Native Fish Coalition Connecticut Chapter

Native Fish Coalition is a nonpartisan, grassroots, donor-funded, 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation, preservation, and restoration of wild native fish. Nearly 100 species of saltwater fish have been identified in Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection annual trawl surveys since 1984, showing a great diversity of native fishes in the state’s inshore and nearshore waters. While most of Connecticut’s species can be found in multiple river systems, some are present in just one stream or watershed. Connecticut is home to eight major watersheds. There are also four federally designated Wild and Scenic River systems: Eightmile River, lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook, West Branch Farmington River, and Pawcatuck River. The state is also home to numerous streams and small rivers containing wild native brook trout. American shad are the Official State Fish. The Connecticut River is one of the most important East Coast spawning tributaries for shad. Numerous other native fish can be found in Connecticut as well including burbot, banded sunfish, and federally endangered Atlantic sturgeon and shortnose sturgeon. While Atlantic salmon are considered extinct in the wild in Connecticut, and only hatchery salmon exist in a few of the state’s rivers and lakes, they are protected in the Connecticut River Watershed. Like most other states, Connecticut’s native fishes face many threats and challenges including angler exploitation, state-sponsored and private trout stocking, habitat degradation, development, pollution, climate change, and nonnative invasive fish introductions. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection electrofishing has documented significant declines in wild native brook trout numbers since the 1990s. Two species of fish are listed as Endangered at the federal level: Atlantic sturgeon and shortnose sturgeon. Five species of fish are listed as Endangered at the state level: Atlantic sturgeon, shortnose sturgeon, American brook lamprey, burbot, and anadromous rainbow smelt. Seven species of fish are listed as “of Special Concern” at the state level: Blueback herring, sand tiger shark, longnose sucker, slimy sculpin, banded sunfish, bridle shiner, and radiated shanny. Eight species of fish are protected from harvest in all or some waters by the state due to low numbers.