What special fishing regulations apply at Housatonic River main stem?

Housatonic River main stem carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Connecticut's statewide 2026 rules, covering Trout (rainbow + brown + brook + tiger). One of them reads: "Premier New England wild brown trout TMA — year-round catch-and-release artificial-lures-only from Falls Village powerhouse to Boardman's Bridge; cold-water tailwater releases from Falls Village hydroelectric facility; smallmouth on warm-water lower reaches." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Housatonic River main stem?

Yes. Housatonic River main stem 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 Housatonic River main stem; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Connecticut rules.

Do Housatonic River main stem's special rules replace Connecticut's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Connecticut's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Housatonic River main stem 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 Housatonic River main stem?

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

2026 regulation year

Housatonic River main stem 2026 — Connecticut Fishing Regulations

Connecticut statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 3, 2026

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

State-level special regulation

Premier New England wild brown trout TMA — year-round catch-and-release artificial-lures-only from Falls Village powerhouse to Boardman's Bridge; cold-water tailwater releases from Falls Village hydroelectric facility; smallmouth on warm-water lower reaches
Source: Connecticut special-water list

Per-species rules on Housatonic River main stem

Trout (rainbow + brown + brook + tiger) regulations →
C&R artificial-lures-only TMA Falls Village to Boardman's Bridge year-round

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

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Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Housatonic River main stem?: Housatonic River main stem carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Connecticut's statewide 2026 rules, covering Trout (rainbow + brown + brook + tiger). One of them reads: "Premier New England wild brown trout TMA — year-round catch-and-release artificial-lures-only from Falls Village powerhouse to Boardman's Bridge; cold-water tailwater releases from Falls Village hydroelectric facility; smallmouth on warm-water lower reaches." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Housatonic River main stem?: Yes. Housatonic River main stem 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 Housatonic River main stem; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Connecticut rules.
Do Housatonic River main stem's special rules replace Connecticut's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Connecticut's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Housatonic River main stem 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 Housatonic River main stem?: Trout (rainbow + brown + brook + tiger) has a water-body-specific rule on Housatonic River main stem, each linking to its full Connecticut regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Connecticut limits.

← Back to Connecticut regulations overview