What special fishing regulations apply at Mashapaug Lake?

Mashapaug Lake carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Connecticut's statewide 2026 rules, covering Channel catfish. One of them reads: "287-acre eastern CT lake at Bigelow Hollow State Park; 12 in min largemouth + smallmouth, 6 / day combined; lake trout (stocked carry-over) + chain pickerel; trout & salmon stamp required for stocked trout." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Mashapaug Lake?

Yes. Mashapaug Lake 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 Mashapaug Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Connecticut rules.

Do Mashapaug Lake's special rules replace Connecticut's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Connecticut's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Mashapaug Lake 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 Mashapaug Lake?

Channel catfish has a water-body-specific rule on Mashapaug Lake, each linking to its full Connecticut regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Connecticut limits.

2026 regulation year

Mashapaug Lake 2026 — Connecticut Fishing Regulations

Connecticut statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 3, 2026

Mashapaug Lake carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of Connecticut's 2026 fishing rules — covering Channel catfish. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

287-acre eastern CT lake at Bigelow Hollow State Park; 12 in min largemouth + smallmouth, 6 / day combined; lake trout (stocked carry-over) + chain pickerel; trout & salmon stamp required for stocked trout
Source: Connecticut special-water list

Per-species rules on Mashapaug Lake

Channel catfish regulations →
No min, 6 / day aggregate; state-record channel catfish water (29 lb 6 oz, 2004)

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 Mashapaug Lake?: Mashapaug Lake carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Connecticut's statewide 2026 rules, covering Channel catfish. One of them reads: "287-acre eastern CT lake at Bigelow Hollow State Park; 12 in min largemouth + smallmouth, 6 / day combined; lake trout (stocked carry-over) + chain pickerel; trout & salmon stamp required for stocked trout." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Mashapaug Lake?: Yes. Mashapaug Lake 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 Mashapaug Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Connecticut rules.
Do Mashapaug Lake's special rules replace Connecticut's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Connecticut's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Mashapaug Lake 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 Mashapaug Lake?: Channel catfish has a water-body-specific rule on Mashapaug Lake, each linking to its full Connecticut regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Connecticut limits.

← Back to Connecticut regulations overview