DEP Announces Atlantic Salmon Stocking

Atlantic salmon are renowned for their propensity for jumping clear of the water and their fighting ability when caught by angling. If hooking-up with one of these acrobats sounds like an exciting way to spend a beautiful crisp fall day, then the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has a fantastic opportunity for you! Today the DEP began its annual stocking of surplus broodstock Atlantic salmon into state rivers.

"A total of 250 salmon will be stocked into the Shetucket River and Naugatuck River during October to provide increased recreational fishing opportunities," said DEP Commissioner Arthur J. Rocque Jr. "These fish are raised in our hatcheries to provide eggs for the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program. After fulfilling those requirements, they are made available to provide superb salmon fishing for Connecticut anglers. This fishery continues to grow in popularity and attracts anglers from around the entire region."

Surplus broodstock salmon are between two and four years old and weigh between 2 and 12 pounds each. The DEP expects to release an additional 500-600 salmon into these rivers during November and 400 in December as they become available following spawning in state and federal fish hatcheries.

All Atlantic salmon broodstock will be 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 Bogue Road 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 (Beacon Falls).

Anglers are allowed to fish for salmon in the Naugatuck River from the confluence of the East and West Branches (Torrington) downstream to its confluence with the Housatonic River (Derby). Anglers may also fish for Atlantic salmon in the Housatonic River downstream of Derby Dam. Anglers may fish for salmon in the portion of the Shetucket River that extends downstream from the Scotland Dam (Windham) to the Water Street Bridge (Norwich-Preston), the first bridge upstream of Norwich Harbor.

Anglers are reminded that this fishery is limited to angling using a single fly or an artificial lure with a single free-swinging hook. No weight may be added above the fly or lure, and only one fly or lure may be used per line.

"Flow conditions in the rivers this fall are excellent", said Edward C. Parker, Chief of the DEP’s Bureau of Natural Resources. "The Catch-and-Release period during October and November has enabled the DEP to make the greatest use of this valuable but limited resource. For many anglers the allure of catching an Atlantic salmon in Connecticut waters was something they only dreamed about. The broodstock Atlantic salmon stocking program has allowed us to accommodate the many anglers who are interested in salmon fishing, and turn their dream into reality."

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