Oxford Man Wins DEP Fishing Award

Editor's Note: This news release was submitted by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) honored an Oxford man at its ‘Third Annual Trophy Fish Award Ceremony’ at the Northeast Fishing and Hunting Expo in the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford this winter.

Sixty-three anglers were presented certificates recognizing their achievement of having caught or landed the largest fish in one of several species categories during 2010.

The Annual Trophy Fish Award Ceremony is a recent addition to the Department’s Trophy Fish Award program. Established in 1965, this program recognizes anglers for catching freshwater and saltwater fish of qualifying size. Anglers complete and submit an affidavit with an attached photo of their catch. The program has evolved in the years since its inception. There are now youth (anglers under the age of 16) and adult categories for both catch-and-release fishing and for those who harvest their catch.

“Each year, the Department recognizes the achievements of up to 200 anglers for having caught truly remarkable fresh and saltwater fish,” said Bill Hyatt, Chief of DEP’s Bureau of Natural Resources.

The ceremony recognized those who caught the largest fish during 2010.

“Fishing is an activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family and it can be done close to home. These awards demonstrate the excellent fishing opportunities that we have right here in Connecticut,” Hyatt said.

DEP recognized several anglers as “Angler of the Year.” Special recognition was awarded to two freshwater and four saltwater anglers who received Trophy Fish Awards in the widest array of categories in 2010.

“This award is intended to promote an awareness of some of Connecticut’s less familiar species,” explained Dave Simpson, Director of DEP’s Marine Fisheries Division.

Additionally, this year DEP’s Inland Fisheries Division presented an award to the angler who received the most Trophy Fish Awards in 2010.

More information about the Trophy Fish Award Program is available in the 2011 Connecticut Angler’s Guide, on the DEP website (www.ct.gov/dep/fishing), or by contacting the Inland Fisheries Division (860-424-FISH) or the Marine Fisheries Division (860-434-6043).

Opening Day of Fishing was Saturday, April 16. Fishing licenses can be purchased on-line at:  www.ct.gov/dep/fishinglicense

Below are the names and hometowns of anglers who were recognized for their achievements during 2010:

Harry C. Barber

Middlefield

Katherine Koczak

North Haven

Michael J. Battcock

Lisbon

Daniel E.S. Kornegay III

East Hampton

Gerald F. Benoit Jr.

Lisbon

Jaan Kurisoo

Waterford

Jill Blonski

Fairfield

Larry E. Lainey

Stratford

Bryan Bottone

North Haven

Justin Lawrence

Tolland

Jason Bradshaw

Vernon

Laurie Macha

Baltic

Jamie Brignolo

Winsted

Brian Martel

Coventry

Hope Brodersen

East Hampton

John Mastro

Clinton

Nicholas Burnore

Storrs

Christopher McDowell

East Hampton

Patrick A. Campbell

Oakdale

Blake McGee

Madison

Theresa Carlton

New Britain

Robert C. Meehan

Manchester

Bernard N. Castiglione

Ellington

Richard Melillo

Danbury

Alex Chumpitazi

Bozrah

John K. Mikita

Oxford

Tina Credit

Oakdale

Charles Moon

East Haven

John Cummings

Danbury

Peter Murawski

East Hartford

Nathan Dean

Wallingford

Judy Muszynski

Middlefield

Daniel Dobroczynski

Southington

Tony Notaro

Wallingford

Graham Dudley

Bristol

Nicholas Pronovost

Coventry

Jacques Dulac

Coventry

Paul Sadowski

Plainville

Kevin Fasulo

Ivoryton

Timothy Sendra

Vernon

George Fisher

New Fairfield

Paul Sibiga Jr.

Marlborough

Britnei Frederick

Milford

Tommy Z. Siemaszko

New Haven

Brian Fry

Suffield

Fred Spadaccini

Old Saybrook

Jared Gagnon

Charlton (MA)

Joshua Tetrault

Plainfield  

Braeden Giller

Willington

Michael Thureson

Canton

Malcolm Hafford

Middletown

Alison Guilford

Guilford

Janine Hassan

New Fairfield

Lars Vikstrom

New Milford

Sean Heller

East Hampton

Amanda Wallace

Stratford

Tracy Hunter

Middletown

James J. Ward

Washington

Scott Isabelle

Barkhamsted

Richard Wilson

New London

Danny Keeler

Stratford

Kenneth E. Zeitz

South Windsor

Timothy E. Kilbride

Meriden