The BMA areas are open year round. Statewide bass fishing is open year round in lakes and rivers/streams that do not have closed seasons, the BMAs just have different creel limits or catch and release requirements.

Trout fishing is closed statewide from the end of February until opening day, except in TMAs and Trophy Trout lakes that are specifically listed as being open. That means the Housatonic and Bulls Bridge TMAs are NOT closed as it is specified in the regulations that they are open year round but catch and release only.

Except for those TMAs, the rest of the Housatonic River above the Derby Dam is closed for trout until April 17th. You can still catch bass in areas like Lake Zoar, Lake Lillinonah and Lake Housatonic. The fishing guide is very specific in describing the open and closed areas along with the special regulations.

Page 8 of the angler's guide has the info. The 2012 edition is online now.

http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/fishing/anglers_guide/anguide_part1.pdf