The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has stocked the state's rivers, streams, lakes and ponds in advance of the opening day of the trout fishing season on Saturday.

Approximately 389,000 trout have already been released this spring into 100 lakes and ponds and 194 rivers and streams throughout Connecticut, DEEP said in a news release. DEEP’s spring trout stocking effort began in early March and will continue through the end of May. When the spring stockings are completed, DEEP expects to have stocked more than 610,000 trout.

“Opening day is an exciting time for Connecticut’s many trout anglers, and they can look forward to exceptional fishing this season,” said Susan Whalen, deputy commissioner of DEEP. “The fish are in excellent condition, all of our trout waters are stocked and anglers can enjoy a wide range of fishing options.”

Among the best places for families to fish on opening day are the state's designated trout parks.

“Trout parks are easily accessible, have picnic areas and other amenities nearby, and are stocked frequently so that there are plenty of trout for children, families and novice anglers to catch,” said Bill Hyatt, chief of DEEP’s Bureau of Natural Resources. “And as an added feature, families will be able to help stock trout at eight of the trout parks on opening day. We have found that these stockings are a real highlight for many families.”

Among the local trout parks  stocked by DEEP is Mohegan Park Pond in Norwich. Other trout parks will be re-stocked shortly after opening day.

DEEP has also stocked several community fishing waters in time for opening day. Launched in 2006, the community fishing waters program is intended to enhance fishing opportunities in Connecticut’s major population centers. Lakes and ponds selected for this program are in urban areas and typically stocked with trout in early spring and channel catfish by early summer to provide a year-round opportunity for anglers of all ages.

Many trout fishing areas have special regulations; anglers should consult the 2014 CT Angler’s Guide for information on specific locations and angling regulations. Electronic versions of the 2014 Guide can be found on the DEEP website at www.ct.gov/deep/anglersguide. Print versions of the 2014 Angler’s Guide are available at more than 350 locations statewide, including town halls, bait and tackle shops and other vendors selling outdoor equipment, DEEP facilities and commercial marinas and campgrounds.

Fishing and fisheries related information can be found at www.ct.gov/deep/fishing and www.facebook.com/CTFishandWildlife. Maps of all of the state’s trout streams and rivers showing the many stocking and access points can be found at www.ct.gov/deep/troutstockingmaps.

Anglers can purchase their 2014 fishing licenses online or at one of the many participating town halls, tackle retailers and DEEP offices. For a list of vendors, visit www.ct.gov/deep/fishing or call (860) 424-3105.