CT DEP Weekly 5/24/06

1. TROUT: Fishing is improving as water levels continue to drop with reports from the Hammonassett, Salmon (6.5-pound brown and a 30-inch Atlantic salmon), Jeremy, Farmington (31 fish for one angler), Pequabuck, Coginchaug, Farmill, Mill, Housatonic, Willimantic and Eightmile (Southington) Rivers. Success is being found using worms and corn/mealworm combinations. Farmington River water temperatures are in the low 50s. Current hatches include Blue Winged Olive, Blue Quills, Tan Caddis (starting) and Hendrickson (ending). Anglers can expect fishing to be a bit off due to the past rains. March Brown nymphs (#12-14), Blue Wing Olives (#18-22, mid-late afternoon), Caddis (tan #14-18, all day) and Midges (#22-32) are the current patterns working. Some Hendricksons (#12-14) are still being found in the Riverton area.
2. In the Housatonic River, water temperatures are in the upper 50s and flows are clearing and still high, but continue to drop. Current hatches include Blue Winged Olive, Green Caddis & Brown/Tan Caddis. March Browns (#10-12), Blue Wing Olive (#20-22, early morning; spinner fall in evening) & Gray Foxes (#14-16). Green caddis (#14-18, early morning and evening) are on the water. Midges (#22-26) are being seen at the mouths of tributaries.
3. Anglers can expect good fishing in western CT at the Blackberry, Farmington and Whiting Rivers. In eastern CT, good fishing can be expected at the Blackwells, Chatfield Hollow, Indiantown, Mashamoquet and Shunock Brooks, and the Blackledge, Branford, East Branch Eight Mile, Eight Mile, Farm, Hammonasset, Hockanum, Jeremy, Moosup, Mount Hope, Natchaug, Quinebaug, Salmon, Scantic, Moosup, Mill River (Hamden), Shetucket, West, and Yantic Rivers.
4. Good trout fishing was found in many lakes and ponds throughout Connecticut with reports from Saugatuck Reservoir (24-inch brown), West Hill, Mt. Tom, Great Hollow, and Squantz Ponds, and East Twin (100 fish for two anglers), Bashan (some nice 12-15 inch rainbows), Coventry, Waramaug, Highland, Crystal (Ellington), Gardner and Wonoscopomuc Lakes.
5. LARGEMOUTH BASS: Fishing is generally fair to good with reports from Mansfield Hollow Reservoir (mixed), Upper Moodus Reservoir, East Twin, Gardner (fair), Coventry, Eagleville, Waramaug, Candlewood (31 fish for one angler), Winchester (23" bass), Congamond, Winnemaug, Middle Bolton (25 bass for one angler) and Bantam Lakes, and Gorton, Pachaug, Lantern Hill, Tollgate and Batterson Park Ponds. Lake Saltonstall, Lake Housatonic and Highland Lake report slow fishing for largemouth.
6. SMALLMOUTH BASS: Fishing is generally good with reports from Colebrook Reservoir, Candlewood Lake, Gardner lake (good),
7. Lake Housatonic (fair) and Squantz Pond. Fishing for smallies at Highland reported as slow.
8. OTHERS: Northern pike action is reported from Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Winchester Lake, Bantam Lake and Pachaug Pond. ... Walleye action is reported from Lake Saltonstall (30 walleye in two days for one angler, up to 7.2 pounds) and Squantz Pond (26.5-inch walleye among the catches). ... Kokanee salmon catches reported from West Hill Pond (including a 17.5-inch, 1.88-pounder).
9. CONNECTICUT RIVER: Striped bass are in the river from Haddam to Enfield. School size (16-25 inches) fish and adults up to 48 inches are showing up. Trolling tube and worm, eels and soft plastics are working well.
10. STRIPED BASS: Fishing is in high gear as the spring migration for cow bass is on. The major reefs and rip areas in eastern Long Island Sound are hangout locations for stripers in the 40-plus inch range. Schoolie fishing in the tidal rivers and harbors is also good. School striper spots include the Pawcatuck River, Napatree Point to Sandy Point, lower Mystic River, Thames River, Niantic River, Connecticut River by Calves Island, Great Island and North and South Cove, Sandy Point area in New Haven Harbor, Milford Harbor, Housatonic River from the Devon power plant to the Derby Dam, and around the Norwalk Islands.
11. SUMMER FLOUNDER: Fishing remains good off Montauk Point, south beaches of Fishers Island, Black Point area, Horton Point to Mattituck Inlet, and Port Jefferson.
12. BLUEFISH: Fishing is good in the Race, Plum Gut and off Millstone Point.
13. NOTE: The State Boat Launch at Dock Road, Waterford, is closed until further notice.