Chapter 490. Fisheries and Game
Section
26-1Definitions.26-2Members. Appointment. Compensation.26-3Powers and duties of commissioner.26-3aAcquisition of easements for maintenance of dams.26-3bRental, sale, exchange or transfer of real property and buildings in the custody or control of the commissioner. Right of first refusal.26-3cProcedures and processes for use of Internet and other means for issuance of hunting, fishing and trapping licenses, permits, stamps and tags. Schedule of retainage by agents.26-4Appointment and duties of director.26-5Appointment of conservation officers, special conservation officers and patrolmen.26-6Powers and duties of conservation officers and patrolmen.26-6aConstables for fish and game protection.26-6bSearch of containers by conservation officers.26-6cImmunity from attachments.26-7Volunteer assistants.26-8Ordinances controlling use of waters not applicable to department or employees.26-9Annual exhibition.26-10 to 26-13Board may borrow from General Fund. Game Fund. Fish Fund. Disposition of receipts.26-14Federal aid for fish restoration projects.26-15Fish and wildlife restoration projects. Funds for programs and functions of Bureau of Natural Resources.26-15aAppropriations to Bureau of Natural Resources. Federal aid. Annual report.26-15bAnnual report re license, permit, stamp and tag fees and expenditures for fish and wildlife programs.26-16Public hunting and fishing lands and waters.26-17Release of fishing or hunting rights.26-17aAcquisition and preservation of tidal wetlands.26-18Fish or game for propagation.26-19Motor boats in Bantam River.26-20Signs on rights-of-way to state ponds or streams.26-21Notice not to be destroyed.26-22Control of aquatic plants and animals.26-23Abandoned or discarded fishing or hunting implements. Derelict lobster gear.26-24Use or disposal of seized articles.26-25Commissioner may declare closed season or extend open season.26-25aRegulation of feeding of wildlife on state-owned property. Intentional feeding of potentially dangerous animals on private property. Prohibition. Regulations. More restrictive municipal ordinances.26-25bDisclosure of stocking schedules.26-25cRelease of lighter-than-air balloons restricted. Penalty.26-26Enforcement in state boundary waters of boating or fish and game laws.26-26aNortheast Conservation Law Enforcement Compact.26-26bInterstate Wildlife Violator Compact.26-27Licenses required for hunting, trapping and fishing. Exceptions.26-27aJunior licenses.26-27bStamps required for hunting or taking of migratory birds, resident birds or resident game birds. Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp. Connecticut Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp.26-27cReproduction and marketing of stamps as artwork. Migratory bird and resident game bird conservation account. Subaccount. Restricted uses of funds.26-27dCitizens' Advisory Board for the Connecticut Migratory Bird and Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamps program.26-27eSport fishing licenses. Statement re discarding of fishing line or other litter.26-27fThree-day out-of-state bird hunting license. Fee. Regulations.26-27gLifetime hunting and fishing licenses. Authorization. Regulations.26-28Hunting, trapping and sport fishing license fees.26-28aCombination licenses for servicemen. Fee.26-28bMarine waters fishing license. Exemptions.26-28cMarine waters fishing license fees.26-29Free lifetime fishing license for person who is blind.26-29aFree lifetime fishing licenses for persons with intellectual disability.26-29bFree lifetime hunting, sport fishing or trapping license for person with physical disability.26-29cFree private land deer permit for certain farmers.26-30Applications. Issuance of licenses.26-31Instruction in handling and use of hunting weapons. Required education course for reinstatement of suspended license.26-31aInstruction in fishing techniques.26-31bHunting and fishing guide services. Licenses. Fee.26-31cHunting or fishing guide services. Registration. Fee. Exception. Limit on customers in vessel. Regulations. Fine.26-31dPrinted fishing guides for 2023 season. Public availability.26-32Permanent license.26-33Issuance of complimentary licenses to nonresidents.26-34License for nonresident servicemen.26-34aLicense for nonresident servicemen.26-35Expiration date. License not transferable. Restrictions. Wildlife management study area.26-36Record of licenses. Remittance of fees by town clerks.26-37Duplicate licenses.26-38Hunting by minors.26-39Hunting licenses for owners of packs of dogs.26-40Game breeders license. Possession of skunks or raccoons.26-40aPossession of potentially dangerous animal. Exemptions. Seizure, relocation and disposal. Penalties.26-40bAnimals, the skin or body of which is not to be sold.26-40cSearch and seizure.26-40dExceptions.26-40eKilling, possession and sale of endangered and threatened species.26-40fPenalty.26-4126-4126-42Licensing of raw fur dealers. Inspection. Regulations.26-43Sale of raw furs to unlicensed nonresident dealer.26-44Licensing of ferrets.26-45Bait dealer's license.26-46Reciprocal fishing privileges.26-47Permits to take wildlife damaging crops. License to control nuisance wildlife. Permits to take wildlife damaging agricultural crops, livestock or apiaries. Conditions. Means. Methods. Times. Disposal of wildlife taken.26-47aUse of noise-making devices to repel marauding birds and wildlife.26-48Private shooting preserves; permits; regulations.26-48aManagement of salmon, trout and turkey. Issuance of permits, tags or stamps.26-49Training of hunting dogs. Permits for liberation of artificially propagated birds.26-50Permits for training hunting dogs using liberated pheasants.26-51Permits for field dog trials. Fee.26-52Permits for shooting birds liberated at field dog trials. Fees.26-53Hunting licenses not required at field trials.26-54Permits for custodians of protected birds and quadrupeds.26-55Permit for importing, introducing into state, possessing or liberating live fish, wild birds, wild mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Regulations. Exemptions. Seizure, relocation and disposal. Penalties.26-55aPossession of diploid grass carp.26-56Permits for importation of wild hares or rabbits.26-57Permits for transportation and exportation of fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.26-57aRegulations for the establishment of in-state captive herds of cervids. Pilot program for businesses to maintain reindeer. Importation of reindeer into state from Thanksgiving Day to New Year's Day.26-58Taxidermist's license.26-59Regulation of tanning, curing and mounting; permits.26-60Permits to collect certain wildlife for scientific and educational purposes. Fee.26-61Suspension of license, registration or permit. Restoration. Fines.26-62Hunting accidents; suspension of license or privilege to hunt.26-63Notice of action on license.26-64Fine for violations. Exception.26-65Commissioner authorized to regulate hunting. Landowner permission required for hunting on private land.26-65aProhibition re reduction of state land where hunting is permitted.26-66Scope of regulations.26-66aPosting of warning signs by the department. Fees.26-66bHunting field guides produced by the department to include regulations for hunting in proximity to buildings.26-67Regulations.26-67aConfidentiality of reports.26-67bCommissioner to advise law enforcement authorities re fish and game laws.26-67cComplaints re hunting in proximity to certain areas. Hearing. Records to be kept by law enforcement officials. Report to General Assembly.26-67dFalconry: Definitions.26-67eFalconry: Applicable federal regulations. Commissioner authorized to adopt regulations. Fee reciprocity.26-68Emergency declaration of closed seasons.26-69Wildlife management practices.26-70Regulation of hunting of wild birds, wild mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Permit for administration of chemical or biological substance to free-ranging wildlife. Requirements.26-71Penalty.26-72Regulation of trapping of fur-bearing animals.26-73Hunting on Sunday. Bow and arrow hunting of deer on private property.26-74Use of motor vehicles, snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles in hunting.26-75Silencer on firearms.26-76Possession limit of game birds, wild quadrupeds, reptiles and amphibians.26-77Taking of waterfowl in open coastal waters.26-78Sale of birds, quadrupeds, reptiles or amphibians.26-78aDonation of game to charitable organizations.26-79Hunting in Putnam Memorial Camp grounds.26-80Disposition of birds, quadrupeds, reptiles or amphibians illegally taken.26-80aIllegal taking of moose or bear. Suspension of hunting license. Penalties. Use of deadly force to kill a bear. Authorization. Requirements.26-80bSale or use of computer software or service to remotely hunt animals or birds prohibited. Penalty.26-81Penalty.26-82Killing of deer regulated. Damage permit. Jacklight permit. Penalties. Plan by homeowner association, municipality or nonprofit land-holding organization to take deer.26-82aPrivate land revolver permit to hunt deer. Requirements.26-83 and 26-84Permits to hunt deer. Fee for permit to kill deer.26-85Jacklighting for deer. Forfeiture and disposal of weapons.26-86Deer, moose or black bear killed or wounded by motor vehicle.26-86aGame management. Deer hunting; permitted weapons, locations, bag limits. Consent forms; permits, selection process.26-86bTags. Report of kill.26-86cPermits to hunt deer and small game with bow and arrow. Fees. Applications. Education course requirement.26-86dPenalty.26-86eRegulation of hunting of doe deer.26-86fHunting of fawn deer prohibited.26-87Taking rabbits by use of ferrets. Authorization. Penalties.26-88Use of explosives.26-89Cutting trees or using fire to take raccoon.26-90False statement, penalty. General penalty.26-91Taking of migratory game birds. Plan by municipality, homeowner association or nonprofit land-holding organization to take Canada geese.26-92Wild birds other than game birds protected, exception. Game birds defined.26-92aState purchase of game birds.26-93Hunting of bald eagle prohibited. Disturbance of nest prohibited. Fine. No access area for bald eagle. Violation and fine or imprisonment.26-94Hunting of swan prohibited.26-95Trapping of birds.26-96Trap shooting.26-97Killing game birds in Westport Fire District prohibited. Penalty.26-98Penalty.26-99Establishment of fish and game refuges.26-100Posting notices.26-101Wildlife refuges and closed areas.26-102Fish spawning areas and refuges.26-103Management and preservation of islands in and marshes in or bordering the Housatonic River.26-104Bantam Lake sanctuary.26-105Lake Wononscopomuc sanctuary. Limited hunting.26-106Milford refuge.26-107Hunting and trapping on wildlife refuge or closed area.26-107a to 26-107e26-107a to 26-107e26-107fProgram for the conservation of nonharvested wildlife.26-107gCitizen's Advisory Board for Nonharvested Wildlife. Membership. Duties.26-107hAnnual report.26-107iSale of wildlife stamps, prints, publications and other items. Allocation of revenue.26-108Inland waters and marine district defined.26-109Dividing lines between inland and marine waters in Groton, Stonington, the Niantic River and the Housatonic River.26-110Demarcation lines.26-111Regulation of fishing.26-112Scope of regulations.26-113Hearings.26-114Prohibited acts.26-114aPurchase or sale of snakehead fish prohibited.26-115Fisheries management practices of commissioner.26-116Exceptions.26-117Fine for violation.26-118Fishing in reservoir.26-119Use of explosives or poisons.26-120Striped bass.26-121Taking of tomcod or frost fish in Saugatuck River.26-122Fishing through ice in Cranberry Pond, Cream Hill Lake and Lake Quonnipaug.26-123Fishing through ice in Long Meadow Pond.26-124Indian Pond.26-125Beach Pond and Killingly Pond.26-126Disposition of fish illegally taken.26-127Conservation of bait species. Daily limit.26-128Carp and goldfish.26-128aTaking of glass eels, elver eels and silver eels prohibited. Penalty.26-128bTrout. Elimination of closed season.26-129Forfeiture of fishing tackle.26-130Sale of fish for stocking; sale of fish management commodities; sale of trout eggs.26-131Registration of private waters. Taking of fish without license.26-132Privately stocked waters.26-133Stocking with different species of fish.26-134Obstructing streams.26-135Pond weirs and nets.26-136Fishways.26-137Fishing near fishways.26-138Draining for taking fish.26-139Responsibility for draining. Penalty.26-140Fishing rights in stream crossing highway.26-141Fine for violation.26-141aStandards for flow of water in rivers or streams.26-141bAdoption of regulations establishing flow standards for rivers and streams. Procedure.26-141cViolation of regulations.26-142Registration of nets. Permits to tend or operate.26-142aDefinitions. Licenses, permits, registrations and endorsements. Regulations. Prohibitions. Nonresident licenses. Fees. Commissioner authority. Revocation. Violations. Penalties. Limited access licenses.26-142bResident-held and nonresident-held principal commercial fishing license, general commercial fishing license and commercial lobster pot fishing license. Restrictions on reissuance, transfer and renewal.26-142cVessel permit exemption for taking lobsters or fish for personal use.26-142dDual-landing agreements for Winter I Summer Flounder.26-143Nets to be marked.26-143aNets to be buoyed and marked. Boats to display license or registration flag.26-144 to 26-148Nets for taking tomcod or frost fish. Smelt and tomcod; nets, registration and fee. Taking of smelt and tomcod; open season, net specifications, designated time and area, penalty. Eel pots. Shad; nets; penalty. Set nets for taking shad in Connecticut and Farmington Rivers.26-149Commercial hatcheries. Fees.26-150 to 26-153Registration of fishing boat or vessel; operator's license; fees. Boats to display license number. Drag nets. Drag net or seine, license to operate, required. Mesh of nets.26-154Restricted waters near mouth of stream or estuary. Use of otter trawls in estuaries.26-154aUse of purse seines in Long Island Sound.26-155Fish oil or fertilizer.26-156 and 26-157Crabs. Lobsters.26-157aLobster management program.26-157bReports. Penalty.26-157cRegulations governing the taking and possession of lobsters. Regulations implementing the lobster trap allocation buy-back program.26-157dLobster restoration program. Regulations.26-157eCommissioner to pursue lobster restoration funds. Administration of funds. Entering into contracts.26-157fLobster Restoration Advisory Committee. Establishment. Membership. Appointment, procedure and compensation.26-157gLobster v-notch restoration program.26-157hLobster trap allocation buy-back program.26-157iEconomic assistance program for resident commercial lobster fishermen. Establishment. Regulations.26-157jSeafood dealer, wholesaler or shipper possession and sale of undersized lobsters. Conditions. Documentation.26-158Sale of lobsters.26-159Sea sturgeon.26-159aRegulations concerning certain sport and commercial fishing in the marine district and possession of certain species. Penalty.26-159bTaking and selling of sea sturgeon prohibited.26-159cCommissioner to conduct public hearings in coastal areas.26-160Extension zones.26-161 to 26-163Commercial taking of yellow perch. Northern fluke or summer flounder. Alewives and glut herring.26-164Inspection of license.26-165Reports.26-166Obstructions.26-167Stealing fish, lobsters or equipment. Penalty.26-168Sale or taking of salt water fish.26-169Nets and seines prohibited in Darien, Stamford and Greenwich.26-170Use of seine in Norwalk Harbor.26-171Taking smelt in Greenwich.26-172 and 26-173Drag nets along shores of Long Island Sound and Fishers Island Sound. Weirs and pounds.26-174Pawcatuck River.26-175Long Beach and Penfield Reef.26-176Restrictions on type of fishing at certain points on Connecticut, Mystic and Thames Rivers, Niantic Bay and North Cove in Old Saybrook.26-177Mystic River.26-178Thames River.26-179Taking smelt in Groton.26-180Milford Harbor.26-181Chester Cove.26-182Wright's Cove.26-183Use of nets in Long Island Sound adjacent to Stratford.26-184Use of nets in Keney Cove.26-185Use of trawls in the Poquonock River.26-186Penalties.26-186aEffect of license suspension on other licenses, permits or registrations and on right to obtain them.