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.