How New CT Laws Affect Trout Fishing And Aquatic Alcohol Sales

CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont signed two new laws Thursday that went into effect immediately.

House Bill 5311, "An Act Concerning Boats, Motor Vehicles in Livery Service and In-State Transporter's Permits for Alcoholic Liquor. enables the holder of an in-state transporter's permit for alcoholic liquor may sell and serve alcoholic beverages on vehicles hired to transport passengers and in livery service. This can include boats, or motor vehicles such as limousines.

One permit, obtained through the Department of Consumer Protection, will cover all vehicles owned by the same permit-holder. But the owner must specifically identify each boat and vehicle where alcohol sales or consumption will be available.

Under the previous law, the annual fee for an in-state transporter’s permit is $1,250. Under the legislation just signed by Lamont, that amount of money will only pay for the first boat or vehicle. Additional vehicles will cost $200 each annually

Anglers can fish for trout all year round, now that Lamont has signed House Bill 6384, "An Act Concerning Aquatic Invasive Species Effects on Lakes and Related Funding, Certain Group Fishing Events and Eliminating the Season Limitation for the Taking of Trout." On provision of that law forbids the Department of Energy and Ecological Protection from closing trout season. That agency can still regulate the method and manner of how residents fish for trout, however.

Larger groups of people can fish for trout — or any other species — now that the law has been signed. Previously, the maximum number of anglers allowed under a group fishing license was 50. The new law raises the cap to 100. Routinely, DEEP issues a group fishing license to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations serving disabled veterans and certain people receiving services from the departments of Children and Families, Developmental Services, Mental Health and Addiction Services, and Social Services. The organizations are restricted to conduct not more than fifty such events, including marine and inland water events, in any calendar year.

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In accordance with the new law, DEEP must also give an accounting of revenue from the Aquatic Invasive Species fees, and grants from the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation. The report will be to the Environment Committee no later than Oct. 1, 2021.

The law also mandates a longer six-foot draw down period of Lake Beseck in Mddlefield, and
requires DEEP to enter into an agreement with Middlefield and the Lake Beseck Association by Nov. 1, 2021.

As of Thursday, the governor has signed 17 bills of the 2021 Regular Session.