Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced that for the eleventh consecutive year, one of the most sought after freshwater game fish species in the country, the Channel Catfish, has been stocked into twenty-four water bodies across Connecticut (see list of locations below.)

This year approximately 15,800 fish were stocked.  The “cats” stocked include adult fish (about 5,800) averaging 12-18 inches in length and weighing just under 2 pounds; and juvenile fish (about 10,000), averaging 9-12 inches and about ½ pound in weight. Stocking the larger fish provides an immediate summer fishery for a great tasting-high quality fish, while stocking the smaller fish provides a cost-effective investment for great catfish fishing into the future.

“This DEEP program establishes channel catfish in lakes where we know there is sufficient habitat to support a population of large gamefish,” said Bill Hyatt, Chief of DEEP’s Bureau of Natural Resources. “Anglers have reported taking five-to-seven pound fish from several of the lakes. DEEP believes that the combination of a popular gamefish stocked into waters that are selected based on scientific data is a winning combination. We’ve had great success in using this approach to develop exciting fisheries for northern pike and walleye and now we’re seeing similar results with catfish.”

Just over half of the locations stocked are part of DEEP’s Community Fishing Waters Program (CFW). Community fishing waters are located in municipal parks that are in close proximity to hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents. Many of these waters are located along bus stops enabling willing anglers to ride the bus to fish. The intent of the Community Fishing Water program is to create and enhance year-round fishing opportunities in highly populated areas by combining trout stocking (in the spring), catfish stocking (in late spring or early summer), or both. This program began in 2007 and has expanded to now include fourteen lakes or ponds.

“Connecticut has a diversity of fishing opportunities, freshwater and marine, all within a short drive or bus ride from most citizens. Stocking catfish in urban areas provides excellent family recreational opportunities close to home for the many local residents,” said Bill Hyatt. “The Community Fishing Program is one of our many efforts to promote fishing throughout the state and to provide opportunities for all to enjoy the great outdoors.”

Tips on fishing for Channel Cats and how to prepare a delicious meal with your catch are easily found with a quick internet search. There is currently no minimum size for harvest or daily catch limit for catfish in Connecticut. DEEP strongly encourages anglers to enjoy fishing and catching this great gamefish, but please only take those fish you intend to eat.

All anglers can find fishing regulations in the 2017 Connecticut Angler’s Guide, found online at www.ct.gov/deep/anglersguide. Print version of the guides are available at more than 350 locations statewide, including many town halls, bait & tackle shops and other vendors selling outdoor equipment, DEEP facilities, and commercial marinas and campgrounds, or by contacting DEEP’s Fisheries Division (860-424-FISH). Additional fishing and fisheries related information can be found on the DEEP web site at: www.ct.gov/deep/fishing and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CTFishandWildlife.

Water	Community	Approximate Number	Size**
Silver Lake	Berlin-Meriden	1,320	juvenile fish
Bunnells Pond (Beardsley Park Pond)*	Bridgeport	750	adult fish
Birge Pond*	Bristol	450	adult fish
Lake Kenosia	Danbury	550	juvenile fish
Picketts Pond*	Derby	400	adult fish
Freshwater Pond*	Enfield	400	adult fish
Batterson Park Ponf	Farmington-New Britain	285	juvenile fish
Hopeville Pond	Griswold	1,300	juvenile fish
Lake Wintergreen*	Hamden	1,275	juvenile and adult fish
Keeney Park Pond*	Hartford	250	adult fish
Quinebaug Lake	Killingly	800	juvenile fish
Center Springs Park Pond*	Manchester	275	adult fish
Mirror Lake (Hubbard Park Pond)*	Meriden	300	adult fish
Black Pond	Meriden-Middlefield	670	juvenile fish
Rowans Pond (Butternut Park Pond)*	Middletown	200	adult fish
Stanley Quarter Pond*	New Britain	275	adult fish
Beaver Park Lagoon (North)*	New Haven	350	adult fish
Spaulding Pond (Mohegan Park Pond)*	Norwich	550	adult fish
Maltby Pond #2	Orange-West Haven	165	juvenile fish
Maltby Pond #3	Orange-West Haven	200	juvenile fish
Stillwater Pond	Torrington	940	juvenile fish
Burr Pond	Torrington	800	juvenile fish
Lakewood Lake*	Waterbury	1,300	juvenile & adult fish
Scoville Reservoir	Wolcott	1,120	juvenile fish

*Community Fishing Water
**Juvenile fish are in the 9-12 inch range, adult fish are in the 12-18 inch range (with some larger).