Connecticut's Fisheries Division has posted proposed changes to the inland fishing regulations and is seeking public comment until 4:00 pm on December 15, 2020. A public hearing will be held via the ZOOM virtual conference platform on December 1, 2020 at 6:30 pm. Register for the public hearing HERE. View the changes on our web page or online via the eRegulations system on the Secretary of State’s website. The case number is PR2020-015. Written comments should be submitted no later than 4:30 PM on December 15, 2020. Based on public comment, the proposed regulations may be adjusted to meet the objective of the proposal. Comments may be submitted using one of the following methods: · Online via the eRegulations system on the Secretary of State’s website. Go to “Open for Public comment”, select this regulation and follow instructions for submitting comments. · By mail or delivery service to Bill Foreman at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Fisheries Division, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT, 06106-5127. Simple Summary of the Proposed Changes for additional documentation and detail please visit the eRegulations system on the Secretary of State’s website 2020 INLAND FISHERIES REGULATION PROPOSALS (as of 11-9-2020) Sec. 1. Amends Section 26-112-43. Definitions and restrictions. · Updates bow & arrow fishing regulations. · Makes clarifying change to creel limit definition (change “angler” to “individual”). Sec. 2. Amends Section 26-112-44. Closed seasons. · Adds a closed season to Black Rock Pond and Walkers Reservoir. · To conform with section 5, Black Pond (Woodstock) and Mohawk Pond are removed from the list of lakes & ponds with a closed season from the last day of February to Opening Day Sec. 3. Amends Section 26-112-45. Species limitations. · Revise Carp regulations as per legislative intent (see CGS sec. 26-128). · Include tiger muskie with Northern Pike. · Add Colony Pond (Ansonia), Crescent Lake (Southington) and Rogers Park Pond (Danbury) to the list of 3 catfish per day creel limit lakes & ponds. Sec. 4. Amends Section 26-112-46. Special Management Areas. · Under subsection (c). Trout Management Areas (TMA). Corrects spelling of Merriebrook Lane (currently spelled “Merrybrook”) in the Mianus River TMA listing. · Under subsection (d). Trout Management Lakes. Black Pond (Woodstock) and Mohawk Pond are added to the list of Trout Management Lakes and managed for Brook Trout. · Under subsection (g). Wild Trout Management Areas. The designation of the Session Woods Wild Trout Management Area (WTMA) is changed from class 3 to class 1 and the name of the stream in this WTMA is updated. · Under subsection (h). Atlantic Salmon Broodstock Areas. Changes designation to “Atlantic Salmon Management Areas” to better reflect current management goals. · Under subsection (l). Trophy Carp Waters. Revise per legislative intent. Sec. 5. Repeals Sections 26-112-24 (Closed seasons) and 26-112-47 (State-controlled fishing areas). · 26-112-24: Eliminates outdated provisions concerning a statewide closed season. · 26-112-47: Eliminates outdated provisions concerning the now defunct Quinebaug Valley Trout Hatchery Public Fishing Ponds. |