Conn Post, Frank McKane

• Anglers have a big weekend ahead with the opening of trout season. More than 80,000 trout enthusiasts are expected to visit the state's rivers and lakes on Saturday. Thanks to warm and dry weather this week, the weekend fishing conditions should be good to excellent. Most of the flooded rivers have calmed down somewhat to make easy fishing. All the lakes and ponds are up to full pool levels, providing first-rate shoreline fishing and boat launching. Over the past month, the state Department of Environmental Protection has been releasing trout around the state. An estimated 415,000 trout should be available for opening day fishers. Based on last year's stocking reports, below are some hot prospects for the weekend:
• Waters receiving more than 5,000 fish are Black Rock State Park Pond in Watertown, Southford Falls State Park Pond in Oxford, Wharton Brook State Park Pond in Wallingford, Highland Lake in Winchester, Black Pond in Middlefield, Candlewood Lake in Danbury, the Naugatuck River between Thomaston and Beacon Falls, Pomperaug River in Woodbury, East Aspetuck River in New Milford, Norwalk River in Ridgefield, and the Saugatuck River from Weston to Westport.
• Trout spots receiving between 1,000 and 5,000 fish are Great Hollow Pond in Monroe, Ball Pond in New Fairfield, Hop Brook Flood Control Impoundment in Middlebury, Lake Saltonstall in Branford, Lake Stibbs in Southbury, Mohegan Lake in Fairfield, Nells Rock Reservoir in Shelton, Saugatuck Reservoir in Easton, Far Mill River in Shelton, Mill River in Fairfield, Pequonnock River in Trumbull and Bridgeport, Little River in Oxford, Hop Brook in Middlebury, Pond Brook in Newtown, Pootatuck River in Newtown, Weekeepeemee River in Woodbury and Wepawaug River in Milford.
• Some other noteworthy waters offering good trout fishing include Baumer's Pond in Naugatuck, Pickett's Pond within Osbornedale State Park in Derby, Twin Brooks Pond in Trumbull, Beacon Hill Brook in Naugatuck, Aspetuck River in Easton, Bladens Brook in Seymour, Indian Hole Brook in Shelton, Kettletown Brook in Southbury, and Race Brook in Orange.
• Also on opening day, DEP fisheries biologists will be visiting the designated trout parks to help anglers understand trout, the stocking program and the fishing regulations. These visitations are great opportunities for both novice and experienced anglers to meet and talk to trout experts. Look for a biologist at Southford Falls State Park beginning at 8:30 a.m. At 10:30 a.m., the biologist will move south to Great Hollow Pond.
• While trout are dominating the fishing scene, you have plenty of other angling opportunities. Striped bass action is very good on Long Island Sound. Most of the fish are coming from the larger harbors, like Bridgeport and New Haven. Flounder fishing is still slow but improving. If you are willing to work, it is possible to catch a few flounder for dinner.
• Largemouth bass are becoming easier to catch with the warming days. Jerkbaits, tube lures and live minnows are producing fish. Good largemouth bass catch reports have come from Long Meadow Pond, Winchester Lake, Lake Zoar, Lake Lillinonah, Dog Pond, Mamanasco Lake and Lake Kenosia. — FRANK MCKANE JR.