No more hiking, but fishing is now legal
While many Northwest Corner residents have found solace from quarantine by hiking, especially with their dogs, the Appalachian Trail has had to close because of an enormous surge in use. Other trails remain open for now. Photo by Lans Christensen

No more hiking, but fishing is now legal

LAKEVILLE — On Tuesday evening, March 24, the glad tidings filtered through on social media. Earlier that day Gov. Ned Lamont had issued an executive order opening Connecticut’s  inland fisheries — lakes, ponds, rivers and streams — to fishing. (Opening Day had been scheduled for Saturday, April 11.)

The reason? From the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP):

“Opening the fishing season early helps to limit community spread of COVID-19, by eliminating the large crowds that often accompany the traditional Opening Day of fishing in April. During this time of social distancing, fishing should be enjoyed as a solitary experience or with members of your immediate household, not as a group activity.”

DEEP encourages anglers to stay at least 6 feet away from each other, and if a favorite spot is crowded, to go somewhere else.

As town halls and tackle shops are closed, anglers should get their licenses and trout/salmon stamps online at www.portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Fishing/CT-Fishing. The license may be printed out at home or stored on a cell phone (provided the angler carries the phone while fishing).

On Thursday and Friday at the popular Blackberry River in North Canaan, there was a handful of anglers, mostly spincasters working from the bank. The occasional fly rodder appeared in waders. Fish were caught. Some were released, others had a rendezvous with the frying pan in their future.

Everybody, with the possible exception of the fish, seemed to be having a good time.

Editor’s Note: While fishing is being allowed early this year, one other outdoor activity that has been a popular respite from COVID-19 quarantine for Northwest Corner residents has been taken away.

Hiking has been a way for people to get out of their houses, get some air and exercise and see  friends from a safe distance.

So many people have been out hiking, however, that the Appalachian Trail (AT) Conference has asked all hikers to stay off the Georgia-to-Maine national trail for now. There has been such a surge of hikers, due to COVID-19 and the unseasonably warm weather, that the AT managers feel they can not guarantee safe social distancing. While the AT can’t be closed, the request has been made that all hikers stay off the trail until the pandemic is under control.

 

Editor’s note: The Lakeville Journal is providing content related to the coronavirus outbreak for free as a public service to our readers. Please support local journalism by subscribing to The Lakeville Journal, The Millerton News, or TriCornerNews.com or by becoming a contributor to our membership model. Click here for more information.

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