Published On: August 6th, 2022Categories: Connecticut News

Hartford — The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced Friday that effective on Saturday August 6 it is closing short sections of the West Branch Farmington River and the Farmington River to fishing because the hot weather is creating unhealthy water temperatures for trout.

The agency also said it is augmenting “low release levels on the Farmington with an additional 50 cubic feet per second” of flow from DEEP “fisheries reserves to improve water conditions for fish health.”

The agency said that as the river temperature increases, fish “congregate near tributaries that bring cooler water into the river.”

“DEEP is closing fishing near these tributaries to protect fish populations that are gathered near these sources,” the agency statement said. “Fishing is still open on most of the Farmington River. DEEP will be clearly marking the closed areas with signage.”

All water within 100 feet of the signs will be closed to all fishing, the agency said. “This closure is scheduled to continue through September 15, but may be shortened if water conditions improve. Violation of the closure is an infraction with a fine of $154. “

“High temperatures combined with low stream flows – are causing fish in these rivers to suffer from heat stress,” DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said in the statement. “I’d like to thank the fishing community for helping to support the continued success of our world- class fishing destinations during these challenging conditions.”

Closed areas, listed from upstream to downstream tributaries, include:

  • East Mountain Brook (Hallock Brook), New Hartford
  • Cherry Brook, Canton
  • Rattlesnake Hill Brook, Canton
  • Burlington Brook, Burlington
  • Hawley Brook, Avon
  • Unionville Brook, Farmington
  • Hyde Brook, Farmington
  • Pequabuck River, Farmington

DEEP said it took similar action in August 2016 “when similar conditions led to trout dying due to the increased stress.”

“We are being proactive this summer to do what we can to protect the resource, and it is not a step we are taking lightly,” Dykes said in the statement. “The West Branch Farmington River and Farmington River are very popular and well known to anglers, who are attracted to the area from around the world to catch both wild brown trout that spawn in those waters, as well as fish stocked by DEEP.”

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