conditions exist at well-documented levels. Certainly, the eastern end of the 

 Sound is of primary importance as a migratory entrance, and environmental 

 modifications in this area could significantly alter migratory conditions 

 Future imporvement in the water quality at the western end could improve the 

 availability of this water as a migratory route. 



Connecticut fresh-water streams are a valuable resource for anadro- 

 mous fish where impoundments do not occur, where the flow is adequate to supply 

 sufficient oxygen and prevent siltation, and where clean sand, gravel, and rub- 

 ble is present. The Connecticut River is presently the greatest resource area 

 for white perch, American shad, blueback herring, alewife, smelt, and eels. 



The states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Ver- 

 mont, as well as the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the National 

 Marine Fisheries Service, have agreed to support a fisheries program for 

 the Connecticut River Basin., The objectives of the Connecticut River Res- 

 toration Program are to realize the full potential of the fishery resources 

 of the River, mainly salmon and shad. The intent of this program is to provide 

 the public mth high quality sport fishing opportunities in a highly urbanized 

 area, as well as to provide for the long-term needs of the population for 

 seafood. 



American Shad -- Historically, the Connecticut River supported 

 shad runs as far upstream as Bellows Falls which lies in the River between 

 Vermont and New Hampshire, approximately 35 miles north of the Massachusetts 

 border. The exact magnitude of the historic run is unknown, but it might have 

 approached six million adult fish at the mouth of the river. It probably would 

 not be possible to restore the run to its historical numbers, but an evalua- 

 tion of present spawning and nursery areas as far north as Bellows Falls indi- 

 cates that a run of up to two million fish could be realized. The two million 

 figure is based on the production of 2.3 adult shad produced per 100 square 

 yard unit of spawning habitato The 2.3 figure assumes rather low production 

 since production as high as 6.5 adult shad per unit has been realized. 



Atlantic Salmon -- The magnitude of the original salmon run in the 

 Connecticut River is unknown, although there are many historical references 

 that indicate that the run was sizable and originally went as far as Beecher 

 Falls near the Canadian border. Utilizing a unit area technique similar to 

 that used with shad and evaluating the river as far as the Cummerford Dam, 

 reveals a potential run of adult salmon at the river's mouth of 38,000. 



Present restoration projects for the Connecticut River Atlantic 

 salmon and American shad reflect concern for the decline of these fisheries. 

 The same is true of other anadromous fishery species in Connecticut, partic- 

 ularly the alewife, a fishery resources which is presently being researched 

 along with glut herring, sturgeon, and striped bass for management purposes. 



In 1955 the Connecticut State Board of Fisheries and Game began a 

 sea trout program which has met with some success and is a current ongoing 

 project. The main objective of this program was to establish trophy-sized 

 sea-run brown trout in selected coastal streams. 



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