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Fishing at Fort Trumbull State Park
Fishing at Fort Trumbull State Park
Spectacular fishing opportunities abound with a one-of-a-kind fishing pier boasting over 500' of shore-based access to the major game fish of Long Island Sound. Saltwater anglers will find a unique combination of sport fish including striped bass, bluefish, weakfish and tautog as they feed on the variety of bait fish found at the mouth of the Thames River. In addition to 24-hour access, the pier offers bright lighting and individual pole holders for angler comfort; year-round restrooms and fresh running water. More at CT State Parks.
Pets on a leash are permitted in the park. They are not allowed inside buildings, including the fort, or on the fishing pier.
Saturday May 11, 2024 is Free Fishing Day. No fishing license is required.
Sunday June 16, 2024 is Free Fishing License Day 1. Must get a free 1-day license from the licensing system. The free 1-day license is available starting 3 weeks prior to the date.
Saturday August 10, 2024, is Free Fishing License Day 2. Must get a free 1-day license from the licensing system. The free 1-day license is available starting 3 weeks prior to the date.
FREE Salt Water Fishing Day with Fish with CARE on August 10th at Fort Trumbull State Park (on the fishing pier) in New London, Connecticut. Enjoy time out on the fishing pier with friends and family. Fish with CARE staff and volunteers will be there with fishing poles, bait and will provide fishing instruction, if needed.
Additional information at Fisheries Licenses, Permits, and Related Products
Fort Trumbull State Park tides for fishing and bite times this week
Fort Trumbull State Park tides for fishing and bite times this week
Tide times for fishing in Fort Trumbull State Park this week. Contains a Fort Trumbull State Park tide chart for the week. Additional tide and marine information for Fort Trumbull State Park at https://www.tideschart.com/United-States/Connecticut/New-London-County/Fort-Trumbull-State-Park/Fishing/
Fort Trumbull State Park weather forecast for this week
Fort Trumbull State Park weather forecast for this week
Current weather, Today's and This weeks weather in Fort Trumbull State Park at https://www.tideschart.com/United-States/Connecticut/New-London-County/Fort-Trumbull-State-Park/Weather/
Fishing Regs and License Information
Fishing Regs and License Information
A Summary of Regulations and Definitions for Recreational Fishing in Connecticut
(Version 1.6 Revised May 26, 2023)
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Bureau of Natural Resources | Fisheries Division
Purpose of this Document
To provide a concise, easy to read, summary of the sport fishing regulations and definitions. Please note that this document may not be current as laws and regulations may have changed since the printing of this document. Every effort has been made to ensure the information provided here is accurate, however, for legal purposes the official regulations/definitions are found on the web page of the Connecticut Secretary of State.
We encourage the use of the digital versions, freshwater and saltwater, found on the DEEP Fisheries Division web page as web-based content can be modified or updated immediately as required.
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/fishing/anglers_guide/2023-Fishing-Pocket-Guide.pdf
FISHING LICENSE INFORMATION
In Connecticut, a fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older for fishing, both inland and on marine waters, whether fishing from the shore or a boat.
Those exempt from needed a Connecticut fishing license are the legally blind and mentally disabled, and angler with the loss of a limb or use of a limb.
Residents 65 and older can receive a free lifetime fishing license, which will need to be renewed each year with no cost. Active duty members of the military can receive a fishing license for the resident fee.
Licenses are issued for the calendar year and expire on December 31.
WHERE TO PURCHASE
Connecticut fishing licenses can be purchased online, DEEP offices, and from many stores. Licenses purchased online do not need to be printed and can be displayed on any mobile device.
Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection - Online Sportsmen Licensing - Click icon above.
FISHING RESIDENTS
A resident inland fishing license is $28 for anglers 18 to 64 and $14 for anglers 16 and 17. All water fishing permits are available for $32 and $16 respectively.
Combination hunting and fishing licenses are available.
Trout and salmon stamps are required in addition to the fishing license. For anglers age 18 and older, the stamp is $5. Seniors are required to purchase the stamp. For anglers 16 and 17, the stamp is $3.
For a resident marine fishing permit the cost is $10 for anglers ages 18 to 64 and $5 for anglers 16 and 17. One day marine fishing permits can be purchased for $5 and $3 respectively.
FISHING NONRESIDENTS
For nonresidents to fish in Connecticut waters, the seasonal permit is $55 and the all waters permit is $63.
Nonresidents can purchase a three-day inland fishing permit for $22. Combination fishing and hunting licenses are available.
Marine fishing licenses for nonresidents cost $15. A three-day permit is available for $8 for nonresidents.
For armed forces members, the inland fishing permit is $28 and the all waters permit is $40. A marine permit is available for $10.
NONRESIDENTS
For nonresidents a Connecticut fishing license is $20 annually. Licenses are also available for 7-day tourist fishing for $12.50. To fish from a boat 20 feet or less, the permit cost is $40 for nonresidents. The fee for a boat longer than 20 feet is $50.
Additional licenses available for nonresidents include Head Boat ($600), Charter Boat ($300), and Guide/Fishing Boat ($300.)
The trout fishing license for all nonresidents 12 to 64 is $6.20.
CT fishing licenses: From rules to prices, here’s what to know
CT fishing licenses: From rules to prices, here’s what to know
The two main fishing licenses in Connecticut are "Inland Only" (freshwater) and "Marine Only" (saltwater). Connecticut also offers a license for all water types. These licenses must be procured for anyone over the age of 16 that is wanting to fish in the state. Here at Fort Trumbull, you need the Marine license (saltwater).
Connecticut Saltwater Fishing Guide can be found at https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Fishing/Saltwater-Fishing-Guide
Marine Recreational Fisheries Regulations at https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Fishing/Saltwater-Fishing-Guide/Species-Regulations
Applicability of Marine Recreational Fishing Regulations
Those with fishing licenses can also add a "Trout and Salmon Stamp," which allows them to harvest salmon and trout as well as fish in trout and salmon management areas. Connecticut also offers "small game firearms hunting," and bow and arrow permits in combination with fishing licenses.
Other specialized fishing licenses include personal-use lobster licenses, commercial fishing licenses and permits, seafood dealing licenses and bait dealing licenses.
How much do Connecticut fishing licenses cost?
The cost of a license varies based on where you are fishing. An adult marine waters fishing license costs $10 for the year while an inland permits goes for $28. A combination license this year costs $32. One-day permits for saltwater fishing cost $5 for residents. Three-day permits for non-residents start at $8 for saltwater fishing.
Saltwater Species Regulations for 2024 without photos
Saltwater Species Regulations for 2024 without photos
Striped Bass
Minimum length: No person shall possess any striped bass less than 28 inches or greater than or equal to 31 inches measured from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail. Any striped bass less than 28 inches or greater than or equal to 31 inches shall, without avoidable injury, be returned immediately to the water from which taken.
Daily creel limit: 1 fish per angler
Open Season: Open Year Round
Inline circle hook required when fishing with bait (does not apply to artificial lures).
Summer Flounder (Fluke) -- Regulation Changes for 2024 in bold
Open Season: May 4 - August 1; 19 inch minimum length
Open Season: August 2 - October 15; 19.5 inch minimum length
Daily creel limit: 3 fish per angler
Enhanced Opportunity Shore Fishing Sites the Minimum Length is 17 inches
Tautog (Blackfish)
Minimum length: 16 inches
Open Season: April 1 - April 30, 2 fish per angler
Open Season: July 1 - August 31, 2 fish per angler
Open Season: October 10 - November 28, 3 fish per angler
Scup (Porgy)
Minimum length: 11 inches for boat anglers / 9.5 inches for shore anglers (including Enhanced Opportunity Fishing Sites)
Daily creel limit: 30 fish per angler
Open Season: May 1 - December 31
Party/Charter Vessel Bonus Season:
For paying passengers only: 30 fish per angler from May 1 - August 31 and November 1 - December 31; 40 fish per angler from September 1 - October 31
Bluefish
Minimum length: None
Daily creel limit: 3 fish per angler (including "snappers")
Open Season: Open Year Round
Party/Charter Vessel: for paying passengers only - daily creel limit, 5 fish per angler
Black Sea Bass
Minimum length:16 inches**
Daily creel limit: 5 fish per angler
Open Season: May 18 - June 23; July 8 - November 28; season closed June 24 - July 7 (NEW for second year)
**Excluding tail fin filament (tendril)
Party/Charter Vessels:
Open Season: May 18 - November 28
Bag Limit (for paying passengers only): 5 fish per angler from May 18 - August 31; 7 fish per angler from September 1 - November 28
Daily logbook reporting required by Party/Charter Vessel operator for trips taking Black Sea Bass
Weakfish (Sea Trout)
Minimum length: 16 inches
Daily creel limit: 1 fish per angler
Open Season: Open Year Round
Winter Flounder Minimum length: 12 inches
Daily creel limit: 2 fish per angler
Open Season: Open April 1 - December 31
Hickory Shad
Minimum length: None
Daily creel limit: 6 fish per angler (American and Hickory Shad in aggregate)
Open Season: Open Year Round
American Shad***
Minimum length: None
Daily creel limit: 6 fish per angler (American and Hickory Shad in aggregate)
Open Season: Open Year Round
***American Shad: all state waters closed, except the Connecticut River System
River Herring: Alewife / Blueback Herring
The taking of anadromous alewife and blueback herring is prohibited from all Connecticut waters, including Long Island Sound.
White Perch
Minimum length: 7 inches
Daily creel limit: 30 fish per angler
Open Season: Open Year Round
American Eel
Minimum length: 9 inches
Daily creel limit: 25 fish per angler
Open Season: Open Year Round
Atlantic Menhaden (Bunker)
Minimum length: None
Daily creel limit: 50 fish per angler or 5 gallons (whichever is the greater amount)
Open Season: Open Year Round
Atlantic Cod: Updated federal regulations
Haddock: Updated federal regulations
Pollock: Updated federal regulations
Blue Crab No License Required
Minimum shell width (spike tip to spike tip)
5 inches - Hard shell
3 1/2 inches - Soft shell
Daily creel limit: None
Open Season: May 1 - November 30
Prohibition on egg-bearing females
Jonah Crab No License Required
Daily creel limit: 50 Crabs per Day
Prohibition on egg-bearing females
Squid No License Required
Smooth and Spiny Dogfish
Minimum length: None
Daily creel limit: None
Open Season: Open Year
Coastal Shark Species
An Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permit is required to take, possess, or land any shark species, other than smooth or spiny dogfish, in this state in either the sport or commercial fisheries. To obtain an HMS permit, visit: http://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/aps/permits/ or call NMFS Customer Service Center at 1-888-872-8862.
Red Drum (Redfish)
Maximum length: 27 inches
Daily creel limit: 1 fish per angler
Open Season: Open Year Round
Tunas, billfish, and swordfish are managed by NOAA's Highly Migratory Species Office. Please consult NOAA Fisheries for permitting requirements and regulations.
Please contact the Fisheries Division with any questions.
Phone: 860-434-6043; E-mail: deep.marine.fisheries@ct.gov
Content last updated on May 15, 2024.
For questions, please email forttrumbullfriends@gmail.com
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