Under authority of Sections 26-25 and 26-159a of the Connecticut General Statutes and Section 26-159a-22 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection is authorized to establish or adjust, by declaration, closed seasons, length limits, creel limits, trip limits and trip limit adjustment values in order to meet the harvest level for efficient management and to comply with interstate fishery management plans adopted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).

Regulations governing recreational fishing are amended as follows:

Black Sea Bass:
Open Season: June 15 to December 31, inclusive, Minimum Size: 13 inches, Creel Limit: 15 fish;

Scup:
Open Season: May 1 – December 31, inclusive, Minimum Size: 10.5 inches, Creel Limit: 20 fish;
except that on vessels holding a party/charter registration with DEEP, the minimum size is 11 inches and from September 1 to October 31 the possession limit for paying passengers is 40 fish.

Summer Flounder:
Open Season: May 15 to October 31, inclusive, Minimum Size: 18 inches, Creel Limit: 5 fish;

Tautog:
Minimum Size at all times: 16 inches.
Open Season: April 1 to April 30, inclusive, Creel Limit: 2 fish;
Open Season: July 1 to August 31, inclusive, Creel Limit: 2 fish;
Open Season: October 10 to December 6, inclusive, Creel Limit: 4 fish;

Enhanced Opportunity Shore Angler Program:
At 42 public fishing sites (the list will be posted soon at www.ct.gov/deep/fishing by clicking on "saltwater recreational"), the minimum sizes are adjusted as follows:
Summer flounder: Minimum Size: 16 inches, (Open Season: May 15 to October 31, 5 fish limit);
Scup: Minimum Size: 9 inches, (Open Season: May 1 to December 31, 20 fish limit).

Striped Bass Bonus Fishery Program:
The striped bass bonus fishery introduced on the Connecticut River only in 2011 is expanded to all state waters in 2012. During May and June, anglers possessing a valid 2012 Connecticut Bonus Striped Bass Voucher may possess one striped bass in the designated slot of at least 22 inches but less than 28 inches total length for each voucher possessed, up to two bonus fish per day, provided the angler immediately fills out the voucher recording the date caught and the total length in ink. The vouchers must be kept with the fish until the angler returns home then the voucher must be mailed back to Marine Fisheries (the vouchers are pre-addressed and postage paid on the reverse side). Vouchers will be distributed at selected DEEP facilities, by EnCon Officers, Marine Angler Survey creel agents and other outlets. Further details on this program will be announced in a subsequent notice.

In addition, anglers are reminded that the possession limit for winter flounder is 2 fish and for weakfish 1 fish. Refer to the 2012 Angler’s Guide for complete Marine Recreational Fishing Regulations. The Guide is expected to be delivered from the printer to licensing outlets beginning April 4.

For further information, contact the DEEP Marine Fisheries Division by email at dep.marine.fisheries@ct.gov, by mail at P.O. Box 719, Old Lyme, CT 06371 or by telephone at 860.434.6043 between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and service provider.  In conformance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, DEP makes every effort to provide equally effective services for persons with disabilities.  Individuals with disabilities who need this information in an alternative format, to allow them to benefit and/or participate in the agency’s programs and services, should call 860-424-3051 or 860-418-5937 or e-mail Marcia Bonitto, ADA Coordinator, at dep.aaoffice@ct.gov.  Persons who are hearing impaired should call the State of Connecticut relay number 711. Requests for accommodations must be made at least two weeks prior to the program date.

(N12-07)