Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has designated Saturday, Aug. 15, as the second of two “Free Fishing License” days in 2015. Get a free one-day fishing license so you can spend time outdoors as a family catching great memories (and a fish or two)! The free fishing license day is one of DEEP’s initiatives designed to connect people with outdoor activities and Connecticut’s natural resources.
To participate Aug. 15, anyone – resident or nonresident – can obtain a free one-day fishing license good for both the inland and marine districts through the DEEP online sportsmen licensing system (www.ct.gov/deep/sportsmenlicensing) or at any venue that sells fishing licenses.
“Studies have shown that people who are hesitant about trying fishing often cite the license fee as a primary reason. The intent of Free Fishing License Day is to encourage those considering fishing to give it a try for free,” said Susan Whalen, DEEP deputy commissioner. “We’re confident that as people try fishing, they’ll experience the many benefits fishing offers and will be hooked on the sport.”
Aug. 15 also is Saltwater Fishing Day, held at Fort Trumbull State Park in New London, sponsored by the No Child Left Inside Program and the Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education program. Combining the annual saltwater fishing day with free fishing license day provides families the opportunity to plan an outing focused around fishing together as each family member 16 years of age or older can obtain a free one-day fishing license.
“We know many people would like to try saltwater fishing but may not know of an opportunity to do so. Coupling free fishing license day and the saltwater fishing day provides a great opportunity for the new or experienced angler to fish for marine species like bluefish, striped bass, scup, and blackfish,” said Whalen.
There are a number of other fishing opportunities available for youngsters. For those 16 or 17 years of age, licenses for the entire season are 50 percent off of the regular adult price. Those who are 15 or younger do not need a fishing license but can register using the same on-line system to obtain a “Youth Fishing Passport.” This passport provides access to two fishing-related activities and a list of sponsors who are offering discounts or free items to passport holders. Visit www.ct.gov/deep/yfp for details.
“We know that once people try fishing and visit our many lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and Long Island Sound they will be amazed at how much they have been missing. Connecticut has just about every type of fishing within 25 miles of just about every resident,” said Peter Aarrestad, director of DEEP’s Inland Fisheries Division. “Whether one chooses trout, bass, pike, panfish, or saltwater species like striped bass, fluke, porgy or bluefish, we have it all.”
Need to find a place to fish? Check out the listings in the 2015 Connecticut Angler’s Guide or call 860-424-FISH (3474). Anglers also can find fishing regulations in the guide, which is online at www.ct.gov/deep/anglersguide. Print versions are available at more than 350 locations statewide, including many town halls, bait and tackle shops, vendors selling outdoor equipment, DEEP facilities, and commercial marinas and campgrounds.
Additional fishing and fisheries related information can be found on the DEEP website, www.ct.gov/deep/fishing; on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ctfishandwildlife; and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/CTFishingInfo or @CTFishinginfo.
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