DEP Weekly Fishing Report #4 5/14/09

• Rivers & streams - Generally moderate flows and weather have contributed to some good to excellent trout fishing this season. Anglers are catching plenty of fish, and are reporting some of the “…fattest fish they have ever seen.” Reports from the West Branch Farmington (excellent in the Riverton area), Farmington River, Housatonic River, Pootatuck River, Pequonnock River, Hop River, Natchaug River, Blackledge River, Saugatuck River, Salmon River, Willimantic River, Mianus River, Mill River TMA and Salmon Brook. With several passing weather fronts in the five-day forecast, anglers may expect flows to vary greatly through the weekend.
• Farmington River - Water temperatures continue in the low 50’s°F. Flows are currently clear and moderate, with the West Branch contributing 145 cfs (Riverton) and the Still River adding an additional 145 cfs. Flows, especially from the Still River may fluctuate over the next five days due to several passing weather fronts. Current hatches/patterns include Blue Winged Olive (#16-28) [a.k.a. baetis or vagans], Blue Quills (#18-20) [a.k.a. paralep], Tan Caddis (#16-18; starting) and Hendrickson (a.k.a. red quills, #14-16). The Hendrickson hatch is ending, but some are still being found in the Riverton area. Anglers may find fishing a bit more challenging as insect hatches shift.
• Housatonic River - Water temperatures are in the mid 50’s°F. Flows are again clear and moderate (1,000 CFS at Falls Village and 1,550 cfs at Gaylordsville), but may increase again dependent on rainfall amounts. Current hatches/patterns include Green Caddis & Brown/Tan Caddis (#14-18) and Blue Wing Olive (#16-20, early morning; spinner fall in evening). March Browns (#10-12) and Gray Foxes (#14-16) should be starting up shortly. Midges (#22-26) are being seen at mouths of tributaries.
• Anglers Can Expect Good Fishing in western CT on the East Aspetuck River, Farmill River, Farmington River (from Route 219, New Hartford to Route 4, Farmington), Leadmine Brook, Mill River (Hamden, includes the TMA), Muddy River, Pond Brook, Pootatuck River and Quinnipiac River.
• Anglers Can Expect Good Fishing in Eastern CT, good fishing can be expected at the Blackledge River, Jeremy River, Blackwells Brook, Coginchaug River, Furnace Brook (Stafford), Hammonasset River (including the TMA), Hop River, Hunts Brook, Indiantown Brook, Latimer Brook, Latimer Brook, Mashamoquet Brook, Mt Hope River, Fenton River, Middle River (Stafford), Moosup River, Natchaug River, Pachaug River, Quanduck Brook, Quinebaug River, Roaring Brook (Glastonbury), Roaring Brook (Stafford), Salmon River (including the TMA), Scantic River, Shetucket River, Skungamaug River, Shunock Brook, Ten Mile River (Lebanon), Willimantic River (including TMA) and Yantic River (including TMA).
• Lakes & Ponds – Excellent trout fishing was found in many lakes/ponds throughout Connecticut. Areas to try include Saugatuck Reservoir, East Twin Lake (25” brown among the catches), Coventry Lake, Crystal Lake (Ellington), Highland Lake (fish at 15’), Quonnipaug Lake, Mashapaug Lake, Wononskopomuc Lake, Stillwater Pond, Squantz Pond, Beach Pond, West Hill Pond, Black Pond (Woodstock; 4-lb brown) and Bunnells Pond (Beardsley Park).
• Anglers can expect good fishing at Angus Park Pond, Bashan Lake, Green Falls Reservoir, Dodge Pond, Gay City Park Pond, Mashapaug Lake, Black Pond (Woodstock), Millers Pond, Somersville Mill Pond, Uncas Lake in eastern CT, and at East Twin Lake, Squantz Pond, Highland Lake, Nells Rock Reservoir, Pickett's Pond, Prospect Town Park Pond, and Upper Fulton Park Pond in western CT.
• Trout Parks - These areas are designed to be easy to fish, with excellent access and amenities such as picnic areas nearby, and are stocked frequently. The Day Pond, Mohegan Park Pond, Natchaug River, Wolfe Park (Great Hollow Pond), Southford Falls, Stratton Brook, Wharton Brook and Valley Falls Park Pond Trout Parks were all stocked this week.
• ATLANTIC SALMON have been reported from the Shetucket River, Mashapaug Lake and Beach Pond
• LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is generally reported as fair to good. Areas to try include Moodus Reservoir, Lake McDonough, Lake Saltonstall, Highland Lake, Wononscopomuc Lake, Glasgo Pond (fair), Amos Lake (good), Candlewood Lake (good, catches include several 6 lb plus bass), Gardner Lake (good), Mansfield Hollow Reservoir (fair), Quaddick Lake (good), Pattagansett Lake, Beseck Lake, Bantam Lake (fair), Rogers Lake (very good), Ball Pond, Mudge Pond, Beach Pond (good) and Mono Pond.
• SMALLMOUTH BASS are reported at Lake McDonough, Saugatuck Reservoir, Highland Lake (fair), Mashapaug Lake, Bantam Lake (some catches), Gardner Lake (slow), Lake Lillinonah (good), Candlewood Lake (excellent) and Squantz Pond.
• NORTHERN PIKE catches reported from Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Winchester Lake, Bantam Lake and Pachaug Pond.
• WALLEYE catches reported from Coventry Lake, Lake Saltonstall and Squantz Pond.
• CONNECTICUT RIVER – STRIPED BASS are in the river from Haddam to Enfield. School size (16-25”) fish and adults up to 50” are showing up. Trolling tube and worm, eels & soft plastics are working well. SHAD are reported in the river up to Windsor area and are fishing well at the confluence and upstream of the Farmington River.
• NORTHERN PIKE are reported in the Haddam Meadows area, Wethersfield Cove and White Oaks Cove.
• TIPS & TRICKS for STRIPED BASS are surrendering to a number of techniques. They are on the prowl right now (especially at dawn, dusk and night) and when you find hungry stripers, it can get crazy. Shore anglers are finding that Black Bombers are the ticket for these marauders. For those day-timers success is found by using soft plastics or plugs. Trolling tube and worm, eels & soft plastics all work well. Some anglers are having good luck using 9” Houdini Shad in bubblegum & white colors.