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Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Connecticut Fish and Wildlife

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The CT DEEP Bureau of Natural Resources conserves and manages fish, wildlife, and forests - recreate responsibly

Three divisions comprise the DEEP Bureau of Natural Resources: the Fisheries Division (Inland and Marine), Wildlife Division, and the Division of Forestry. The Bureau traces its beginnings back to the establishment of the Board of Fisheries in 1866 with the appointment of two commissioners. By 1895, wildlife management was added to the responsibilities of the newly-named Board of Fisheries and Game. In 1921, oversight of Connecticut’s state forests was given to the State Park and Forest Commission (previously established as the State Park Commission in 1913). In 1971, the Board of Fisheries and Game and the State Park and Forest Commission were absorbed into the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The current Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) was established on July 1, 2011, with the consolidation of the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Public Utility Control, and energy policy staff from other areas of state government.

11/05/2026

TROUT & SALMON STOCKING UPDATE: 11.4.2026

Another week, another shot of Atlantic salmon and trout! The final round of 2-year-old Atlantic salmon went to the Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers this week, along with trout to waterbodies across eastern and western Connecticut.

Late fall means big-fish opportunities in Connecticut! Next up are the big girls and boys—3-year-old Atlantic salmon broodstock—along with giant Seeforellen brown trout. Stay tuned!

The following have been stocked this week:

Fenton River, Mansfield
Little River, Oxford/Seymour
Naugatuck River, Waterbury-Beacon Falls/Harwinton-Litchfield
Pachaug River, Griswold/Voluntown
Shetucket River, Scotland/Sprague
Shunock Brook, North St

11/04/2026

DEEP staff recently toured New Haven and Hamden to view newly planted trees supported by state and federal urban forestry grant programs. During the tour, staff visited projects led by the Urban Resources Initiative (URI) in New Haven and the Hamden Tree Commission to learn how these local organizations plant, maintain, and care for trees while engaging residents and building community partnerships.

These projects reflect the important work taking place in communities across the state to expand and maintain urban tree cover. Since 2024, 25 municipalities across the state have been awarded nearly $2.5 million to support 35 different projects focused on increasing tree cover in low-canopy communities and improving tree care and management.

Learn more about the communities that received grant funding: https://portal.ct.gov/deep/forestry/urban-forestry/grants/urban-forestry-grant-accomplishments

11/03/2026

The Wildlife Division is seeking public input on coyotes in Connecticut. This survey aims to better understand residents’ experiences with coyotes, their perceptions of these animals, and any concerns about living alongside them.

Your feedback will help us better understand public attitudes and inform future wildlife management, education, and outreach efforts.

Whether you've encountered a coyote or not, we encourage you to participate and share your perspective.

Take the survey at https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8976889/Coyote-Attitudes-Survey

📸: John Clery

11/02/2026

The acorns have fallen to the ground, providing food for a wide variety of wildlife, including Wild Turkeys, White-tailed Deer, Blue Jays, Black Bears, and more! Red Oak acorns, though considered less tasty, provide more energy than White Oak acorns.

Learn more at https://bit.ly/BeldingSpecies

10/30/2026

When it comes to making sure you get your beauty rest, no other bat in Connecticut does it better than the Tricolored Bat. 🦇

Known for the tricolored hair on its back (slate gray at the base, yellowish brown in the middle, and dark brown at the hair tips), the Tricolored Bat is typically the first species of bat to enter hibernation in the fall and often the last to leave come spring.

The two Tricolored Bats featured here were photographed at the Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine in East Granby, a site where a variety of bat species spend the winter catching up on those zzzs...

10/30/2026

TROUT & SALMON STOCKING UPDATE: 10.30.2026

Close to 12,000 total trout were stocked into CT waters this week, including a major bonus of Lake Trout donated to us by the USFWS! The nice stretch of weather continues so get out and have fun!

The following have been stocked this week:

Ball Pond, New Fairfield
Blackledge River (lower), Marlborough/Hebron
Blackwells Brook, Brooklyn/Plainfield
Moosup River, Plainfield/Sterling
Naugatuck River (Upper) - TTA, Harwinton/Litchfield/Torrington
Pine Lake, Bristol
Quinebaug River, Thompson to Plainfield/Canterbury
Rogers Park Pond - CFW, Bethel/Danbury
Stanley Quarter Park Pond - CFW, New Britain
Tyler Lake, Goshen **Lake Trout**
Wepawaug River, Milford/Orange
West Hill Pond - TML, Barkhamsted / New Hartford

10/29/2026

For hibernating bats, not any old underground space will do. You have to stay hydrated!

Come winter, certain species of bats migrate to cavernous spaces, usually below ground, where they hibernate through the coldest months of the year.

Hibernating bats are susceptible to dehydration, so choosing a hibernaculum (shelter animals use to hibernate) with higher humidity will reduce evaporative water loss.

As you can see in the photo, high humidity will often cause water droplets to form on the fur of hibernating bats, which bats can drink should they periodically wake up!

10/28/2026

Location, location, location! 🦇🏠

Installing a bat house on your property can be a great way to help bats, offering them a safe and comfortable space to roost during the active season.

Consider the following BEFORE installing your bat house:

✅ For maximizing warmth retained from the sun, be sure your bat house has a south or southeast exposure. Bats prefer the thermostat way up!

✅ The bottom of the house should be at least 12 to 20 feet from the ground. Bats drop down into flight when leaving a bat house.

✅ Bat houses attached to the sides of buildings have the greatest reported success. Free-standing poles in open areas will also work, however, attaching a house to a tree is not recommended.

Looking to channel your inner Bob the Builder but are unsure of where to start? Don’t wing it! We have you covered. Our webpage features two updated design plans to get you started (link in comments below).

10/27/2026

"Woo hoo, witchy woman. See how high she flies." 🎶

While most of trees and shrubs flower in spring, American Witch Hazel blooms in the fall. The commercial production of Witch Hazel has a long history in Connecticut, which has the largest manufacturer of Witch Hazel products in the world!

Learn more at https://bit.ly/BeldingSpecies

10/27/2026

Spotted Lanternfly: A trick for humans, and a treat for bats?! 🦇

This year, many Connecticut residents reported high numbers of the invasive Spotted Lanternfly. And while many of us were out there stomping and squishing away, we were not the only species going after the non-native forest pest.

In a recent paper from Rutgers and the State University of New Jersey, guano samples collected across three forested sites in New Jersey between 2018 and 2022 were tested as a means to detect the presence of invasive insects. Test results revealed Spotted Lanternfly DNA in guano from two bat species: Big Brown Bat and Eastern Red Bat! Both of these species also occur in Connecticut.

The findings of this study reveal how native species can adapt and may take advantage of a non-native food source. Another reason to celebrate the importance of bats!

Link to the paper below. 👇

Address

Hartford, CT

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday	8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+18604243011

Website

https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/About/Main/Natural-Resources

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