What special fishing regulations apply at Eight Mile River?

Eight Mile River carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Connecticut's statewide 2026 rules, covering Trout (rainbow + brown + brook + tiger). One of them reads: "Wild + Scenic federally designated river — wild brown + brook trout; Trout Management Area on listed reaches catch-and-release artificial-only; standard stocked sections elsewhere." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Eight Mile River?

Yes. Eight Mile River is in Connecticut, so a valid Connecticut fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) — Inland Fisheries + Marine Fisheries Divisions. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Eight Mile River; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Connecticut rules.

Do Eight Mile River's special rules replace Connecticut's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Connecticut's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Eight Mile River by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Eight Mile River?

Trout (rainbow + brown + brook + tiger) has a water-body-specific rule on Eight Mile River, each linking to its full Connecticut regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Connecticut limits.

2026 regulation year

Eight Mile River 2026 — Connecticut Fishing Regulations

Connecticut statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 3, 2026

Eight Mile River carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of Connecticut's 2026 fishing rules — covering Trout (rainbow + brown + brook + tiger). Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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Watch Eight Mile River (CT) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

State-level special regulation

Wild + Scenic federally designated river — wild brown + brook trout; Trout Management Area on listed reaches catch-and-release artificial-only; standard stocked sections elsewhere
Source: Connecticut special-water list

Per-species rules on Eight Mile River

Trout (rainbow + brown + brook + tiger) regulations →
Wild + Scenic TMA C&R artificial-only listed reaches

Official source

Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) — Inland Fisheries + Marine Fisheries Divisions publishes the authoritative 2026 Connecticut fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Connecticut fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection's emergency-order feed — check it before any Connecticut trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Connecticut

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Eight Mile River?: Eight Mile River carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Connecticut's statewide 2026 rules, covering Trout (rainbow + brown + brook + tiger). One of them reads: "Wild + Scenic federally designated river — wild brown + brook trout; Trout Management Area on listed reaches catch-and-release artificial-only; standard stocked sections elsewhere." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Eight Mile River?: Yes. Eight Mile River is in Connecticut, so a valid Connecticut fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) — Inland Fisheries + Marine Fisheries Divisions. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Eight Mile River; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Connecticut rules.
Do Eight Mile River's special rules replace Connecticut's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Connecticut's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Eight Mile River by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Eight Mile River?: Trout (rainbow + brown + brook + tiger) has a water-body-specific rule on Eight Mile River, each linking to its full Connecticut regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Connecticut limits.

← Back to Connecticut regulations overview