CT DEP Weekly Fishing Reports 6/21/06

1. TROUT: RIVERS & STREAMS - Trout anglers are generally reporting good fishing. For bait anglers, a corn/mealworm combination has been productive. There are a number of major insect hatches on the waters of the state at this time of the year, so finding the correct fly can be challenging. This year, variable flows and temperatures have affected hatch timing, adding to the challenge for fly anglers.
2. Farmington River water temperatures remain in the mid 50’s °F. West Branch flows are clear and very fishable, about 370 cfs at Riverton. The Still River is currently providing an additional 100 cfs.
3. A number of hatches are typically expected at this time of the year. March Brown (almost over) nymphs (#12-14), Light Cahills (#12, morning), Isonychia (#10-14, evening), Gray Fox #12-14, afternoon), Blue Wing Olives (#18-22, mid-late afternoon), Sulphurs (#18-20, afternoon to early evening for spinners), Caddis (tan #14-18, all day; green #22-26, evening), Midges (#22-32, morning), Black Ants (#14-18, morning) and Pale Evening Duns (Epeorus vitreus #14-16, afternoon & early evenings) should be the successful patterns. However, currently there is little to no surface insect activity on the river and hatch conditionsare more like those expected during August. A recent DEP insect survey indicates that flow/weather conditions haveimpacted hatches somewhat. Look for hatches to improve as weather patterns become more seasonal.
4. Housatonic River- Some of the best trout action this year on the river has been in the past week. Water temperatures are in the upper 60’s °F. Flows are clearing and dropping again (currently 1,130 cfs at Falls Village and 1,700 at Gaylordsville, call NGS at 1-888-417-4837 for updated flow information). Barring heavy precipitation (which there is a possibility of) the river should be quite fishable for the weekend. Insect hatches include Alder Caddis (#10-12, afternoon-evening near overhangs), Light Cahills (#12, evening), Green/Brown Drakes (#8-12), Sulphurs (#14-16,evening), Blue Wing Olive (#18-22, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Isonychia (#12-14 evening is the most active hatch), Light Cahill (#12-14, evening), Adams (#12-14, evening), March Brown (#10-12), Gray Foxes (#14-16) and tan & green caddis (#14-16, early morning & evening). Expect Midges and stoneflies at the mouths of streams. Streamers (morning & evening) are catching some large fish.
5. Anglers are reminded that the thermal refuge areas on the Housatonic, Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers are nowclosed to fishing and will reopen on September 1. There is no fishing within 100 feet of the mouths of posted tributaries to these rivers.
6. LAKES & PONDS – Many of our lakes are still producing good trout fishing. Areas to try include Colebrook Reservoir,
7. Highland Lake (30+ fish for one angler), Wonoscopomuc Lake, Candlewood Lake, Crystal Lake(Ellington, 4 lb brown by Ed Fuller of Tolland) and West Hill Pond (26 trout for one angler).
8. LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is reported as good. Areas to try Lake Saltonstall (many 4-6 lb fish), Mansfield HollowReservoir, Black Rock Flood Control Impoundment, Wonoscopomuc, Candlewood (has slowed down a bit), Congamond, Wyassup, Gardner, Bashan (20” bass), Amos, Bantam, Quonnipaug, Bolton Lakes (5.25 lb bass by MarkSol, Middletown, CT) and Pattagansett Lakes, Hatch Pond, Mudge Pond and Moosup Pond.
9. SMALLMOUTH BASS action reported from Candlewood Lake and Gardner Lake.
10. NORTHERN PIKE fishing is reported to be good in Bantam Lake, Pachaug Pond and Mansfield Hollow Reservoir.
11. For KOKANEE try West Hill Pond at 4 colors of lead line or use corn/meal worms in the deep holes.
12. WALLEYE are being reported from Lake Saltonstall (getting tough, but catches include a 6.1 lb, 25” walleye), Squantz Pond (6.75 lb walleye), the causeway between Squantz Pond and Candlewood Lake (although action is slowing as fishmove into deeper water) and Mashapaug Lake. A few anglers have also been having some luck at Lake Housatonic and on the Housatonic River downstream of Derby Dam.
13. CALICO BASS action is reported in Silver Lake (Meriden) and Park Pond.
14. CONNECTICUT RIVER – STRIPED BASS fishing in the river up through Windsor is still good. Fish are being taken on cut shad, and early in the morning and late in the evening on poppers and soft plastics. Tube and worm is being successful in the lower river. Big fish are being taken at night in the lower river on live eels.
    
15. NORTHERN PIKE action reported from White Oaks Cove, the Windsor area, Haddam Meadows and from Hartford downstream to Haddam.
16. CATFISH are being caught on frozen herring & cut/chunk bait.
17. REMINDER TO ANGLERS- The only areas open to fishing for Atlantic salmon are the Naugatuck, Shetucket, andHousatonic Rivers (these salmon are expected to be the stocked broodstock Salmon). Atlantic salmon caught in anyother rivers and streams (especially the Connecticut River drainage) are wild Atlantic salmon and should be releasedimmediately with as little handling as possible.
18. MARINE FISHING REPORT: STRIPED BASS fishing remains good on the major reefs and rip areas for cow bass. Trolling the tube and worm combination and live-lining eels, hickory shad, menhaden (bunker) or scup work well. Productive spots include the reefs off Watch Hill, South side of Fishers Island, the Race, Bartlett Reef, Long Sand Shoal, Sixmile Reef, the reefs off Branford, Stratford Point area, Penfield Reef, Norwalk Islands, and the Cows off Stamford. Schoolie fishing is still good in the tidal rivers such as the Pawcatuck River, lower Mystic River, Thames River, Niantic River, Connecticut River by Great Island, Sandy Point area in New Haven Harbor, Milford Harbor, Housatonic River from the Devon power plant to the Derby Dam, and Norwalk Harbor.
19. HICKORY SHAD can be found in the Niantic River.
20. SUMMER FLOUNDER fishing is fair to good although a lot of sub-legal throwbacks are being reported. Fluke spots include Fishers Island Sound, Black Point and Niantic Bay, Long Sand Shoal, Westbrook-Clinton area, off the NewHaven Harbor breakwaters, and the Milford area to the mouth of the Housatonic River. Best spots include MontaukPoint, south side of Fishers Island, Horton Point, Mattituck Inlet, and Port Jefferson.
21. BLUEFISH fishing is consistent in the Race and off Wilderness Point (Fishers Island), Plum Gut and Millstone Point. Other spots include Sixmile Reef off Clinton, New Haven Harbor, the Milford-Charles Island area to the mouth of the Housatonic River, and off the Norwalk Islands.
22. SCUP and TAUTOG fishing has picked up on the major reefs and rock piles throughout LIS.