A fisherman is accused of catching fish that were too small and not released back in the Housatonic River after an Environmental Conservation police fish and wildlife detection K-9 discovered them in the marsh.

On April 15, Officer McGinn was conducting surveillance on the fisherman who was fishing in the river in Stratford. Police say she noticed the person catch, retain and conceal two striped bass that were clearly below the legal length.

Police add that the fish were hidden in a large area of thick marsh and reeds, which made their exact location unknown.

McGinn then requested the assistance of K-9 Scup.

Scup was trained to locate multiple species of fish, including striped bass.

Police say Scup was deployed to the area where the angler was last seen with the fish. Her handler located six striped bass that were buried beneath a tree that was partially submerged in marsh, mud and covered in reeds.

Police say the fish measured approximately 20 to 22.5 inches, which is below the legal length of 28 inches to 31 inches.

The angler was charged with multiple striped bass violations.

The fish were seized and donated to local nonprofit wildlife rehabilitator, where they will be used as food for injured and sick birds of prey in their care.