CT DEP Weekly Fishing Report #10 7/5

• TROUT: Rivers & streams - Good early summer trout fishing reported from the West Branch Farmington, Farmington, Willimantic, Pomperaug, Salmon, Saugatuck Fenton, Housatonic and Naugatuck Rivers and Salmon Brook. Conditions for trout fishing should remain good through the weekend due to the very mild temperatures of the last week plus the much needed boost to stream flows provided by Wednesday night’s rains. However, temperatures less conducive to trout fishing are expected to return next week.
• Farmington River water temperatures are in the mid to high 50’s °F. West Branch flows should remain clear and fishable, currently about 260 cfs at Riverton. The Still River is currently providing an additional 45 cfs. Anglers can expect a temporary release of an additional 50 cfs from the Goodwin Dam (Hogback) for about 7 hours during the day on Friday (7/6). Releases are expect to be at 250-260 cfs for the weekend. There should be plenty of trout in the upper reaches, the West Branch (from Hogback to the upper boundary of the TMA) was stocked with a total of 2,500 brown trout (800 brooks, 1,300 browns and 50 tiger trout) last Thursday (6/28). Hatches/patterns include: Isonychia (#10-12, evening), Blue Wing Olives (#18-26, mid-late afternoon), Vitreus (#14-16; Pale Evening Dun), Sulphurs duns (#16-20, afternoon to early evening for spinners), Caddis (tan #16-18, all day; green #22-26, evening), Midges (#22-28, morning) and Hoppers (#10-16).
  
• Housatonic River – Morning water temperatures have moderated, dipping to about 67 °F (in the TMA) after reaching the lower 70’s °F earlier in the week. The river is clear and very fishable, flows have improved a bit due to Wednesday night’s rains, currently 350 cfs at Falls Village and 460 cfs at Gaylordsville. Insect hatches include Alder Caddis (#10-12, afternoon-evening near overhangs), Green/Brown Drakes (#8-12), Sulphurs (#14-16, evening), Blue Wing Olive (#18-26, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Isonychia (#10-12 evening), Light Cahill (#12-14, evening), and tan & green caddis (#14-20, early morning & evening).
  
• Lakes & Ponds – Good trout catches reported from Lake Saltonstall, Colebrook Reservoir, Crystal Lake (Ellington), East Twin Lake, Mashapaug Lake, Wononscopomuc Lake, Highland Lake, Beach Pond, the Maltby lakes and West Hill Pond.
• LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is reported as good to excellent. Areas to try include Lake Housatonic, Lake Lillinonah, Lake Saltonstall, Plymouth, Bantam, Highland, Quonnipaug, Wononscopomuc, Amos, Billings and Candlwood Lakes, Upper & Lower Moodus Reservoir, the Maltby Lakes, and Ball, Mono, Mudge, Ashland, Batterson Park and Stillwater Ponds.
• SMALLMOUTH BASS action reported at Colebrook Reservoir, Highland Lake, Gardner Lake and Candlewood Lake. Some good river smallie action reported from the Housatonic (Bull’s Bridge to Cornwall area), Shetucket (Salt Rock area), and Farmington (Tariffville area) Rivers.
• NORTHERN PIKE catches reported from Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Bantam Lake (good), Winchester Lake, Pachaug Pond and Ashland Pond.
• KOKANEE are providing some great action at West Hill Pond with many 12-16” fish being caught (trolling beads with corn between 25-30 feet).
• Connecticut River – Although STRIPED BASS are still being taken in the upper river, the majority of the activity is in the lower portion. NORTHERN PIKE catches are reported from many of the coves throughout the river. BLACK CRAPPIE also continue to provide excellent action in the coves.
• SMALLMOUTH BASS are being caught north of Hartford, especially near the confluence of the Farmington River.
• CATFISH (including a 11.4 lb channel catfish) are being taken by bottom bouncing frozen herring & shad (works very well) and cut/chunk bait.
  
• STRIPED BASS fishing for school stripers and HICKORY SHAD is good, especially in the lower Connecticut River (by the DEP Marine Headquarters fishing pier is very consistent). Other spots include the Pawcatuck River, Mystic River, Thames River, Sandy Point in New Haven Harbor, Milford Harbor jetties, Housatonic River including Milford Point, the Devon area up to the Derby Dam, Bridgeport Harbor (Seaside Park), and Norwalk Harbor including around the islands. Cow stripers continue to be good on the local reefs at the usual spots such as the reefs off Watch Hill, the Race, Plum Gut, Bartlett Reef, Black Point, Hatchett Reef, Long Sand Shoal, Southwest Reef, the reefs off Branford, New Haven Harbor, Milford Harbor-Charles Island area, Bridgeport Harbor, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, and the Norwalk Islands. Live-lining bunker or hickory shad is the ticket for success.
• BLUEFISH fishing is good throughout LIS. The usual spots include fishing spots include the Race (most consistent spot), Plum Gut, the major reefs and rip areas in LIS, and the tidal rivers and harbors. Smaller bluefish are in the lower Connecticut River.
• SUMMER FLOUNDER (fluke) fishing remains good at Sandy Point in the Stonington area, lower Mystic River over to Latimer Point, Twotree Island Channel, Black Point, Long Sand Shoal, New Haven Harbor off the breakwaters, Charles Island to Stratford Point, outer Bridgeport Harbor, and off the Norwalk Islands.
• SCUP and TAUTOG fishing is good to excellent on the local reefs.
• WEAKFISH reports are still coming in from the Black Point area, New Haven Harbor to Charles Island –Milford area and off the Norwalk Islands.