Fluke Regs & Trout Stocking

• Fluke Regulations: The first fluke will begin showing up in the nets of trawlers sometime in May as they follow schools of spawning squid inshore. The fluke are present as soon as there are squid in the area, but they can be difficult to catch at that time. Anglers will be allowed to keep five fluke, 18-inch minimum length. This is the same minimum size as last season, but with one less fish in the creel limit. The open season was changed from 2006 as well. The fluke season opens April 30 and runs through Sept. 5, with both these dates included in the open fishing season.
• Count on the fact both Rhode Island and New York will be making changes to their regulations as well, but neither state has anything set in stone at this point in time. Providing Rhode Island has an open season that's about like ours, the first catchable fluke will show up outside the breakwalls at Point Judith, R.I., sometime in early to mid-May.
• Trout stocking time: Now until the April 21 season opener is the time when Connecticut's hatchery personnel stock the 400,000-plus fish into lakes and streams across the state. When the stocking truck pulls up to a spot and net-after-net full of silvery trout are released, it can be very tempting, especially for kids, to grab a rod and reel and start catching fish.
• For this reason it is the time for people who live near some of the closed trout streams and ponds throughout the region to have a talk with the kids or maybe even their poaching friends. Fishing out of season is simply wrong and basically stealing these fish from those who follow the rules and regulations.
• Besides, there really is no need to cheat. There are a large number of other fishing options available, including many places that are open to trout fishing at this time. The state has a large number of TMAs (trout management areas) that are open under a variety of management schemes. Many TMAs are open year-round and some have other rules to follow, so check the 2007 Connecticut Anglers Guide for specific regulations before fishing any place at any time of year.
• Trout Management Area: Locally, anglers can take advantage of the TMAs in the Yantic, Salmon, Shetucket, and Moosup Rivers. Be aware TMAs have defined, well-marked areas in which these special rules apply, so be diligent in order to avoid a ticket from the conservation officers who will be patrolling known trouble spots from now through the season opener.
• Quinebaug Hatchery: An interesting trout fishing option can be experienced at the Quinebaug Hatchery Public Fishing Ponds. The specific rules about fishing these obviously well-stocked ponds are spelled out on Page 38 of the 2007 guide. Essentially, anglers can call 564-7542 to reserve a three-hour block of time to fish in either the fly or spin fishing areas. It's catch-and-release fishing until a fish is kept or killed. (Bob Sampson Norwich Bulletin