Fishermen line the area ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams – and bring their boats out – to cast their lines every year on the morning when fishing season begins. This April, in Newtown anyway, there seemed to be fewer fishermen out for opening day than in the past – perhaps, in part, because of an earlier start to the season and due to a windy day and overall slow arrival of spring warmth. Nonetheless, the Saturday, April 11 morning was an enjoyable kickoff (make that cast off) to the season for those who hooked bait and reeled in dinner.

“Trout season is open. That’s what we look forward to all winter is opening day,” Gary Sheehan, membership chairman of the Newtown Fish and Game Club (NF&GC), said while fishing at Taunton Lake on Saturday.

Sheehan said he was pleased just to have the lake available for fishing given that it remained mostly coated with ice in the days leading up to opening day. In fact, the NF&GC postponed its annual opening day breakfast because members weren’t sure how much fishing could possibly take place on the body of water.

A message on the NF&GC website reads: “As of April 8, 80 percent of Taunton Lake is still covered in ice. Due to limited shore fishing and boat access the decision has been made to reschedule the breakfast. “

The ice, which Sheehan said still covered about 60 to 70 percent of the lake on April 9, almost disappeared over the course of that evening. Wind on opening day, however, made it tough for boaters, Sheehan said, although some hearty souls braved the elements out on the exposed water.

“I think the fishing is slow. It’s early in the season yet,” said Sheehan, adding that with the sun shining and water available, “It’s a beautiful day for opening day.”

The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) changed opening day from the third Saturday in April to the second Saturday this spring. DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee said the earlier start would create an extra week for anglers to fish and, because most of Connecticut’s schools are on spring break this week, it gives students an opportunity to fish during their time off from school.