FISHING REPORT NUMBER 3 5/6/2010
INLAND REPORT
TROUT
Rivers & streams - Conditions remain good for fishing, with moderate flows and comfortable weather. Anglers are finding good to excellent fishing in many of the state’s rivers and streams, with the best reports from the Pequonnock River, Natchaug River, Little River, Hammonasset River, Naugatuck River, Mill River, West Branch Farmington River, Farmington River, Housatonic River, Mt. Hope River, Norwalk River, Far Mill River, Blackberry River, Willimantic River, Shetucket River, Hop River, Pomperaug River and Sandy Brook. This week’s “whopper’ is a 9.6 lb rainbow trout from the Mill River with the “big stick” being a 25 trout day from the Farmington River.
Farmington River – Conditions are good and fishing has been good to excellent. Water temperatures are in the low to mid 50’s °F and West Branch flows are clear and moderate, 170 cfs at Riverton with the Still River adding an additional 80 cfs.
Hatches consist of Blue Wing Olive (a.k.a. baetis or vegans; #16-#1 in a parachute or emerging dun (noon to 5pm), Hendrickson (a.k.a. red quill; #12-#14) in a parachute, comparadun or emerger (1 pm or yellow egg sac pattern around 6 pm) and Blue Quill (a.k.a. paralep; #1 in a parachute or emerger (midday). Also try Rusty Spinners (#16-1, Mahogany Duns/Blue Quills (#18-20), Tan Caddis (#14-1 and Winter Caddis (#18-22). Nymphs (#18-22) are always a good go-to fly, try Bead Head, Midge Pupa, Brassie, Zebra Midge or Copper John patterns. Streamers are also producing. Use White Zonkers & Buggers (#4-12) as well as Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghost.
Housatonic River – Conditions are great for trout fishing. Flows are clear and moderate, about 600 CFS at Falls Village and 1,000 cfs at Gaylordsville. Water temperatures are in the low 60’s°F.
Hatches/patterns: Adams (#12-14) in the evening are producing. Hendrickson (#12-#14) are on the water in the afternoon with Green Caddis Pupa (#14-16) soon to show up. Anglers using Pheasant Tail (#12-14), Copper John (#12-16) and American Pheasant Tail (#12-14) are finding nymphing to be very productive. Try streamers (Yellow/White Zuddlers or Gray Ghost) around 6:30 pm.
Rivers and streams stocking update. Scheduled to be stocked this week are the Branford River, Coginchaug River, Crystal Lake Brook, Farm River, Hockanum River (except the TMA). Hop River, Jeremy River, Mount Misery Brook, Myron Kinnie Brook, Natchaug River, Pachaug River, Roaring Brook (Glastonbury), Salmon River (including the TMA), Shetucket River, Skungamaug River, Tankerhoosen River, Whitfords Brook, Yantic River (including the TMA), and the Natchaug River and Chatfield Hollow Trout Parks in eastern CT, and the Blackberry River, Farmington River (W Branch TMA to Lower Collinsville), Little River (Oxford), Naugatuck River (except the TMA), Nepaug River, Norwalk River, Pomperaug River, East Branch Salmon Brook, West Branch Salmon Brook, Sandy Brook, Still River (Colebrook), Whiting River and the Kent Falls Trout Park in western CT. Note that stocking schedules are subject to change.
Lakes & Ponds – Trout fishing is good to very good in many lakes and ponds throughout the state, with reports from Highland Lake, Candlewood Lake (a 10 lb trout also reported here), Cedar Lake, Beardsley Park Pond, Twin Brooks Park Pond, East Twin Lake, Quonnipaug Lake, Ball Pond, Lake McDonough, Lake Wononskopomuc, Crystal Lake, Beach Pond, Colebrook Reservoir, West Hill Pond, Mount Tom Pond, Mohawk Pond, Long Pond, Mashapaug Lake, Bigelow Pond, Bunnells Pond and Saugatuck Reservoir. Trolling your favorite lures at 5-7 colors (15-20 feet) has worked well. Some anglers are also targeting big fish in deeper water with bait. This week’s “whopper” is a 10.25 lb rainbow taken at
2010 DEP Fishing Report Number 3, 5/6/2010
Valley Falls Pond. The “big stick” goes to East Twin Lake where more than 30 trout were taken by a lucky two man team.
Lakes and ponds stocking update. In eastern CT, Angus Park Pond, Beach Pond, Beaver Brook Park Ponds, Bicentennial Pond, Billings Lake, Crystal Lake, Gay City Park Pond, Hewitt Fly Pond, Hyde Mill Pond, Lake Saltonstall, Lantern Hill Pond, Long Pond, Walkers Reservoir, the Day Pond Trout Park, the Mohegan Park Pond Trout Park and the Chatfield Hollow Trout Park are all scheduled for stocking this week (5/3 – 5/7). In western CT, Baummer Pond, Black Rock Lake, Christensen's Pond, East Twin Lake, Highland Lake, Hop Brook Lake, Mohawk Pond, Mount Tom Pond, Prospect Town Park Pond, Tyler Pond, West Hill Pond, the Upper Fulton Park Pond Urban fishing Area, the Southford Falls Trout Park, the Stratton Brook Trout Park, the Wolfe Park Trout Park (Great Hollow Pond) and the Black Rock Pond Trout Park are scheduled for stocking this week.
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is generally fair to good, with best reports from Gardner Lake, Candlewood Lake, Lantern Hill Pond, Quaddick Reservoir, Lake McDonough,Mudge Pond, Bigelow Pond, Amos Lake, Lake Saltonstall, Pickerel Lake, Halls Pond, Quonnipaug Lake, Bishop Swamp and Uncas Lake. Fair fishing reported at Wononskopomuc Lake (catches do include a 5.2 lb fish), Ball Pond, Lake Lillinonah, East Twin Lake, Hopeville Pond, Pattagansett Lake, Billings Lake, Quinebaug Lake, Kenosia Lake, Bolton Lake, Dodge Pond, Dog Pond, and Rogers Lake, and it’s been slow at Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Lake Zoar, Highland Lake and Pachaug Pond.
SMALLMOUTH BASS fishing remains very good at Candlewood Lake, Gardner Lake, some action also reported from Lake Lillinonah, Highland Lake, Coventry Lake, Squantz Pond, Rainbow Reservoir, Colebrook Reservoir and Mashapuag Lake.
NORTHERN PIKE catches reported from Bantam Lake, Pachaug Pond, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir and Winchester Lake.
WALLEYE – Very good walleye action reported from Squantz Pond with several catches in the 9-11 lb range (Walleye can be found up on “beaches” at night). Catches also reported from Lake Saltonstall, Coventry Lake and Squantz Pond.
CHAIN PICKEREL are being caught at Wononskopomuc Lake, Silver Lake, Halls Pond, Lake Hayward, Bashan Lake and Rogers Lake.
CONNECTICUT RIVER – STRIPED BASS are in the river up to the Windsor area. Mostly school size (16-25”) fish are being caught, but plenty of adults are being caught (lower to mid river). Sand & blood worms and big plastic baits like 9” Houdini Shad, 7” Bombers & swim baits are working. One angler was having very good success on homemade pencil poppers. Some SHAD are reported up to Holyoke (MA) with many reported up to the confluence of the Farmington River area. Anglers catching them for striper bait are reminded that the only legal method of harvesting American shad is angling.
NORTHERN PIKE are reported in Wethersfield to Middletown area. Knowledgeable anglers are targeting CATFISH in the Hartford to Middletown area. Sandworms or cut bait are catching fish this week up to 9 lbs.
2010 DEP Fishing Report Number 3, 5/6/2010
TIPS & TRICKS – AMERICAN SHAD
The shad run is now. Fish have been seen as far north as Holyoke, MA. In the lower Connecticut River there are many fish up to the Essex area. As the major slug of fish moves up the river fishing will get better. These fish are great fighters for their size.
Trolling:
��
A weighted willow leaf or shad dart is producing well.
��
Use 8-10 lb test fishing line. Set boat speed to 1.5 - 2.0 mph. Use a 1/4 - 3/4 oz weight depending on conditions. Tie a 6 foot - 6lb or 8lb leader above the lure. Silver, white and gold are your go to colors. Other colors that work include pink, chartreuse, red & green. The drag should be set light as shad have a delicate mouth.
��
Try trolling against the current. Vary your speed until the correct presentation is found.
Shore Fishing or Wading:
��
When shore fishing or wading, cast your lure across & up stream. The correct depth is when the lure just ticks the bottom. Let it drift downstream and expect the fish to hit just before the line straightens out and hang on.
NOTES & NOTICES:
��
The Valley Forge Road bridge crossing of the Saugatuck River at Devil’s Glenn will be closed for repairs. The section of the Saugatuck River from Saugatuck Reservoir Dam down to Davis Hill Road will not be stocked this year.
��
The Butts Bridge Road bridge over the Quinebaug River/Aspinook Pond is currently closed for road reconstruction. The state water access area on Butts Bridge Road is open to public use, but can be accessed by vehicle from the east only.
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO SPORTSMEN
Pursuant to the recently adopted state budget (Public Act 10-3 – current session):
��
MANY FISHING, HUNTING AND TRAPPING LICENSE AND PERMIT FEES HAVE BEEN DECREASED (effective 6:30 pm on April 14, 2010).
��
Among the other fees that were decreased are state park and forest fees, including parking fees, season passes and camping fees.
��
Fishing & hunting licenses and permits are available at www.ct.gov/dep
2010 DEP Fishing Report Number 3, 5/6/2010
MARINE FISHING REPORT
Surface water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) are in the upper 40’s to low 50’s ° F. Check out the following web sites for more detailed water temperatures and marine boating conditions:
http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/stationstat.html
http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/
http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/AN/330.html
STRIPED BASS fishing is good for schoolies in many of the tidal rivers. The Housatonic River (Derby Dam, Devon, and Milford Point), lower Connecticut River (Great Island), Thames River from Norwich Harbor down to Montville have been consistent striper spots. Most fish are well below legal size (28 inches), however, larger keeper sized stripers have been caught during low light.
BLUEFISH have showed up at Millstone Point (Millstone Power Station discharge). Also, don’t overlook Sandy Point in New Haven Harbor. This a good early season spot for stripers, bluefish and WEAKFISH.
WINTER FLOUNDER fishing has been overall on the slow side but there are a few isolated spots producing some nice catches. These spots include Pine Island area off Groton, Mumford Cove, and the Niantic River (including the bay).
TAUTOG (blackfish) fishing season is closed.
For regulation updates and fishing/crabbing information, please check out our web site at: www.ct.gov/dep or pick up the new 2010 Angler’s Guide. The guide contains all current marine fishing regulations and more.
DEP WEEKLY FISHING REPORT
CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106
www.ct.gov/dep
INLAND REPORT
TROUT
Rivers & streams - Conditions remain good for fishing, with moderate flows and comfortable weather. Anglers are finding good to excellent fishing in many of the state’s rivers and streams, with the best reports from the Pequonnock River, Natchaug River, Little River, Hammonasset River, Naugatuck River, Mill River, West Branch Farmington River, Farmington River, Housatonic River, Mt. Hope River, Norwalk River, Far Mill River, Blackberry River, Willimantic River, Shetucket River, Hop River, Pomperaug River and Sandy Brook. This week’s “whopper’ is a 9.6 lb rainbow trout from the Mill River with the “big stick” being a 25 trout day from the Farmington River.
Farmington River – Conditions are good and fishing has been good to excellent. Water temperatures are in the low to mid 50’s °F and West Branch flows are clear and moderate, 170 cfs at Riverton with the Still River adding an additional 80 cfs.
Hatches consist of Blue Wing Olive (a.k.a. baetis or vegans; #16-#1 in a parachute or emerging dun (noon to 5pm), Hendrickson (a.k.a. red quill; #12-#14) in a parachute, comparadun or emerger (1 pm or yellow egg sac pattern around 6 pm) and Blue Quill (a.k.a. paralep; #1 in a parachute or emerger (midday). Also try Rusty Spinners (#16-1, Mahogany Duns/Blue Quills (#18-20), Tan Caddis (#14-1 and Winter Caddis (#18-22). Nymphs (#18-22) are always a good go-to fly, try Bead Head, Midge Pupa, Brassie, Zebra Midge or Copper John patterns. Streamers are also producing. Use White Zonkers & Buggers (#4-12) as well as Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghost.
Housatonic River – Conditions are great for trout fishing. Flows are clear and moderate, about 600 CFS at Falls Village and 1,000 cfs at Gaylordsville. Water temperatures are in the low 60’s°F.
Hatches/patterns: Adams (#12-14) in the evening are producing. Hendrickson (#12-#14) are on the water in the afternoon with Green Caddis Pupa (#14-16) soon to show up. Anglers using Pheasant Tail (#12-14), Copper John (#12-16) and American Pheasant Tail (#12-14) are finding nymphing to be very productive. Try streamers (Yellow/White Zuddlers or Gray Ghost) around 6:30 pm.
Rivers and streams stocking update. Scheduled to be stocked this week are the Branford River, Coginchaug River, Crystal Lake Brook, Farm River, Hockanum River (except the TMA). Hop River, Jeremy River, Mount Misery Brook, Myron Kinnie Brook, Natchaug River, Pachaug River, Roaring Brook (Glastonbury), Salmon River (including the TMA), Shetucket River, Skungamaug River, Tankerhoosen River, Whitfords Brook, Yantic River (including the TMA), and the Natchaug River and Chatfield Hollow Trout Parks in eastern CT, and the Blackberry River, Farmington River (W Branch TMA to Lower Collinsville), Little River (Oxford), Naugatuck River (except the TMA), Nepaug River, Norwalk River, Pomperaug River, East Branch Salmon Brook, West Branch Salmon Brook, Sandy Brook, Still River (Colebrook), Whiting River and the Kent Falls Trout Park in western CT. Note that stocking schedules are subject to change.
Lakes & Ponds – Trout fishing is good to very good in many lakes and ponds throughout the state, with reports from Highland Lake, Candlewood Lake (a 10 lb trout also reported here), Cedar Lake, Beardsley Park Pond, Twin Brooks Park Pond, East Twin Lake, Quonnipaug Lake, Ball Pond, Lake McDonough, Lake Wononskopomuc, Crystal Lake, Beach Pond, Colebrook Reservoir, West Hill Pond, Mount Tom Pond, Mohawk Pond, Long Pond, Mashapaug Lake, Bigelow Pond, Bunnells Pond and Saugatuck Reservoir. Trolling your favorite lures at 5-7 colors (15-20 feet) has worked well. Some anglers are also targeting big fish in deeper water with bait. This week’s “whopper” is a 10.25 lb rainbow taken at
2010 DEP Fishing Report Number 3, 5/6/2010
Valley Falls Pond. The “big stick” goes to East Twin Lake where more than 30 trout were taken by a lucky two man team.
Lakes and ponds stocking update. In eastern CT, Angus Park Pond, Beach Pond, Beaver Brook Park Ponds, Bicentennial Pond, Billings Lake, Crystal Lake, Gay City Park Pond, Hewitt Fly Pond, Hyde Mill Pond, Lake Saltonstall, Lantern Hill Pond, Long Pond, Walkers Reservoir, the Day Pond Trout Park, the Mohegan Park Pond Trout Park and the Chatfield Hollow Trout Park are all scheduled for stocking this week (5/3 – 5/7). In western CT, Baummer Pond, Black Rock Lake, Christensen's Pond, East Twin Lake, Highland Lake, Hop Brook Lake, Mohawk Pond, Mount Tom Pond, Prospect Town Park Pond, Tyler Pond, West Hill Pond, the Upper Fulton Park Pond Urban fishing Area, the Southford Falls Trout Park, the Stratton Brook Trout Park, the Wolfe Park Trout Park (Great Hollow Pond) and the Black Rock Pond Trout Park are scheduled for stocking this week.
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is generally fair to good, with best reports from Gardner Lake, Candlewood Lake, Lantern Hill Pond, Quaddick Reservoir, Lake McDonough,Mudge Pond, Bigelow Pond, Amos Lake, Lake Saltonstall, Pickerel Lake, Halls Pond, Quonnipaug Lake, Bishop Swamp and Uncas Lake. Fair fishing reported at Wononskopomuc Lake (catches do include a 5.2 lb fish), Ball Pond, Lake Lillinonah, East Twin Lake, Hopeville Pond, Pattagansett Lake, Billings Lake, Quinebaug Lake, Kenosia Lake, Bolton Lake, Dodge Pond, Dog Pond, and Rogers Lake, and it’s been slow at Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Lake Zoar, Highland Lake and Pachaug Pond.
SMALLMOUTH BASS fishing remains very good at Candlewood Lake, Gardner Lake, some action also reported from Lake Lillinonah, Highland Lake, Coventry Lake, Squantz Pond, Rainbow Reservoir, Colebrook Reservoir and Mashapuag Lake.
NORTHERN PIKE catches reported from Bantam Lake, Pachaug Pond, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir and Winchester Lake.
WALLEYE – Very good walleye action reported from Squantz Pond with several catches in the 9-11 lb range (Walleye can be found up on “beaches” at night). Catches also reported from Lake Saltonstall, Coventry Lake and Squantz Pond.
CHAIN PICKEREL are being caught at Wononskopomuc Lake, Silver Lake, Halls Pond, Lake Hayward, Bashan Lake and Rogers Lake.
CONNECTICUT RIVER – STRIPED BASS are in the river up to the Windsor area. Mostly school size (16-25”) fish are being caught, but plenty of adults are being caught (lower to mid river). Sand & blood worms and big plastic baits like 9” Houdini Shad, 7” Bombers & swim baits are working. One angler was having very good success on homemade pencil poppers. Some SHAD are reported up to Holyoke (MA) with many reported up to the confluence of the Farmington River area. Anglers catching them for striper bait are reminded that the only legal method of harvesting American shad is angling.
NORTHERN PIKE are reported in Wethersfield to Middletown area. Knowledgeable anglers are targeting CATFISH in the Hartford to Middletown area. Sandworms or cut bait are catching fish this week up to 9 lbs.
2010 DEP Fishing Report Number 3, 5/6/2010
TIPS & TRICKS – AMERICAN SHAD
The shad run is now. Fish have been seen as far north as Holyoke, MA. In the lower Connecticut River there are many fish up to the Essex area. As the major slug of fish moves up the river fishing will get better. These fish are great fighters for their size.
Trolling:
��
A weighted willow leaf or shad dart is producing well.
��
Use 8-10 lb test fishing line. Set boat speed to 1.5 - 2.0 mph. Use a 1/4 - 3/4 oz weight depending on conditions. Tie a 6 foot - 6lb or 8lb leader above the lure. Silver, white and gold are your go to colors. Other colors that work include pink, chartreuse, red & green. The drag should be set light as shad have a delicate mouth.
��
Try trolling against the current. Vary your speed until the correct presentation is found.
Shore Fishing or Wading:
��
When shore fishing or wading, cast your lure across & up stream. The correct depth is when the lure just ticks the bottom. Let it drift downstream and expect the fish to hit just before the line straightens out and hang on.
NOTES & NOTICES:
��
The Valley Forge Road bridge crossing of the Saugatuck River at Devil’s Glenn will be closed for repairs. The section of the Saugatuck River from Saugatuck Reservoir Dam down to Davis Hill Road will not be stocked this year.
��
The Butts Bridge Road bridge over the Quinebaug River/Aspinook Pond is currently closed for road reconstruction. The state water access area on Butts Bridge Road is open to public use, but can be accessed by vehicle from the east only.
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO SPORTSMEN
Pursuant to the recently adopted state budget (Public Act 10-3 – current session):
��
MANY FISHING, HUNTING AND TRAPPING LICENSE AND PERMIT FEES HAVE BEEN DECREASED (effective 6:30 pm on April 14, 2010).
��
Among the other fees that were decreased are state park and forest fees, including parking fees, season passes and camping fees.
��
Fishing & hunting licenses and permits are available at www.ct.gov/dep
2010 DEP Fishing Report Number 3, 5/6/2010
MARINE FISHING REPORT
Surface water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) are in the upper 40’s to low 50’s ° F. Check out the following web sites for more detailed water temperatures and marine boating conditions:
http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/stationstat.html
http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/
http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/AN/330.html
STRIPED BASS fishing is good for schoolies in many of the tidal rivers. The Housatonic River (Derby Dam, Devon, and Milford Point), lower Connecticut River (Great Island), Thames River from Norwich Harbor down to Montville have been consistent striper spots. Most fish are well below legal size (28 inches), however, larger keeper sized stripers have been caught during low light.
BLUEFISH have showed up at Millstone Point (Millstone Power Station discharge). Also, don’t overlook Sandy Point in New Haven Harbor. This a good early season spot for stripers, bluefish and WEAKFISH.
WINTER FLOUNDER fishing has been overall on the slow side but there are a few isolated spots producing some nice catches. These spots include Pine Island area off Groton, Mumford Cove, and the Niantic River (including the bay).
TAUTOG (blackfish) fishing season is closed.
For regulation updates and fishing/crabbing information, please check out our web site at: www.ct.gov/dep or pick up the new 2010 Angler’s Guide. The guide contains all current marine fishing regulations and more.
DEP WEEKLY FISHING REPORT
CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106
www.ct.gov/dep