Bad Striper Bill in Connecticut: Prioritize Common Sense Management 

Photo Credit: A striper released in Connecticut waters, courtesy of Mike Querfeld.

Connecticut House Bill 6248 (2025 session), introduced by Brandon Chafee from Middletown, proposes to close the lower Housatonic River to striped bass fishing starting in 2026. This legislation, not initiated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), is a far cry from much-needed striper conservation victories. Instead, it returns minimal reward for the fishery while negatively impacting law-abiding fishermen who utilize this tidal stretch of river. The hearing for HB 6248 is scheduled for Monday, March 3, 2025, at 10 AM in the Environment Committee Room, Legislative Office Building, Hartford. Closing the river isn’t the answer; it’s a sledgehammer approach that harms our striped bass economy and ignores DEEP’s recent efforts to increase enforcement.

Yes, poaching happens on the Housatonic, especially when stripers hold over in winter. Recent reports show poachers caught with dozens of undersized or over-limit stripers—notably, one viral headline featured 34 fish bagged and buried in the woods, caught by DEEP’s Environmental Conservation Police and K-9 Luna in December 2024, as well as 64 violations and $4,974 in fines. DEEP has ramped up enforcement and deployed canine patrols to find hidden catches. Additionally, they have launched an acoustic telemetry project with Massachusetts DMF, tagging stripers to study post-release survival. 

Our advocates and followers know our priority is conserving striped bass and rebuilding this legendary coastwide fishery. We do not shy away from reductions and management actions that provide a significant conservation “return on investment” in exchange for moderate and reasonable accountability from stakeholders. That being said, closing the Housatonic River ignores DEEP’s recent conservation efforts and punishes anglers who follow the rules while providing a minimal conservation win.

For ASGA members and Connecticut’s coastal communities, striped bass fishing sustains jobs, tourism, and tradition. HB 6248 would negatively impact struggling guides, tackle shops, and restaurants. It’s a knee-jerk reaction that solves nothing while gutting a public resource. Poachers, not honest anglers, should face the heat—not the river itself. Striped bass don’t need this specific closure. They need more proactive action. From our perspective, Connecticut’s priorities should be:

• Boost DEEP Enforcement Funding: Double down on patrols and K-9 units. More boots on the ground, especially in winter hotspots, will deter poachers more effectively. Support your state agency and let them manage the river. They are experts in biology and enforcement. 

• Increase Poaching Fines: Current fines ($4,974 for 34 fish) are a slap on the wrist. Hike penalties—significant costs per fish and gear confiscation—to make poaching hurt and act as a real deterrent.

• Adopt Single-Hook Artificials for Catch-and-Release: Based on Massachusetts DMF’s cutting-edge striped bass release mortality study, single-hook artificial lures slash mortality (2% with quick, mouth-hooked releases vs. 21%+ with deep hooks). Connecticut could explore mandating this for Housatonic’s catch-and-release season to reduce release mortality.

• Educate and Engage the Court System: : Judges see some of the worst in society. When a poacher comes before the court, it usually results in a slap on the wrist. We suggest a database for repeat offenders. A point system like points on a driver’s license should be implemented.  We can identify repeat offenders and increase fines for each offense.

HB 6248 undermines DEEP’s science-driven work, from poaching busts to striped bass studies. It’s ignores the agency’s gains and our anglers’ voices. ASGA stands with DEEP, our guides and the Housatonic’s angling history. 

This bill has a long way to go before becoming law. Engage in this issue now to prioritize common sense measures that address the problem without taking a fishery away from honest anglers. Attend the hearing on March 3, 2025, at 10:00 AM in Hartford or submit your comments by clicking here,