DEP Weekly Fishing Report #6 5/29/08

TROUT
Trout anglers enjoyed great weather, very fishable flows, and some good trout fishing during the holiday weekend and fishing should be good again this weekend. DEP’s spring stocking program wraps up this week, but with approximately 700,000 catchable-size trout stocked this spring, there are still plenty of trout throughout CT waiting to be caught.
Rivers & streams - Good reports last week from the West Branch Farmington, Farmington, Housatonic, Salmon (although flows are getting low), Yantic, Shetucket, Willimantic and Pootatuck Rivers, Indiantown Brook and the East & West Branches of Salmon Brook.
Farmington River - Flows continue to be clear and fishable, currently 300 CFS in the West Branch at Riverton plus an additional 110 CFS from the Still River. Water temperatures remain in the low 50’s °F. Hatches/patterns include Viterus [a.k.a. pale evening dun] #14, Tan Caddis (#16-18), Emerald Caddis (#14), Blue Wing Olive [a.k.a. baetis or vegans] #18, Hendrickson [a.k.a. red quills] #14 in the Riverton area. Blue Quill [a.k.a. paralep] #18 and the Quill Gordon (#14), March Brown nymphs (#12-14), Gray Fox (#14, afternoon), Blue Wing Olives (#18-22, mid-late afternoon), Caddis (tan #14-18, all day; green #22-26, evening), Midges (#22-32) and Pale Evening Duns (Epeorus vitreus #14-16, afternoon & early evenings). Also try terrestrials.
Housatonic River - Flows remain clear, moderate (actually somewhat low for late May) and very fishable, about 560 cfs at Falls Village and 900 cfs at Gaylordsville. Morning water temperatures are in the upper 50’s °F (TMA area). Current hatches/patterns include Sulphurs (#14-16), Isonychia (#8-10), Blue Wing Olive (#18-22, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Cahill (#12-14), Adams (#12-14, evening), March Brown (#10-12) & Gray Foxes (#14-16). Green, tan and brown Caddis (mornings and evenings), midges are also out and producing.
Anglers Can Expect Good Trout Fishing in western CT on the Farmington River (from Route 219 in New Hartford to Unionville) and the East Branch Salmon Brook (Granby).
In Eastern CT, good trout fishing can be expected at the Shetucket River, Yantic River (including TMA), Shunock Brook, Indiantown Brook, Hockanum River, Scantic River, Farm River, Branford River, West River, Eight Mile River, East Branch Eight Mile River, Mount Hope River, Moosup River, Quinebaug River, Natchaug River, Hammonasset River (including TMA), Salmon River (including TMA), Blackledge River and Jeremy River.
Lakes & Ponds – Trout fishing remains generally good with reports from Candlewood Lake (lots of 2-3 lb browns, feeding on alewife), Ball Pond, East Twin Lake, West Hill Pond, Black Pond (Woodstock), Crystal Lake (Ellington, good action on slot-size rainbows) and the Wolfe Park (Great Hollow Pond) Trout Park.
Anglers can expect good trout fishing in western CT at West Hill Pond, West Branch Reservoir, Wononscopomuc Lake, East Twin Lake, Colebrook Reservoir, Lake McDonough, the Southford Falls Trout Park, Wolfe Park (Great Hollow Pond) Trout Park and the Black Rock Pond Trout Park. In Eastern CT, good trout fishing should be expected at Mashapaug Lake, Black Pond (Woodstock), Green Falls Reservoir, Walkers Reservoir, Gardner Lake, Cedar Lake, Black Pond (Middlefield), Beach Pond, Uncas Lake, Mohegan Park Pond Trout Park, Chatfield Hollow Trout Park, Day Pond Trout Park and the Valley Falls Park Pond Trout Park.
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is generally good, with bass still on beds in many areas. The good reports include Aspinook Pond, Bashan Lake, Candlewood Lake, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Lake Quassapaug, Wononscopomuc Lake, Beseck Lake, Hatch Pond, Pachaug Pond, Glasgo Pond, Moodus Reservoir (plenty of action on smaller bass), Gardner Lake and Long Pond. Mashapaug Lake and Bantam Lake are reporting fair fishing for largemouths.
SMALLMOUTH BASS fishing has been variable, reported to be good at Candlewood Lake (although catches in the 4-5 lb range are less than in the previous two years) and Wyassup Lake, fair at Gardner Lake and Bashan Lake, and slow at Mashapaug Lake and Lake Zoar.
NORTHERN PIKE – Pike fishing is generally fair with best reports from Bantam Lake. Catches at Winchester Lake included an 8 lb, 36” pike.
WALLEYE – Good reports for walleyes from Squantz Pond, including several fish in the 4-5 lb range. It’s also that time when fishing from shore in the evening can be productive for ‘eyes at Squantz. Some keeper-size fish are also being caught at Mashapaug Lake.
KOKANEE SALMON fishing has been slow at West Hill Pond, with only occasional catches reported.
BROODSTOCK ATLANTIC SALMON – anglers are still reporting occasional catches at Crystal Lake (including a 22 inch salmon last week).
CONNECTICUT RIVER – STRIPED BASS can be found throughout the river but the best action is in the lower river for stripers following bunker (fish up to 40”). Best fishing has been early morning and around sunset. CATFISH angling is fair, with a number of 10-lb fish being caught in the Hartford to Middletown section. As always, fresh chunked bait is working well. NORTHERN PIKE fishing remains variable with some nice catches.

MARINE:
Water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) are in the low to mid 50’s °F.

STRIPED BASS fishing is good for bigger fish on the reefs and rip areas such as the Watch Hill area, the Race, Sluiceway, and Plum Gut. School striper fishing is exceptional in the Pawcatuck River down to Sandy Point area, lower Mystic River, Thames River from Norwich down to New London/Groton area, Millstone Point, Niantic River, Calves Island and off Great Island (the “Wood Lot”) in the Connecticut River, Hammonasset River, East and West Rivers in Guilford, Branford River, New Haven Harbor (Sandy Point), Milford Harbor, Housatonic River, Bridgeport Harbor (power plant warm water discharge), Saugatuck River, Norwalk Harbor including the Norwalk River, Stamford and Greenwich Harbors.
BLUEFISH are in the Race, Plum Gut, Millstone Point outflow, and along the north shore of Long Island.
HICKORY SHAD are in the Mystic, Niantic, and Connecticut Rivers (DEP Marine Headquarters fishing pier has been consistent for shore based anglers).
SUMMER FLOUNDER (fluke) and SCUP are other options to fish for in LIS. The local major reefs are worth trying for SCUP and also BLACK SEA BASS.
ATLANTIC MENHADEN (bunker) are in most of the harbors and tidal rivers.

DEP Weekly Fishing Report #5 5/22/08

TROUT
Trout fishing in CT should be great for the Memorial Day weekend. Flows and weather should be good for fishing, and there are still plenty of trout out there to be caught. DEP’s spring trout stocking wraps up next week, having released approximately 700,000 catchable-size trout since the beginning of March.
Rivers & streams - Good reports last week from the West Branch Farmington, Housatonic, Pootatuck, Pequonnock, Mianus, Willimantic, Natchaug and Mt Hope Rivers. Mixed reports from the Pomperaug River.
Farmington River - West Branch flows are clear, moderate and fishable, currently 300 cfs at Riverton plus an additional 100 cfs from the Still River. Water temperatures are in the low 50’s °F. Current hatches include Hendrickson (a.k.a red quills; #14), Blue Winged Olive (a.k.a. baetis or vagan; #18), Blue Quill (a.k.a. paralep; #18), and Brown/Tan Caddis. The Hendrickson hatch has generally faded, but some can still be found in the Riverton area.
Housatonic River - Flows are clear and moderate, about 900 CFS at Falls Village and 1,300 cfs at Gaylordsville. Morning water temperatures are in the mid 50’s °F. Current hatches include Green Caddis, Brown/Tan Caddis March browns and Grey Foxes. Patterns include Caddis (#14-18, green, olive & tan), Henryville and March Brown (#10-12).
Anglers Can Expect Good Trout Fishing in western CT on Norwalk River, West Branch Farmington River, Farmington River, East Branch Salmon Brook, West Branch Salmon Brook, Naugatuck River, Mad River, Sandy Brook, Still River (Colebrook), Blackberry River, Whiting River, Pomperaug River, Mill River (Fairfield, including TMA), Wepawaug River, Shepaug River, East Aspetuck River, and the Kent Falls Trout Park.
In Eastern CT, good trout fishing can be expected at the Blackledge River, Roaring Brook (Glastonbury), Scantic River, Hammonasset River (including TMA), Ten Mile River, Skungamaug River, Hop River, Natchaug River, Latimer Brook, Willimantic River (including TMA), Mount Hope River, Fenton River, Blackwells Brook, Mashamoquet Brook, Furnace Brook, Middle River, Roaring Brook (Stafford), Moosup River, Quanduck Brook, Salmon River (including TMA) and Dickenson Creek.
Lakes & Ponds – Trout fishing is generally good, best reports from Saugatuck Reservoir (9 lb and 3 lb browns reported among the catches), West Hill Pond, East Twin Lake (plenty of catches), Candlewood Lake, Crystal lake (catches include a 22” brown) and Squantz Pond.
Anglers can expect good trout fishing in western CT at Highland Lake, Mohegan Lake, Christensen's Pond, Mad River Flood Control Impoundment, Hop Brook Lake, and at the Stratton Brook and Black Rock Pond Trout Parks. In Eastern CT, good trout fishing should be expected at Crystal Lake, Gay City Park Pond, Angus Park Pond, Somersville Mill Pond and at the Chatfield Hollow Trout Park, Day Pond Trout Park, Valley Falls Park Pond Trout Park, and Mohegan Park Pond Trout Park.
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is variable with fishing reported to be very good at Beseck Lake and Ball pond, good at Crystal Lake, Quonnipaug Lake, Hopeville Pond, Messerschmidt Pond, Long Meadow Pond, Gardner Lake, Uncas Lake, Pierrepont Pond and Lake Hayward, fair at Lake Lillinonah, Candlewood lake, Pachaug Pond, Mudge Pond, Lake Zoar and Moodus Reservoir, and slow at Mansfield Hollow Reservoir.
SMALLMOUTH BASS fishing was good at Bashan Lake and Candlewood Lake, and fair at Lake Lillinonah, Lake Zoar, Squantz Pond, Highland Lake and Gardner Lake.
WALLEYE – Fishing for walleye is reported to be fair at Squantz Pond and Lake Saltonstall (catches include a 28 inch walleye).
CONNECTICUT RIVER – STRIPED BASS can be found throughout the river following schools of bait. The best action for stripers is reported from the lower river (Deep River to Old Saybrook, fish up to 40”). CATFISH angling continues to get better, with a number of catfish in the 8-11 lb range being caught in the Hartford to Rocky Hill area. Fresh chunked bait (frozen herring, eels) is effective. NORTHERN PIKE fishing is variable. AMERICAN SHAD fishing has slowed some since last week.

MARINE:
Water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) are in upper 40’s to low 50’s °F.
STRIPED BASS fishing for schoolies remains good in many of the tidal rivers and will only get better as the water temperatures warm up. Schoolie spots include the Pawcatuck River, Mystic River, Thames River from Norwich down to New London/Groton area, Millstone Point, Niantic River, Hamburg Cove, Calves Island and off Great Island (the “Wood Lot”) in the Connecticut River, Hammonasset River, East and West Rivers in Guilford, Branford River, New Haven Harbor (Sandy Point), Milford Harbor, Housatonic River, Bridgeport Harbor (power plant warm water discharge), Mill River in Southport, Saugatuck River, Norwalk Harbor including the Norwalk River, Stamford and Greenwich Harbors. Larger stripers can be found on the local major reefs and rip areas such as the reefs off Watch Hill, the Race, Sluiceway, and Plum Gut.
BLUEFISH have arrived in the Race, Millstone Point outflow, and along the north shore of Long Island.
WINTER FLOUNDER fishing is fair at best.
HICKORY SHAD also have arrived in the Mystic, Niantic, and Connecticut Rivers.
ATLANTIC MENHADEN (bunker) have been reported in LIS and the major harbors and tidal rivers.

DEP Weekly Fishing Report #4 5/15/08

TROUT
Rivers & streams - Anglers enjoyed comfortable conditions (weather & flows) and some very good trout fishing last weekend. Good reports include the West Branch Farmington, Farmington, Housatonic, Aspetuck, Farm, Tenmile, Bantam, Blackberry, Blackledge, Pequonnock, Saugatuck, Salmon, Green Falls, Natchaug, Naugatuck, Shetucket, Fenton, Moosup, Quinebaug, Hammonasset, Hockanum, Willimantic and Eightmile (East Haddam) Rivers, Crystal Lake Brook and Latimer Brook. Anglers have been finding success using worms, & corn/mealworm combinations.
Farmington River - flows are clear and comfortable for fishing, currently 250 CFS at Riverton with an additional 80 CFS from the Still River. The Wednesday morning water temperature was 53°F. Current hatches/patterns include Hendrickson (a.k.a red quills; #14), Blue Winged Olive (a.k.a. baetis or vagan; #18), Blue Quill (a.k.a. paralep; #18), Early Stonefly (#13-16), Quill Gordon (#14), Green Caddis & Brown/Tan Caddis. The Hendrickson hatch is fading and is mainly in the Riverton area. The spinner fall is in the TMA area. Successful fly anglers used Blue Winged Olives (#18-20), Winter/Summer Caddis (#18-22), Rusty Spinners (#16-18), Midges (#22-32), Blue Quill (#16-18), Pheasant Tails (#14-18) and Mahogany Duns (#16-18).
Housatonic River - Conditions are great for trout fishing. Flows are clear and moderate, about 700 CFS at Falls Village and 1,070 cfs at Gaylordsville. The Wednesday morning water temperature was 57°F. Current hatches include Green Caddis, Brown/Tan Caddis and Midges. Patterns producing include Caddis (#14-18, green, olive & tan), Henryville and March Brown (#10-12). Some Blue Wing Olives are on the water with Green Caddis starting to show up. Streamers fished around 6:30 pm on sinking-tip line have been very effective. For those nymphing, low & slow is working very well.
Anglers Can Expect Good Trout Fishing in western CT on Hall Meadow Brook, East Branch Naugatuck River, West Branch Naugatuck River, Leadmine Brook, Mill River (Including TMA), Farmill River, East Aspetuck River, Pootatuck River, Pequabuck River, Farmington River (Including TMA), Muddy River, Quinnipiac River and Pequonnock River.
In Eastern CT, good trout fishing can be expected at the Coginchaug River, Farm River, Branford River, Hunts Brook, Latimer Brook, Whitfords Brook, Five Mile River, French River, Pachaug River, Quinebaug River, Natchaug River, Mount Hope River, Fenton River, Moosup River (TMA area), Salmon River (including TMA) and Jeremy River
Lakes & Ponds – Connecticut lakes and ponds are fishing very well for trout with reports from Green Falls Reservoir, Saugatuck Reservoir, Lake Saltonstall, Lake Hayward, Quonnipaug, Crystal, East Twin, Wononscopomuc, Highland, Uncas, Billings, Wyassup, Candlewood, Alexander, Amos, Coventry, Mashapaug and Gardner Lakes, and Mohawk, Mt. Tom, Ball, Beach, Black (Woodstock), Stillwater, Long, West Hill and Squantz Ponds.
Anglers can expect good trout fishing in western CT at Stillwater Pond, Highland Lake, Nells Rock Reservoir, Pickett's Pond, Lake Winfield, Upper Fulton Park Pond, Prospect Town Park Pond, Scoville Reservoir, East Twin Lake, and the Wharton Brook, Wolfe Park (Great Hollow Pond) and Southford Falls Trout Parks. In Eastern CT, good trout fishing should be expected at Bashan Lake, Millers Pond, Lake Saltonstall, Wangumbaug Lake, Shenipsit Lake, Uncas Lake, Hewitt Fly Pond, Long Pond, Lantern Hill Pond, Hyde Mill Pond, Bigelow Pond, Mashapaug Lake, Quonnipaug Lake, Black Pond (Middlefield), and the Valley Falls Park Pond and Day Pond Trout Parks.
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is generally good with reports from Lake Saltonstall, Moodus Reservoir, East Twin, Wononscopomuc, Indian, Crystal, Candlewood, Beseck, Silver, Alexander, Bantam, Bashan, Rogers and Gardner Lakes, and Aspinook, Beach, Ball, Mono, Breakneck, Batterson, Dodge, Dog, Halls, Mudge and Hatch Ponds. Bass fishing is reported to be fair at Highland Lake, Lake Lillinonah, Hopeville Pond and Amos Lake (catches do include a 6 lb largemouth) and slow at Lake Zoar.
SMALLMOUTH BASS is generally fair with reports from Candlewood Lake (has slowed over the past several weeks), Coventry Lake, Highland Lake, Wyassup Lake and Squantz Pond. Smallie fishing at Gardner Lake continues to be slow.
WALLEYE action reported from Saugatuck Reservoir, Lake Saltonstall, Coventry Lake, Batterson Park Pond and Squantz Pond.
CONNECTICUT RIVER – STRIPED BASS are now found throughout the river, plenty of schoolie size (16-25”) fish with many keepers mixed in. Fish are responding to tube & worm, bait and soft plastics and have started to spread out as they target schools of bait. CATFISH are responding very well to dead bait, chunking, and sandworms with catfish up to 11 lbs reported. SHAD fishing has picked up, especially in the mainstem with many catches reported at the confluence with the Farmington River.

MARINE:
Water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) are in upper 40’s °F.
Striped bass fishing for schoolies is good in many of the tidal rivers. Fish measuring from 12 to 18 inches is the norm. Striped bass spots include the Pawcatuck River, Mystic River, Thames River from Norwich down to New London/Groton area, Millstone Point, Niantic River, Hamburg Cove, Calves Island and off Great Island (the “Wood Lot”) in the Connecticut River, Hammonasset River, East and West Rivers in Guilford, Branford River, New Haven Harbor (Sandy Point), Milford Harbor, Housatonic River, Bridgeport Harbor (power plant warm water discharge), Mill River in Southport, Saugatuck River, Norwalk Harbor including the Norwalk River, Stamford and Greenwich Harbors. The worm hatch has also been reported in rivers and coves in eastern LIS and Rhode Island.
Winter flounder fishing remains hit or miss but some areas are more productive than others. Bluff Point State Park (Poquonock Cove), Pine Island area, Niantic River, North and South Brothers, Connecticut River east breakwater on the flood tide, Madison - Guilford area, and the Saugatuck River over to the channels in Norwalk Harbor are spots worth trying.
Rumors of bluefish have surfaced in eastern LIS and along the north shore of Long Island.
Hickory shad should be appearing any day in the Mystic, Niantic, and Connecticut Rivers.
Atlantic menhaden (bunker) have been reported in LIS.