Some of you may know that the DEEP had instituted a Trout Stamp for 2018. Currently if you go to the online licensing system there is no provision to buy a 2018 trout stamp with your 2018 fishing/hunting license. My wife is a town clerk and received the following email today. I had her ask two questions. I'm also disappointed that CT did not followed RI lead who has had trout stamps for years - making it not required for fishermen under 15 or over 65. Just not right.
From: Beauchene, Mike [mailto:Mike.Beauchene@ct.gov] Sent: Monday, December 04, 2017 12:25 PM
Subject: RE: Resources to help with customer questions about the proposed Trout Stamp
Very good questions and we will add them to our FAQ sheet.
1. On free fishing day (May 12, 2018) no trout stamp is needed as no license is needed. 2. On the 2 Free Fishing License days a trout stamp will be needed (as a license is needed, even though it is free) if the person is fishing in one of the 4 types of areas or would like to keep trout. 3. I will have to get back in touch with you on the border lake question.
Mike Beauchene Supervising Fisheries Biologist
CT Aquatic Resources Education (CARE) & Fisheries Program Support Fisheries Division Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106-5127 . P: 860.424.4185F: 860.424.4070 E: mike.beauchene@ct.gov
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Thank you so much for the information Mike. I have had a couple questions that have not been answered yet – or at least they are not on the FAQ sheet – and was wondering if you could answer them for me. 1. What about Free Fishing Days? Will a trout stamp be required? 2. What about the lakes that border other states? Colebrook, Congamond & Beach Pond are three examples. Currently, the state of Rhode Island (Beach Pond) does not require a trout stamp for that pond. Will Connecticut be the same? Looking forward to the answers at your convenience. Thanks again.
From: Beauchene, Mike [mailto:Mike.Beauchene@ct.gov] Sent: Monday, December 04, 2017 11:58 AM To: Beauchene, Mike <Mike.Beauchene@ct.gov> Subject: Resources to help with customer questions about the proposed Trout Stamp
Greetings- We have just put up a FAQ document and a brochure on the Fisheries web page (under FAQ link) to assist the public with understanding the proposed trout stamp for 2018 (text included below). Please feel free to share these links as you field inquiries from people as they begin to purchase their licenses for 2018.
Trout Stamp FAQ’s and Trout Stamp Brochure
Does Connecticut have a Trout Stamp? DEEP has recently proposed a number of changes to fishing regulations. One of these changes includes the establishment of a trout stamp. Upon review and approval of the Legislative Regulation Review Committee, the effective date of for the establishment of a trout stamp is expected to be January 2018. Please see the Trout Stamp FAQ’s and Trout Stamp Brochure for additional information.
A few very common points that have floated to the surface.
When does it take effect? The stamp does not go into effect until the Legislative Regulations Review Committee passes with approval (anticipated at their January 2018 meeting)
Does it apply to anglers 65+? Yes.
The stamp is required to fish in 4 types of waters: Trout parks, Trout Management Areas, Wild Trout Management Area, and Broodstock Atlantic Salmon Areas
The stamp is not required outside of these 4 waters, UNLESS, the angler will be keeping (harvesting or taking) trout.
Thank you for your support of CT Fishing
Mike Beauchene Supervising Fisheries Biologist
CT Aquatic Resources Education (CARE) & Fisheries Program Support Fisheries Division Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106-5127 . P: 860.424.4185F: 860.424.4070 E: mike.beauchene@ct.gov
FYI - CT is going to require CT license holders to have the trout stamp on those waters
1. What about the lakes that border other states? Colebrook, Congamond & Beach Pond are three examples. Currently, the state of Rhode Island (Beach Pond) does not require a trout stamp for that pond. Will Connecticut be the same?
We can only compel anglers who hold a CT fishing license to abide by the CT Trout Stamp requirement. As such, anglers legally fishing either Congamond or Colebrook (we stock both of these waters with trout) with a Massachusetts fishing license can do so without obtaining a CT trout stamp. The same holds true for Beach Pond (those legally fishing with a RI fishing license cannot be compelled to obtain a CT trout stamp.
trout tracker
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Registered: 04/15/04
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Loc: Terryville
The stocked lakes are refered to as "trout management lakes" not "trout management areas" so I would not think that you would need a trout stamp on the stocked lakes and ponds. Rivers and streams are refered to as "trout management areas" and would need a stamp for these areas. So if I just fish lakes and ponds I interpret this as not needing a stamp.???? Very confusing!! So we are hit with another "tax" because I want to keep a trout. And yet the state cuts back on the stocking.
I noticed you stocked 37,000 trout in the trout parks this year. Is that really necessary?? there's no way all those trout get caught, they'll die in the summer months easily. 1/10th of that amount would suffice. highland and westhill got no where near that amount of fish. I know the kids want to fish, but you say it takes great money and resources to raise the fish. seems like a huge waste to me. toss more in the lakes and streams, there's still plenty of access for fishing even if you don't have a boat.