Western LIS C. Walsh, 5/18/09

Striped Bass: Big stripers & cows are in: flats on Milford side of breakwater, stretch of river above the Devon power plantokay but slowing down, and Southport Harbor (beware of the mooring ropes causing snags). Best baits: swimming plugs, soft plastics (white Slug-Gos), bunker & herring chunks on the bottom. Anglers from New Jersey report biggest striper migration in years - maybe good news for Long Island Sound.

Bluefish: confirmed bluefish catch at mouth of Housatonic River. Big schools should arrive chasing sand eels & bunker. Should be hitting Charles Island sandbarin the next week. Best Bait for hungry stripers: surface poppers.

Flounder: Better than previous years, but only through hard work. Westport/Norwalk, area between Pennfield Reef & St. Mary's. Season closes May 30th.

Weakfish: No confirmed catches. West Haven sandbar or Charles Island this week. Best bait: plugs.

Shad: Connecticut river upto Windsor, confluence & upstream of Farmington River.

Trout: Moderate water flows & continued stockings have made trout fishing good. Rains could dampen fishing in rivers & streams. Rivers: Housatonic, East Aspetuck River, Farmill River, Farmington River (Route 219, New Hartford to Route 4, Farmington), Leadmine Brook, Mill River (including the TMA), Muddy River, Pond Brook, Pootatuck River and Quinnipiac River. Lakes & Ponds: Saugatuck Reservoir, Squantz Pond and Bunnells Pond in Beardsley Park.

Atlantic salmon: Shetucket River, Mashapaug Lake and Beach Pond.
[Charles Walsh, Connpost.com]