Vintage

The Farmington River in Connecticut flows from below Goodwin Dam in Hartland to its confluence with the Connecticut River in Windsor. In its journey the river flows south, then north, and then southeast. The character of the river changes from a coldwater tailfishery to a warm water fishery. Bottom releases from the Hogback Dam keep the upper part of the river cold even through the summer months. The year round quality of the water in the upper section of the river sustains a trout fishery that has excellent growth rates and holdover trout population. The FRAA and others were instrumental in preserving and protecting this fishery with the establishments of the Trout Management Areas.

Trout Management Areas (TMA's) are specially designated areas with special regulations for trout fishing. There are two TMA's on the Farmington River.

NOTE: The information below was extracted from the 2005 Connecticut Angler's Guide and is presented as a brief summary and may not be accurate. Always confirm the current regulations with the proper sources, the official CT Anglers Guide and notices issued by the CT DEP.

West Branch - Farmington River TMA

Often referred to as the Upper TMA, this area begins approximately one mile upstream of the Route 318 bridge and continues downstream to the Route 219 bridge. The upper boundary is the cable crossing between the Barkhamsted Sr Citizens Center and the DEP Pleasant Valley Field Office on West River Road and a field in the Mathais Grove Recreation Area on East River Road.
SEASON: Open year-around.
METHODS: Barbless hooks only.
TROUT: Catch-and-release only.

Anglers Guide Definition: Barbless Hook, a curved, pointed device, without a barb, used to catch fish. Barbless hooks may be single, double or treble, and each point must be without a barb. For purposes of this regulation, hooks manufactured with a barb are considered barbless if the barb has been bent down to the hook, broken off or otherwise made ineffective.

Farmington River TMA

Often referred to as the Lower TMA, this area begins at the base of the Lower Collinsville Dam and continues downstream to the Route 4 bridge.
SEASON: Open year-around.
TROUT CATCH-AND RELEASE ONLY: From Sep 1 to 6:00 am the 3rd Sat in Apr
TROUT: Daily creel limt 2, minimum length = 12 inches, from 3rd Saturday in April to Aug 31.

OTHER TROUT AREAS ON THE FARMINGTON RIVER

The other sections of the Farmington River which have special regulations are:

TROPHY TROUT STREAM AREA

From the Goodwin Dam (Hartland) downstream to Route 177 bridge in Unionville
(Note that the TMA's are special areas within this area.)
SEASON: From 3rd Saturday in April to last day in Feb.
TROUT: 12 inch minimum length, daily creel limit=2.

LOWER FARMINGTON RIVER

From the Route 177 Bridge in Unionville Center downstream to the Rainbow Dam.
TROUT: 9 inch minimum length.

LOWER RIVER / TIDAL WATERS

From the mouth of the tailrace canel below Rainbow Dam to the confluence with the CT River TROUT: 15 inch minimum length, daily creel limit=2.