Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police

05/24/2026

Despite today’s challenging weather conditions, and on the heels of National Safe Boating Week, our officers are still out on the water helping to keep Connecticut’s waterways safe. We’re looking forward to better weather this summer and encourage everyone planning to enjoy the water to make safety their top priority.
In addition to regularly scheduled on-water patrols on inland and marine waters, DEEP Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police are working with the DEEP Boating Division to educate boaters about the new Boating Under the Influence (BUI)-DUI reciprocity law. In the western district, EnCon officers are partnering with the Danbury Police Department and the Candlewood Lake Authority to conduct targeted BUI enforcement patrols on Candlewood Lake throughout the holiday weekend. In the eastern district and marine district, EnCon officers are patrolling the Connecticut River with a focus on “No Wake Zone” violations.
Remember:
• Wear your life jacket
• Never operate a boat under the influence
• Check weather conditions before heading out
• Ensure your vessel has required safety equipment
Have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend on the water!

05/15/2026

The Connecticut Environmental Conservation Police are deeply saddened by the loss of Maine Game Warden Joshua Tibbetts, who was killed Tuesday in a plane crash while conducting a routine fish stocking mission in Avon. Warden Tibbetts served the Maine Warden Service with dedication for 18 years.
To his family, fellow wardens, and all who knew him — we stand with you. Rest easy, Warden Tibbetts. We have the watch.

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is heartbroken to share that Game Warden Pilot Joshua Tibbetts died this morning in a plane crash in Avon, ME.

Game Warden Pilot Tibbetts served the people of Maine as a Maine Game Warden for 18 years, including the last three years as a pilot for Maine Warden Service. In that role, his specialized aviation work supported search and rescue, law enforcement, fisheries and wildlife conservation, and public safety across the state.

This is an incredibly difficult loss for his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire Maine Warden Service. We ask the public to keep his loved ones, his fellow Game Wardens, and all those affected by this tragedy in their thoughts in the days ahead.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing. The Department will cooperate fully with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

We are grateful for the emergency personnel who responded to the scene and for the support already being shown to the Maine Warden Service family.

04/28/2026

🐾 CONGRATULATIONS ON A WELL-EARNED RETIREMENT, K9 LUNA #8! 🐾

We are so proud to announce the retirement of K9 Luna #8 from the Connecticut Environmental Conservation Police. Luna, you have been one of a kind from the very beginning.

Luna's journey started with Chiron K9 at Texas Tech University, where she worked alongside graduate students researching scent detection. When that research wrapped up, Chiron K9 chose to donate her to a conservation law enforcement agency — and in 2021, Connecticut was lucky enough to be selected. She arrived here at around 4 years old and was paired with Conservation Officer Alexandra Blackwell in the Marine District. Together, they were trained and certified by the CT State Police K9 Unit in Fish & Wildlife detection in 2023.

From February 2023 to April 2026, K9 Luna was deployed 210 times across the state. She located 188 fish, waterfowl, and deer — every single one illegally harvested and deliberately hidden from officers by poachers. Without Luna, those cases never would have been made. Her nose resulted in $24,098 in fines and one criminal arrest.

Her most unforgettable case came in December 2024. Along Route 110 in Shelton, right next to the Housatonic River, Luna sniffed out four laundry bags buried in the ground spread over 75 feet of roadside — each one stuffed with striped bass hidden by poachers. In all, 34 striped bass were recovered, four anglers were charged, $4,974 in fines were issued, and every one of them pled guilty.

In January of 2025 Luna was honored at the CT State Capitol with an Official Citation and medals from the CT General Assembly for her detection skills and dedication to locating illegally harvested fish and game. That April she and her handler were also recognized as Connecticut's 2024 Conservation Officer of the Year.

K9 Luna is retiring at 9 years old. She'll spend her retirement at home with Officer Blackwell, her family, and her new sister K9 Scup #12, who will carry the torch and continue patrolling the Marine District.

Luna, thank you for protecting Connecticut's fish and wildlife — and for finding what no human could. You are, as always, the best girl. 💚

04/23/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE – Squantz Pond, New Fairfield | Seeking Information

This morning, Thursday, April 23, 2026, at approximately 6:50 AM, a witness observed a fisherman capsize his canoe at the Squantz Pond boat launch. The fisherman was able to make it to shore safely and advised the witness that he intended to go home and return to retrieve his canoe. He has not been seen or heard from since.

Out of an abundance of caution, the EnCon Police are seeking to make contact with both the witness and the owner of the canoe to confirm everyone's well-being.

We do not believe this is an emergency situation, but we want to account for all parties involved.

The canoe in question is pictured below and has been secured for safe keeping until the owner can retrieve it.

If you have any information regarding this incident — including knowledge of the canoe's owner or the witness present at the launch — please contact our Emergency Dispatch Center at:

**(860) 424-3333**

Thank you for helping us keep our community safe.

04/21/2026

🐟🐾 **K9 Scup Locates Hidden Striped Bass**

On April 15, 2026, Officer McGinn was conducting surveillance on an angler fishing the Housatonic River in Stratford. She observed the angler catch, retain, and conceal two striped bass that were clearly below legal length. The fish were hidden in a large area of thick marsh reeds, making their exact location unknown.

Officer McGinn requested the assistance of K9 Scup, an Environmental Conservation Police fish & wildlife detection K9 trained to locate multiple species — including striped bass.

K9 Scup was deployed in the area where the angler was last seen with the fish. She alerted to a large, downed tree in the marsh. Upon investigation, her handler located 6 striped bass buried beneath the tree, partially submerged in marsh mud and covered in reeds. The fish measured approximately 20", 21", 21", 22", 22", and 22.5" — well below the legal slot length of 28" to 31".

The angler was charged with multiple striped bass violations. The fish were seized and donated to a local non-profit wildlife rehabilitator to be used as food for injured and sick birds of prey in their care. 🦅

Great work, Officer McGinn and K9 Scup! 👏

03/10/2026

This spring warm up is hitting FAST! Be aware of ice thickness if you are looking to prolong your ice fishing season. As the days get longer and the sun gets stronger, the ice disappears at a surprisingly fast rate. Don’t put yourself, others, and first responders at risk.

Ice safety is paramount as ice conditions are changing rapidly.

The Fisheries Division does not routinely monitor or report on ice conditions, which are changing quickly across Connecticut. Warming air temperatures and precipitation in the form of rain can weaken ice quickly. Safe ice one day might not be safe the next. Make safety your #1 priority. Check local conditions before heading out, carry safety gear such as ice picks and a spud bar to test ice as you go, and consider going with a partner rather than alone when possible.

02/21/2026

Come and visit us at the Springfield Sportsmen's Show before the snow comes in tomorrow! There is a ton to do and see this year, including the debut of our brand new TIP Trailer!

12/13/2025

Our first stuff a cruiser event is off to an amazing start! We cannot thank Bass Pro Shops enough for their incredible support of State of Connecticut Wilderness School. We will be here until 6 please stop by and say hello!

12/13/2025

Good advice from Connecticut Fish and Wildlife…keep yourself AND first responders safe this winter - be smart on the ice!

As our waters start to freeze over please remember....Ice is never 100% safe, even during colder months. Factors such as water depth, currents, and snow cover can further impact ice strength and safety.
Safety Guidelines to Keep in Mind:
🧊Check Ice Thickness: Avoid ice less than 4 inches thick. Remember, ice thickness can vary even on the same body of water.
🧊Avoid High-Risk Areas: Stay away from ice near inlets, outlets, bridges, and areas of moving water, as it is often thinner and less stable.
🧊Don’t Go Alone: Let someone know your plans and ensure they can contact help if needed.
🧊If Someone Falls In: Call 911 immediately. Use the "Preach, Reach, Throw, Go" method to assist without putting yourself in danger.
For more detailed ice safety tips, visit the DEEP website at https://portal.ct.gov/deep/outdoor-recreation/ice-safety
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12/02/2025

Help us stuff a cruiser at Bass Pro in East Hartford on Saturday December 13th! The Wilderness School is an amazing organization that helps troubled youth develop life skills through wilderness adventure programming. All proceeds and donations will help them in their mission.