(WTNH) — One of Governor Ned Lamont’s recent executive orders included a line that was easily overlooked. It moved up the opening day of fishing season to Wednesday, March 25.

With the Governor’s orders, the Regional Water Authority opened all of its properties for fishing and recreation.

News 8 went looking for people fishing at Lake Saltonstall on the Branford-East Haven border. While we did not find anybody with a fishing rod, we did reel in East Haven resident Dave Gersz to tell him the news.

“No, I didn’t hear about it. I’m 68 years old and I’ve been fishing all my life, so it’s a good thing to hear,” said Gersz. “I’m coming this afternoon, I’ll be casting out.”

The first day of fishing season is usually the second Saturday in April, and it usually draws big crowds. That is the issue.

“You come down here and everyone is shoulder to shoulder on opening day because you get that pent-up, everybody’s been in for the winter,” said John Triana of the Regional Water Authority, which owns Lake Saltonstall. “This is actually, I think, what the Governor is saying, the intent, so that it’s going to spread it out.”

As long as you have the proper permits, you can take part in inland fishing here in Connecticut. Saltonstall also usually has boats and docks from which to fish.

“We’ve decided that we’re not going to do either of those two things for Saltonstall because it will push people to get too close and not follow social distancing rules,” Triana said.

Remember, the only thing that changed, other than practicing social distancing, is the opening date of fishing season. You still need a permit to fish, and a permit to access Regional Water Authority property. Fortunately, you can get both of those online.

To find out more about fishing and recreation in Connecticut through the RWA, click here.

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) also opened its 117 boat launches across the state for fishing season.

To find out more about fishing in Connecticut through DEEP, click here.