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.