What special fishing regulations apply at Salmon River?

Salmon River carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Connecticut's statewide 2026 rules, covering Trout (rainbow + brown + brook + tiger). One of them reads: "Comstock Covered Bridge Trout Management Area — year-round catch-and-release artificial-lures-only; historic Atlantic salmon spawning habitat; CT Atlantic salmon broodstock program ran through 2017 then phased out; standard stocked sections elsewhere with Trout Stamp." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Salmon River?

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

Do Salmon River's special rules replace Connecticut's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Connecticut's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Salmon 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 Salmon River?

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

2026 regulation year

Salmon River 2026 — Connecticut Fishing Regulations

Connecticut statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 3, 2026

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

State-level special regulation

Comstock Covered Bridge Trout Management Area — year-round catch-and-release artificial-lures-only; historic Atlantic salmon spawning habitat; CT Atlantic salmon broodstock program ran through 2017 then phased out; standard stocked sections elsewhere with Trout Stamp
Source: Connecticut special-water list

Per-species rules on Salmon River

Trout (rainbow + brown + brook + tiger) regulations →
Comstock Bridge TMA C&R artificial-lures-only 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

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Salmon River?: Salmon River carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Connecticut's statewide 2026 rules, covering Trout (rainbow + brown + brook + tiger). One of them reads: "Comstock Covered Bridge Trout Management Area — year-round catch-and-release artificial-lures-only; historic Atlantic salmon spawning habitat; CT Atlantic salmon broodstock program ran through 2017 then phased out; standard stocked sections elsewhere with Trout Stamp." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Salmon River?: Yes. Salmon 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 Salmon River; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Connecticut rules.
Do Salmon River's special rules replace Connecticut's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Connecticut's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Salmon 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 Salmon River?: Trout (rainbow + brown + brook + tiger) has a water-body-specific rule on Salmon River, each linking to its full Connecticut regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Connecticut limits.

← Back to Connecticut regulations overview