. Legislators need to hear directly from anglers in their districts that restoring hatchery funds is a priority.

Thank you for taking action to protect trout fishing in Connecticut.

Neonics Bill Update: Time to Contact Your State Officials

There’s good news but also a serious concern. This email is a bit long but if you keep reading you’ll see that there’s an important reason for you to contact your legislators as soon as you can. That information is below.

The good news is that the General Assembly is considering a bill that we think will be effective in restricting the use of neonicotinoids — neonics, the insecticide that is 7,000 times stronger than DDT and is killing the state’s birds and pollinators.

But there’s a risk that the State Senate and House will give in to pressure from the pesticide and landscaping industry to weaken the bill.

There is also a risk that they will add a provision that overturns a 15-year ban on the use of pesticides on school grounds—they actually want to bring back pesticides to the state’s schools.

Here’s an explanation, and information on how you can help.

You might remember House bill, HB 6916, An Act Concerning the Use of Neonicotinoids. It didn’t pass but the neonics provisions were added to a Senate bill, SB 9. It is a long bill that addresses other environmental problems, including climate change.

As things stand now, the neonics provision of SB9 is acceptable to us. It eliminates unnecessary uses of neonics on lawns and ornamental landscapes.

We’ve had to make compromises, however. The main one is that the bill no longer bans the use of neonic-coated seeds, as new laws in New York and Vermont do.

Still, we can live with that, for now.

What is harder to swallow is a push by industry to remove ornamental landscaping from SB 9. They want to allow the use of neonics on gardens, shrubs, and trees planted at golf courses, office complexes, residences, etc.

If the industry succeeds in getting this provision added to the bill, it would be illegal to use neonics on lawns but legal to use them on the shrubs right next to the lawns.

You’re a supporter of Connecticut Audubon because you love birds. So you know how important shrubs and planted areas next to lawns are. If you remember from our Connecticut State of the Birds 2024 report, many of our most common birds—bluebirds, robins, chickadees—routinely rely on both lawns and adjacent trees and shrubs to find food for themselves and the young birds in their nests.

It’s obvious but I’ll say it anyway: eliminating neonics on lawns but allowing them on shrubs just doesn’t make sense.

Yet it gets worse!

For the last 15 years, the use of outdoor pesticides has been banned at kindergarten through 8th grade schools in Connecticut.

There is a push to roll back part of that ban. They actually want to increase the use of pesticides on the fields where children play.

We — you and us — can’t let that happen.

Please write or call your elected officials in Hartford. You can find their contact info HERE. 

Please tell them that you support the neonics provision as it is now in SB9, and ask them to do the same. Tell them that it will protect Connecticut’s birds and keep pesticides off school grounds.

Thank you!

Joyce Leiz

Executive Director

The Connecticut Audubon Society

P.S. It is important that we head this off as soon as we can. Call or write today. If you have questions, please email me or Tom Andersen (tandersen@ctaudubon.org).

Click HERE to look up the contact info for your State Senator and House member so you can ask them not to change the neonics provision in SB9.

Getting Started with GroupMe for Candlewood Valley Trout Unlimited

CVTU has decided to use the GroupMe mobile messaging app as a communication tool among members. See the instructions below for adding the app to your mobile device and start messaging with fellow members.

GroupMe is a free and easy-to-use messaging app that will help our members stay connected, share fishing reports, coordinate outings, and stay informed about chapter events. Follow these steps to join and use GroupMe effectively.

Step 1: Download and Install GroupMe

• On your smartphone, go to the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android).

• Search for GroupMe and download the app.

• You can also access GroupMe on a computer by visiting www.groupme.com.

Step 2: Sign Up or Log In

• Open the app and sign up using your email address, phone number, and a password.

• If you already have an account, simply log in.

Step 3: Join the Candlewood Valley Trout Unlimited Group

• Send Paul Shafer (our administrator) an email or a text with your name and cell phone number. He will add you to the group and you will receive an invitation.

• Click here to email Paul Shafer, or text (203) 470-3510.

Step 4: Customize Your Profile

• Tap on your profile picture (or initials) in the upper-left corner.

• Update your name and profile picture (optional but helpful for identifying members).

• Enable notifications to stay updated on group conversations.

Step 5: Sending Messages and Media

• Open the Candlewood Valley Trout Unlimited group chat.

• Tap the message box at the bottom to type and send messages.

• To share photos, videos, or documents, tap the paperclip icon.

• Use the @mention feature to notify specific members.

Step 6: Managing Notifications

• If you receive too many alerts, you can mute notifications by tapping the group name → Settings → Mute Notifications.

• You can also customize how you receive alerts under Settings → Notifications.

Step 7: Leaving or Rejoining the Group

• If you need to leave the group, go to the group settings and select Leave Group.

• If you wish to rejoin later, ask an administrator for a new invitation.

Helpful Tips

• Keep messages relevant to fishing, chapter events, and related discussions.

• Be respectful and follow group etiquette.

• If you have any issues with the app, check the Help & Support section in GroupMe or ask a fellow member for assistance.

Fishing for Students to Get Out and Fish!

At Danbury High School, students are encouraged to think outside the box and explore new ways of learning. This year, Mr. Thomas Porcelli, an English teacher at DHS, is launching a special hands-on project aimed at empowering students through the art of crafting—specifically, building their very own personalized fishing rods from scratch.

The project will not only teach students about craftsmanship, but also valuable life skills such as patience, attention to detail, and creative problem-solving. Each student will get the opportunity to select the components, assemble, and customize their own fishing rod—an experience that will foster a sense of pride and accomplishment.

However, to bring this unique opportunity to life, Mr. Porcelli needs your support. His fundraiser is still over $600 short of its goal.

How You Can Help: Your generous donations will go directly toward purchasing the materials for the project, allowing each student to create their one-of-a-kind rod. Here’s how you can contribute:

1. Monetary Donations: Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference! Donations will help us cover the costs of high-quality materials that will make this hands-on learning experience a reality.

2. In-Kind Donations: If you have fishing rod building supplies (such as rod blanks, reel seats, guides, thread, etc.) that you are willing to donate, we would be grateful for your generosity.

3. Volunteers: If you have experience in rod building or would simply like to help guide the students through the process, we welcome volunteers to join us in the workshop.

The Benefits of This Project:

• Creativity & Personalization: Each student will design a rod that reflects their personal style and preferences, making it a special and meaningful project.

• Skill Building: Beyond learning the basics of fishing rod construction, students will gain problem-solving skills, patience, and an appreciation for craftsmanship.

• Teamwork: As students work together on this project, they will strengthen their ability to collaborate and support one another.

This project represents a wonderful opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world skills. It’s not just about building fishing rods—it’s about building confidence, pride, and a sense of accomplishment in the students.

Join Us in Making This Project a Reality:
We are thrilled about the potential impact this project will have on the students. With your help, we can make this hands-on experience accessible to all. To donate or learn more, please visit the project fundraising site here or contact Mr. Porcelli at porcet@danbury.k12.ct.us.

Thank you for supporting Danbury High School’s mission to inspire and empower the next generation of learners!

Gene Rinaldi - Long Time CVTU Member

CVTU Member Doug Peterson requested that we post this notice to the CVTU website and send an email to chapter membership.

Doug Peterson visited Gene Rinaldi today. Gene is in the hospice unit at Candlewood Valley Rehab in New Milford. He is suffering from pancreatic cancer with no treatment options.

He told Doug he would welcome visitors (for short periods) and a chance to talk about trips and fishing you might have shared with him. He feels that his fishing experiences were a huge bright spot in his life. Yankee baseball is a hot topic, too. As you may know, Gene loves being with a crowd and hamming it up. If you have any photos that would be great.

Candlewood Valley Rehab is on Park Lane East which is a right turn off of Route 202 a few miles north of the hospital. Gene's phone is 203 297 3997.

He is not in pain, but tires easily. You can imagine he welcomes comfort.

Support for the proposed legislation to improve the Upper Farmington River Flow

Trout Unlimited has reached out to the board of Candlewood Valley TU, asking for your support of an important advocacy issue on the Farmington River. Members of the Farmington Valley TU Chapter have been closely engaged and monitoring the severe challenges facing the Farmington, due to insufficient flow management from the reservoir.

Please see below for detailed instruction on exactly how you can take just a few moments to draft a powerful statement to our local legislators. We are urging their consideration of the bills being presented, to establish a baseline commitment for flow management of the West Branch of the Farmington. Time is of the essence, please act today!

** Call to Action Steps **

1. Create a new email

2. Add to the Subject line: "Support for the proposed legislation to improve the Upper Farmington River Flow"

3. Add the email addresses of the four leaders of the State Senate and House Environment Committee listed below to the "To:" section of your email. Joseph.Gresko@cga.ct.gov, Rick.Lopes@cga.ct.gov, Patrick.Callahan@housegop.ct.gov, Stephen.Harding@cga.ct.gov

4. Add FVTU as a CC in the message to allow us to track the support: Carl.FVTU@gmail.com

5. Copy the text below into the body of your new email. Make sure to enter your name and the town you live in your signature line.

Representative Joseph Gresko, Chairperson

Senator Rick Lopes, Chairperson

Senator Stephen Harding, Ranking Member

Representative Patrick Callahan, Ranking Member

Environment Committee

Room 3200

Legislative Office Building

Hartford, Connecticut 06106

Please raise for a public hearing two bills that have been proposed to the Environment Committee to address erratic flows in the Upper Farmington River. This nationally renowned and federally-designated Wild and Scenic River begins below the MDC’s Goodwin Dam in Hartland and flows for 15 miles through Barkhamsted, New Hartford, and Collinsville (Canton). Less than two miles upriver of this dam is the Colebrook River Dam which is a flood control dam owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Currently, the USACE will only release (or hold back releases) when requested to do so by the MDC.

The first bill requires the MDC to make requests for releases from the Colebrook River Dam, as necessary, to maintain the flow of water in the West Branch of the Farmington River at or above a rate determined to be a sufficient minimum flow rate by DEEP.

The second bill directs DEEP to oversee an update to the Farmington River Instream Flow Study last completed in 1992, which is linked here: http://www.farmingtonriver.org/application/files/9814/7699/4131/FmgtnRiverInstreamFlowStudySum.pdf

Updating this study will provide information to determine the best flow regime for the Upper Farmington River to support its ecological health and recreational flows in light of changes in climate, as well as recent changes to state and pending changes to federal regulations governing the water in Colebrook River Reservoir.

Thank you for considering these two bills.

Sincerely,

Your Name

Your Town

President's Message

Hi All, My mom has always said the older you get the faster the year flies buy, it’s only been recently that I understand what she meant.

Thanksgiving is in the books and I hope you all enjoyed time with friends and family. Christmas is just around the corner and CVTU has a few great things on the calendar.

Our December gathering will Feature Matt Devine and Drew Ransom both from the CT DEEP.

Matt is a cold water fisheries biologist working out of the Marlborough office of the CT DEEP. His enthusiasm and knowledge combined with his passion for all trout will bode extremely well for trout in CT for many years to come.

Drew is a Connecticut native who after many years honing his craft out west has come home to work with the wild trout initiative here in CT. Like Matt his passion and enthusiasm for his job is refreshing and the anglers of Connecticut are lucky to have him working for us.

Matt and Drew will be covering many topics during the evening,:

PLEASE come to the gathering or zoom in and hear what they have to say, Im sure they will do a grFall stocking recap and spring stocking preview

• Results from the CT recent online Trout Stocking Survey

• The plan to conserve wild trout in the state.

• Coldwater lakes research and management

• Highlights and updates from the Fisheries Division (e.g., new staff, projects, toys…)

• Where we are with Deep Brook/Meeker Brook.eat job.The more support we give the better the results will be for the future of trout in our State.

NOTE: the December gathering will be our last at Edmund Town Hall as we are going back to Stony Hill Fire House starting with the January meeting.

We will once again be joining members from the Mianus chapter for our ugly sweater party on the Farmington on December 16th, please check the website for details. This event is more about friendships and seasonal cheer than actual fishing but it is always a great day regardless of the weather (and every year at least a few fish are caught).

Other topics of note are our continued efforts to fight for protection of Deep Brook when and if the housing project “The Farm at Deep Brook” comes back to the town as a new proposal. CVTU was instrumental in bringing awareness of the flaws in the last proposal and will continue our efforts as the project moves forward.

Lastly, The chapter is required to hold elections in the spring. The current board has been in place for a number of years and we have a couple members who need to step down. As they step down we need others to step up and fill their chairs, The board is open to all members and I encourage you to reach out with questions regarding the positions open, and hope that we will get some new blood and fresh ideas as a result of the changes.

I hope to see you at the December gathering , the ugly sweater party or the December board meeting.

Cheers to to you and your families during this wonderful time of the year!

Best,

Mike

CVTU Rod Building Class

The CVTU Rod Building Class will run again this winter. This will be the third rod building class CVTU has offered since 2019 and it has been quite popular. This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow chapter members while learning skills that will stay with you for years. You can choose to build a fly rod or a fresh/saltwater spinning rod.

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This class will walk you through selecting a blank and components, building the rod, and finishing your rod. You can custom order individual components to your liking or keep it simple and order a kit with everything you need. We will show you how to do everything from step 1. We have numerous members willing to help run this class so you will be in good hands and will have fun.

CVTU is proudly supported by MudHole Custom Tackle. CVTU members are offered special discounts on all of our supplies and equipment. The first meeting will be on Zoom where we will learn how to select components. After the ordering process is complete, we will get together on a Saturday and do most of the building together. Dates TBD.

You will have the opportunity to purchase your own tools and wrapping equipment with an approximately 50% discount from Mudhole. You can also choose to borrow and return CVTU's rod building equipment if you just want to try it.

CVTU will ask participants for a $25 donation to cover the costs of tools and consumables that will be provided in the class.

Please click the button below to complete the survey to reserve a spot. Questions can be e-mailed to John Hildenbrand at Jhildenb73@gmail.com.