FISHING REPORT NUMBER 1 4/22/2010
INLAND REPORT
Anglers were challenged by less than perfect weather, but enjoyed good fishing in many areas last Saturday. Eight of the Trout Parks were stocked on Opening Day and the many kids present enjoyed helping us stock. DEP’s in-season stocking is now underway with nearly 300,000 additional trout scheduled to be stocked between Opening Day and the end of May.
TROUT
Rivers & streams - Some nice fish came to hand with the big fish topping out at over 26” and a solid 9.5 lbs. Other reported catches included four rainbow trout in the 20-26 inch range; and 26 and 24 inch brown trout. Good reports from the West Branch Farmington River, Salmon River, Natchaug River, Pomperaug River, Pootatuck River, Mill River, Scantic River, Mianus River, Saugatuck River, Salmon River, Mill River (Hamden), Housatonic River, Saugatuck River TMA, Naugatuck River TMA, Norwalk River, Yantic River TMA, Shetucket River, Fivemile River, Hammonasset River, Eightmile River (Haddam/Lyme), Hockanum River, Moosup River, Weepawaug River, Willimantic River TMA, Warren Brook, Furnace Brook, Latimer Brook, Sandy Brook, Bigelow Brook and Leadmine Brook. Many anglers are having success using earthworms or mealworms & corn.
Farmington River –West Branch flows are currently clear and moderate, 200 cfs at Riverton and an additional 110 cfs from the Still River. Anglers are advised that Farmington river flows will be at higher levels this weekend as releases from West Branch Reservoir and Lake McDonough will be increased to facilitate a canoe/kayak slalom event on the river near the mouth of Punch Brook (intersection of routes 4 & 179). Flows in the West Branch TMA are expected to be around 500 cfs this weekend, and farther downstream, 150 cfs will be released from Lake McDonough. Morning water temperatures are in the upper 40’s to low 50’s °F.
Successful fly anglers are using Blue Wing Olive (#16-20), Hendricksons (#12-14, afternoon, just starting), Blue Quill Duns (#16-1, Winter Caddis (#16-20), Midges (#22-2 and a variety of nymphs. Hare’s Ear (#14-16), Yellow Prince (#14-16). Wooly Buggers and Streamers are also producing. Surface activity will increase with rising temperatures.
Housatonic River – Conditions should be good for spring trout fishing. Morning water temperatures are in the upper 40’s to low 50’s °F. Flows are clear and quite fishable (actually somewhat lower than typical spring levels), currently 860 cfs at Falls Village and 1,350 cfs at Gaylordsville. Hendrickson (#12-14, hatching heavily), Parachute Adams (#12-14), Midges (#20-2 and black/brown stoneflies (#12-14) are the current hatches. With increasing temperatures more bugs will start to show up.
Rivers and streams stocking update. Scheduled to be stocked this week are Beaver Brook, Bigelow Brook, Blackledge River, Branford River, Chatfield Hollow Brook, Eightmile River, Farm River, Fenton River, Hammonasset River (including TMA), Hunts Brook, Indiantown Brook, Jeremey River, Middle River, Mount Hope River, Natchaug River (including Trout Park area), Raymond Brook, Roaring Brook (Stafford), Salmon River (including TMA), Shetucket River, Still River (Eastford), Susquetonscut Brook, West River, Willimantic River and Yantic River (including TMA) in eastern CT, and the Bantam River, Butternut Brook, West Branch Farmington River (including the TMA), the Housatonic River TMA (upper), Mianus River(including TMA), Mill River (Hamden, including the Sleeping Giant TMA), Mill River (Fairfield, including the TMA), Saugatuck River (including the TMA) and West Branch Saugatuck River, and Wepawaug River in western CT. Note that stocking schedules are subject to change. Page 1 of 3
2010 DEP Fishing Report Number 1, 4/22/2010
Lakes & Ponds – Some excellent fish were found in many lakes/ponds throughout Connecticut. This week’s big fish included several 26” rainbows and a 24” brown trout that was a real eye popper. One location produced 40 fish for a happy angler. Good reports from Colebrook Reservoir, Wononscopomuc Lake, Crystal Lake (Ellington), Mashapaug Lake, Coventry Lake, Cedar Lake, Bunnell’s Pond (Beardsley Park), Northfield Dam, Squantz Pond, Beach Pond, Long Pond, East Twin Lake, Coventry Lake, Highland Lake, Quonnipaug Lake, Tyler Lake, Bashan Lake, Candlewood Lake, Cedar Lake, Mt. Tom Pond, Mohawk Pond, West Hill Pond, and Wolfe Park Trout Park (Great Hollow Pond), Valley Falls Park Pond Trout Park (catches here include 10.4 lb and 9.4 lb beauties), Chatfield Hollow Trout Park, Stratton Brook State Park, Black Rock Trout Park.
Lakes and ponds stocking update. In eastern CT, Beach Pond, Black Pond (Woodstock), Branford Supply Pond, Crystal Lake, Horse Pond, Lake Saltonstall, Mansfield Training Ponds, Norwich Pond, Paine Pond, Gardner Lake, Rogers Lake, Saw Mill Pond, the Chatfield Hollow Trout Park and the Day Pond Trout Park are scheduled for stocking this week (4/19 – 4/23). In western CT, Lake Wintergreen, Mohegan Lake and West Side Pond are scheduled for this week.
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is variable, with good reports from Bantam Lake, Gardner Lake, Squantz Pond, Lake Wononskopomuc and Lower Bolton Lake, and fair reports from Candlewood Lake, Pachaug Pond, Lake Lillinonah, Pickerel Lake and Park Pond (catches here do include a 7.5 lb beauty). Slow fishing reported from Highland Lake, Hopeville Pond, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir and Pattagansett Lake. Big fish include a 7.5 lb and 6.1 lb fish.
SMALLMOUTH BASS spring fishing is good in many areas, with a number of 4 lb smallies being found. Best reports from Candlewood Lake, Squantz Pond, Colebrook Reservoir, Bantam Lake, Lake Lillinonah (including a 4.6 lb smallmouth) and Saugatuck Reservoir. Highland Lake, East Twin Lake and Gardner Lake are fair at best.
NORTHERN PIKE fishing is good. Areas to try include Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Pachaug Pond and Winchester Lake.
WALLEYE are being caught at Mashapaug Lake, Lake Saltonstall and Squantz Pond. Target near shore rocky cobble areas with stick baits, Shad Raps and live bait.
CONNECTICUT RIVER – STRIPED BASS are moving up the river, with a few up to the Windsor area. Schoolie size (14-24”) fish and adults (lower river) are showing up. Anglers are catching schoolies on a variety of plastic baits on jigs. In early season stained waters, sand & blood worms can be very effective. Some SHAD are being caught, indicating that these tasty treats are starting to make their annual trip up the Connecticut.
CARP are being caught on homemade bait with several fish in the low to mid 20 inch range being found.
NORTHERN PIKE are being caught in the Middletown to Haddam Meadows area.
TIPS & TRICKS
TROUT IN LAKES – Trolling got off to a great start with many big fish being taken. Experienced anglers used stick baits, spinners, rooster tail, flash kings (orange/gold), DB Smelts (blue/silver), streamers & live bait. Lead line, flat line and down rigger presentations were reported as being effective. Fish were found from 0 to 12 feet. Slower boat speeds of 1.5 – 1.9 mph were found to be the best as fish are still sluggish with the colder water temperatures and lower light levels. Bigger fish can typically be found in 45-50ºF water. Lure color can be very important and bright colors (reds, oranges, or yellows) below 40 feet of water usually don’t work. Black and silver work at any depth and should be the go-to colors.
2010 DEP Fishing Report Number 1, 4/22/2010
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
MARINE FISHING REPORT
Surface water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) are in the mid to upper 40’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 is about the only show on the marine scene with the upper Housatonic River being in the spotlight. Norwich Harbor is next on the list but on a day by day basis (one day hot, the next not). Keeper stripers have been caught in both areas. Dusk and night time appears to be prime time for larger fish. Lower Connecticut River by Great Island has been on the slow side but should heat up with good weather conditions being forecasted this week.
WINTER FLOUNDER fishing is weak at best
.
TAUTOG fishing is also slow but time is running out as the last day of the early season period is April 30th.
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
Anglers were challenged by less than perfect weather, but enjoyed good fishing in many areas last Saturday. Eight of the Trout Parks were stocked on Opening Day and the many kids present enjoyed helping us stock. DEP’s in-season stocking is now underway with nearly 300,000 additional trout scheduled to be stocked between Opening Day and the end of May.
TROUT
Rivers & streams - Some nice fish came to hand with the big fish topping out at over 26” and a solid 9.5 lbs. Other reported catches included four rainbow trout in the 20-26 inch range; and 26 and 24 inch brown trout. Good reports from the West Branch Farmington River, Salmon River, Natchaug River, Pomperaug River, Pootatuck River, Mill River, Scantic River, Mianus River, Saugatuck River, Salmon River, Mill River (Hamden), Housatonic River, Saugatuck River TMA, Naugatuck River TMA, Norwalk River, Yantic River TMA, Shetucket River, Fivemile River, Hammonasset River, Eightmile River (Haddam/Lyme), Hockanum River, Moosup River, Weepawaug River, Willimantic River TMA, Warren Brook, Furnace Brook, Latimer Brook, Sandy Brook, Bigelow Brook and Leadmine Brook. Many anglers are having success using earthworms or mealworms & corn.
Farmington River –West Branch flows are currently clear and moderate, 200 cfs at Riverton and an additional 110 cfs from the Still River. Anglers are advised that Farmington river flows will be at higher levels this weekend as releases from West Branch Reservoir and Lake McDonough will be increased to facilitate a canoe/kayak slalom event on the river near the mouth of Punch Brook (intersection of routes 4 & 179). Flows in the West Branch TMA are expected to be around 500 cfs this weekend, and farther downstream, 150 cfs will be released from Lake McDonough. Morning water temperatures are in the upper 40’s to low 50’s °F.
Successful fly anglers are using Blue Wing Olive (#16-20), Hendricksons (#12-14, afternoon, just starting), Blue Quill Duns (#16-1, Winter Caddis (#16-20), Midges (#22-2 and a variety of nymphs. Hare’s Ear (#14-16), Yellow Prince (#14-16). Wooly Buggers and Streamers are also producing. Surface activity will increase with rising temperatures.
Housatonic River – Conditions should be good for spring trout fishing. Morning water temperatures are in the upper 40’s to low 50’s °F. Flows are clear and quite fishable (actually somewhat lower than typical spring levels), currently 860 cfs at Falls Village and 1,350 cfs at Gaylordsville. Hendrickson (#12-14, hatching heavily), Parachute Adams (#12-14), Midges (#20-2 and black/brown stoneflies (#12-14) are the current hatches. With increasing temperatures more bugs will start to show up.
Rivers and streams stocking update. Scheduled to be stocked this week are Beaver Brook, Bigelow Brook, Blackledge River, Branford River, Chatfield Hollow Brook, Eightmile River, Farm River, Fenton River, Hammonasset River (including TMA), Hunts Brook, Indiantown Brook, Jeremey River, Middle River, Mount Hope River, Natchaug River (including Trout Park area), Raymond Brook, Roaring Brook (Stafford), Salmon River (including TMA), Shetucket River, Still River (Eastford), Susquetonscut Brook, West River, Willimantic River and Yantic River (including TMA) in eastern CT, and the Bantam River, Butternut Brook, West Branch Farmington River (including the TMA), the Housatonic River TMA (upper), Mianus River(including TMA), Mill River (Hamden, including the Sleeping Giant TMA), Mill River (Fairfield, including the TMA), Saugatuck River (including the TMA) and West Branch Saugatuck River, and Wepawaug River in western CT. Note that stocking schedules are subject to change. Page 1 of 3
2010 DEP Fishing Report Number 1, 4/22/2010
Lakes & Ponds – Some excellent fish were found in many lakes/ponds throughout Connecticut. This week’s big fish included several 26” rainbows and a 24” brown trout that was a real eye popper. One location produced 40 fish for a happy angler. Good reports from Colebrook Reservoir, Wononscopomuc Lake, Crystal Lake (Ellington), Mashapaug Lake, Coventry Lake, Cedar Lake, Bunnell’s Pond (Beardsley Park), Northfield Dam, Squantz Pond, Beach Pond, Long Pond, East Twin Lake, Coventry Lake, Highland Lake, Quonnipaug Lake, Tyler Lake, Bashan Lake, Candlewood Lake, Cedar Lake, Mt. Tom Pond, Mohawk Pond, West Hill Pond, and Wolfe Park Trout Park (Great Hollow Pond), Valley Falls Park Pond Trout Park (catches here include 10.4 lb and 9.4 lb beauties), Chatfield Hollow Trout Park, Stratton Brook State Park, Black Rock Trout Park.
Lakes and ponds stocking update. In eastern CT, Beach Pond, Black Pond (Woodstock), Branford Supply Pond, Crystal Lake, Horse Pond, Lake Saltonstall, Mansfield Training Ponds, Norwich Pond, Paine Pond, Gardner Lake, Rogers Lake, Saw Mill Pond, the Chatfield Hollow Trout Park and the Day Pond Trout Park are scheduled for stocking this week (4/19 – 4/23). In western CT, Lake Wintergreen, Mohegan Lake and West Side Pond are scheduled for this week.
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is variable, with good reports from Bantam Lake, Gardner Lake, Squantz Pond, Lake Wononskopomuc and Lower Bolton Lake, and fair reports from Candlewood Lake, Pachaug Pond, Lake Lillinonah, Pickerel Lake and Park Pond (catches here do include a 7.5 lb beauty). Slow fishing reported from Highland Lake, Hopeville Pond, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir and Pattagansett Lake. Big fish include a 7.5 lb and 6.1 lb fish.
SMALLMOUTH BASS spring fishing is good in many areas, with a number of 4 lb smallies being found. Best reports from Candlewood Lake, Squantz Pond, Colebrook Reservoir, Bantam Lake, Lake Lillinonah (including a 4.6 lb smallmouth) and Saugatuck Reservoir. Highland Lake, East Twin Lake and Gardner Lake are fair at best.
NORTHERN PIKE fishing is good. Areas to try include Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Pachaug Pond and Winchester Lake.
WALLEYE are being caught at Mashapaug Lake, Lake Saltonstall and Squantz Pond. Target near shore rocky cobble areas with stick baits, Shad Raps and live bait.
CONNECTICUT RIVER – STRIPED BASS are moving up the river, with a few up to the Windsor area. Schoolie size (14-24”) fish and adults (lower river) are showing up. Anglers are catching schoolies on a variety of plastic baits on jigs. In early season stained waters, sand & blood worms can be very effective. Some SHAD are being caught, indicating that these tasty treats are starting to make their annual trip up the Connecticut.
CARP are being caught on homemade bait with several fish in the low to mid 20 inch range being found.
NORTHERN PIKE are being caught in the Middletown to Haddam Meadows area.
TIPS & TRICKS
TROUT IN LAKES – Trolling got off to a great start with many big fish being taken. Experienced anglers used stick baits, spinners, rooster tail, flash kings (orange/gold), DB Smelts (blue/silver), streamers & live bait. Lead line, flat line and down rigger presentations were reported as being effective. Fish were found from 0 to 12 feet. Slower boat speeds of 1.5 – 1.9 mph were found to be the best as fish are still sluggish with the colder water temperatures and lower light levels. Bigger fish can typically be found in 45-50ºF water. Lure color can be very important and bright colors (reds, oranges, or yellows) below 40 feet of water usually don’t work. Black and silver work at any depth and should be the go-to colors.
2010 DEP Fishing Report Number 1, 4/22/2010
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
MARINE FISHING REPORT
Surface water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) are in the mid to upper 40’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 is about the only show on the marine scene with the upper Housatonic River being in the spotlight. Norwich Harbor is next on the list but on a day by day basis (one day hot, the next not). Keeper stripers have been caught in both areas. Dusk and night time appears to be prime time for larger fish. Lower Connecticut River by Great Island has been on the slow side but should heat up with good weather conditions being forecasted this week.
WINTER FLOUNDER fishing is weak at best
.
TAUTOG fishing is also slow but time is running out as the last day of the early season period is April 30th.
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