The Trophy Fish Award Program recognizes and rewards angling skill.

Successful anglers will receive: A certificate of merit A Bronze pin for your first fish of merit A Silver pin for your fifth fish of merit A Gold pin for your tenth fish of merit or a new state record fish

2012 Saltwater Trophy Fish Award Annual Report
2011 Saltwater Trophy Fish Award Annual Report
2010 Saltwater Trophy Fish Award Annual Report
2002-2009 Marine Fisheries Trophy Fish Program Award Summary
Freshwater Trophy Fish Award Annual Report
2009 Saltwater Trophy Fish Award Annual Report

Qualifying Area Categories:

Nearshore: Inside Long Island/Fisher's Island Sound
Offshore: Outside Long Island/Fisher's Island Sound
Exotic: Rare strays to Connecticut caught inside Long Island/Fisher's Island Sound and Offshore waters
Freshwater: Caught in Freshwater

General Rules for Freshwater and Saltwater fish:

• Saltwater entries must be caught by boats leaving and returning to Connecticut ports. No overnight stays in another state prior to day(s) of fishing.
• Entries must be filed on the Official Affidavit Form.
• Fish must be caught by legal methods by only one person.
• Fish must be entered within 30 days of capture.
• Fish caught in hatchery ponds are not eligible
• Fish must be caught during Connecticut's legal open season
• A clear photograph of the fish must accompany the Affidavit Form.
• Fish must be weighed on scales certified in Connecticut (tackle shops, local markets, or deli's) or other state certified scales.
• Please Note: for all potential State Record Fish, a print-out of weight from a certified scale must accompany affidavit.

Rules for Catch-and-Release category:

• All of the General Rules apply except that the fish do not need to be weighed.
• A witness must be present when the fish's length is measured.
• A Clear photo must accompany the affidavit. This photo must include the angler holding the fish and also included the fish next to a measuring (yardstick, ruler, or tape measure) device to clearly show length of fish.
• The accompanying photo must be taken at the location where the fish was caught and released.
• Fish cannot be taken from site and then transported back.
• Catch-and-Release fish are not eligible for State records.
• BLE = Best Length Estimate for highly migratory species.
• Minimum Length = Tip of snout to end of tail.
• Marlin and Swordfish - measure from lower jaw to fork in tail.
• Shark species - minimum length is fork length.

In order to qualify for a Trophy Fish Award, the following minimum measurements are required:

Note: Minimum Lengths apply to the Catch-and-Release category only!
The minimum lengths listed below do not apply to the traditional weighed category.

Trophy Fish Award Affidavit