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An Inland Fisheries Tournament/Derby Permit is required to conduct a fishing tournament or derby on waters open to public fishing involving anglers 16 years of age and older. Open water catch-and-release-only tournaments can be granted an exemption from Bass Management Area special regulations (exemptions available for all Bass Management lakes from September 1 through June 30, exemptions granted only for Gardner Lake and Mansfield Hollow Reservoir from July 1 to August 31).  Please refer to the Guidelines for Fishing Tournaments on Connecticut Public Waters for more detailed information regarding open water tournaments at most state waterbodies or the Guidelines for Fishing Tournaments at Candlewood Lake specifically for fishing tournaments held at Candlewood Lake. For ice fishing tournaments/derbies, please see Guidelines for Ice Fishing Tournaments on Connecticut Public Lakes.

To apply for a permit, please fill out the Tournament/Derby Permit Application and mail it to DEP Inland Fisheries Division.  The 2009 schedule of fishing tournaments sorted by date and tournaments sorted by waterbody is also available. 

For additional information, please call the Inland Fisheries Division at 860-424-3474.

A Marine Fisheries Tournament/Derby Permit is required to conduct a marine fishing tournament or derby in Connecticut that is open to persons 16 years of age and older.  To apply for a permit, please fill out the Marine Fishing Tournament/Derby Permit Application and Reporting Form (PDF) and mail it to DEP Marine Fisheries Division. 

For additional information, please call the Marine Fisheries Division at 860-434-6043.

Content Last Updated September 2009