The West Branch Farmington River Trout Management Area (TMA) was established by the CT DEP Inland Fisheries Division in 1988 in cooperation with the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) and a number of other land owners along the river corridor. This 3.6 mile section of river, that includes an approximate 1 mile long reach on the MDC "Greenwoods Property," is located between the Rte 219 Bridge in New Hartford and the power lines 1 mile upstream of the Rte 318 Bridge in Pleasant Valley.

Since its inception, the TMA has developed into a blue ribbon destination fishery that supports outstanding fishing opportunities for large stocked brown trout and rainbow trout (12-18 inches). Based on annual fall electrofishing surveys conducted by the CT DEP Inland Fisheries Division, there are also moderate numbers of wild brown trout that can reach lengths in excess of 24 inches long. The TMA is a year-round catch and release area with a barbless hook requirement for all tackle. In a typical year anglers spend 40,000-45,000 hours fishing the TMA and catch an average of 1 fish per hour.