Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

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Take a Friend Fishing, Hook Great Prizes

Friends catching brown trout together on the Farmington River 


This year, the Connecticut DEEP Fisheries Division and our contest sponsors are encouraging anglers to take a friend fishing. Mentors play the critical role of passing on fishing knowledge and traditions, thereby fostering a love of the outdoors in their mentees and helping to ensure a sustainable future for our fisheries. As a reward for sharing your expertise and love of fishing, we’ve created a contest for mentors who take the time to pass on their knowledge.

Take a beginner angler out and be entered to win some great prizes by submitting a photograph and brief story of your time on the water. Submissions will be judged by their ability to inspire.

  • Mentor and mentee must be at least 16 years of age.
  • Contest participants must follow all applicable Connecticut fishing regulations. 
  • Mentor must have had a Connecticut fishing license before the start of the contest.
  • Mentees must have obtained their first-ever fishing license in 2020.
Prizes:

There will be three mentor-mentee pairs that win big this fishing season! Here’s what they will win:

All Winners: A free fishing trip with rod and reel rental on the Black Hawk, a $50 Cabela’s gift card from the East Hartford Cabela’s store, and a family fishing package (five rods and reels, lures, PowerBait, and a copy of the "Pictorial Guide to Freshwater Fishes of Connecticut") from the Fisheries Division's CARE Program. 

July 31st Winners: Two four-hour fishing kayak rentals from Blackhall Outfitters and two Orvis Hats and Silipints from the Orvis Darien Store.

October 31st Winners: Private two hour fly casting/fishing lesson for two from FFI certified instructor Ray Ramos of Brackish Waters Fly Fishing.

February 28th Winners: Full Reddington fly fishing outfit (rod, reel, backing, fly line, and leader) from The Compleat Angler and a private two hour fly casting/fishing lesson for two from FFI certified instructor Ray Ramos of Brackish Waters Fly Fishing.

Entry Form and Official Rules:

Press this button to enter in to the Take a Friend Fishing contest

Enter by submitting your brief story and photo online using the button above or by putting the following URL in your browser: https://forms.gle/RGV37ZC2PqMiCAnw5

See the complete official rules here: Official Rules

Please contact the Fisheries Division office with any questions or concerns at 860-424-FISH (3474).

 

Content last updated January 2020