Shelton, CT - Nestled along the newly renovated Shelton Riverfront with stunning views of the Housatonic River and the historic Old Shelton Railroad Bridge, Pier 131 is located in one of the most stunning spots in Fairfield County. 

Although very much a neighborhood restaurant, this high energy gathering place and urban retreat is quickly becoming a popular destination attracting diners and photographers from all over Fairfield and New Haven Counties. The setting immediately draws you in and the food keeps you coming back. Pier 131 is the ultimate dining experience.

Located in a brand new 4,300-square-foot building, the main dining area while large and spacious has a cozy and intimate vibe with its rustic roughhewn wood covered walls juxtaposed by elegant deep red leather covered banquettes, and seats 100. Gas fireplaces line the far wall giving each seating area a warm and inviting tone that will certainly be welcome in the cooler months to come. The restaurant’s open dining and bar areas are well suited for corporate meetings and milestone celebrations. 

The large, airy bar with expansive views of the river and the railroad bridge brings the outside in.  The setting is never the same, and changes with each sunset, rainstorm and snowfall. Diners get a front row seat to the change of seasons in this space that seats 54 very comfortably. Sports fans will be able cheer on their favorite team on one of the eight oversized televisions in the bar.

For those wanting to enjoy the fresh air, there is currently outdoor seating for 60 with expansions planned for 150. Gas heaters keep diners warm and comfortable. 

Prior to Pier 131, Owner Artan Ismaili owned the popular and successful Casanova in Shelton and Pizzeria Mazzo Wine Bar in Danbury. Art, a Shelton native and lifelong resident and second generation restaurant owner, is happy to be back in Shelton and bringing foot traffic to the newly renovated Canal Street area.

At the helm of the kitchen is Executive Chef/Owner Louis Arias, who comes to us from Malibu Taco, The Sinclair, and Molto in Fairfield, and Boca in Westport. Chef brings his fan favorites to Pier 131 and offers up some exciting new introductions.  

The menu might be described as upscale pub-fare, with fan favorites such as the Nashville Hot Chicken, Steak Sandwich and Smash Burger. Starters range from the Butter Crab Roll with sticky rice, Siracha aioli and clarified butter. General Tso’s Broccoli served over sticky rice is all of the pleasure with none of the guilt! Other favorites include Grilled Lamb Chops, Oven Roasted Wings, Steak Frites, Spicy Baby Bok Choy and Maple Honey Brussel Sprouts.

Because sometimes you want brunch even though it’s not Sunday… We have a full brunch menu that we offer daily from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. And come discover our Brunch Bottles which are available in 6 different varieties: Mimosa, Bellini, Mango Mimosa, Pineapple Mimosa, Strawberry Bellini, Champagne and Rosé.

Individual Pizzas, Fig, Margarita, Hot Oil and Buffalo are great to share or enjoy on one’s own, and sure to satisfy all pizza lovers.Mussels in a Pot is offered 5 different ways – White, made with white wine, garlic, butter and cream. Red, is tomato-based with capers, basil and cherry peppers. Thai Style, has a base of coconut cream, curry, lime, ginger and lemongrass. New Orleans, has a chipotle base, with Cajun-roasted trinity corn. The Champagne Bisque features lobster, scallions, and a Champagne cream.  

Salads and Rice Bowls a plenty for those wanting healthy options. Eat the rainbow with The Greek, marinated lamb, peaches, tomatoes, onions, spicy cucumbers, tzatziki and a feta vinaigrette. Big Sur, features chipotle-marinated shrimp, guac, feta, mango, roasted corn and a cilantro-lime vinaigrette. There’s a chicken, sliced steak and vegan option as well as Marinated Ahi Tuna and Seared Salmon Teriyaki. All options are available over super greens, brown rice or combine the two! 

A solid well-executed Main Course menu with items such as Chicken 131, all-natural bone-in chicken served au jus with Yukon Gold potatoes and roasted vegetables, Salmon on the Pier, teriyaki-glazed with roasted Yukon Gold potato and baby bok choy, Pork Chops, pan-seared with cherry peppers and a brandied cream sauce, Lamb Chops grilled and served with broccoli and Yukon Gold potatoes, and a NY Strip Steak in a peppercorn sauce with broccoli and potatoes for those wanting something a little more upmarket.

A brand new Happy Hour menu has just been released - $9 appetizers include wings, mussels, calamari hot oil pizza, buffalo chicken pizza and $5 guac served with tortilla chips. Additionally, there will be select wine, beer and drinks available at just $5. Also newly launched is our all-day “Margarita Tuesday” at a very celebratory $5 price tag. Flavors include, peach, mango, strawberry, and Jalapeño. 

About The Old Shelton Railroad Bridge:

The railroad and trestles were laid on the Shelton side of the Housatonic river sometime in 1888 immediately following the Industrial Revolution. Steam locomotives ran from New York to the area; a popular location for the many factories that relied on the river for their power. During the 1970s Shelton’s factories started to shutter and after many years of neglect, the downtown is seeing a revitalization once again with the old being renovated and developed as modern apartments. The train tracks are operational but only in the dark of night. Not exactly abandoned and not exactly in use, this old bridge and tracks makes a stunning subject for both the novice and the accomplished photographer. Food bloggers and Instagrammers have been known to photograph some of our items with the bridge in the backdrop!

The Weller Foundation, Incorporated, has announced that students who will be full-time seniors at Joel Barlow, Masuk, Newtown, Shelton, and Trumbull High School this fall may now request brochures from their Guidance Offices outlining specific rules for the 2021-2022 $15,000 Barton L. Weller Scholarship.

Established in 1978, the purpose of this $15,000 Scholarship is to encourage academic excellence in a substantial five-month original independent research or study project. Students may begin to formulate their one- to two-page proposal outlining the student’s project in any field of study. A student may submit only one proposal. Proposals must be submitted to their School’s Guidance Department for verification prior to being received by the Foundation by October 4, 2021.

Up to five finalists will be selected from all entries and will be notified on October 18, 2021. The finalists selected to compete will receive $200 on November 4, 2021 to help defray expenses. The finalists’ project development period will run from October 18, 2021 to March 2, 2022 with submission and documentation of the project due by March 2, 2022.

Final projects will be judged by a committee selected from outside the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. The primary standards for judgment will be the degree to which, and the skill and care with which, the 1 original proposal is developed into the final project. On March 23, 2022 the judges will convene to interview the finalists and select the $15,000 scholarship recipient.

The finalists, who have successfully completed and submitted their projects on time, will be invited to a dinner in their honor on April 20, 2022. At that time, the $15,000 scholarship will be presented to the student whose project is judged to be the best, and all runners-up will receive $500 for completion and timely submission of their projects.

The Weller Foundation, Incorporated* is a non-profit organization that was established in 1962 to provide financial assistance to educational, charitable, and civic organizations. The primary object of the Foundation is to stimulate more responsible individual contribution to our community.

WalletHub, a website that offers free credit schools and reports, just released its 2020 ranking of America's school systems and places Connecticut in the #2 spot with a total score of 66.25. Massachusetts is on top with a total score of 71.73. 

What's more, Connecticut is #1 for Highest Median ACT Scores and #3 for Highest Reading Test Scores.

Here's the method behind the results:

WalletHub says, "We evaluated those dimensions using 33 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the highest quality of public K–12 education. Finally, we determined each state and the District’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample."

WalletHub says they account for performance, funding, safety, class size, and instructor credentials when deciding on a school system's rank. To determine the top-performing school systems in America, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 33 key metrics. Click here to learn about their findings, expert insight from a panel of researchers, and a full description of their methodology.

Meet WalletHub's team of experts here.

From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 4th, the Shelton Farmer's Market will reopen downtown for public shopping. 

"Please be sure to wear a mask, practice social distancing, be mindful of people waiting in line, follow the one way in/out shopping line, no congregating or socializing inside the market, and sanitize before entering! Thank you all who have supported us with our online market so far, we’re so happy we get to offer our full market now!" SFM writes on Facebook. 

The vendors at the market will include: 

East Village Farm
Laurel Glen Farm
Vics Guac Shop
Oronoque Farms
Liquid Lunch
Sugar and Spice Bakery
Charlies Chaga
Three Bridges Coffeehouse
Granfield Fisheries
Gathered Harvest Granola

The Shelton Farmer's Market is located at the Corner of Cornell & Canal Streets, Shelton, Connecticut 06484 

Questions? Email sheltonctfarmersmarket@gmail.com or visit https://www.sheltonctfarmersmarket.com/#our-market 

On June 26th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and June 27th from 9 a.m. to noon, Newtown Savings Bank will be collecting non-perishable food donations at all 14 locations to benefit local food pantries. 

You can find needed donation items here . 

Locations of local Newtown Savings Bank branches can be found here .

State Parks Remain Open with Restrictions; Shoreline Swimming Areas Open; Inland Swimming Areas Closed, Capacity Limits and Social Distancing Guidelines Remain in Place

They also encourage visitors to select locations closest to your home. State parks and beaches near Shelton include:

While some of the information is guidance that DEEP has shared previously, the plan contains a good amount of new information, such as DEEP’s current plan for the swimming areas it oversees, and provides a “one stop shop” for the latest information on outdoor recreation offerings administered by DEEP.

As the state begins a phased re-opening of its economy, the vast majority of state parks remain open, as they’ve been throughout the pandemic. The restrictions that they’ve operated under, such as daily capacity limits, social distancing guidelines for visitors, and use of face coverings, also remain in place.

The operational plan can be found here.

Swimming and Beaches:

Last week, Gov. Ned Lamont, along with the governors of New York, New Jersey, and Delaware, announced that they would open beaches in their respective states effective Friday, May 22. Gov. Lamont also announced that in Connecticut, state parks that feature beaches along the Connecticut shoreline will be open May 22, though with capacity limitations, and visitors are advised to follow social distancing guidelines.

At this time, DEEP is permitting swimming only at shoreline State Parks (not inland State Park swim areas). Guidance from the state Department of Public Health indicates that recreational swimming is not a known form of transmission of COVID-19, in saltwater or freshwater. At this time, DEEP is making decisions about permitting swimming at State Parks based on considerations of potential crowding and the ability to maintain social distancing onshore, at beach locations.

It is DEEP’s assessment at this time that shoreline parks that feature beaches, operating under limited capacity, can safely accommodate visitors on beaches, provided they follow recommended social distancing guidelines. Visitors to shoreline parks must maintain 15’ of space from other beachgoers (blanket-to-blanket).  This distance will allow for a 6’ radius around each person or family and a 3’ walkway in between groups.

Based on the very limited size of our beach and swim areas at inland state parks, and current social distancing guidance, DEEP will close beaches at inland State Parks, and prohibit swimming at inland State Parks. Again, this operational decision is based on the potential for on-shore crowding, not a concern of risk of transmission in freshwater.  Park staff will monitor beach closure and educate the public to ensure compliance with the closures. DEEP will continue to review this policy in alignment with public health recommendations and will consider the reopening of designated swim areas on a case-by-case basis. 

If you choose to visit a shoreline state park that features a beach, visitors are encouraged to select locations closest to home, and consider visiting early in the morning before crowds gather. At least 6 feet of social distancing must be maintained between persons, and groups over five remain prohibited. Visitors should recreate with members of their immediate household and not meet up with others. Visitors should bring face coverings and use them whenever they are in proximity to others. Face coverings should not be worn in the water. Visitors should not expect that restroom buildings will be open, but most locations will have portable toilets available.  

DEEP will reduce parking capacity and close beaches for the day if social distancing cannot be maintained, and will make adjustments to operations and consider longer-term closures if the situation warrants. Updates on closures are posted on the state parks Twitter feed,@CTStateParks.

Lifeguards will not be on shoreline beaches in Connecticut state parks early in the season.  These beaches are currently posted as "No Lifeguards on Duty."  It is expected that shoreline beaches will begin lifeguarding when adequate staffing, training, and safety practices meeting DEEP standards are in place. Lifeguards will be provided training to reduce the risk of virus transmission in the course of their duties, including providing CPR. Guidance for lifeguards is available from the American Red Cross. Lifeguards will not be posted at inland beaches while swimming is prohibited at those beaches.

Staff in DEEP’s Water Monitoring and Assessment Program will be monitoring water quality at the shoreline parks open for swimming. The water quality at the beaches will be tested for the presence of infectious diseases using standard bacteria indicator species. Residents will be able to find swimming area closure information at DEEP’s state parks Twitter feed, @CTStateParks, and will soon also be able to find that information on the DEEP website athttps://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Recreation-Information/State-Swimming-Area-Water-Quality-Report, or on DEEP’s toll free Water Quality Information Phone Line at 1-866-287-2757.

Connecticut municipalities continue to make decisions regarding the beaches and swimming areas they oversee. DEEP has been in consultation with municipalities during the pandemic, and will continue to be. DEEP’soperational planis available for municipalities to adapt to their needs if they wish to do so.

Limited swimming capacity at state parks, combined with restrictions made by municipalities around the swimming areas they oversee, mean that residents will have to plan beach and swimming excursions well in advance, and be ready with a back-up plan if their first choice is closed.

State Campgrounds, Cabins, and Youth Sites:

As was recently announced, state Campgrounds, Cabins, Youth sites, Backcountry and River Camping sites are closed until at least June 11.  Additional campground reservations for the 2020 season have been postponed for the time being to prevent the need to reimburse the public for future reservations if campgrounds remain closed.

Other options to open campgrounds are being considered that minimize staff and public risk.  The decision will be based on current public health guidance, cleaning protocols and the availability of adequate staff and appropriate personal protective equipment.  

As we move forward into the summer season, DEEP will continue to monitor and assess public use and recreational activities that occur at state parks and other DEEP managed outdoor recreation areas. Evaluation of that information may result in changes to the operational plan. While law enforcement personnel are authorized to enforce social distancing and group size guidance, DEEP seeks to educate first and ask people to follow the rules, in hopes that visitors will take personal responsibility and make sure that they comply. 

To view the operational plan, go here:https://portal.ct.gov/deep-parkscovid19.

Letter to the Editor

Guidelines Released by the Reopen Connecticut Taskforce Miss the Mark, Do Not Allow for the Safe Reopening of Offices

On May 9, 2020, a council of Connecticut business leaders, in concert with the Lamont Administration, released rules and guidance for the “safe” reopening of workplaces across the state. The processes, principles, and protocols issued by this taskforce reflect a failure to address some of the most basic needs that the state’s business community (including both employers and employees) desperately requires.

The guidelines state that “employees are encouraged to continue to work from home where possible.” While I am sure this statement was intended to highlight how even the most detailed and complete safety measures would still result in a substantial amount of risk present in any and all office environments, there is no excuse for the incompleteness of the issued guidelines.

Allow me to highlight some examples of where the program outline failed.

Reopen Connecticut failed to issue regulations or standards to be followed by building managers and landlords, which should have focused on the safe setup of common bathrooms, elevators, building access points, and even stairwells.

While the regulations issued state that all office spaces are required to be thoroughly cleaned prior to reopening (and on an ongoing basis), there are no clear guidelines as to ownership of this responsibility. What falls to the employer/tenant, and what will be the responsibility of building management? Given the fact that office spaces are most often cleaned by service providers secured directly by the landlord, standards for their cleaning needed to be defined, and were not.

Employers are responsible for providing office workers with Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), and Reopen Connecticut guidelines have made it clear that if PPE is not provided to employees, offices cannot open. However, the State has not provided a way for businesses to acquire the needed PPE, which will significantly hinder most from reopening their doors given how difficult it continues to be to acquire masks, gloves and, most importantly, sanitizing products.

Once offices reopen, there is also the inevitability that an employee or a member of their household will test positive for COVID-19. None of the guidance issued outlines steps a business must follow when this occurs. The cascade of challenges and issues that will shadow such an incident were very much overlooked by our leaders in Hartford, and protocols for meeting “re-certification” standards to reopen after such a diagnosis was also notably absent.

Even more troubling, there are also no specific requirements that mandate building management to notify tenants when an individual who has been in the building tests positive for COVID-19.

Businesses bringing employees back to the office will be required to post clear signage reinforcing all safety related protocols and policies, yet the State did not provide samples of these postings or indicate where they can be downloaded. It can be anticipated that the content of these notices may be incomplete and thus ineffective without the proper guidance from the taskforce.

It is understandable that Connecticut employers want to reopen their offices and welcome employees back as quickly as possible. However, in order to do so safely, they must be provided with a much more complete, robust, and clearly outlined set of standards and guidelines.

Those employed in the State of Connecticut are also eager to return to their workplace, but demand that they have confidence the office they return to is safe and that the State and their employer have done everything possible to ensure their health and wellbeing.

Reopen Connecticut fails miserably to address the needs of both Connecticut employers and workers. As a thirty-year resident of the state and business owner since 2001, I am incredibly disappointed in the taskforce’s efforts and output on this front. We all deserve better.

- David Lewis, Norwalk, Connecticut

David Lewis is CEO of OperationsInc (www.OperationsInc.com), the state’s largest HR Consulting Practice. The 90-employee consulting group is based in Norwalk.

Roadmap Outlines Strategy for Accelerating Deployment of EVs in Connecticut

Coinciding with the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day which took place a few weeks ago, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection issued its Electric Vehicle Roadmap for Connecticut (EV Roadmap), a comprehensive strategy for achieving widespread deployment of electric vehicles in the state, and a key tool in the state’s effort to improve air quality for residents while also addressing the climate crisis.

According to the DEEP, there have been 5,213 Electric Vehicles registered in Connecticut. Electric Vehicles registered in zip codes near Shelton include:

The top 10 towns in Connecticut for electric vehicle registrations are:

The top 5 models for Connecticut Registrations of EV’s are:

One of the focus areas of the EV Roadmap is scaling up electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) such as charging stations in order to encourage higher EV penetration rates. “Range anxiety,” or fear that an EV will run out of power before a destination is reached, will diminish as consumers become more confident in charging accessibility. 

There are 376 publicly-accessible EV charging stations with a total of 966 charging connectors in the state, including 50 direct current fast charger (DCFC) locations with 212 charging connectors. A significant increase in workplace Level 2 charging connectors, public Level 2 charging connectors, and public DCFC connectors will be critical to supplement residential charging and meet future charging demands.

The EV Roadmap focuses in on several key areas, including the transitioning of public and private fleets and medium and heavy-duty vehicles to EVs; making the consumer charging experience more consistent; minimizing grid impacts through demand reduction measures; providing demand charge relief for charging station owners and EV fleet operators; exploring opportunities for pilot programs with local innovators in the EV field; working with the state and municipal governments to modify building codes and permitting requirements to support EV infrastructure deployment; and leveraging financial incentives, such as the Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate (CHEAPR), to help make EV purchase price less of a barrier to consumers.

In issuing the EV Roadmap, DEEP is mindful of the pervasive impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on communities both locally and around the world, the full scale and effects of which, though unknown at this time, are and will be significant. DEEP will continue to monitor the COVID crisis and consider its impact on the long-term goals outlined in the EV Roadmap.
Environmental stakeholders from around the state applauded the EV Roadmap’s release.

To view the EV Roadmap, visit: http://www.dpuc.state.ct.us/DEEPEnergy.nsf/c6c6d525f7cdd1168525797d0047c5bf/f7ed4932eec438d0852585520001c81b/$FILE/EV%20Roadmap%20for%20Connecticut.pdf

U.S. News & World Report reviewed more than 24,000 U.S. public high schools and 207 Connecticut schools made their 2020 rankings. Below are the rankings of high schools in and around {town}.

According to U.S. News & World Report, the highest-ranked schools are scattered throughout the country, showing that the best schools are not concentrated in any one geographic area. Nine different states are represented among the top 10 schools. More broadly, the top 100 schools span 29 states.

U.S. News & World Report says that they take a holistic approach to evaluating schools, focusing on six factors: college readiness, reading and math proficiency, reading and math performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth and graduation rates. College readiness measures participation and performance on AP and IB exams.

Here are the top 10 high schools in Connecticut:
#1 Connecticut IB Academy in East Hartford
#2 Weston High School
#3 Darien High School
#4 Staples High School (Westport)
#5 New Canaan High School
#6 Simsbury High School
#7 Greenwich High School
#8 Hall High School (West Hartford)
#9 Ridgefield High School
#10 Marine Science Magnet High School of Southeastern
See the complete Connecticut High School rankings HERE.
To see how schools in the state’s top metro areas ranked, check out the pages for Hartford, New Haven, Norwich, and Bridgeport.

View the article in its entirety here.

Some Good News!

Everyday heroes are emerging amidst the pain we are all experiencing. Their stories can inspire us all.

HamletHub has been received an abundance of stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things so we created a special "hub" to spread joy called Community is not Canceled.

Community is not Canceled features a plethora of inspiring stories that will give you many reasons to smile!

Read about:

• A Connecticut tree company hanging 50' flags outside of hospitals across the state
• Towns celebrating birthdays with fire truck drive-bys
• A nine-year-old violinist bringing joy to those celebrating birthdays during the quarantine
• Danbury "hackers" who have transformed their techie space into a face shield manufacturing "hub"
• A family who climbed to the roof of a nursing facility to speak to a loved one through a window
• Family celebrating the birth of a baby in the age of COVID-19

We are in this together. Stay strong. 

If you have an inspiring story from Shelton to share, please email communitymatters@hamlethub.com

Visit Community is not Canceled HERE.

Some Good News!

Everyday heroes are emerging amidst the pain we are all experiencing. Their stories can inspire us all.

HamletHub has been received an abundance of stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things so we created a special "hub" to spread joy called Community is not Canceled.

Community is not Canceled features a plethora of inspiring stories that will give you many reasons to smile!

Read about:

• A Connecticut tree company hanging 50' flags outside of hospitals across the state
• Towns celebrating birthdays with fire truck drive-bys
• A nine-year-old violinist bringing joy to those celebrating birthdays during the quarantine
• Danbury "hackers" who have transformed their techie space into a face shield manufacturing "hub"
• A family who climbed to the roof of a nursing facility to speak to a loved one through a window
• Family celebrating the birth of a baby in the age of COVID-19

We are in this together. Stay strong. 

If you have an inspiring story from Shelton to share, please email communitymatters@hamlethub.com

Visit Community is not Canceled HERE.

Support for Connecticut Food Bank During COVID-19: Race Against Hunger

Connecticut Food Bank needs the town of Shelton to help to support their efforts during the COVID-19 Pandemic! Food Bank volunteers are working tirelessly during this unprecedented time to feed the hungry throughout Connecticut.
One way Shelton can support the Food Bank is by participating in The Race Against Hunger, a virtual 5K run and walk that takes place between April 13th - April 19th. Since it’s virtual, you can participate at the time and place of your choosing! Register at www.jbsports.com.
This virtual event is a way for Connecticut runners to stay connected and motivated while keeping our distance! Let’s come together to support those in need during these critical times. Register now to help the state's largest source of emergency food assistance!
The food bank is still open, but hours are modified. Below is a list of Food Banks within 20 miles of Shelton. Please call because there may be changes.

As of March 31, 2020, a total of 3128 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported among Connecticut residents. Six hundred and eight patients are currently hospitalized. Sixty-nine residents have died. In addition to the deaths related to COVID-19 that have been reported to the Department of Public Health (DPH), this update contains information on the number of deaths that have been reported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME).

Today, the OCME provided information on 14 additional COVID-19 related deaths that occurred during March 17-29. There were 16 COVID-19 related deaths on March 30, and 3 on March 31. Moving forward, deaths reported to either the OCME or DPH will be included in the daily COVID-19 update.

Fairfield County currently has the most cases in the state with 1870 COVID-19 confirmed positives 1870. View the data per county and town here.

Summary

Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 Cases 3128 (+557)

COVID-19 Associated Deaths 69 (+33)

Patients Currently Hospitalized with COVID-19 608 (+91)

Patients tested for COVID-19 15600 (+1000)

The Dr. Katherine A. Kelley State Public Health Laboratory has tested a total of 2008 patients for COVID19; 359 (18%) patients tested positive. The graph (image #2) shows the number of patients tested by date specimens were received. Hospital and commercial laboratories also are offering testing for COVID19 in Connecticut; in total, more than 15600 tests have been reported to date.

This week, Governor Lamont signed an Executive Order that included the early opening of the fishing season in Connecticut. With spring showing its early colors, fishing is a perfect outdoor activity. It states:

opening the fishing season early in inland waters will help to limit community spread of COVID-19 by eliminating the large crowds that often accompany the traditional Opening Day of fishing in April

If you are suffering from cabin fever, head to your favorite fishing hole and drop in a line! Remember, even while fishing or engaging in any outdoor activity, social distancing is a MUST. Please remain 6' apart!

During this time of social distancing, fishing should be enjoyed as solitary experience or with members of the immediate household, not as a group activity. DEEP is encouraging all anglers to follow social distancing practices. Anglers should maintain a distance of at least six feet from others, practice good personal hygiene, stay home and away from others if they feel sick, and avoid areas where anglers or others congregate. All other fishing laws and regulations, including requirements for a fishing license and trout and salmon stamp when needed, and all methods, creel limits and length limits remain in effect. More information and a helpful FAQ can be found on DEEP’s website

Please refer constituents to https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Fishing/CT-Fishing for more information. We continue to stock trout and plan on completely our spring 2020 stockings. Below you will find the listings of our stockings so far this spring. Anglers should also check out our Interactive Stocking map at: https://ctdeep.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=70d13bc033854b89a87c04b1d11b1a43

You can find a helpful video here: https://www.facebook.com/CTFishAndWildlife/videos/1147555402243388/

A list of the fishing spots are listed below:

Around Bridgeport/Danbury/Norwalk/Stamford:

Lakes - Ball Pond, Beardsley Park Pond, Blanchard Pond, Candlewood Lake, Cobbs Mill Pond, Disbrow Pond, Factory Pond, Great Hollow Pond, Housatonic Lake, Isinglass Reservoir (Farmill), Lake Kenosia, Lake Lillinonah, Lake Zoar, Mamanasco Lake, Miller’s Pond, Mohegan Lake, Nells Rock Reservoir, Pierrepont Pond, Saugatuck Reservoir, Shelton Reservoir #2, Silvermine Pond, Squantz Pond, Starrett Pond, Tollgate Pond, Tungsten Mine Park Pond, Twin Brooks Park Pond, West Pequonnock Reservoir
Major Trout Streams – Aspetuck, Byram, Farmill, Mianus, Mill, Morrissey Brook, Norwalk, Pequonnock, Pond Brook, Pootatuck, Rippowam, Saugatuck

Around Hartford/New Britain:

Lakes - Angus Park Pond, Batterson Park Pond, Broad Brook Mill Pond, Brookfield Pond, Congamond Lakes, Freshwater Pond, Howells Pond, Manitook Lake, Rainbow Reservoir, St Martha’s Pond, Salmon Brook Pond, Salters Pond, Silver Lake, Stratton Brook Park Pond
Major Trout Streams – Blackledge, Cherry Brook, Coppermine Brook, Dickenson Creek, Farmington, Fawn Brook, Pequabuck, Podunk, Raymond Brook, Roaring Brook, Salmon Brook, Scantic, Stony Brook, Stratton Brook

Around Middletown/East Haddam:

Lakes - Bashan Lake, Beseck Lake, Black Pond, Cedar Lake, Dooley Pond, Great Hill Pond, Higganum Reservoir, Lake Hayward, Messerschmidt’s Pond, Miller’s Pond, Moodus Reservoir, Pataconk Lake, Pistol Shop Pond, Schreeder Pond

Major Trout Streams – Coginchaug, Hammonasset, Hemlock Valley Brook, Pine Brook, Salmon

Around New Haven/Naugatuck:

Lakes - Axle Shop Pond, Baldwin Pond, Barber Pond, Beaver Park Lagoon, Black Pond, Clarks Mill Pond, Clarktown Pond, Dayton Pond, Hancock Brook Flood Control Pond, Hop Brook Flood Control Pond, Housatonic Lake, Lake Chamberlain, Lake Lillinonah, Lake Saltonstall, Lake Stibbs, Lake Wintergreen, Lake Zoar, Maltby Lakes, North Farms Reservoir, Pages Millpond, Picketts Pond, Prospect Park Pond, Quonnipaug Lake, Scovill Reservoir, Silver Lake, Southford Falls Pond, Upper Fulton Park Pond, Wards Millpond, Wharton Pond, Woodruff’s Pond

Major Trout Streams – Bladens Brook, Branford, Chatfield Hollow Brook, Eight Mile Brook, Farm, Hop Brook, Little, Menunketesuck Brook, Mill, Muddy, Nonnewaug, Pomperaug, Quinnipiac, Sprain Brook, Weekeepeemee Brook, Wepawaug

Around New London/Norwich:

Lakes - Amos Lake, Andersons Pond, Ashland Pond, Aspinook Pond, Avery Pond, Babcock Pond, Billings Lake, Bog Meadow Pond, Day Pond, Dodge Pond, Fitchville Pond, Fort Shantok Pond, Gardner Lake, Glasgo Pond, Godfrey Pond, Gorton Pond, Green Falls Reservoir, Hallville Pond, Hewitt Flyfishing Pond, Hewitt Pond (lower), Hodge Pond, Hopeville Pond, Horse Pond, Lake of Isles, Lantern Hill Pond, Long Pond, Mohegan Park Pond, Norwich Pond, Pachaug Pond, Pataganset Lake, Pickerel Lake, Powers Lake, Red Cedar Lake, Rogers Lake, Savin Lake, Sawmill Park Pond, Uncas Lake, Wyassup Lake

Major Trout Streams – Beaver Brook, Broad Brook, Choate Brook, Eight Mile, Gardner Brook, Green Falls, Hunts Brook, Indiantown Brook, Jeremy, Judd Brook, Latimers Brook, Meadow Brook, Mt Misery Brook, Myron Kinney Brook, Pachaug, Salmon, Shunock Brook, Susquetonscut Brook, Whitford’s, Wood, Yantic

Around Torrington/Winsted:

Lakes - Bantam Lake, Black Rock Pond, Black Rock Flood Control Pond, Burr Pond, Colebrook Flood Control Pond, Dog Pond, East Twin Lake, Hatch Pond, Highland Lake, Indian Pond, Lake Lillinonah, Lake McDonough, Leonard Pond, Mad River Flood Control Pond, Mohawk Pond, Mt. Tom Pond, Mudge Pond, Northfield Brook Flood Control Pond, Northfield Cutlery Co. Pond, Park Pond, South Spectacle Pond, Stillwater Pond, Tyler Pond, Waramaug Lake, West Branch (Hogsback) Reservoir, West Hill Pond, West Side Pond, West Twin Lake, Winchester Lake, Winnemaug Lake, Wononscopomuc Lake, Wood Creek Pond, Zeiner’s Pond

Major Trout Streams – Aspetuck, Bantam, Blackberry, Butternut Brook, Carse Brook, Farmington, Furnace Brook, Hall Meadow Brook, Housatonic, Lead Mine Brook, Macedonia Brook, Mad, Morgan Brook, Morissey Brook, Naugatuck, Nepaug, Pomperaug, Sandy Brook, Shepaug, Still, Whiting

Around Vernon/Mansfield:

Lakes - Bald Mountain Pond, Bigelow Pond, Bishop Swamp, Bolton Lakes, Bolton Notch Pond, Breakneck Pond, Coventry Lake, Crystal Lake, Eagleville Lake, Gay City Park Pond, Hamilton Reservoir, Holbrook Pond, Johnson Pond, Lafayette Pond, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Mansfield Training School Ponds, Mashapaug Lake, Mono Pond, Morey Pond, Shenipsit Reservoir, Somersville Mill Pond, Stateline Pond, Tankerhoosen Lakes, Walkers Reservoir, Whitney Flood Control Pond

Major Trout Streams - Bigelow Brook, Blackledge, Broad Brook, Charter Brook, Crystal Lake Brook, Fawn Brook, Fenton, Furnace Brook, Great Meadow Brook, Hockanum, Hop, Judd Brook, Mt Hope, Natchaug, Quanduck Brook, Quinebaug, Roaring Brook, Scantic, Skungamaug, Tankerhoosen, Willimantic

Around Willimantic/Danielson:

Lakes - Alexander Lake, Beach Pond, Beachdale Pond, Beaver Brook Ponds, Bicentennial Pond, Black Pond, Griggs Pond, Halls Pond, Hampton Reservoir, Keach Pond, Killingly Pond, Lawton Pond, Little Pond, Moosup Pond, Muddy Pond, Paine Pond, Perry Pond, Pine Acres Lake, Quaddick Reservoir, Roseland Lake, Ross Pond, Tetrault Pond, Wauregan Reservoir, West Thompson Lake

Major Trout Streams - Bigelow Brook, Blackwells Brook, Five Mile Brook, Five Mile R, French, Kitt Brook, Little, Mashamoquet Brook, Merrick Brook, Middle, Mount Misery, Muddy Brook, Natchaug, Quinebaug, Shetucket, Snake Meadow Brook, Still, Willimantic

Content last reviewed March 2020.