ConnPost.com Fisherman need to adjust as temps climb

• For some, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of the fishing season on Long Island Sound. In-shore anglers, the kind who don chest waders to ply the shallow water off the beaches, sandbars and backwater estuaries for striped bass with spinning gear and fly rods, have been at it for two months. But from now on as increasing water temperatures drive the bass into deeper, cooler waters, boaters will dominate the fishing scene on the Sound. Watch out for the wake! So this is probably as good a time as any to cast an eye on the health of the fish stocks in New England waters.
• STRIPED BASS — Despite the large number of undersized striper area fishers see, the striper population in Long Island Sound and all along the East Coast is considered healthy, writes Blinkoff. Thanks to tight management, the vast over fishing of the past has not been repeated, and efforts to open commercial fishing in federal "exclusive economic zone or EEZ, have so far fizzled. In Connecticut, (also Massachusetts and Rhode Island) stripers must be longer than 28 inches to be kept and there is a two-fish limit for each angler.
• BLUEFISH — Again, smaller specimens of this razor-toothed recreational fish (4 to 6 pounds) dominate local catches. But biologists say the bluefish stocks, which dropped in the early 1990s, are rebuilding and should reach a healthy size in 2008. Connecticut maintains a 10 -fish per angler limit no matter what the size (even if they are tiny "snappers")
• FLUKE — Called fluke for their odd looks, and summer flounder for the preference for warmer water, these flatsfish became what Blinkoff describes as "the poster child" for the need for strict governmental management of a fish stock considered depleted. While fluke populations are rebuilding, it has been a slow process. In Connecticut minimum length for a fluke stayed at 18 inches with a limit of 5 fish per angler. In addition the season was shortened to April30 through September 5 to reduce pressure of spawning fish.
• WINTER FLOUNDER — While the stocks of winter flounder in Southern New England remain depressingly low (although some areas like Norwalk seem to hold fair numbers), the stocks north of Cape Cod are in great shape. Biologists don't think the southern stocks of these flatfish will be back to pre-1995 population until at least 2018. In Connecticut angler can take 10 winter flounder per outing (a limit that many think is too high), but they have to be more than 12 inches from tail to nose. The season extends only from April 28 to May 30, so better hurry.
• PORGY — Called scup from Rhode Island north, porgies are one of the most important recreational catches, once accounting for the vast majority of fishing trips. At the moment scientists know little about the health of their stocks. While fish-counting trolls in Long Island Sound yield huge numbers of baby porgy, only a small percentage reach adulthood. It is hoped stocks will be fully rebuilt by 2010. In Connecticut and Rhone Island porgy must be a minimum of 10.5 inches with a daily limit of 15 fish per angler. Limit for party boats are much higher (60 fish per angler). Season open June 1 to Oct. 1.
• BLACKFISH — Faced with low and declining stocks of blackfish, a bottom-dwelling fish prized for it quality on a plate, the Atlantic State Marine Fisheries Commission has ordered states to cut their mortality rate by 28 percent. Connecticut has a strict four -fish limit with a 14-inch minimum length, but look for tighter regulations later this year or next.
• WEAKFISH — Another species at a very low-level of abundance, the outlook for this sleek beauty is not good. Overfishing is not to blame for this sad situation, however. Biologists think natural mortality from lack of forage may be the cause. In Connecticut and Massachusetts angler can take 10 weakfish of 16 inches of larger.
• AMERICAN SHAD — A large-scale study of shad stocks is underway with results expected by the end of this year. Meanwhile, shad numbers are far below peak years. The fabled run in the Connecticut River are today mere shadows of their past glory. Now that we have delivered the bad news about Long Island Sound fish stocks, here where to some of the above-mentioned fish.