Opening Day of trout fishing season in Connecticut is late April. Free fishing dates are May 7 (no license needed), June 19 and August 6 (free license days - you may apply online three weeks in advance of each date). State fishing licenses are required for anyone 16 years of age or older fishing in the Inland District. Licenses are issued for the calendar year and expire on December 31. Non-resident fishing licenses are $63 for a year and $22 for a three-day inland waters license. Licenses may be purchased at any Connecticut town hall, designated tackle shop, or online from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (860-424-3105).
Connecticut has more than 180 public lakes and ponds and thousands of miles of rivers and streams filled with game fish and pan fish including bass, trout, large walleye, pike or bluegills. The Farmington and Housatonic Rivers are two prized fishing waters.
Trout parks are Connecticut ponds or streams that will be stocked weekly with trout from the state’s fish hatcheries. Eleven water bodies in Connecticut have been designated as Trout Parks. Trout parks are located in easily accessible areas. Boat ramps are plentiful throughout the state.