Fish: Get 'em while they're cold

Trout are at their best in cold water—and our rivers and lakes aren’t likely to get much colder than they will be come opening day, the third Saturday in April, which this year is April 16th.

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Can’t wait till then? Make a visit to a state trout hatchery. It’s a great way to shake off winter and get the kids ready for your first trip. The Burlington Trout Hatchery is located on Belden Road, off Route 4, across from the Town Hall in Burlington, CT. Phone: (860) 673-2340; Hours: Daily 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. Admission is free. The Quinebaug Valley Trout Hatchery is one of the largest in the East, producing over 300,000 pounds of trout each year. It’s located on Trout Hatchery Road, Central Village, CT. Phone: (860) 564-7542; Hours: Daily 9:30-3:30. Admission is free.

It’s never too early to visit the CT DEP Fisheries Division web site, and look over this year’s regulations and start thinking about how to make the most of warm weather fishing. This year’s Angler’s Guide can be downloaded in pdf format.

Once April 16th finally does roll around, think about taking the kids to one of the many Trout Parks, lakes around the state that the Fisheries Division keeps well stocked to tilt the odds in your favor and make sure no one goes home without their own fish story to tell.