Crystal Lake Stocked With Atlantic Salmon

Connecticut’s Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced that 2015 autumn stockings of broodstock Atlantic salmon have begun. DEEP’s Inland Fisheries Division last week released 250 salmon into Crystal Lake (Ellington/Stafford – 125 fish) and Mount Tom Pond (Morris/Litchfield/Washington, 125 fish). This week DEEP is stocking a total of 600 salmon into the Shetucket River (300 fish) and the Naugatuck River (300 fish).

“Atlantic salmon are renowned for their size, beauty and fighting ability,” said Peter Aarrestad, Director of DEEP’s Inland Fisheries Division. “The Atlantic salmon recreational fishery has become quite popular, and catching one of these large leapers provides a thrilling experience for anglers”

From now through late fall DEEP expects to stock 1,200 Atlantic salmon. Approximately 1,000 of these fish, including those stocked last week and this week, range in weight from 2-6 pounds each. The other 200 fish will range in weight from 3 to 14 pounds each.

The regulations for broodstock Atlantic salmon released into lakes and ponds are different from the regulations for salmon in the Naugatuck, Housatonic and Shetucket Rivers. In each lake, the regulations for methods, seasons and minimum lengths for salmon are the same as for trout in that specific water body but the daily creel limit is one salmon per day. The specific regulations for salmon fishing in lakes that have been stocked with Atlantic salmon can be found in the 2015 Connecticut Angler’s Guide and are also provided at the conclusion of this news release. The regulations for broodstock Atlantic salmon stocked into lakes and ponds will also be posted at each water body. Anglers can also contact DEEP’s Inland Fisheries Division (860-424-FISH) for more information.

Crystal Lake regulations include:

• Legal Methods: Angling and Ice Fishing - Fishing with hook and line. May include fishing with bait, flies or lures.
• Open Season: Third Saturday in April through last day in March.
• Minimum Length: Salmon must be greater than or equal to 16 inches to keep
• Daily creel limit: 1 Atlantic salmon

Photo credit: Silver Leapers via flickr creative commons