CT DEP: 11/7/05 - Weekly Fishing Report

1. ATLANTIC SALMON:This week DEP again stocked the Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers twice, with 280 salmon released into the Naugatuck River and 283 salmon into the Shetucket River. These stockings bring the number of salmon stocked this fall up to 1,650 fish. They weigh between 3 and 20 pounds and average out at 10.6 pounds per fish. DEP currently expects to stock some additional salmon in December.
2. TROUT: LAKES & PONDS –Trout fishing remains variable, with reports from Amos Lake (fair), Highland Lake (fair), East Twin Lake (very slow), Colebrook Reservoir (slow), Crystal (Ellington) Lake (slow), Squantz Pond (slow), West Hill Pond (good) and Beach Pond (fair).
3. RIVERS & STREAMS -Fall fishing is producing good action for those willing to brave the weather and the leaf fall. The good reports include the West Branch Farmington, Housatonic, Scantic, Salmon, Shetucket and Naugatuck Rivers, Mashmoquet Brook and Roaring Brook (Stafford). Streamers and nymphing dominate in the fall, and are generally best during the early morning and late afternoon. Streamer anglers using 2X tippet are having success (9a.m. – 1p.m. during low light periods/overcast days). For streamers try white, yellow and brown colors. Patterns to try include White Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10). For nymphs, bottom bounce with Caddis pupa (#14-16), Serendipity (#14-16), Pheasant Tail (#12-20), Prince (#6-18) and Hare’s ear (#8-20).
4. Farmington River-The West Branch is quite fishable. Flows are clear and only somewhat high, about 430 cfs from Hogback to Riverton and about 600 cfs below the confluence of the Still River. Water temperatures are somewhat high for this time of year, around 50°F. The expected insect hatches are somewhat delayed due to these warmer temperatures (the fall bugs are looking for 45°F). Right now BWO continue to be the dominant hatch, with midges and caddis mixed in. For best action try Blue Wing Olives (#22-26, late morning) and Caddis (winter & tan #16-18, early afternoon). Expect most of the action to be between 11:30 am and 3:00 pm.
5. Housatonic River- Morning water temperatures in the TMA are around 50°F. Flows are somewhat high, but clear, currently about 1,200 cfs at Falls Village and 2,200 cfs at Gaylordsville. Streamers and nymphs continue to be the way to go. Hatches include Blue Wing Olive (#18-22, early morning) and Tan & Winter caddis (#16-20, early morning & late afternoon).
6. LARGEMOUTH AND SMALLMOUTH BASS fishing continues to be variable, ranging from slow to good, with reports for LARGEMOUTH from Lake McDonough, Lake Kenosia (fair), Winnemaug (good), East Twin (slow), Candlewood (slow), Maltby Lakes, Gardner Lake, Highland Lake (fair including a 6.75 lb), Coventry Lake (slow), Crystal Lake (Ellington) (slow), Branford Supply Ponds(fair), Hatch Pond (good) Pachaug Pond (fair) and Beach pond (fair, including a 6.4 lb fish). SMALLMOUTH reports are from Lake Lillinonah (good action, no big ones), Candlewood (good), Gardner Lake and Squantz Pond (slow, but catches include a 4 lb smallie).
7. NORTHERN PIKE action reported from Mansfield Hollow Reservoir (mixed reports- several up to 27”), Bantam Lake (fair) and Pachaug Pond (good).
8. Good catches of CHAIN PICKEREL reported from Lake McDonough (6 lb pickerel), Branford Supply Ponds, East Twin Lake, and Gardner Lake (15 fish for one angler).
9. Good WALLEYE action at Squantz Pond (30”, 9.6 lb and 10.8 lb fish among the catches) and Lake Saltonstall (including a 8.9 lb 28.5” beauty).
10. YELLOW PERCH put on an impressive showing at Maltby Lakes (30 fish) and Gardner Lake (50 fish).
11. Late season catches of nice-sized KOKANEE SALMON continue to be reported from West Hill Pond.
12. Connecticut River – BLACK CRAPPIE are still putting on a good showing with a 17” fish among the catches this week. Jigs & shiners are producing, Best reports from Wethersfield and White Oaks Coves, and from the lower River. NORTHERN PIKE fishing is reported as good. Recent catches in the Wethersfield Cove, Harbor Park (Middletown) and Salmon River Cove areas included several pike up to 34”.