Portions of Farmington River Closed to Fishing

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has announced it is closing portions of the West Branch Farmington River and the Farmington River to fishing because of the impact drought conditions and extended periods of very warm temperatures are having on fish in those areas.

“High daytime temperatures with limited nighttime cooling – combined with a lack of rain and low stream flows – are causing fish in these rivers to suffer from heat stress,” said Deputy Commissioner Susan Whalen in a written statement. “The stressed fish – particularly trout – are seeking refuge by congregating at the mouths of a number of tributary streams, where cooler water is entering the West Branch Farmington River and Farmington River.”

“Fishing for these trout would put additional stress on these fish, and could lead to increased mortalities,” Whalen said. “To protect these fish, we are establishing refuges where fishing is prohibited on portions of the West Branch Farmington River and Farmington River around the mouths of several tributaries.”

These 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

“This is the first time in memory that we have found it necessary to take action like this to protect our fisheries on these rivers, and it is not a step we are taking lightly,” Whalen said. “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.”

DEEP is posting these refuge areas with closure signs. All water within 100 feet of these signs are now closed to all fishing. This closure is scheduled to continue through Sept. 15, but may be shortened if conditions improve sufficiently. Violation of the closure is an infraction with a fine of $154.

High temperatures the past few weeks have had a significant impact on the waters of the two rivers. During the past week, daytime temperatures have been well into the 90s – and nighttime temperatures have remained above 70 degrees. These temperatures have led to some fish kills along the river.

While some portions of the West Branch Farmington River and Farmington River remain open to fishing, DEEP asks anglers to consider avoiding being out during the hottest times of day and to consider fishing upstream of the Collinsville impoundment, where the water temperatures are cooler and the fish are less stressed. DEEP also asks the public to avoid swimming, wading, or boating in the refuge areas – as those activities would also disturb fish there.

Written by Dennis Schain

Graphic courtesy of DEEP