Connecticut Post 6/4/09

Stripped bass -- The big cows are now mostly a nighttime pursuit. Live lining and chunking bunker is the top method for pulling the big one up from their deep haunts. Bunker has invaded Black Rock and most of the other harbor along the southeast coast. The midweek action was brisk at Fayerweather Island at daybreak and dusk. The mouth of the Housatonic, while not exactly on fire, still holds a good number of schoolie stripers in the 18- to 24-inch range for those with access to a boat that gets them to the Milford breakwater on the dropping tide. Opaque white, four-inch Slug-Gos and Clouser flies have done well but expect to make many casts per fish in the boat. In Milford, Jason at Bobby J's reports the area between Welch's Point to Anchor beach is fishing better for bass (and blues) than Gulf Beach, although bunker have taken residence Milford Harbor. Top water plugs will still take keeper bass at the Derby Dam but weekends there are still crowded. Top water plugs are producing some exciting action off Penfield Reef.

Bluefish -- The bluefish, rarely go over six pounds, are scattered but plentiful. The main body of choppers has yet to show up inshore. Deep chunkers continue to do very well their share at the outer buoys of Bridgeport Harbor. Swimmers like jointed Rebels and prismatic Yozuris are snaring the tailors Soft plastics work well on the blues but rarely last for more than one fish. Top water action has yet to hit its stride.

Porgies -Reports of decent scup catches are starting to come in with the areas around Charles Island and Welch's Point and Buoy 18 getting the most visits from anglers.

FRESHWATER

Catfish -- The Department of Environmental Protection's Inland Fisheries Division reports that more than 5,000 adult catfish, most in the 14- to 18-inch range, averaging two pounds apiece, were released into several Urban Fishing Areas. Stocked areas include Bunnell's Pond in Bridgeport; and Lake Wintergreen in Hamden and New Haven. Yearling catfish were stocked into Black Pond in Middlefield), and Maltby Lakes in Orange and West Haven, and Quonnipaug Lake in Guilford.

Trout -- Although the DEP's spring stocking program was completed last week, anglers should still find plenty of trout waiting to be caught. Fishing has been hurt with relatively low, very clear flows for late this period. Ultra light lines and leaders can help under these conditions. Good trout reports came in last week from the West Branch of the Farmington, Farmington, Housatonic, Pequonnock, Pootatuck River and East Aspetuck rivers. The Farmington and Housatonic rivers have been excellent with flows remaining clear and moderate. Trout fishing in lakes and ponds is "feast or famine."

Largemouth bass -- Excellent fishing reported from Candlewood Lake, and Saugatuck Reservoir. Good reports from Bashan Lake, Bantam Lake, Hanover Pond, Great Hollow Pond, and Lake Zoar.

Smallmouth bass -- Candlewood Lake reported excellent smallie action on 2-3 pound smallies. Lilinonah, Lake Zoar, Beach Pond, Bashan Lake, and Bantam Lake have recorded several smallies between 2 and 3 pounds.

Walleye -- Saugatuck Reservoir has produced some nice walleye catches. [Charles Walsh, Connecticut Post]