NEW LONDON, Conn. — Adventures await anglers of all ages at the Fort Trumbull State Park fishing pier in New London Saturday, as the 12th Annual Saltwater Fishing Day runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The festivities are part of the state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s No Child Left Inside program in partnership with the department’s Fish with CARE program. A release from DEEP earlier this week announced the event.
“There will be fishing and crabbing opportunities on the fishing pier for the entire family,” the release said. “Fish with CARE staff and volunteers will be there with fishing poles and bait and will provide fishing instruction, if needed.”
Due to potentially unsavory weather, check the Fisheries (@CTFishandWildlife) and State Parks (@CTStateParks) social media pages for last-minute updates or changes.
The ParkConneCT program is offering free charter bus transportation to the event. There will be two pickup locations.
The pickup location for the North Haven State Street Park & Ride will originate at CTDOT Route 40 at Devine Street (Exit 1) East lot/B lot. CT Transit Routes 224 and 950 serve the lot directly, DEEP said.
The second pickup location is the East Hartford Main Street Park & Ride, which will originate at the CTDOT Route 5 at Main Street (Route 15, Exit 30) lot. CT Transit Routes 87 and 95 serve the lot directly.
Participants should arrive at the pickup location at 8:45 a.m. and can register their seats online. Seats are limited and children and teens under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said in the release that Saltwater Fishing Day is a phenomenal opportunity for anglers of all ages, families and backgrounds to try saltwater fishing for the first time or reconnect with a favorite hobby.
“This is a great partnership between our Fisheries and Parks Divisions to provide residents and their families with a fun outdoor event,” Dykes said in the release. “This is also the second ‘excursion’ DEEP and our CTDOT partners are sponsoring through our ParkConneCT program, and yet another way we’re working to increase access to our wonderful outdoor spaces in Connecticut.”
Saturday is also the second of two “free fishing licenses days” in 2024, where anyone – resident or non-resident- can obtain a free, one-day fishing license that is good for both the inland and marine districts.
DEEP Fisheries Division Director Pete Aarrestad said in the release that “Free Fishing License Day” is meant to connect people with outdoor activities and the state’s natural resources.
“Free Fishing License Day reflects how fishing is much more than catching fish,” Aarrestad said in the release. “For many, the quality time spent connecting with friends and family outdoors is priceless. Many of those who took advantage of the previous ‘Free Fishing License Days’ have either fished as a youngster or have held a fishing license in past years. We know that once people come out and fish our many lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and Long Island Sound, they will be amazed at how much they have been missing.”
According to DEEP, Connecticut has nearly every type of fishing within 25 miles of every resident, including trout, bass, pike and saltwater species such as striped bass, fluke, porgy or bluefish.
“Combining the annual Saltwater Fishing Day with Free Fishing License Day provides families the opportunity to plan an outing focused around fishing together as each family member 16 years of age or older can obtain a free one-day fishing license,” the release said.
Individuals 15 years of age or younger do not need a fishing license but can register using the same online system to acquire a “Youth Fishing Passport,” which provides access to the year-long fishing challenge.
DEEP said that Saltwater Fishing Day is a good way to check off multiple species on the “Fishing Challenge Scorecard,” which is a year-long fishing checklist that gives young anglers an opportunity to keep track of all the different types of fish they catch.
----
Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
----
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
----
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.
