CT DEP Weekly

1. TROUT: RIVERS & STREAMS - Rains again have raised most of the state’s rivers and streams to unfishable levels. Last week, anglers reported variable fishing success, with some good catches reported from the West Branch Farmington (including a 28” brown trout), Housatonic, Scantic and Pequabuck Rivers, Sandy Brook and Salmon Brook.
2. Farmington River water temperatures remain in the mid 50’s °F. Above Riverton, West Branch flows are moderately high (about 350 cfs) but fishable. Flows below Riverton are currently very high, about 1,200 cfs thanks to inputs from the Still River (about 800 cfs as of Thursday morning), and the river is generally unfishable. Barring further precipitation, the Still River should drop, and the TMA may become fishable late in the weekend. Farther downstream, the East Branch Farmington is currently adding an additional 250 cfs. Isonychia (#10-14, evening), Blue Wing Olives (#14-18, mid-late afternoon), Sulphurs duns, (#14-20, afternoon to early evening for spinners), Caddis (tan #14-18, all day; green #22-26, evening), Midges (#22-28, morning), Black Ants (#14-18, morning), Flying Ants (#18-22, when humid) and Pale Evening Duns (Epeorus vitreus #14-18, afternoon & early evenings) were successful patterns.Try streamers and bottom bouncing nymphs in the riffles.
3. Housatonic River- Morning water temperatures are near70 °F. Flows are murky and have again increased to unfishable levels (currently 2,600 cfs at Falls Village and 4,350 at Gaylordsville, as of 6/29, call NGS at 1-888-417-4837 for updated flow information). Under high flow conditions, big streamers and nymphs are a good option.
4. LAKES & PONDS – Many of our lakes are still producing good trout fishing. Areas to try include Colebrook Reservoir, Saugatuck Reservoir, Mashapaug, Wonoscopomuc, Crystal (Ellington), Highland and East Twin Lakes, Squantz Pond and West Hill Pond.
5. LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is reported as good to very good at many areas including Lake Zoar, Lake Saltonstall, Winchester, Middle Bolton, Highland, East Twin (5.4 lb bass), Mashapaug (17 keepersized bass for one angler), Tyler, Wonoscopomuc, Quonnipaug & Waramaug Lakes, Pachaug Pond and Moosup Pond. Mixed reports from Glasgo Pond.
6. SMALLMOUTH BASS action reported at Gardner, Highland, Mashapaug and Candlewood (many 4-5 lbs.) Lakes.
7. NORTHERN PIKE catches reported from Bantam Lake and Pachaug Pond.
8. KOKANEE SALMON are being caught at West Hill Pond (including a 2-lb beauty) at 6 colors of lead line.
9. WALLEYE fishing is fair to good at Lake Saltonstall (catches include a 8.1 lb, 27.5” fish) and Gardner Lake.
10. CALICO BASS action is reported to be good at Highland Lake, Silver Lake and Park Pond.
11. CONNECTICUT RIVER – Recent rains have again increased flows to levels that may make boating and fishing difficult in some areas.
12. STRIPED BASS in the upper river had still been producing schoolie stripers. Fish are being caught on sand worms & using chunk bait. The main effort recently has been at the mouth of the river where anglers are using plastics & poppers for bigger fish.
13. NORTHERN PIKE fishing was good last week, with some nice catches reported in the Haddam Meadows area (36-40” pike).
14. Some SHAD (46 fish) were still being caught in the Windsor area on white/red shad darts.
15. A few WALLEYE (22”) have being caught in the upper part of the river.
16. SMALLMOUTH BASS are being caught in north of Hartfvord, especially near the mouth of the Farmington River.
17. CATFISH are consistently being taken on frozen herring & cut/chunk bait.