Conn Post 1/6/05

1. The new year came in fast and furious for anglers. Snow, rain and ice prevented many from venturing too far from home. Those who went out before the storm reported good ice fishing. But since the storm, the action and fishing activities have slowed.
2. Tuesday's snow changed the ice fishing outlook significantly. Prior to the snowfall, the ice was moderately clear. Sunlight could penetrate through the ice to brighten the lake below. This light helped the fish see your lures and bait. Now, the snow cover plunged the under-ice world into total darkness. Fish must now rely on vibration senses and smell to feed.
3. Ice anglers using tip-ups will fare best with fresh, lively minnows. Check your bait periodically to ensure it is still twitching on the hook. Those fishers using jigging rods should use lures with bright, glowing or iridescent color patterns. Add maggots to your ice fishing lures for added attraction.
4. When walking on the snow-covered ice, avoid wet looking areas. The wetness either signals a low spot in the ice where water collects or open holes in the ice where water can percolate up onto the ice. Both cases present unsafe ice fishing conditions. Stay on well-worn paths or in areas known to have solid ice.
5. Some of the best ice fishing spots continue to be Ball Pond, Bantam Lake, Beseck Lake, Black Pond, the three Bolton Lakes, Burr Pond, Congamond Lake, Dog Pond, Dooley Pond, Hatch Pond, Highland Lake, Lake Kenosia, Mamanasco Lake, Messerschmidt's Pond, Mohawk Pond, Mount Tom Pond, Mudge Pond, North Farms Reservoir, Park Pond, Pierrepont Pond, Silver Lake, South Spectacle Pond, Stillwater Pond, Tyler Pond, Upper Moodus Reservoir, West Hill Pond, West Side Pond, Winchester Lake, Wood Creek Pond, and the ponds within White Memorial Foundation of Litchfield.
6. If ice fishing isn't your game, the milder winter weather temperatures are allowing anglers to seek trout in the rivers and streams. Last fall, the state Department of Environmental Protection distributed about 45,000 rainbow trout around the state. About half of these fish were released into the East Aspetuck River, East Branch of Salmon Brook, the Farmington River Trout Management Area, the open section of the Farmington River, Hammonasset River TMA, Mianus River TMA, Mill River TMA, Moosup River TMA, Naugatuck River TMA, Norwalk River, Pachaug River, Pequonnock River, Pomperaug River, Quinebaug River, Salmon River TMA, Sandy Brook, Saugatuck River TMA, the unrestricted section of the Saugatuck River, Scantic River, Shetucket River, the West Branch of the Farmington River, Willimantic River TMA and the Yantic River.
7. Elsewhere around the state, you can try to catch Atlantic salmon in the Naugatuck River and below the Derby Dam. Herring hunters are catching a few fish in the lower Housatonic River and Ash Creek. The offshore party boats have started their winter codfishing seasons.
8. Anglers are reminded that it is now 2006. You must have a new fishing license. Licenses are available from town clerks, most tackle shops and some of the larger "big box" department stores. The $20 license fee remains the same as last year. [by FRANK MCKANE Jr.]