Class 2 areas offer some wild trout, but are also stocked, and they have a creel limit of two fish with a minimum length limit of 12 inches. Class 3 waters also have a mix of wild and stocked fish, a creel limit of five fish and a minimum length limit of 9 inches.

TMAs are covered by regulations specific to that water, such as fly-fishing only or catch-and-release only. Some of the state’s premier trout waters under this category include the Farmington River, the Hammonasset River, the Mianus River, the Willimantic River, the Moosup River, a section on the Housatonic River near Bull’s Bridge and Saugatuck River.

Trout parks (TP) offer easy access, plenty of parking and are stocked weekly through the season. They are quite popular and crowded at times, but the action is consistent.

For the serious angler looking for lunker trout, TTAs offer a real challenge. Minimum length limits depend on the specific area, but length limits are generally higher than on other waters, so keep that in mind. Some are also catch-and-release waters, while others have a creel limit of two fish.

For sea-run trout, Eightmile River in East Haddam and Lyme, the Farm River in Branford, the Hammonasset River in Killingworth, Clinton and Madison, the Mianus River in Greenwich and Stamford and the Saugatuck River in Danbury, Redding, Weston and Westport are all stocked annually and support good runs of fish.

For more information, along with a complete listing of waters under these management categories, contact the Connecticut DEP at (860) 424-FISH. Ask for a copy of the Trout Management Program, the 2005 Angler’s Guide and A Guide to Lakes and Ponds in Connecticut.

RHODE ISLAND

Considering its small size, Rhode Island has some great trout fishing and anglers should be excited about it. Prior to opening day last year, some 70,000 2-year-old brook, brown and rainbow trout averaging 1 pound were stocked in more than 80 ponds and streams across the state. With increased hatchery capability, Rhode Island now has the ability to rear about 130,000 trout annually. In recent years, the fisheries department had been stocking 2-year-old fish averaging 14 inches. About 20 percent are 3 years or older. The state also occasionally releases brood stock trout. Those fish typically run anywhere from 3 to 5 pounds.

While lures and bait can be used in most areas, some waters are restricted to fly-fishing only, such as Upper Rochambeau Pond in Lincoln and Mowry Meadow Pond in Glocester.

There are also some prime trout-fishing opportunities on state lands, such as the Wood River and its major tributaries the Flat River, Falls River and Breakhart Brook, all of which are in Arcadia WMA. Sections of some of these rivers are restricted to catch-and-release and the upper reaches of the Wood River system harbors the state’s best native brook trout fishery.

For more information, contact Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management at (401) 789-0281.