[perfect hook set]

Trophy Fish Award Program

The Trophy Fish Award Program recognizes and rewards angling skill.

Successful anglers will receive:

* A certificate of merit
* A Bronze pin for your first fish of merit
* A Silver pin for your fifth fish of merit
* A Gold pin for your tenth fish of merit or a new state record fish

Connecticut Trophy Fish Award logo

Qualifying Area Categories:

Nearshore: Inside Long Island/Fisher's Island Sound
Offshore: Outside Long Island/Fisher's Island Sound
Exotic: Rare strays to Connecticut caught inside Long Island/Fisher's Island Sound and Offshore waters
Freshwater: Caught in Freshwater

General Rules for Freshwater and Saltwater fish:

* Saltwater entries must be caught by boats leaving and returning to Connecticut ports. No overnight stays in another state prior to day(s) of fishing.
* Entries must be filed on the Official Affidavit Form.
* Fish must be caught by legal methods by only one person.
* Fish must be entered within 30 days of capture.
* Fish caught in hatchery ponds are not eligible
* Fish must be caught during Connecticut's legal open season
* A clear photograph of the fish must accompany the Affidavit Form.
* Fish must be weighed on scales certified in Connecticut (tackle shops, local markets, or delis) or other state certified scales.

Special Rules for Freshwater Catch-and-Release category:

* All of the General Rules apply except that the fish do not need to be weighed. A witness must be present when the fish's length is measured.
* A Clear photo must accompany the affidavit. This photo must include the angler holding the fish and a measure (yardstick, ruler, or tape measure) positioned to show length of the fish.
* The accompanying photo must be taken at the location where the fish was caught and released.
* Fish can not be taken from site and then transported back.
* Catch-and-Release fish are not eligible for State records.

In order to qualify for a Trophy Fish Award, the following minimum measurements are required:

Note: Minimum Lengths apply only to the Freshwater Catch-and-Release category. The minimum lengths listed below do not apply to the traditional weighed category.
Freshwater

Common
Name
Minimum
Weight

Minimum
Length
American Eel 3 pounds 35 inches
American Shad 5 pounds 25 inches
Atlantic Salmon 15 pounds 31 inches
Bluegill 12 ounces 10 inches
Brook Trout 2 pounds 17 inches
Brown Bullhead 2 pounds 15 inches
Brown Trout 5 pounds 22 inches
Calico Bass (Black Crappie) 2 pounds 15 inches
Common Carp 20 pounds 34 inches
Chain Pickerel 5 pounds 27 inches
Channel Catfish 4 pounds 22 inches
Kokanee 1.75 pounds 16 inches
Largemouth Bass 6 pounds 22 inches
Northern Pike 10 pounds 35 inches
Pumpkinseed 8 ounces 9 inches
Rainbow Trout 4 pounds 21 inches
Rock Bass 12 ounces 11 inches
Smallmouth Bass 4 pounds 21 inches
Walleye 5 pounds 23 inches
White Catfish 4 pounds 20 inches
White Perch 2 pounds 15 inches
Yellow Perch 1.5 pounds 15 inches

Saltwater

Common
Name


Minimum
Weight
Albacore 30 pounds
American Eel 3 pounds
Atlantic Bonito 6 pounds
Atlantic Cod 20 pounds
Atlantic Mackerel 2 pounds
Black Sea Bass 3 pounds
Blackfish (Tautog) 8 pounds
Blue Marlin 100 pounds
Blue Shark 175 pounds
Bluefin Tuna 400 pounds
Bluefish 15 pounds
Cunner 1.5 pounds
Hickory Shad 1.75 pounds
Little Tunny (False Albacore) 6 pounds
Mako Shark 200 pounds
Oyster Toadfish 1 pounds
Pollock 15 pounds
Sandbar (Brown) Shark 100 pounds
Sandbar (Porgy) 2 pounds
Striped Bass 40 pounds
Summer Flounder (Fluke) 6 pounds
Swordfish 100 pounds
Thresher Shark 20 pounds
Weakfish 7 pounds
White Marlin 80 pounds
Whiter Perch 1.75 pounds
Winter Flounder 2.5 pounds
Winter Skate 10 pounds
Yellowfin Tuna 150 pounds
Blue Crab 8 inches Spike
to Spike
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