The opening day of the trout fishing season is Saturday and the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has stocked approximately 341,000 trout into 102 lakes and ponds and 178 rivers and streams.

DEEP’s spring trout stocking effort began in early March and will continue through mid-May, with a total of more than 610,000 trout stocked, DEEP said in a news release.

Families are encouraged to fish on opening day at designated trout parks, which 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.

“As an added feature, families will be able to help stock trout at some of the trout parks on opening day,” he said. “We have found that these stocking events are a real highlight for many families.”

All 11 trout parks already have been stocked by DEEP. Among areas scheduled to be stocked again on opening day is Mohegan Park Pond in Norwich, which will be stocked at 8:15 a.m. with 400 to 450 fish.

DEEP said that despite the prolonged winter, virtually all the waterways typically stocked for opening day have received trout. The lingering late winter conditions will affect fishing, fishing access and camping in some areas, however.

A number of lakes and ponds, especially in northwest and northeast corners, remain frozen, including: Colebrook River Lake, Crystal Lake, East Twin Lake, Highland Lake, Mount Tom Pond, Lake McDonough, Stillwater Pond, Tyler Lake, West Hill Pond and Lake Wonoskopomuc, and the Black Rock Pond Trout Park.

Two campgrounds along popular fishing streams, Macedonia Brook and Austin Hawes (along the West Branch Farmington River in American Legion State Forest) will remain closed until next week. Campgrounds open Saturday include Devil’s Hopyard in East Haddam, Hopeville Pond in Griswold and the Green Falls and Mount Misery campgrounds in Pachaug State Forest in Voluntown.

DEEP said it also has removed a number of small streams, including Stony Brook in Montville, from its annual trout stocking schedule due to very limited or no use by anglers or limited access.

Anglers are advised to consult the 2015 CT Angler’s Guide for detailed information on specific locations and angling regulations. Printed versions of the 2015 Angler’s Guide are available at town halls, bait and tackle shops and other vendors selling outdoor equipment, DEEP facilities and commercial marinas and campgrounds.

The guide also can be found at www.ct.gov/deep/anglersguide.

Fishing and fisheries related information can be found at www.ct.gov/deep/fishing.