A big round of applause for Yas Saotome of Hamden, who the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection was recognizing over the weekend for his skill as an angler!
DEEP hosted the Fifth annual Trophy Fish Award Ceremony at the Northeast Fishing and Hunting Show in the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford over the weekend and Saotome is one of the 75 anglers that was presented certificates recognizing their achievement of having caught or landed the largest fish in one of several species categories during 2012.
The department’s Trophy Fish Award Program recognizes anglers for catching freshwater and saltwater fish of qualifying size. Anglers complete and submit an affidavit with an attached photo of their catch. The program has evolved in the years since its inception. There are now youth (anglers under the age of 16) and adult categories for both catch-and-release fishing and for those who harvest their catch and special awards for new state record holders.
New state records were set for seven fish species this year and for blue crab in 2012. In addition to the new state record fish (two inland and five marine), there were also numerous records set in the marine offshore, youth, catch-and-release and exotic species categories.
“These many awards demonstrate the excellent fishing opportunities that we have right here in Connecticut,” said Bill Hyatt, Chief of DEEP’s Bureau of Natural Resources. “Fishing is a great outdoor activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family and it can be done close to home.”
More information about the Trophy Fish Award Program is available in the Connecticut Angler’s Guide, on the DEEP website (www.ct.gov/deep/fishing ), or by contacting the Inland Fisheries Division (860-424-FISH) or the Marine Fisheries Division (860-434-6043).
Fishing opportunities now abound year round in our inland and marine waters, and anglers are reminded that fishing licenses can be purchased 24/7 on-line at: www.ct.gov/deep/fishinglicense
