11-10-2007, 12:24 PM
DEP Announces Second Release
of Broodstock Salmon
Atlantic salmon up to 30 pounds being released
into the Shetucket and Naugatuck Rivers
Atlantic salmon are renowned for their size, beauty and fighting ability when caught by angling. If hooking-up with one of these exceptional fish sounds like an exciting way to spend a beautiful crisp late fall day, then the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has a fantastic opportunity for you! The DEP today announced the second of its annual stockings of surplus broodstock Atlantic salmon. Over the next two weeks the DEP will be releasing a total of 400 salmon into the Shetucket River and the Naugatuck River.
"The broodstock Atlantic salmon stocking program is quite popular," said DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy. "Catching an Atlantic salmon is very special to many anglers. Until this program was started in the early 1990’s, the thought of fishing for Atlantic salmon in Connecticut was only a dream." The fish being stocked are the progeny of sea-run salmon that returned to the Connecticut River. They were raised in hatcheries to provide eggs for the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program. Having served this purpose, they will provide a unique opportunity for Connecticut anglers.
Broodstock Atlantic salmon are three to four years old and typically weigh between 3 and 15 pounds each. However, many of the fish that are being released over the next two weeks will be much larger. "The size of some of these fish is unbelievable," said Edward C. Parker, Chief of the DEP Bureau of Natural Resources. "Approximately 60 of the salmon being released are over 18 lbs with the biggest fish topping the scales at over 30 lbs," said Parker. "The lucky anglers who hook into these huge salmon are going to face a real challenge trying to land them." Later in November, following spawning, the DEP expects to have available an additional 180 salmon from its Kensington Hatchery. Additional fish may also become available following spawning in the federal hatchery.
These Atlantic salmon broodstock are being stocked into three designated Atlantic Salmon Broodstock Areas: the Shetucket River between Scotland Dam (Scotland) and Occum Dam (Norwich); the "Campville Section" of the upper Naugatuck River from Route 118 downstream to the Thomaston Flood Control Dam (Litchfield-Thomaston); and the "Beacon Falls Section" of the lower Naugatuck from Prospect Street (Naugatuck) downstream to Pines Bridge Road (Route 42 bridge, Beacon Falls).
In October, the DEP stocked its first batch of broodstock salmon into the Naugatuck River, Crystal Lake (Ellington) and Beach Pond (Voluntown). The stocking of the two lakes was a departure from previous practice necessitated by the drought in Eastern Connecticut. Since DEP began stocking surplus Atlantic salmon in 1992, all fish had been stocked into the Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers. As a result of recent rains, flows in the Shetucket River have recovered sufficiently to enable the DEP to stock the river with salmon. "These are large fish and they require a river of adequate size and depth," said Parker. "Salmon fishing in the Shetucket River is very popular and we are fortunate that conditions have improved enough to allow stocking."
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).
Angling for Atlantic salmon in the three rivers is restricted to catch-and-release only through November 30. The daily creel limit is zero and all Atlantic salmon must be immediately returned, without avoidable injury, to the waters from which taken. From December 1, 2007, through March 31, 2008, the daily creel limit for Atlantic salmon will be one. During the open season, 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. No additional weight may be added to the line above the fly or lure. From October 1st through March 31st, fishing for other species in the three designated Atlantic Salmon Broodstock Areas is restricted to the gear legal for Atlantic salmon.
[signature]
of Broodstock Salmon
Atlantic salmon up to 30 pounds being released
into the Shetucket and Naugatuck Rivers
Atlantic salmon are renowned for their size, beauty and fighting ability when caught by angling. If hooking-up with one of these exceptional fish sounds like an exciting way to spend a beautiful crisp late fall day, then the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has a fantastic opportunity for you! The DEP today announced the second of its annual stockings of surplus broodstock Atlantic salmon. Over the next two weeks the DEP will be releasing a total of 400 salmon into the Shetucket River and the Naugatuck River.
"The broodstock Atlantic salmon stocking program is quite popular," said DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy. "Catching an Atlantic salmon is very special to many anglers. Until this program was started in the early 1990’s, the thought of fishing for Atlantic salmon in Connecticut was only a dream." The fish being stocked are the progeny of sea-run salmon that returned to the Connecticut River. They were raised in hatcheries to provide eggs for the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program. Having served this purpose, they will provide a unique opportunity for Connecticut anglers.
Broodstock Atlantic salmon are three to four years old and typically weigh between 3 and 15 pounds each. However, many of the fish that are being released over the next two weeks will be much larger. "The size of some of these fish is unbelievable," said Edward C. Parker, Chief of the DEP Bureau of Natural Resources. "Approximately 60 of the salmon being released are over 18 lbs with the biggest fish topping the scales at over 30 lbs," said Parker. "The lucky anglers who hook into these huge salmon are going to face a real challenge trying to land them." Later in November, following spawning, the DEP expects to have available an additional 180 salmon from its Kensington Hatchery. Additional fish may also become available following spawning in the federal hatchery.
These Atlantic salmon broodstock are being stocked into three designated Atlantic Salmon Broodstock Areas: the Shetucket River between Scotland Dam (Scotland) and Occum Dam (Norwich); the "Campville Section" of the upper Naugatuck River from Route 118 downstream to the Thomaston Flood Control Dam (Litchfield-Thomaston); and the "Beacon Falls Section" of the lower Naugatuck from Prospect Street (Naugatuck) downstream to Pines Bridge Road (Route 42 bridge, Beacon Falls).
In October, the DEP stocked its first batch of broodstock salmon into the Naugatuck River, Crystal Lake (Ellington) and Beach Pond (Voluntown). The stocking of the two lakes was a departure from previous practice necessitated by the drought in Eastern Connecticut. Since DEP began stocking surplus Atlantic salmon in 1992, all fish had been stocked into the Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers. As a result of recent rains, flows in the Shetucket River have recovered sufficiently to enable the DEP to stock the river with salmon. "These are large fish and they require a river of adequate size and depth," said Parker. "Salmon fishing in the Shetucket River is very popular and we are fortunate that conditions have improved enough to allow stocking."
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).
Angling for Atlantic salmon in the three rivers is restricted to catch-and-release only through November 30. The daily creel limit is zero and all Atlantic salmon must be immediately returned, without avoidable injury, to the waters from which taken. From December 1, 2007, through March 31, 2008, the daily creel limit for Atlantic salmon will be one. During the open season, 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. No additional weight may be added to the line above the fly or lure. From October 1st through March 31st, fishing for other species in the three designated Atlantic Salmon Broodstock Areas is restricted to the gear legal for Atlantic salmon.
[signature]
