FISHING REPORT NUMBER 8 6/10/2010
INLAND REPORT
TROUT
Rivers & streams - Cooler weather and some rains have refreshed a number of trout streams, and there are still plenty of trout out there awaiting anglers. Good reports last week from the West Branch Farmington, Farmington, Housatonic, Quinebaug (three recent catches in the 5-8 lb range), Natchaug, Fenton, Mount Hope, and Hammonasset rivers.
Farmington River – Trout fishing has been very good. West Branch flows continue to be clear and moderate, currently 300 cfs at Riverton plus an additional 50 cfs from the Still River. Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 50’s °F.
Hatches/patterns include Vitreus [a.k.a. pale evening dun] #14-18, from 5:00pm to dark, Tan Caddis (#16-1 good all day, Sulfurs, (Invaria #14-18 hatches mid-day and Dorothea #18-20), March Brown nymphs (#10-14), Gray Fox (#12-14, afternoon), Blue Wing Olives (#18-22, mid-late afternoon), Caddis (tan #16-18, all day; green #22-26, evening), Midges (#22-32) and Pale Evening Duns (Epeorus vitreus #14-16, afternoon & early evenings).
Housatonic River – Trout fishing is very good and conditions continue to be good for fishing. Flows are currently moderate and very fishable, 630 cfs at Falls Village and 970 cfs at Gaylordsville. Water temperatures are in the mid-upper 60’s °F.
Hatches/patterns - Lots of bugs, with many major insect hatches now here to provide excellent fly fishing. This is one of the few times of the year when you can dry fly fish all day long. Alder/Zebra Caddis (#10-12,), Sulphurs (#14-1, Isonychia (#8-10 evening, just starting), Cahill (#12-14), Adams (#10-20, evening), March Brown (#10-12) & Gray Foxes (#10-12) are producing. Green caddis (#14-20, early morning & evening) are on the water. Stoneflies are very active.
Anglers are reminded that the thermal refuge areas on the Housatonic, Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers will close to fishing next week (June 15). These areas will reopen on September 1. There is no fishing within 100 feet of the mouths of posted tributaries to these rivers.
Lakes & Ponds- Trout fishing has been fair to very good with lots of action, and some big fish among the many catches. The best reports from East Twin Lake (excellent action, although no monsters), Crystal Lake (try drifting over 20-25 feet, some consistent action just off the bottom on powerbait), Candlewood Lake (excellent trout fishing here, with lots of trout 5 lbs and larger being caught) and Beach Pond (mix of browns & rainbows, 12-14 inchers). Fair fishing reported from Quonnipaug Lake (troll deep), Mashapaug Lake, Squantz Pond and West Hill Pond.
Trout Parks – It’s warm, it’s June, and spring stockings are well past, but some nice trout fishing can still be found at many of the designated Trout Parks. East of the CT River are the Valley Falls Park Pond, Mohegan Park Pond, Day Pond and Natchaug River Trout Parks, and west of the river, Southford Falls, Stratton Brook, Kent Falls, Wolfe Park (Great Hollow Pond), Wharton Brook and Sleeping Giant (Mill River-Hamden) Trout Parks.
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is good to very good in many areas (some fish have been off beds awhile and are getting aggressive again). The best reports are from Mudge Pond, Quaddick Reservoir (including several in the 5-6 lb range), Lake Hayward, Wonoskopomuc Lake, Ball Pond, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Crystal Lake, Mashapaug Lake, Ashland Pond, Billings Lake, Hopeville Pond (including a 6 lb largemouth), Candlewood Lake, Quonnipaug Lake, Gardner Lake and Ball Pond.
2010 DEP Fishing Report Number 8, 6/10/2010
Highland Lake, Beseck Lake, Lake Zoar, Coventry Lake and Pachaug Pond are reporting fair fishing for largemouth.
SMALLMOUTH BASS action reported from Candlewood Lake (the excellent fishing continues), Coventry Lake (slow), Lake Lillinonah (fair), Lake Zoar (fair), Highland Lake (fair to good), Gardner Lake (slow), Bashan Lake, Beach Pond (fair) and Squantz Pond (fair).
CHANNEL CATFISH – Some good catfish catches reported from Bolton Lake and Lake Quonnipaug. There should be plenty of catfish waiting for anglers. DEP just completed its fourth year of catfish stocking last week. A total of 5,200 adult catfish (14-18 inch fish averaging 2 lbs apiece) and 9,900 yearling catfish (9-12 inch fish) were stocked. The adult catfish were released into five of the Urban Fishing Areas; Lakewood Lake (Waterbury), Bunnells Pond (Bridgeport) , Keney Park Pond (Hartford), Lake Wintergreen (Hamden/New Haven), and Mohegan Park Pond (Spaulding Pond, Norwich). The yearling catfish stocked into Black Pond (Middlefield), Maltby Lakes 2 & 3 (Orange/West Haven), Lower Bolton Lake (Bolton), Pattaconk Lake (Chester), Quonnipaug Lake (Guilford), Silver Lake (Meriden) and Lake Wintergreen.
KOKANEE are providing some action (14-16 inch fish) at both East Twin Lake and West Hill Pond.
Some NORTHERN PIKE catches reported from Bantam Lake and Winchester Lake. Quaddick Lake has been quiet.
Fair WALLEYE action reported from Squantz Pond, Lake Saltonstall and Beach Pond (good at night). Some catches also reported from Batterson Park Pond, but it’s been tough finding ‘eyes at Coventry Lake.
CONNECTICUT RIVER – The river continues to be very warm for this time of year, but flows have increased to more typical levels.
Some STRIPED BASS can still be found in places (slow around Hartford, but some are still being found north of Hartford). Much of the action and the biggest fish will be found in the lower river and mouth. Surface poppers can provide some good action, especially mornings, and as the day warms up, shift to trolling tube & worm and casting soft plastics. With the warm temperatures, CATFISH angling is good with Cats in the 8-10 lb range are being taken on big chunk bait. A few NORTHERN PIKE are being caught along the mainstem, and White Oaks cove offered up a 42 inch beast, but pike fishing is generally quiet (warm water temperatures may have slowed the action). CARP fishing has been good. LARGEMOUTH BASS action is generally fair, with some “hot spots” like Wethersfield Cove and back areas along the mainstem from Middletown and downstream.
action is fair to good in some off the coves just below Hartford.
A REMINDER TO CONNECTICUT RIVER ANGLERS: Wild adult salmon are now returning to the Connecticut River system and may be accidentally caught by shad or striper anglers. We remind all that it is illegal to fish for or take Atlantic salmon in Connecticut. The only exceptions to this prohibition are those specific areas stocked with surplus broodstock Atlantic salmon, waters and designated as open to salmon fishing (see the 2010 CT Angler’s guide for regulations and locations).
Anglers should be aware that roughly handled and photographed salmon can die before they can be captured for breeding at upstream fishways. We encourage all anglers who catch a salmon to never remove it from the water (photograph it at the surface) and to release it as quickly as possible. If you must leave tackle in its mouth, contact DEP’s Diadromous Fisheries Program (860-447-4316) and we will return the tackle if it is still present when the salmon is captured.
NOTES & NOTICES:��
Portions of BANTAM LAKE are currently scheduled to be treated with an aquatic herbicide on Wednesday, June 16, 2010. During the day of treatment, the entire lake (including all boat launches) will be closed.
2010 DEP Fishing Report Number 8, 6/10/2010
MARINE FISHING REPORT
Surface water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) are in the upper 50’s to low 60’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 on the local reefs and rip areas is very good for stripers in the 40+ inch range. Live lining menhaden or eels, cut chunk baits on three way rigs, bouncing three way bucktail rigs off the bottom, and trolling the tube and worm in shallow water near structure are popular methods for catching that big slob bass. Schoolie action is still hanging in there in the lower tidal rivers. Striper areas include the Watch Hill Reefs over to Sandy Point, Ram Island Reef (Fishers Island Sound), lower Thames River, the Race, outer Bartlett Reef, the Sluiceway, Plum Gut, Hatchett Reef, Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, Falkner Island area, reefs off Guilford and Branford, New Haven Harbor, buoys #18 and #20 off Bridgeport, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, Penfield Reef, Norwalk Islands, and the reefs off Stamford.
have invaded pretty much the same spots where stripers can be found. The Race, Pigeon Rip (area just north of Plum Island), and the warm water discharge from Millstone Power Station have been consistent spots. Choppers are averaging about two feet in length.
SUMMER FLOUNDER fishing for a big slab entails a lot of patience since the ratio of throwbacks to keepers is high. Fluke spots include the Stonington flats south of the breakwaters, lower Mystic River to Latimer Point, south side of Fishers Island, Twotree Island Channel, Black Point, White Sands Beach, lower Connecticut River, Long Sand Shoal, Falkner Island area, south of the New Haven breakwaters, off the mouth of the Housatonic River, and the Norwalk Islands. Other spots include the north shore of Long Island – Horton Point, Mattituck, Port Jefferson area, and Eatons Neck.
Also, don’t forget about SCUP (porgy) fishing. Porgies can found near any manmade and natural bottom structure and is a great way to introduce kids to saltwater fishing!
Reports of BLACK SEA BASS over three pounds have been taken off the Madison Reef area, reefs off Guilford, Thimble Islands, and the Branford area. Other spots include the reefs in Fishers Island Sound and the “dunes” off Mattituck.
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.
DEP WEEKLY FISHING REPORT
CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106
www.ct.gov/dep
INLAND REPORT
TROUT
Rivers & streams - Cooler weather and some rains have refreshed a number of trout streams, and there are still plenty of trout out there awaiting anglers. Good reports last week from the West Branch Farmington, Farmington, Housatonic, Quinebaug (three recent catches in the 5-8 lb range), Natchaug, Fenton, Mount Hope, and Hammonasset rivers.
Farmington River – Trout fishing has been very good. West Branch flows continue to be clear and moderate, currently 300 cfs at Riverton plus an additional 50 cfs from the Still River. Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 50’s °F.
Hatches/patterns include Vitreus [a.k.a. pale evening dun] #14-18, from 5:00pm to dark, Tan Caddis (#16-1 good all day, Sulfurs, (Invaria #14-18 hatches mid-day and Dorothea #18-20), March Brown nymphs (#10-14), Gray Fox (#12-14, afternoon), Blue Wing Olives (#18-22, mid-late afternoon), Caddis (tan #16-18, all day; green #22-26, evening), Midges (#22-32) and Pale Evening Duns (Epeorus vitreus #14-16, afternoon & early evenings).
Housatonic River – Trout fishing is very good and conditions continue to be good for fishing. Flows are currently moderate and very fishable, 630 cfs at Falls Village and 970 cfs at Gaylordsville. Water temperatures are in the mid-upper 60’s °F.
Hatches/patterns - Lots of bugs, with many major insect hatches now here to provide excellent fly fishing. This is one of the few times of the year when you can dry fly fish all day long. Alder/Zebra Caddis (#10-12,), Sulphurs (#14-1, Isonychia (#8-10 evening, just starting), Cahill (#12-14), Adams (#10-20, evening), March Brown (#10-12) & Gray Foxes (#10-12) are producing. Green caddis (#14-20, early morning & evening) are on the water. Stoneflies are very active.
Anglers are reminded that the thermal refuge areas on the Housatonic, Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers will close to fishing next week (June 15). These areas will reopen on September 1. There is no fishing within 100 feet of the mouths of posted tributaries to these rivers.
Lakes & Ponds- Trout fishing has been fair to very good with lots of action, and some big fish among the many catches. The best reports from East Twin Lake (excellent action, although no monsters), Crystal Lake (try drifting over 20-25 feet, some consistent action just off the bottom on powerbait), Candlewood Lake (excellent trout fishing here, with lots of trout 5 lbs and larger being caught) and Beach Pond (mix of browns & rainbows, 12-14 inchers). Fair fishing reported from Quonnipaug Lake (troll deep), Mashapaug Lake, Squantz Pond and West Hill Pond.
Trout Parks – It’s warm, it’s June, and spring stockings are well past, but some nice trout fishing can still be found at many of the designated Trout Parks. East of the CT River are the Valley Falls Park Pond, Mohegan Park Pond, Day Pond and Natchaug River Trout Parks, and west of the river, Southford Falls, Stratton Brook, Kent Falls, Wolfe Park (Great Hollow Pond), Wharton Brook and Sleeping Giant (Mill River-Hamden) Trout Parks.
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is good to very good in many areas (some fish have been off beds awhile and are getting aggressive again). The best reports are from Mudge Pond, Quaddick Reservoir (including several in the 5-6 lb range), Lake Hayward, Wonoskopomuc Lake, Ball Pond, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Crystal Lake, Mashapaug Lake, Ashland Pond, Billings Lake, Hopeville Pond (including a 6 lb largemouth), Candlewood Lake, Quonnipaug Lake, Gardner Lake and Ball Pond.
2010 DEP Fishing Report Number 8, 6/10/2010
Highland Lake, Beseck Lake, Lake Zoar, Coventry Lake and Pachaug Pond are reporting fair fishing for largemouth.
SMALLMOUTH BASS action reported from Candlewood Lake (the excellent fishing continues), Coventry Lake (slow), Lake Lillinonah (fair), Lake Zoar (fair), Highland Lake (fair to good), Gardner Lake (slow), Bashan Lake, Beach Pond (fair) and Squantz Pond (fair).
CHANNEL CATFISH – Some good catfish catches reported from Bolton Lake and Lake Quonnipaug. There should be plenty of catfish waiting for anglers. DEP just completed its fourth year of catfish stocking last week. A total of 5,200 adult catfish (14-18 inch fish averaging 2 lbs apiece) and 9,900 yearling catfish (9-12 inch fish) were stocked. The adult catfish were released into five of the Urban Fishing Areas; Lakewood Lake (Waterbury), Bunnells Pond (Bridgeport) , Keney Park Pond (Hartford), Lake Wintergreen (Hamden/New Haven), and Mohegan Park Pond (Spaulding Pond, Norwich). The yearling catfish stocked into Black Pond (Middlefield), Maltby Lakes 2 & 3 (Orange/West Haven), Lower Bolton Lake (Bolton), Pattaconk Lake (Chester), Quonnipaug Lake (Guilford), Silver Lake (Meriden) and Lake Wintergreen.
KOKANEE are providing some action (14-16 inch fish) at both East Twin Lake and West Hill Pond.
Some NORTHERN PIKE catches reported from Bantam Lake and Winchester Lake. Quaddick Lake has been quiet.
Fair WALLEYE action reported from Squantz Pond, Lake Saltonstall and Beach Pond (good at night). Some catches also reported from Batterson Park Pond, but it’s been tough finding ‘eyes at Coventry Lake.
CONNECTICUT RIVER – The river continues to be very warm for this time of year, but flows have increased to more typical levels.
Some STRIPED BASS can still be found in places (slow around Hartford, but some are still being found north of Hartford). Much of the action and the biggest fish will be found in the lower river and mouth. Surface poppers can provide some good action, especially mornings, and as the day warms up, shift to trolling tube & worm and casting soft plastics. With the warm temperatures, CATFISH angling is good with Cats in the 8-10 lb range are being taken on big chunk bait. A few NORTHERN PIKE are being caught along the mainstem, and White Oaks cove offered up a 42 inch beast, but pike fishing is generally quiet (warm water temperatures may have slowed the action). CARP fishing has been good. LARGEMOUTH BASS action is generally fair, with some “hot spots” like Wethersfield Cove and back areas along the mainstem from Middletown and downstream.
action is fair to good in some off the coves just below Hartford.
A REMINDER TO CONNECTICUT RIVER ANGLERS: Wild adult salmon are now returning to the Connecticut River system and may be accidentally caught by shad or striper anglers. We remind all that it is illegal to fish for or take Atlantic salmon in Connecticut. The only exceptions to this prohibition are those specific areas stocked with surplus broodstock Atlantic salmon, waters and designated as open to salmon fishing (see the 2010 CT Angler’s guide for regulations and locations).
Anglers should be aware that roughly handled and photographed salmon can die before they can be captured for breeding at upstream fishways. We encourage all anglers who catch a salmon to never remove it from the water (photograph it at the surface) and to release it as quickly as possible. If you must leave tackle in its mouth, contact DEP’s Diadromous Fisheries Program (860-447-4316) and we will return the tackle if it is still present when the salmon is captured.
NOTES & NOTICES:��
Portions of BANTAM LAKE are currently scheduled to be treated with an aquatic herbicide on Wednesday, June 16, 2010. During the day of treatment, the entire lake (including all boat launches) will be closed.
2010 DEP Fishing Report Number 8, 6/10/2010
MARINE FISHING REPORT
Surface water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) are in the upper 50’s to low 60’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 on the local reefs and rip areas is very good for stripers in the 40+ inch range. Live lining menhaden or eels, cut chunk baits on three way rigs, bouncing three way bucktail rigs off the bottom, and trolling the tube and worm in shallow water near structure are popular methods for catching that big slob bass. Schoolie action is still hanging in there in the lower tidal rivers. Striper areas include the Watch Hill Reefs over to Sandy Point, Ram Island Reef (Fishers Island Sound), lower Thames River, the Race, outer Bartlett Reef, the Sluiceway, Plum Gut, Hatchett Reef, Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, Falkner Island area, reefs off Guilford and Branford, New Haven Harbor, buoys #18 and #20 off Bridgeport, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, Penfield Reef, Norwalk Islands, and the reefs off Stamford.
have invaded pretty much the same spots where stripers can be found. The Race, Pigeon Rip (area just north of Plum Island), and the warm water discharge from Millstone Power Station have been consistent spots. Choppers are averaging about two feet in length.
SUMMER FLOUNDER fishing for a big slab entails a lot of patience since the ratio of throwbacks to keepers is high. Fluke spots include the Stonington flats south of the breakwaters, lower Mystic River to Latimer Point, south side of Fishers Island, Twotree Island Channel, Black Point, White Sands Beach, lower Connecticut River, Long Sand Shoal, Falkner Island area, south of the New Haven breakwaters, off the mouth of the Housatonic River, and the Norwalk Islands. Other spots include the north shore of Long Island – Horton Point, Mattituck, Port Jefferson area, and Eatons Neck.
Also, don’t forget about SCUP (porgy) fishing. Porgies can found near any manmade and natural bottom structure and is a great way to introduce kids to saltwater fishing!
Reports of BLACK SEA BASS over three pounds have been taken off the Madison Reef area, reefs off Guilford, Thimble Islands, and the Branford area. Other spots include the reefs in Fishers Island Sound and the “dunes” off Mattituck.
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.
DEP WEEKLY FISHING REPORT
CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106
www.ct.gov/dep