2019 Connecticut General Statutes
Title 26 - Fisheries and Game
Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game

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PART I
DEFINITIONS

Section 26-1 - Definitions.

PART II
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 26-2 - Members. Appointment. Compensation.
Section 26-3 - Powers and duties of commissioner.
Section 26-3a - Acquisition of easements for maintenance of dams.
Section 26-3b - Rental, sale, exchange or transfer of real property and buildings in the custody or control of the commissioner. Right of first refusal.
Section 26-3c - Procedures 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.
Section 26-4 - Appointment and duties of director.
Section 26-5 - Appointment of conservation officers, special conservation officers and patrolmen.
Section 26-6 - Powers and duties of conservation officers and patrolmen.
Section 26-6a - Constables for fish and game protection.
Section 26-6b - Search of containers by conservation officers.
Section 26-6c - Immunity from attachments.
Section 26-7 - Volunteer assistants.
Section 26-8 - Ordinances controlling use of waters not applicable to department or employees.
Section 26-9 - Annual exhibition.
Section 26-10 to 26-13 - Board may borrow from General Fund. Game Fund. Fish Fund. Disposition of receipts.
Section 26-14 - Federal aid for fish restoration projects.
Section 26-15 - Fish and wildlife restoration projects. Funds for programs and functions of Bureau of Natural Resources.
Section 26-15a - Appropriations to Bureau of Natural Resources. Federal aid. Annual report.
Section 26-15b - Annual report re license, permit, stamp and tag fees and expenditures for fish and wildlife programs.
Section 26-16 - Public hunting and fishing lands and waters.
Section 26-17 - Release of fishing or hunting rights.
Section 26-17a - Acquisition and preservation of tidal wetlands.
Section 26-18 - Fish or game for propagation.
Section 26-19 - Motor boats in Bantam River.
Section 26-20 - Signs on rights-of-way to state ponds or streams.
Section 26-21 - Notice not to be destroyed.
Section 26-22 - Control of aquatic plants and animals.
Section 26-23 - Abandoned or discarded fishing or hunting implements. Derelict lobster gear.
Section 26-24 - Use or disposal of seized articles.
Section 26-25 - Commissioner may declare closed season or extend open season.
Section 26-25a - Regulation of feeding of wildlife on state-owned property.
Section 26-25b - Disclosure of stocking schedules.
Section 26-25c - Release of lighter-than-air balloons restricted. Penalty.
Section 26-26 - Enforcement in state boundary waters of fish and game laws.
Section 26-26a - Northeast Conservation Law Enforcement Compact.
Section 26-26b - Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.

PART III
LICENSES AND PERMITS

Section 26-27 - Licenses required for hunting, trapping and fishing. Exceptions.
Section 26-27a - Junior licenses.
Section 26-27b - Stamps 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.
Section 26-27c - Reproduction and marketing of stamps as artwork. Migratory bird and resident game bird conservation account. Subaccount. Restricted uses of funds.
Section 26-27d - Citizens' Advisory Board for the Connecticut Migratory Bird and Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamps program.
Section 26-27e - Sport fishing licenses. Statement re discarding of fishing line or other litter.
Section 26-27f - Three-day out-of-state bird hunting license. Fee. Regulations.
Section 26-27g - Lifetime hunting and fishing licenses. Authorization. Regulations.
Section 26-28 - Hunting, trapping and sport fishing license fees.
Section 26-28a - Combination licenses for servicemen. Fee.
Section 26-28b - Marine waters fishing license. Exemptions.
Section 26-28c - Marine waters fishing license fees.
Section 26-29 - Free lifetime fishing license for person who is blind.
Section 26-29a - Free lifetime fishing licenses for persons with intellectual disability.
Section 26-29b - Free lifetime hunting, sport fishing or trapping license for person with physical disability.
Section 26-29c - Free private land deer permit for certain farmers.
Section 26-30 - Applications. Issuance of licenses.
Section 26-31 - Instruction in handling and use of hunting weapons. Required education course for reinstatement of suspended license.
Section 26-31a - Instruction in fishing techniques.
Section 26-31b - Hunting and fishing guide services. Licenses. Fee.
Section 26-31c - Hunting or fishing guide services. Registration. Fee. Exception. Limit on customers in vessel. Regulations. Fine.
Section 26-32 - Permanent license.
Section 26-33 - Issuance of complimentary licenses to nonresidents.
Section 26-34 - License for nonresident servicemen.
Section 26-34a - License for nonresident servicemen.
Section 26-35 - Expiration date. License not transferable. Restrictions. Wildlife management study area.
Section 26-36 - Record of licenses. Remittance of fees by town clerks.
Section 26-37 - Duplicate licenses.
Section 26-38 - Hunting by minors.
Section 26-39 - Hunting licenses for owners of packs of dogs.
Section 26-40 - Game breeders license. Possession of skunks or raccoons.
Section 26-40a - Possession of potentially dangerous animal. Exemptions. Seizure, relocation and disposal. Penalties.
Section 26-40b - Animals, the skin or body of which is not to be sold.
Section 26-40c - Search and seizure.
Section 26-40d - Exceptions.
Section 26-40e - Killing, possession and sale of endangered and threatened species.
Section 26-40f - Penalty.
Section 26-41 - Transferred
Section 26-42 - Licensing of raw fur dealers. Inspection. Regulations.
Section 26-43 - Sale of raw furs to unlicensed nonresident dealer.
Section 26-44 - Licensing of ferrets.
Section 26-45 - Bait dealer's license.
Section 26-46 - Reciprocal fishing privileges.
Section 26-47 - Permits to take wildlife damaging crops. License to control nuisance wildlife.
Section 26-47a - Use of noise-making devices to repel marauding birds and wildlife.
Section 26-48 - Private shooting preserves; permits; regulations.
Section 26-48a - Management of salmon, trout and turkey. Issuance of permits, tags or stamps.
Section 26-49 - Training of hunting dogs. Permits for liberation of artificially propagated birds.
Section 26-50 - Permits for training hunting dogs using liberated pheasants.
Section 26-51 - Permits for field dog trials. Fee.
Section 26-52 - Permits for shooting birds liberated at field dog trials. Fees.
Section 26-53 - Hunting licenses not required at field trials.
Section 26-54 - Permits for custodians of protected birds and quadrupeds.
Section 26-55 - Permit 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.
Section 26-55a - Possession of diploid grass carp.
Section 26-56 - Permits for importation of wild hares or rabbits.
Section 26-57 - Permits for transportation and exportation of fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.
Section 26-57a - Regulations 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.
Section 26-58 - Taxidermist's license.
Section 26-59 - Regulation of tanning, curing and mounting; permits.
Section 26-60 - Permits to collect certain wildlife for scientific and educational purposes. Fee.
Section 26-61 - Suspension of license, registration or permit. Restoration. Fines.
Section 26-62 - Hunting accidents; suspension of license or privilege to hunt.
Section 26-63 - Notice of action on license.
Section 26-64 - Fine for violations. Exception.

PART IV*
HUNTING AND TRAPPING

Section 26-65 - Commissioner authorized to regulate hunting. Landowner permission required for hunting on private land.
Section 26-65a - Prohibition re reduction of state land where hunting is permitted.
Section 26-66 - Scope of regulations.
Section 26-66a - Posting of warning signs by the department. Fees.
Section 26-66b - Hunting field guides produced by the department to include regulations for hunting in proximity to buildings.
Section 26-67 - Regulations.
Section 26-67a - Confidentiality of reports.
Section 26-67b - Commissioner to advise law enforcement authorities re fish and game laws.
Section 26-67c - Complaints re hunting in proximity to certain areas. Hearing. Records to be kept by law enforcement officials. Report to General Assembly.
Section 26-67d - Falconry: Definitions.
Section 26-67e - Falconry: Applicable federal regulations. Commissioner authorized to adopt regulations. Fee reciprocity.
Section 26-68 - Emergency declaration of closed seasons.
Section 26-69 - Wildlife management practices.
Section 26-70 - Regulation of hunting of wild birds, wild mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Permit for administration of chemical or biological substance to free-ranging wildlife. Requirements.
Section 26-71 - Penalty.
Section 26-72 - Regulation of trapping of fur-bearing animals.
Section 26-73 - Hunting on Sunday. Bow and arrow hunting of deer on private property.
Section 26-74 - Use of motor vehicles, snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles in hunting.
Section 26-75 - Silencer on firearms.
Section 26-76 - Possession limit of game birds, wild quadrupeds, reptiles and amphibians.
Section 26-77 - Taking of waterfowl in open coastal waters.
Section 26-78 - Sale of birds, quadrupeds, reptiles or amphibians.
Section 26-78a - Donation of game to charitable organizations.
Section 26-79 - Hunting in Putnam Memorial Camp grounds.
Section 26-80 - Disposition of birds, quadrupeds, reptiles or amphibians illegally taken.
Section 26-80a - Illegal taking of moose or bear. Suspension of hunting license. Penalties.
Section 26-80b - Sale or use of computer software or service to remotely hunt animals or birds prohibited. Penalty.
Section 26-81 - Penalty.

PART V*
QUADRUPEDS

Section 26-82 - Killing of deer regulated. Damage permit. Jacklight permit. Penalties. Plan by homeowner association, municipality or nonprofit land-holding organization to take deer.
Section 26-82a - Private land revolver permit to hunt deer. Requirements.
Section 26-83 and 26-84 - Permits to hunt deer. Fee for permit to kill deer.
Section 26-85 - Jacklighting for deer. Forfeiture and disposal of weapons.
Section 26-86 - Deer, moose or black bear killed or wounded by motor vehicle.
Section 26-86a - Game management. Deer hunting; permitted weapons, locations, bag limits. Consent forms; permits, selection process.
Section 26-86b - Tags. Report of kill.
Section 26-86c - Permits to hunt deer and small game with bow and arrow. Fees. Applications. Education course requirement.
Section 26-86d - Penalty.
Section 26-86e - Regulation of hunting of doe deer.
Section 26-86f - Hunting of fawn deer prohibited.
Section 26-87 - Taking rabbits by use of ferrets. Authorization. Penalties.
Section 26-88 - Use of explosives.
Section 26-89 - Cutting trees or using fire to take raccoon.
Section 26-90 - False statement, penalty. General penalty.

PART VI*
BIRDS

Section 26-91 - Taking of migratory game birds. Plan by municipality, homeowner association or nonprofit land-holding organization to take Canada geese.
Section 26-92 - Wild birds other than game birds protected, exception. Game birds defined.
Section 26-92a - State purchase of game birds.
Section 26-93 - Hunting of bald eagle prohibited. Disturbance of nest prohibited. Fine. No access area for bald eagle. Violation and fine or imprisonment.
Section 26-94 - Hunting of swan prohibited.
Section 26-95 - Trapping of birds.
Section 26-96 - Trap shooting.
Section 26-97 - Killing game birds in Westport Fire District prohibited. Penalty.
Section 26-98 - Penalty.

PART VII
FISH AND GAME REFUGES

Section 26-99 - Establishment of fish and game refuges.
Section 26-100 - Posting notices.
Section 26-101 - Wildlife refuges and closed areas.
Section 26-102 - Fish spawning areas and refuges.
Section 26-103 - Management and preservation of islands in and marshes in or bordering the Housatonic River.
Section 26-104 - Bantam Lake sanctuary.
Section 26-105 - Lake Wononscopomuc sanctuary. Limited hunting.
Section 26-106 - Milford refuge.
Section 26-107 - Hunting and trapping on wildlife refuge or closed area.
Section 26-107a to 26-107e - Reserved for future use.

PART VIIa
CONSERVATION PROGRAMFOR NONHARVESTED WILDLIFE

Section 26-107f - Program for the conservation of nonharvested wildlife.
Section 26-107g - Citizen's Advisory Board for Nonharvested Wildlife. Membership. Duties.
Section 26-107h - Annual report.
Section 26-107i - Sale of wildlife stamps, prints, publications and other items. Allocation of revenue.

PART VIII*
SPORT FISHING

Section 26-108 - Inland waters and marine district defined.
Section 26-109 - Dividing lines between inland and marine waters in Groton, Stonington, the Niantic River and the Housatonic River.
Section 26-110 - Demarcation lines.
Section 26-111 - Regulation of fishing.
Section 26-112 - Scope of regulations.
Section 26-113 - Hearings.
Section 26-114 - Prohibited acts.
Section 26-114a - Purchase or sale of snakehead fish prohibited.
Section 26-115 - Fisheries management practices of commissioner.
Section 26-116 - Exceptions.
Section 26-117 - Fine for violation.
Section 26-118 - Fishing in reservoir.
Section 26-119 - Use of explosives or poisons.
Section 26-120 - Striped bass.
Section 26-121 - Taking of tomcod or frost fish in Saugatuck River.
Section 26-122 - Fishing through ice in Cranberry Pond, Cream Hill Lake and Lake Quonnipaug.
Section 26-123 - Fishing through ice in Long Meadow Pond.
Section 26-124 - Indian Pond.
Section 26-125 - Beach Pond and Killingly Pond.
Section 26-126 - Disposition of fish illegally taken.
Section 26-127 - Conservation of bait species.
Section 26-128 - Carp and goldfish.
Section 26-128a - Taking of glass eels, elver eels and silver eels prohibited. Penalty.
Section 26-129 - Forfeiture of fishing tackle.
Section 26-130 - Sale of fish for stocking; sale of fish management commodities; sale of trout eggs.
Section 26-131 - Registration of private waters. Taking of fish without license.
Section 26-132 - Privately stocked waters.
Section 26-133 - Stocking with different species of fish.
Section 26-134 - Obstructing streams.
Section 26-135 - Pond weirs and nets.
Section 26-136 - Fishways.
Section 26-137 - Fishing near fishways.
Section 26-138 - Draining for taking fish.
Section 26-139 - Responsibility for draining. Penalty.
Section 26-140 - Fishing rights in stream crossing highway.
Section 26-141 - Fine for violation.
Section 26-141a - Standards for flow of water in rivers or streams.
Section 26-141b - Adoption of regulations establishing flow standards for rivers and streams. Procedure.
Section 26-141c - Violation of regulations.

PART IX
COMMERCIAL FISHERIES

Section 26-142 - Registration of nets. Permits to tend or operate.
Section 26-142a - Definitions. Licenses, permits, registrations and endorsements. Regulations. Prohibitions. Nonresident licenses. Fees. Commissioner authority. Revocation. Violations. Penalties. Limited access licenses.
Section 26-142b - Resident-held and nonresident-held principal commercial fishing license, general commercial fishing license and commercial lobster pot fishing license. Restrictions on reissuance, transfer and renewal.
Section 26-142c - Vessel permit exemption for taking lobsters or fish for personal use.
Section 26-143 - Nets to be marked.
Section 26-143a - Nets to be buoyed and marked. Boats to display license or registration flag.
Section 26-144 to 26-148 - Nets 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.
Section 26-149 - Commercial hatcheries. Fees.
Section 26-150 to 26-153 - Registration 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.
Section 26-154 - Restricted waters near mouth of stream or estuary. Use of otter trawls in estuaries.
Section 26-154a - Use of purse seines in Long Island Sound.
Section 26-155 - Fish oil or fertilizer.
Section 26-156 and 26-157 - Crabs. Lobsters.
Section 26-157a - Lobster management program.
Section 26-157b - Reports. Penalty.
Section 26-157c - Regulations governing the taking and possession of lobsters. Regulations implementing the lobster trap allocation buy-back program.
Section 26-157d - Lobster restoration program. Regulations.
Section 26-157e - Commissioner to pursue lobster restoration funds. Administration of funds. Entering into contracts.
Section 26-157f - Lobster Restoration Advisory Committee. Establishment. Membership. Appointment, procedure and compensation.
Section 26-157g - Lobster v-notch restoration program.
Section 26-157h - Lobster trap allocation buy-back program.
Section 26-157i - Economic assistance program for resident commercial lobster fishermen. Establishment. Regulations.
Section 26-157j - Seafood dealer, wholesaler or shipper possession and sale of undersized lobsters. Conditions. Documentation.
Section 26-158 - Sale of lobsters.
Section 26-159 - Sea sturgeon.
Section 26-159a - Regulations concerning certain sport and commercial fishing in the marine district and possession of certain species. Penalty.
Section 26-159b - Taking and selling of sea sturgeon prohibited.
Section 26-159c - Commissioner to conduct public hearings in coastal areas.
Section 26-160 - Extension zones.
Section 26-161 to 26-163 - Commercial taking of yellow perch. Northern fluke or summer flounder. Alewives and glut herring.
Section 26-164 - Inspection of license.
Section 26-165 - Reports.
Section 26-166 - Obstructions.
Section 26-167 - Stealing fish, lobsters or equipment. Penalty.
Section 26-168 - Sale or taking of salt water fish.
Section 26-169 - Nets and seines prohibited in Darien, Stamford and Greenwich.
Section 26-170 - Use of seine in Norwalk Harbor.
Section 26-171 - Taking smelt in Greenwich.
Section 26-172 and 26-173 - Drag nets along shores of Long Island Sound and Fishers Island Sound. Weirs and pounds.
Section 26-174 - Pawcatuck River.
Section 26-175 - Long Beach and Penfield Reef.
Section 26-176 - Restrictions on type of fishing at certain points on Connecticut, Mystic and Thames Rivers, Niantic Bay and North Cove in Old Saybrook.
Section 26-177 - Mystic River.
Section 26-178 - Thames River.
Section 26-179 - Taking smelt in Groton.
Section 26-180 - Milford Harbor.
Section 26-181 - Chester Cove.
Section 26-182 - Wright's Cove.
Section 26-183 - Use of nets in Long Island Sound adjacent to Stratford.
Section 26-184 - Use of nets in Keney Cove.
Section 26-185 - Use of trawls in the Poquonock River.
Section 26-186 - Penalties.
Section 26-186a - Effect of license suspension on other licenses, permits or registrations and on right to obtain them.

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2019 Connecticut General StatutesTitle 26 - Fisheries and GameChapter 490 - Fisheries and Game

2019 Connecticut General Statutes
Title 26 - Fisheries and Game
Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game