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Proposed Connecticut Fishing and Hunting Legislation Under Review

Winter has a way of slipping by, but so does proposed state legislation if one isn’t kept abreast of the various agendas. For example, we thought that the proposed fishing fees for those aged 65 and older were put to bed last year. However, S.B. No. 831 resurfaced at a recent public hearing held by the Environment Committee to some very unsupportive testimony. The bill calls for a $5 fee each for both an inland and a marine fishing license or $7.50 for a combination license. The bill also calls for anyone who has reached 65 prior to the cutoff date of Jan. 1, 2018 to be grandfathered, whereby the fee would be waived. The general consensus among a range of longtime fishers, including vets and this skipper, is that we deeply oppose this legislation.

Another bill, H.B. No. 5858, concerns amending the General Statutes “to authorize the issuance of lifetime hunting and fishing licenses and combinations thereof. Furthermore, such licenses would be indicated by the placement of an endorsement on the driver’s license of any such individual.” The purpose of this bill would be “to allow for the purchase” of said licenses. The discussion and debate centers around the feasibility of such action and as to whether or not such an act would have a positive or negative long-term financial effect. It would all boil down to the numbers and whether the cost would be palatable not only to the state, but also the purchasers.

Of the 18 bills open for comments at the public hearing, these two were destined to generate heated debates afterward: S.B. No. 522 authorizing bear hunting in Connecticut and H.B. No. 5499 authorizing Sunday hunting on private lands. An update to their progress and those related to fishing and hunting licenses will be forthcoming. It also looks as though last year’s proposed Trout Stamp and Salmon Stamp will be a reality in 2018 and will show up as a line item on your fishing license, if and when purchased.

On the Water

Meteorologically, spring is here and, for the better part the week, it felt like it. Air temperatures rallied around the 60s before a sudden drop to the low teens and then single digits. Torrential rain and lightning, along with gale force winds, kicked up Long Island Sound and battered around unsecured items. The new moon influenced the tidal flow, which over-swept the marshlands at high and bared the flats at low—great for the clammers. Eventually, things settled down and warmers temps repeated the cycle before Saturday, March 12, which is Daylight Saving Time.

Throughout the swings in weather, inshore water temperatures climbed from 39 to 44 degrees, prompting more fish in the key tidal rivers to feed. Fishers that haven’t felt a bite or heard a drag sing all season began to take note and dust off their gear. Some began dunking bait, but most resorted to artificial lures like swim shads and small plugs. Most fish caught were of the schoolie class, but some topped 30 pounds. It’s still a bit early, although water temps and available food are telling a somewhat different story.

It’s hard to believe that in another four weeks, both winter flounder and blackfish (tautog) season will open. In the meantime, since ice is practically non-existent, there is ample open inland water to fish. Except for the Trout Management Lakes (TMLs) and the Trout Management Areas, all stocked waters are closed to fishing until Opening Day on Saturday, April 8. The spring trout stocking program has begun with initial preference given to the TMLs that will remain open through Friday, March 31. Fishing in the non-trout lakes and ponds has resulted in variable catch activity with pickerel, black crappie, some largemouths, and limited pike. Atlantic salmon catches have also been on again, off again in the Shetucket and Naugatuck rivers. The season for salmon also remains open through March 31.

Point of Information

There is an invasive species plant that has turned up in the Northeast called the water chestnut (Trapa natans). This European floating plant was initially introduced into our waterways, lakes, and ponds in the late 1800s, and is spreading. It is kept in check by native insects not known here. Its leaves have toothy edges that latch on, it has painful underwater spiny fruits, and is an annual aquatic plant that has become troublesome in Connecticut waters. It also mats up, causing difficulty for boaters and juvenile fish, and severely limits light penetration, leading to oxygen depletion that harms native plants. Its seeds can remain dormant on the bottom for up to 12 years. Due to their hooked leaves, they can be gathered rather easily, but use caution when disposing and thoroughly clean anything coming in contact with them.

Note: Email us pics of your catches to share with our USA and international fishing friends who keep up with the latest fishing news and frequent social media.

For all things fishy including permits, swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days located at 21 Boston Post Road, Madison. Until next time from your Connecticut shoreline’s full-service fishing outfitter, where we don’t make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better...

Tight Lines,

Captain Morgan

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