Go Fishing for Free at Hubbard Park on Saturday, May 11

The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) has designated Saturday, May 11th as a “Free Fishing Day” in Connecticut where no fishing license will be required. This opportunity will be available to both residents and non-residents, adults and children, and applies to all public waters of the state.

“Free Fishing Day is a great opportunity for experienced anglers to get a family member, friend or acquaintance outdoors and introduce them to the sport of fishing,” said DEEP Commissioner Daniel C. Esty.  “This year we are offering a free day of fishing in the spring, when anglers can take full advantage of the nice weather, all the trout that we’ve stocked throughout the state, and all the other great fishing opportunities available in Connecticut.  We also hope that visitors will come to our state and try out the many fishing opportunities the state has to offer.”

There are a number of fishing events scheduled to take place on “Free Fishing Day.”  A “Family Fishing Day” is scheduled as part of DEEP’s “Great Park Pursuit Spring Sprint” at Osborndale State Park (Derby).  This event will run from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, and there will be plenty of activities including fishing on Pickett’s Pond, fish sampling, fish stocking, a fish fry, games and prizes. The Great Park Pursuit is a part of the agency’s No Child Left Inside® initiative focusing on introducing families to the outdoors, building the next generation of environmental stewards and showcasing Connecticut’s State Parks and Forests.  The Family Fishing event is free and no registration is required. For more information on “Family Fishing Day” email Rachael.sunny@ct.gov or call DEEP at 860-418-5981. 

More information on the “The Great Park Pursuit Spring Sprint” can be found at www.NoChildLeftInside.org.               

Other fishing events on tap for this coming Saturday include: 

• Kent Falls State Park, Route 7, Kent CT- Fly Fishing Clinic. The Northwestern CT Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be providing fly fishing and fly fishing instructions (including proper fish handling) and fly tying demonstrations between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Please contact Jim Fedorich at 860-482 4544 or cell  860- 689-2735.

• Merwin Meadows, Wilton CT- Fly Fishing Clinic. The Mianus Chapter of Trout Unlimited is offering a free Fly Fishing Clinic at Merwin Meadows Park in Wilton between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Fly casting, knot tying, aquatic insect identification and a late barbecue lunch are on the schedule here. More information can be found at www.mianustu.org. For reservations email jyates@mianustu.org or call 203-216-7078.

• Chatfield Hollow State Park, Route 80, Killingworth, CT - Youth Education Day. The Hammonasset Chapter of Trout Unlimited is hosting its 11th Annual Hammonasset Chapter Trout Unlimited Youth Education Day event and many of the local youth throughout the area have participated in this exciting event in the past. It’s a great event and kids rotate thru three different stations (Fly Casting, Fly Tying, River Ecology) every hour on the hour from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm and at noon we have lunch, prizes and fishing. Please RSVP via email to Ron Graziani at rongraz70@sbcglobal.net.  

• Mirror Lake, Hubbard Park, Meriden, CT- Two events: Children’s fishing derby. Annual children's fishing event sponsored by the Meriden Rod and Gun Club and the City of Meriden with prizes in various age groups for biggest fish and most fish caught. Each child also gets a free hotdog and soft drink. Some of the top prizes include bicycles. This event is rain or shine and starts at 10:00 am.

• Introduction to carp fishing: A free talk and demonstration of carp fishing and fishing tackle will be hosted by Saxon Tackle.  Youth carp fishing will also be available.  As there is a limited amount of tackle, plan on sharing so everyone has a chance to try carp fishing.  It is suggested that all fish be released so they can be caught by another angler.  Area experts will be available to help you try out carp fishing and to answer your questions starting at 10:00 am.  Contact Bill Gerrish at 860-424-FISH for more information.