Connecticut 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

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

Not to toot my own horn, but I could have had a gold star last year if I had taken the time to submit my good catches.  Some of those requirements are kind of easy...

For example, I caught several fat Pumkinseeds around a pound last year on a senko, and know several ponds that have 20 lb+ carp (I'm gonna try my luck this year with breadballs).  Caught a couple smallies above 4 lbs, and one LMB that was 6 even.  Maybe I'll start submitting my panfish catches  ;D

Thanks for the info Perfect Hook Set

the part I find interesting is that catch and release not elligable for state records..  

What do I do throw it in my garden after?

too bad

Remember the fish must have BOTH minimum weight and length...

No worries Tony I will be out fishing you all year so no need to stress on catching "big ens."

Remember the fish must have BOTH minimum weight and length...

No worries Tony I will be out fishing you all year so no need to stress on catching "big ens."

Didn't realize it was both weight and length, but I don't think it matters.  When I go to my local Pumkinseed hole (lol) this year, I'll get the state record.

And you'll be outfishin' me?  Them's fightin words  :-*

sunfish uh oh you may have me beat, I have two lakes I will ned to try to beat you