DEP Freshwater Weekly Report #7 6/3/09

TROUT
Rivers & streams: Although DEP’s spring stocking program was completed last week, anglers should still find plenty of trout waiting to be caught. Trout fishing has been hampered in some areas with relatively low, very clear flows for late May/early June, try light line and leaders under these conditions. Some rain is forecast prior to the weekend, which should enhance flows and fishing in these areas.

Good reports last week from the West Branch Farmington River, Farmington River, Housatonic River, Natchaug River, Quinebaug River, Pequonnock River, Pootatuck River and East Aspetuck River.

Farmington River: Fishing has been excellent. Flows remain clear and moderate, currently 325 cfs at Riverton plus an additional 50 cfs from the Still River. Water temperatures are in the low to mid 50’s °F. Patterns/hatches will include Isonychia (#10), March Brown/Grey Fox (#10-14), March Brown nymph (#10), Vitreus (# 16), Sulphurs (#14-20, just starting), Blue Wing Olives (#18-20), and Rusty Spinners (#18-20), Tan Caddis (#16-18, good all day), Midges (#22-32) and Pale Evening Duns (Epeorus vitreus #14-16).

Housatonic River: Trout fishing is just excellent and conditions for the weekend should be great for fishing. Flows are currently moderate and very fishable, 650 cfs at Falls Village and 900 cfs at Gaylordsville. Water temperatures are in the low 60’s °F. Tons of hatches/patterns to work, including Alder/Zebra Caddis (try #10-12 near banks, lots out now), Sulphurs, Isonychia, golden stoneflies, March Browns/Gray Foxes (#10-12), Baetis/Olives (overcast days), and other various caddis (green, tan, brown, black).

Lakes & Ponds: Trout fishing was generally “feast or famine” last week with good to excellent reports from from Crystal Lake (lots of browns at 20’), Highland Lake, Wonoscopomuc Lake (lots of browns, plus a 4-lb rainbow) and West Hill Pond (excellent at 2.5 colors- trolling slow with corn/dodger), and fair to “tough” fishing reported from Mashapaug Lake, East Twin Lake, Beach Pond and Candlewood Lake (not many catches reported, but included in the reports was a 6-lb brown).

LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is variable. Excellent fishing reported from Candlewood Lake and Amos Lake. Good reports from Bashan Lake, Bantam Lake, Hanover Pond, Beseck Lake, Great Hollow Pond, and Lake Zoar, Fair fishing reported from Pickerel Lake, Cedar Lake, Lake Lillinonah, Quaddick Reservoir, Quonnipaug Lake, and it’s slow at Long Pond, Aspinook Pond and Pachaug Pond.

SMALLMOUTH BASS are reported at Candlewood Lake (excellent action on 2-3 lb smallies continues, some 4-5 lb smallies also among the bags), Lake Lillinonah, Lake Zoar, Beach Pond, Bashan Lake, and Bantam Lake (several smallies in the 2-3 lb range).

NORTHERN PIKE fishing is fair at best, with some catches reported from Bantam Lake, Winchester Lake and Pachaug Pond.

WALLEYE – Limited reports for walleye this past week, some catches reported at Saugatuck Reservoir, Gardner Lake and Beach Pond. Squantz Pond is slow.

CONNECTICUT RIVER – STRIPED BASS can still being found throughout the river, but the best action, and biggest fish can be found chasing bunker in the lower river. Plugs in shallow water are beginning to work well. Some CATFISH (fish to 10 lbs) are being taken, coves and chunk bait are good choices. Good LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing reported, try coves and back areas from below Hartford to Haddam/East Haddam (Keeney Cove, Chapman’s Pond, Salmon River). Limited reports for NORTHERN PIKE, some pike in the low to mid 30’s inch range have been caught. Best action should be in coves (Wethersfield, Crow Point, Keeney, Wrights, Salmon River) and the mainstem from Portland bridge down through the Haddam Meadows area.