Fall Broodstock Atlantic Salmon Stocking Set to Begin

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's Inland Fisheries Division will be stocking approximately 400 broodstock Atlantic salmon into the Naugatuck River, Mount Tom Pond, the Shetucket River and Crystal Lake in Ellington.

Storm damage prevented the stocking of the Naugatuck River's Campville section, according to a press release from the state DEEP.

Most of this river stretch is within the Thomaston Dam Recreation Area that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers closed due to ongoing clean up operations resulting from tropical storms Irene and Lee, the press release stated.

"In light of this closure, we revised our stocking plans for western Connecticut locations," said Peter Aarrestad, director of DEEP’s Inland Fisheries Division. "The same number of fish will be stocked, but Mount Tom Pond will receive most of its allotment of this year’s salmon in October and the lower Naugatuck River area will also receive some of the fish originally scheduled for the Campville section. Should this area be re-opened prior to the November post-spawning stockings, it will be stocked, otherwise, all the Naugatuck River fish will be released into the lower broodstock area."

Salmon Specifics

The broodstock Atlantic salmon stocked in Connecticut are raised in state and federal hatcheries to provide eggs for the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program.

The salmon 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.

Atlantic salmon are renowned for their size, beauty and fighting ability.

"The broodstock Atlantic salmon program has become quite popular with anglers," said Aarrestad. "Catching an Atlantic salmon is a thrilling experience. Not only do they put up a great fight, often jumping completely out of the water, but they also provide anglers a glimpse into the state’s past when Atlantic salmon were abundant."

The 400 fish that are being released range in weight from three to 18 pounds each. Following spawning later this fall, the DEEP expects an additional 500 salmon from the Kensington Hatchery becoming available for stocking in November.

Fishing Locations

Crystal Lake was stocked with 50 salmon on Tuesday, Oct. 18. One hundred salmon were released into the Naugatuck River on Wednesday, Oct. 20. Mount Tom Pond will be stocked with 100 salmon on Thursday, Oct. 20 and the Shetucket River will be stocked with 100 salmon on Friday, Oct. 21.

Atlantic salmon broodstock stocked in the Shetucket and Naugatuck rivers are typically released into three designated Atlantic Salmon Broodstock Areas:

1. Between Scotland Dam in Scotland and Occum Dam in Norwich on the Shetucket River
2. The Campville Section of the upper Naugatuck River from Route 118 downstream to the Thomaston Flood Control Dam in Litchfield-Thomaston
3. The Beacon Falls section of the lower Naugatuck from Prospect Street in Naugatuck downstream to Pines Bridge Road on the Route 42 bridge in Beacon Falls

Anglers are allowed to fish for salmon in the Naugatuck River from the confluence of the East and West Branches in Torrington and downstream to the Housatonic River in Derby.

Anglers may also fish for Atlantic salmon in the Housatonic River downstream of Derby Dam.

Housatonic, Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers

On the Shetucket River, anglers can fish for salmon downstream from the Scotland Dam in 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 through Wednesday, Nov. 30.

From Thursday, December 1, through March 31, 2012, 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 October 1 through March 31, 2012, fishing for other species in the designated Atlantic Salmon Broodstock Areas is restricted to the gear legal for Atlantic salmon.

Beginning in 2007, DEEP has stocked selected lakes with broodstock Atlantic salmon. This fall, Mount Tom Pond and Crystal Lake are again being stocked. Anglers may also occasionally catch salmon that have held over from previous stockings of Beach Pond and Mashapaug Lake.

The regulations for broodstock Atlantic salmon released into lakes and ponds are different from the regulations for salmon in the Naugatuck, Housatonic and Shetucket Rivers.

In each lake, the regulations for methods, seasons and minimum lengths for salmon are the same as for trout in that specific water body but the daily creel limit is one salmon per day.

The specific regulations for salmon fishing in Crystal Lake, Mount Tom Pond, Mashapaug Lake and Beach Pond can be found in the 2011 Connecticut Angler’s Guide.

The regulations for broodstock Atlantic salmon stocked into lakes and ponds will be posted at each water body.

Anglers can also contact DEEP’s Inland Fisheries Division at 860-424-FISH for more information. All other regulations, including those for broodstock salmon in the Naugatuck, Housatonic and Shetucket Rivers, can also be found in the 2011 Connecticut Angler’s Guide.

Guides are available from town clerk's offices, bait and tackle stores or by calling 860-424-FISH.

Fishing Regulations

Regulations for Atlantic salmon fishing in Crystal Lake, Mount Tom Pond, Beach Pond and Mashapaug Lake are as follows.

Crystal Lake

• Legal Methods: Angling and Ice Fishing - Fishing with hook and line. May include fishing with bait, flies or lures.

• Open Season: Third Saturday in April through last day in March.

• Minimum Length: Salmon must be greater than or equal to 16 inches to keep.

• Daily creel limit: 1 Atlantic salmon

Mount Tom Pond, Beach Pond*, Mashapaug Lake*

• Legal Methods: Angling and Ice Fishing – Fishing with hook and line.  May include fishing with bait, flies or lures.

•   Open Season: Third Saturday in April through last day in February.

•   Minimum Length: None

•   Daily creel limit: 1 Atlantic salmon

* Beach Pond and Mashapaug Lake are not being stocked with broodstock salmon this fall. Both lakes have been stocked previously, most recently in April 2009.