Norwich Bulletin

Marine: Winter flounder season opens Sunday with 10 fish per day, minimum length 12 inches. Look for fish in coves and estuaries from Mystic to Niantic Bay.

Striped bass: Water temperatures are still in the 40s -- a tad on the cool side. Stripers are beginning to spread out down the Thames River and will be moving out onto the flats and shallows as soon as temperatures hit 50 degrees Fahrenheit. After the recent snowmelt, look for stripers to possibly be suspended off the bottom, which makes them a little more difficult to catch. However, with every warm sunny afternoon, the time when they will be found from top to bottom in the Thames is only a week or two away. Hamburg Cove on the Connecticut River was turned on last weekend, but anglers need to reach the lower section of this cove, which is holding the stripers by boat.

Freshwater: As temperatures increase, look for shallow ponds throughout the area to begin producing largemouth bass, pickerel, perch and panfish. This weekend, look for some excellent yellow perch in the coves and backwaters of the Connecticut River and wherever you can find them in area ponds and lakes. The warmest, which are generally exposed shallow lakes and backwaters, will provide the best fishing action this time of year. Before fishing, be sure the place you choose to wet a line is open to fishing. This is the time of year when many places stocked with trout are closed to fishing. Anglers who are looking for trout fishing options should look in the Trout Management Areas in this area. Coastal areas such as Mystic River and Latimer Brook are areas stocked with sea-run brown trout that may be cooperative.

On The Water

Best Bets for Connecticut and Rhode Island: If the weather breaks nicely for Sunday and your boat is ready to float, go give a try for some tasty winter flounder in Connecticut waters, maybe bumping into a tautog along the way. If your boat isn’t quite ready to get wet, grab your freshwater gear and hit one of the many Trout Management Areas. Most have been stocked at least once, and several have been stocked multiple times. The continued warmth ought to get the trout a little more willing to play.

1. Along the Connecticut/Rhode Island border, things are also pretty quiet during the hiatus between ice and opening day. A few anglers are out chasing largemouth bass with some success, but the action is slow, according to Steve at Mike’s Bait & Tackle in Voluntown. Anglers are also taking crappie on jigs in many of the ponds when out trying for largemouths. Steve said he has not heard any word from Amos Lake, a trophy trout water in the region.
2. Inland in Connecticut is starting to open up and get a bit busy now that the weather is warming. The Salmon River has been stocked twice to date according to Charlie at Colonial Sports in Bozrah, and anglers are beginning to take fish more regularly. Most of the action is deep and on nymphs such as a Wooly Bugger. A few anglers have tried the Yantic River near the shop, but despite it being well stocked with fish, the water has not yet warmed enough to get the fish in the mood to eat, according to Charlie. He does figure that by the weekend things should be getting pretty good throughout the area.
3. The stripers are on the move according to Ren at The Fish Connection in Preston. While Norwich Harbor continues to produce the best fishing to striped bass along the Thames River, fish are now being taken as far south as Hortons Cove. So the fish are moving about indeed. Ren did mention that evening seems to be the best time to try your luck in Norwich Harbor, and cut bait seems to be the best item to toss to them, at least for the moment. Largemouth bass fishing is improving as the waters warm some, and the Trout Management Areas throughout the region are also improving as the water warms. Everyone is looking forward to a decent weekend of fishing. Ren did want to remind anglers that this Sunday marks the opening of the season for winter flounder.
4. Along the eastern end of Long Island Sound, the water is still chilly, but the nice weather is driving a few of the “can’t wait any longer” die-hards onto their boats and onto the water is search of Connecticut tautog. According to Capt. Morgan at Capt. Morgan’s Bait & Tackle in Madison, while a few anglers have ventured out on the water, there are no reports in yet of any fish having been taken. Capt. Morgan expects that reports will begin coming in regularly once the flounder season opens. Anglers have been doing pretty good to stripers in Hamburg Cove and that region of the Connecticut River, particularly to the north. Capt. Morgan had mixed reports from the various Trout Management Areas, but expects the fishing to improve with even just another degree or two of warming in rivers and streams.
5. School bass are still being regularly caught in the Housatonic, with the area around the power generation plant being the most predictable and productive, according to Chip at Stratford Bait & Tackle in Stratford. His son Chris was out fishing the Farmington River when I called, and while he hadn’t called in yet that day, Chip reported that the fishing has been pretty good, with the best catch being a 22-inch, hook-jawed brown trout taken on bait.
6. Candlewood Lake still has some ice cover, but unless you can walk on water, John at Valley Angler in Danbury does not recommend trying any ice fishing. What is left is basically a layer of hard slush that John expects to see gone by the weekend. As an aside, this is the longer John remembers seeing ice on the lake for this time of year. As for the fishing, a few have been trying for crappie in the lake, but with not much luck to date. Candlewood Lake closes on the last day of March, reopening again on opening day in Connecticut. John has been getting mixed reports about trout fishing in the Management Areas, with the general word that the Housatonic is running high while the Farmington is producing rather well.
7. Striped bass have moved down the Housatonic River over the past week or so, and can now be found as far south as the I-95 bridge. The fishing is tough, but the fish are there for those with patience and persistence. Eric at Westport Outfitters in Norwalk reported that there have even been reports of stripers at Milford Point, but he could not substantiate them as the truth. Eric as has heard rumors of stripers at the mouth of the Saugatuck River, but again not enough reports have filtered in to confirm the rumors. The Trout Management Areas are all producing fish, but according to Eric the most consistent trout fishing seems to be coming from the Saugatuck River. (Alan Desbonnet, On The Water).

Rivers End

Its the start of another round of Friday fishing reports. Its been an interesting winter, the mild weather in December and January brought out more fishermen and brought about a two month extension of the traditional season. I don't think the weather affected the bass as much as the bass chasers. The leading theory is that there are more winter holdover bass other than in the Thames River. We may have a much longer season than we previously thought.

STRIPED BASS- They've been catching schoolies in Hamburg Cove for about two weeks now, mostly on leadheads and small plastic tails. They have also been catching them on sandworms off the DEP Piers. I suspect that theres also bass along Great Island but there hasn't been any confirmation of that yet. The action in the Thames has also escalated in the last 10 days.

FLOUNDER- The season opens this Sunday, April 1st. Last season saw some activity in Niantic, Jordan Cove and Bluff Point.

SEMINARS:None this weekend. Saturday April 7th at 11am- Trolling the Tube and Worm with Pat "T-Man" Renna Saturday April 14th at 11am- Fluke Fishing with Bob Sampson Saturday April 28th- Saltwater Fly Fishing School with Lou Tabory- Call us for details Rivers End Tackle 440 Boston Post Road Old Saybrook, CT 06475 (Pat Abate, Rivers End Tackle)

Captain Morgan's B&T

March's thaw coupled with saturated grounds helped to topple the already bulging water tables. As rivers crested and streams swelled, flows increased washing banks clean of winter debris and early springtime fish food. Small finfish become stimulated and, in turn, cause a stir among larger predatory inhabitants.

Many anglers know that when ice breaks up and its edges gradually recede, the state's trophy trout lakes come alive. Alewives are stalked and driven towards the shore where a few dedicated fishermen cast their bait and lures looking for that infamous hooked-jaw brown trout. More often than not there are shoulder/arm-weary die-hards who come up short of their hopes, but still spend a good early springtime day on the water.

This was not the case with Mike Megargee of Madison who, after having a few curious pickerel take an interest in his bait, had something take more than a look at his lure. Following the first powerful run, largemouth was his thought, but after several more (including a weed-embraced top water roll) this 9.2-pound, 27 1/2-inch, brilliantly colored red-speckled brown trout revealed itself. What seemed like an eternity ended when finesse finally brought this beauty to net.

For those who haven't checked out the TMAs yet, they have been providing excellent fishing opportunities. Note that the Hammonasset River TMA (catch and release until opening day) is that stretch of water between Lake Hammonasset dam (Route 80) to Chestnut Hill Road. The Sea Run Trout Stream runs from the breached dam upstream of River Road downstream to LIS and is open year round. The daily creel limit here is two fish at a 15" minimum length and is the only part of the river that fish can be kept legally until the season opens on Saturday, April 21st.

Largemouth bass are definitely stirring. Various shoreline lakes/ponds are seeing activity with four- to six-pound plus fish being caught. Although water temperatures are on the cold side, a mix of baits, including spinners to minnow imitations, are producing fish. Sensitive rods, like strong, lightweight St. Croixs, are good choices when looking for finesse and that extra touch. Add an innovative soft plastic or realistic hard bait and fish beware!

Anglers are looking for the upper tidal rivers to moderate enabling striper action to pick up. Temperatures are gradually edging upward and after the recent flip-flop weather conditions, bass should become more active. Togs certainly will follow suit and, as April Fool's Day approaches, many anglers are looking to fool a limit of winter flounder after a long wait for the season to open.

A great weekend it was for anglers to fish and prepare for the new fishing season. So, for all things fishy, swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days located at 21 Boston Post Road in Madison. Until next time from your Connecticut shoreline's full-service fishing outfitter where we don't make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better... (Captain Morgan, Guilford Courier)

On The Water

It won’t be exactly balmy this weekend but it beats last weekend and the fish are getting active. In Connecticut, holdover stripers are stirring in the Thames and the coves in the Connecticut River. A few striper fans will be making their first casts at the West Wall in Rhode Island. The Cape is the place to be if trout fishing is part of your early Spring routine.

1. CONNECTICUT: Inland and into Connecticut, Mike’s Bait & Tackle in Voluntown reported very slow going now that the ice is gone and the season is not open. Toss in the cold, windy, snowy weather we have been treated with, and anglers are finding other things to occupy their time for the moment. Many local streams are being stocked, but since they are not Trout Management Areas they are not being fished and therefore no reports are coming in. Stayed tuned for season opening in a few weeks is the word from Mike’s Bait & Tackle.
2. East and inland, Charlie at Colonial Sports in Bozrah reports that the state has been doing a lot of trout stocking in the area, with the Salmon River and the Yantic River having both been stocked with some nice trout. The trout however, are not being very cooperative. According to Charlie, those anglers venturing into the Yantic behind the shop are spotting trout on the bottom, but with the water hovering only a degree or two above the freezing mark, the fish don’t move even an inch for even the most tempting of Wooly Buggers or other traditional early season offerings. Charlie thinks that the predicted warmth for the weekend, once the snow melt is pretty much over with, ought to get the water temperature up a few degrees and get the fish at least a bit active and feeding.
3. Dennis from the Fish Connection in Preston had just returned to work after a few days off and didn’t have any concrete information but did mention that there were four boats fishing in Norwich harbor this morning, which probably indicates the stripers are starting to stir. That water is still very cold however, and according to On the Water contributing writer Bob Sampson, nothing much will happen on the striper front in the Thames until the water reaches about 50 degrees.
4. Down in Madison, Captain Jerry Morgan or Capt. Morgan’s Bait & Tackle said there are hopeful signs in his area. He’s had solid reports of holdover fish moving in the Hammonassett, and a few fish have been taken in the coves along the Connecticut River and in the Thames. It’s all about water temperature – if the big rivers are running high with snow melt from up north, the fishing will be slow. A couple of warm days and dropping water can lead to some fine action from holdover stripers. Jerry said he’s seen a few gulls along the local beaches chowing down on flounder so maybe there will be some decent flatfish action when that season opens.
5. Call them brave or call them crazy, a few anglers are crossing the few feet of open water on the edges of Candlewood to get to the ice, said James at The Valley Angler in Danbury. The ice is still 10 inches thick out on the lake and the fish are still cooperating. Use extreme caution however, and think long and hard about whether that fish is worth a cold swim, or worse. Trout anglers are looking forward to opening day, and the story is stocked and ready for them. Right now the Farmington is close to flood stage and raging; it’s hoped that will change soon.
6. We’re still in something of a holding pattern overall, but you can be sure by about this time next week a few hardy striper nuts will be casting small jigs at the West Wall. And if the predicted warmer weather shows up, the action in the upper Thames River should improve dramatically. Freshwater fans will have to be content to wait just a bit longer – or they can make a trip up to Massachusetts where trout fishing is open year-round – and from early report, the fish are hitting.
7. RHODE ISLAND: The fishing scene in Rhode Island is quiet, but there are definite signs of spring and fish on the way according to Captain Thom Pelletier at Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle in North Kingstown. The ice is now just a memory, and with trout waters closed until opening day in Rhode Island, most anglers are readying their gear and picking up new paraphernalia to kick off the season. Thom reported that he is getting regular shipments of spring gear coming in the door, and that RI fishing licenses will be in on Friday the 23rd of March. A few anglers are coming in for shiners and heading out to non-trout stocked ponds to try their luck for largemouth bass, but none have returned to tell their tales of good or bad catches. Thom did report that he has heard rumors of striped bass being active along the coast of New Jersey, which suggests that the fish to our south are beginning to move north, despite the chill in the air and water. A bit closer to home, he has reports of fluke coming up in the gear of draggers just offshore, so those fish seem to be headed our way as well.
8. Bob at Wildwood Outfitters in Wakefield had similar reports of slow freshwater angling, though this is typical of this time of year when the state is basically “between freshwater seasons” and the saltwater fish are not yet active. Bob did report that he has heard rumors of school bass action in the Providence River, and that he has heard of decent cod fishing off of Block Island. The cod seem to be hanging about the area given that the water still remains quite chilly and has not warmed much, if at all over the past few months. (Alan Desbonnet, On The Water)

With Thanks to On The Water magazine

Last November I received this email from On The Water Magazine.

Hi Sandy,
I stumbled upon your CT fishing report blog. Good idea to pull
together fishing reports all in one place. Thanks also for posting your source
(On The Water, Author). You'd be amazed how many people copy things on the web
and pass them off as their own. Feel free to include a link to OnTheWater.com as
well.Also, I'm attaching a press release for our new cookbook if you'd like to
post it.
Thanks,Kevin-- Kevin Blinkoff, Assistant Editor, On The Water

Thank You Kevin and thanks to all the other writers and publications.

Norwich Bulletin

Striped bass : The Thames River is about two or three weeks from "turning on" for the spring season. The snow has to melt and the sun will need to warm the shallows up to and above 50 degrees before things turn to bonkers. Joe Balint of the Fish Connection said that customers have been catching fish as far down river as Poquetanuck Cove in Preston, which is Stage 1 in this process. Those large schools of bass that have been stacked like cord wood in the harbor for the past few weeks are beginning to break up and spread on downriver.

Because of continued cold nights and snowmelt, river temperatures are in the high 30s to low 40s after a day of bright sunshine, but it's not quite there yet. When the snow melts off, the water temperature rises from 32 degrees, the freezing point of water, to 39, which is when it reaches its maximum density. This means this heavy, cold water will sit at the bottom of the river, often driving the bass up off the bottom into the warmer, less dense waters near the surface, making a depth finder screen look like a layer cake because the bass will suspend 8 to 10 feet off the bottom. Under these conditions, catching becomes difficult at times, especially when on top of this weird water temperature stratification a cold blast blows down from the north, dropping the mercury and pushing the barometric pressure sky high. By early to mid-April, depending on prevailing temperatures and the amount of sunlight we receive every day, the bass will spread out all the way downriver and out onto the flats, creating that crazy spring fishery.

Freshwater : Eric Covino and Rick Rinaldi, two of the most devout anglers I know, have been fishing for and catching both bass and pike from some of the shallow ponds across the border in Rhode Island for a couple weeks now. The Ocean State's coastal ponds are always free of ice a week or so before most of Connecticut's lakes and ponds.

Trout : The stocking trucks are running and many waters are closed to trout fishing. There are numerous Trout Management Areas (TMAs) open to fishing year-round, sea-run brown trout along the coast and the ponds at the Quinebaug Valley Hatchery open by appointment. Check the 2007 Connecticut Anglers Guide for specifics before fishing.

Sea Run Trout, Thames River

1. Sea-run trout in coastal estuaries can provide the potential for some very challenging angling success.
2. Panfish, such as yellow perch, will be available to catch as soon as the ponds and coves of major rivers open up enough to cast a line.
3. Shallow, weedy lakes such as Pachaug Pond, Bog Meadows and, across the border into Rhode Island, spots such as Chapman Pond and Worden Pond will begin to liven up as soon as the sun has a chance to warm its ice-free waters.
4. The Thames River's winter population of stripers is a constant option. This time of year, even these super-abundant fish can become hard to catch at times. (Bob Sampson Jr, Norwich Bulletin)

Norwich Bulletin

Anglers interested in a challenge might want to explore the upper reaches of Niantic River or the Mystic River for the presence of sea-run brown trout. We haven't heard any specific reports at this point. However, this is the time of year when a live shiner or mummichog fished on very light tackle in any of the coastal estuaries that are listed in the 2007 Connecticut Anglers Guide as Sea Run Streams has the potential to produce brown trout that could range from two to six pounds.

1. Remember, trout fishing opens statewide April 21, but there are a number of trout management areas, sea-run trout streams and trophy trout lakes that are open to fishing at the present time. Check the Connecticut Anglers Guide for specific areas and regulations. Ponds that are not stocked with trout can be fished for panfish, pickerel, pike, walleyes and bass year round.

Just after iceout, the coves of the Connecticut River provide some of the best early season opportunities to catch yellow perch, calico bass, sunfish, pike and bass. Also look for any of the shallow, stumpy, weedy ponds in the area to turn on early in the season, often a couple weeks before the deeper lakes begin to wake up for the spring season.
Many anglers think of white perch fishing this time of year. However, white perch action doesn't normally get revved up until sometime in mid-April. Every spring, it is the more cold-loving and earlier-spawning yellow perch that are available to provide some fast action as soon as the ice is out in any lake or river where they are found. Hamburg Cove on Route 156 is a popular spot that can be fished for both perch species from small cartop boats or canoes. The white perch won't be around for nearly another month.
Northern pike will be moving around in the Connecticut River with the Haddam Meadows State Park being one of the more popular locations along the river to fish from shore. Boat anglers may also find pike inside places such as Salmon River Cove, Chapman Pond and some of the dead-end marinas and creeks that meet the river between there and Hamburg Cove.
The Thames River is full of stripers that are stacked up in Norwich Harbor and have been playing hard to get lately, like as they always do during the month of March. The best striper fishing action will take place during warm spells and after rains, with anglers catching many of the larger fish after the sun sets. (Norwich Bulletin)

Danbury News Times

1. Startling developments should concern anglers this season Until the weather setback forecast for today, it looked like we were well on our way to serious spring fishing conditions. With open water beginning to appear on the smaller lakes and ponds and the trout opener just over a month away, area anglers should be getting excited. Should be. But so many things have gone on this winter that give me real concern over the near future of our sport, and my anticipation for the upcoming season has been tempered.
2. It looks like we'll be looking at user fees on Candlewood at some point down the road. I'm not anxious to add another expense to my fishing, but anything that might reduce the amount of traffic on the big lake by even a few boats can't be all bad. Unfortunately, once we see it on Candlewood, how long will it be before other major lakes in the area join the "pay to play" club?
3. We've previously mentioned the planned increases in sporting licenses and the implementation of a marine (salt water) license, along with eliminating the free license for seniors. Again, I don't really mind paying the piper to partake in my chosen sport.
   A fill up in the boat is going to leave a lasting impression on the wallet this year. I'm glad I have a tin boat with a 50 horse, and I suspect I'll be hosting friends who drive big, glass boats with triple digit sized outboards a lot this year. Again, I don't mind paying the piper. But there are limits, and sooner or later, we're going to run into them.
4. The most disconcerting development though, is the recent dredging and dumping in the tidal Housatonic River. Rick Zucca from Bridgewater is just one of the area anglers who called to express concern over the situation this week. Rick told me about a 50 fish day in the Housy the day before the dumping started, followed by a "couple bite" outing the next day. "The fish were just gone from where they had been," Rick told me, adding that the fish had been holding in the holes that the dredge material had been dumped into the previous evening.
5. The over-wintering striper population in the river was minimal not too many years ago, but the last few seasons it's increased tremendously, and the cold water fishing has been nothing short of phenomenal. Now they are dumping contaminated soil dredged from a private marina farther down river in Milford, directly into the deep holes these fish winter in. They started while the fish were still in the holes!
6. For me anyway, what started as outrage concerning this situation has throttled back to concern. The direct effect on the fish this year may have cut their time in those winter holes a bit short, but odds are, at least some of the fish were starting to disperse around the river already, and most of the rest were very close to being ready to do so. According to my good friend Marty Wencek, formerly of Newtown, who is a striper expert as well as a fisheries biologist and an official in the Rhode Department of Environmental Management, the fish were about due to start heading for the mouth of the river to intercept the herring that will be entering on their spawning runs soon.
7. "Timing-wise, a couple weeks later would have been better," Wencek told me, "But the whole project seems very questionable in the first place." Wencek was especially surprised by the DEP's rationale that the soil being dumped isn't quite as contaminated as the soil being covered up, so this is somehow a good thing. What really concerns me more than the effect on these specific fish right now, is that the operation is all above board, legally speaking. The necessary permits are applied for and received, which to me indicates that there's some serious problems with the permit process. When the DEP moved the dump site a few hundred yards in response to the public outcry that arose when it became known that they would be dumping in the cove behind the Baird gravel operation, DEP spokesperson Brian Thompson said they had been unaware that there was a winter population of stripers in the river. If that's the case, then there should be heads rolling at the DEP. It's someone's job to know exactly that. And it's the job of those in charge of issuing these permits to know where to ask. This week it's the winter striper population in the Housy. But where will the next environmental compromise with potentially negative effects on fishing take place? And will the permit process be any tougher than this one was?
8. Maybe I'm too cynical, but if commercial interests can get their way without regard to the impact on the environment (and more specifically on the fisheries), and the whole thing can slide through without anyone noticing until the 11th hour has already passed, I can help but think that we as outdoor sports aficionados need to really start getting a lot more politically active. (Rich Zaleski, News-Times)

On The Water

1. Dave at Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle in North Kingstown reported things have been fairly slow, despite the break in the weather over the past week. The ice is pretty rotten or completely gone off most lakes and ponds at this point, and most waters are closed to fishing until opening day in April. Some anglers are still taking pike from shore or boat at Worden Pond and at Watermans Lake. Dave did report that the boat ramp at Worden Pond is under construction as a new ramp is installed, so don’t plan on launching a boat there. No reports of school bass in the Providence River area, but with the ice gone and the weather improving, anglers should begin to get out looking for fish in that area of Narragansett Bay.
2. Wildwood Outfitters in Wakefield also reported that the going is slow. Bob did report that the cod fishing out near the Acid Barge has been good, but other than that, not much action in the salt. The ice is gone for the most part, and there is a bit lull at the moment according to Bob, who is seeing anglers begin the shift over from ice fishing to casting and bait-fishing gear.
3. Archie was at the counter at Mike’s Bait & Tackle in Voluntown, and he reported that things in the area are pretty dead at the moment. He reported some anglers out on the ice here and there, particularly Ashland Pond early in the week, but he does not recommend getting onto the ice at this point; it’s too risky. The Quinebaug Hatchery is now open on weekends, according to Archie, and while the Moosup River is probably fishable, he has not heard any reports from anglers having been there.
4. The action apparently is a bit hotter to the south, particularly in the region of Norwich. According to Ren at The Fish Connection in Preston, the action to striped bass in the Thames River is pretty warm and heating up rapidly. Striped bass, the biggest yet reported weighing in at 28 pounds, are rampaging about in Norwich Harbor, hitting “anything white” according to Ren. Best action is being seen on pearly-white “Super Fluke” lures. While some anglers are heading out in boats, according to Ren the fish are hot even from shore. And while the harbor is the hottest spot on the river, stripers are being taken about 2 miles to the south, in the area of the incineration facility, again from shore. The fish are beginning to break up and move about, a sign that the water is warming at least a bit. Outside of the harbor, Ren reported that the Trout Management Areas are being stocked and should be quite fishable by the weekend. Reports from the Shetucket River suggest the angling has been slow, but reports of occasional salmon are still coming in to the shop.
5. Along the eastern end of Long Island Sound, Capt. Morgan at Capt. Morgan’s Bait & Tackle in Madison reports water temperatures in the Sound still at a very chilly 33 degrees. Once the nights stay above the freezing mark, the temperature should begin to slide upwards. Trout are being stocked in all the Trout Management Areas, including the Hammonasset, Housatonic, Farmington and Salmon rivers. No reports from anglers trying out these waters just yet, but things ought to begin to get busy over the weekend if the weather holds. Capt. Morgan also mentioned an upcoming seminar on Fishing in Long Island Sound to be held in conjunction with the Maritime Education Network. This sounds like an excellent introduction to the species and locations to find them in the Sound, though the old salts are likely to pick up a nugget or two of useful information. Seating is limited to 50 people, and the seminar is expected to fill so make your reservations soon if you want to attend. Call Kathy David at (860) 388-1480 to reserve a seat or two. All proceed go towards education, so you can feel good while gaining some angling information that is bound to aid your fishing this coming season.
6. Chick at Stratford Bait & Tackle in Stratford did not have too much to report this week, though he did say that the stripers are beginning to move around in the Housatonic River, with fair numbers of school bass turning up south of the power plant. The big news though was Chick’s report on the Farmington River, which evidently has been stocked with some nice fish. He reported that good numbers of both brown and rainbow trout in the 20- to 22-inch range are being caught. The fishing has been so good that son Chris let him mind the shop while he went out for another day of fishing!
7. Over in Danbury at Valley Angler, John reported that there is still ice on Candlewood Lake, but he does not recommend venturing onto it as it is breaking up very quickly. John has heard that the stripers are moving about on the Housatonic and that anglers have been doing pretty good from shore in a variety of locations south of the power generation plant. John also reported that the Mianus River has just been stocked with about 1,600 trout, meaning the angling ought to get real good real soon.
8. Bert at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk reiterated the report of the Mianus River just being stocked heavily with trout, but he as well has not heard from anyone who has ventured down to fish the river. He too has heard that the stripers are moving around in the Housatonic, but had no further reports with any greater detail at this point in time.
9. Westport Outfitters in Norwalk also reported stripers moving around in the Housatonic. According to Eric at the shop, the stretch of river from Shelton to the Audubon Bird Sanctuary has been red hot over the past few days, with a 4-inch white Super Fluke being the “go to” lure. These fish must be in contact with those in the Thames River, because that does seem to be the “food” item of choice by striped bass at the moment. Eric also noted that it is not only school bass that are taking interest, but several nice keeper bass have been reported as well.
10. Best Bets for Connecticut and Rhode Island: If you are dying to get salt on your lips, then the Thames or the Housatonic is the place to be. The stripers are moving about, but we are supposed to see a return of the cold, which may slow the fish down a bit. If you want a low-salt diet, go find a Trout Management Area to play in. The Farmington River sounds like a great spot, given the size of the fish being reported, but it may get busy once the word gets out. Other Trout Management Areas are also getting a load of fish put in, so take your pick and give it a try. It may take the fish a few days to acclimate, so have patience and plan on going back again soon! (Alan Desbonnet, On the Water)

The Fishing Forecast - On The Water Magazine

1. The tumultuous weather has kept many anglers at bay, according to Capt. Thom Pelletier at Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle in North Kingstown. The ice has gotten pretty iffy in many places, though the recent spate of cold will no doubt firm things up just a bit. Captain Pelletier said he has had precious few reports, with mainly the real diehard ice anglers still at it (and they don’t give away many secrets).
2. Archie answered the call to Mike’s Bait & Tackle in Voluntown, giving a similar report that the anglers heading out were few and far between, particularly with the onset of the bitter cold and even more bitter wind. Anglers were getting out over the weekend using planks to get to good ice, though Archie figured the cold would firm things up a bit. Many areas are now closed to anglers, further reducing the number of anglers out chasing fish.
3. The hot fishing in Norwich Harbor over the past week slowed to a standstill according to Seth at The Fish Connection in Preston. The big rainstorm added a lot of fresh water to the harbor, turning the fish off right afterward. The cold that has now crept into the region has put a layer of ice over the entire harbor, making it pretty much not fishable until the ice melts off. Much of the ice throughout the area has not been safe according to Seth, and while the cold may firm things up, it will not be enough for many of the lakes and ponds. Seth has heard of fish being taken in Chapman Pond, which is ice free. Several nice largemouth bass have been reported from that water body. The Shetucket River had been producing salmon nicely before the big rain event, and will no doubt get productive again once the waters subside.
4. Capt. Morgan at Capt. Morgan’s Bait & Tackle in Madison reported that there is still a lot of good ice in the region, but there are also a number of lakes and ponds that opened up due to the rain and high winds. Capt. Morgan strongly recommended checking the ice very carefully before venturing out as there is great variation in ice thickness throughout the area. The one place that Capt. Morgan continues to hear of producing fish are the coves and embayments along the sides of the Connecticut River. Reports of good numbers of pike are still coming in, and Capt. Morgan expects this trend to continue through the weekend. Anglers are starting to look more closely at the Hammonasset and other Trout Management Areas, but with the recent deluge, following by high wind and bitter cold, not many anglers are venturing out in search of trout. Trout Management Areas are due to be stocked for the first time this week and into next week, though the stocking will be a bit slower if there is lots of ice to contend with.
5. Valley Angler in Danbury didn’t offer a very expansive report. John noted that there is still good ice on Candlewood Lake, and the cold will no doubt keep it a bit longer, but there does not seem to be a lot of fishermen out due to the strong and bitter winds.
6. At Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, Nick answered my call and reported that indeed things have been slow, mainly due to the weather and the fact that most waters are now closed to angling. Anglers are still doing well near the power plants for school bass in the warmwater outflows. However, Nick did report that anglers seem to be doing pretty well to walleye through the remaining ice at Squantz Pond. Nick also had several reports from anglers who had checked out a few of the local Trout Management Areas, but it appears they have not yet been stocked because no catches were reported.

Best Bets for Connecticut and Rhode Island

This may be the toughest weekend for anglers to get past as we seem to be in the limbo between ice and open water. The weekend is forecast to blossom with a big show of warm temperatures, and once it gets through the skim ice Norwich Harbor will be one spot to check out. Similarly, the Shetucket River should get productive once again. The Trout Management Areas are due for their first seasonal stocking, so it may be worthwhile visiting one of those stretches of water, but how productive the catching might be will be determined by whether or not the stream or river has been stocked. Reprinted from On the Water, by By Alan Desbonnet.

Norwich Bulletin

Unless we get a real deep freeze, the coves and inlets along the Connecticut River will be melting off for open water fishermen who target yellow perch, calicos, bluegills and northern pike within the next two to three weeks.

The lower river spots, such as Hamburg Cove will usually melt open before the more northerly areas, such as Wethersfield or Keeney Coves. This time of year, yellow perch are getting ready to spawn, so they are building up into huge dense schools in the protected areas along the entire river (as well as in area lakes). Right after ice-out, especially when temperatures are mild and the sun has a chance to warm the water a tad, yellow perch will turn on where ever they can be located.

Another good option will be sea-run brown trout. The upper reaches of the Mystic River, Niantic River near the Golden Spur and the lower Hammonassett Rivers have all been producing some sea runs (top end two to four pounds) over the past few years. The most popular spot around here is the upper Niantic River where Latimer Brook and Oil Mill Brook, two state stocked sea-run spots converge.

Historically, Latimer Brook was the state's original sea-run brown trout experiment in the 1960s. The original stockies came from European egg sources from England and Denmark. These stockings created a unique fishery that generated a good deal of media attention in the angling world at that time. Unfortunately the program waned and was dropped by the early-'80s when the Atlantic salmon began to come back to the Connecticut River.

In 2001, the sea-run program was recreated under the then new Trout Management Plan, which now utilizes excess hatchery fingerling brown trout as the primary source for stocking. As a result, over the past few seasons, anglers have been successfully targeting and catching sea-run brown trout once again in most of the areas that produced them during the heyday fishing years of the late-1960s and early-1970s. Ron Meroy caught a 1 1/2 pound state record sea-run brown from the Saugatuck River during the warm spell in early January.

Fishing has generally been productive lately right up inside Norwich Harbor, especially when storm fronts are approaching with cloudy skies and dropping barometric pressure. I finally had a break in my schedule and managed to catch a fair number of fish (60-70 to about 24 inches) over the weekend.

Norwich - Ice Fishing melting away

There is some frozen water further north and into Massachusetts where the hard-core ice fishing fanatics are still venturing out, often within sight of open water on places such as Quaddick Reservoir and Alexander Lake, according to Bob Lemoine of Bob's Place in Ballouville.

Likewise, Gary Brummett of Connecticut Outfitters in Hartford said the large coves on the Connecticut River are also still holding ice and those who are still fishing are drilling holes and setting tip-ups for bass and pike or jigging for panfish.

Both of these shops report their customers are catching. Bob's Place said Alexander Lake has been giving up some very nice holdover trout, while Connecticut Outfitters is hearing stories of yellow perch and pike to 36 or 38 inches from Wethersfield Cove. There are even occasional schoolie stripers being taken on baits intended for pike in Wethersfield Cove as well.

I don't recommend stepping out on any ice that's covered with snow after all the warm weather, rain and sun that's hit the earth between snow storms lately. One guy had to be rescued from Gardner Lake over the weekend and we heard a report from Boondocks of one of their customers falling through the ice at Chapman Pond in Rhode Island. So there is a serious risk every time one steps onto the ice from here on out to the big meltdown, whenever that takes place.

However, as we all know, hard-core fishermen (of all types) are basically nuts, the author included and will on occasion take chances to pursue our passion. We've all done stupid things that may get wet feet or waders from time to time, but messing around under winter water temps can kill you and do it quickly, so be careful.

The problem is the ice fishing is usually fairly productive when it's the most dangerous every spring, so let's hope the allure of catching a few last-minute fish doesn't cause any one to lose their life during the waning days of this winter's ice season, even though the danger is at its highest.

Norwich Bulletin

1. Unless we get a real deep freeze, the coves and inlets along the Connecticut River will be melting off for open water fishermen who target yellow perch, calicos, bluegills and northern pike within the next two to three weeks.
2. The lower river spots, such as Hamburg Cove will usually melt open before the more northerly areas, such as Wethersfield or Keeney Coves. This time of year, yellow perch are getting ready to spawn, so they are building up into huge dense schools in the protected areas along the entire river (as well as in area lakes). Right after ice-out, especially when temperatures are mild and the sun has a chance to warm the water a tad, yellow perch will turn on where ever they can be located.
3. Another good option will be sea-run brown trout. The upper reaches of the Mystic River, Niantic River near the Golden Spur and the lower Hammonassett Rivers have all been producing some sea runs (top end two to four pounds) over the past few years. The most popular spot around here is the upper Niantic River where Latimer Brook and Oil Mill Brook, two state stocked sea-run spots converge.
4. Historically, Latimer Brook was the state's original sea-run brown trout experiment in the 1960s. The original stockies came from European egg sources from England and Denmark. These stockings created a unique fishery that generated a good deal of media attention in the angling world at that time. Unfortunately the program waned and was dropped by the early-'80s when the Atlantic salmon began to come back to the Connecticut River.
5. In 2001, the sea-run program was recreated under the then new Trout Management Plan, which now utilizes excess hatchery fingerling brown trout as the primary source for stocking. As a result, over the past few seasons, anglers have been successfully targeting and catching sea-run brown trout once again in most of the areas that produced them during the heyday fishing years of the late-1960s and early-1970s. Ron Meroy caught a 1 1/2 pound state record sea-run brown from the Saugatuck River during the warm spell in early January.
6. Fishing has generally been productive lately right up inside Norwich Harbor, especially when storm fronts are approaching with cloudy skies and dropping barometric pressure. I finally had a break in my schedule and managed to catch a fair number of fish (60-70 to about 24 inches) over the weekend. (norwich bulletin)

On The Water (Alan Desbonnet)

1. Out in the Rhode Island area, the fluke fishing is still hot and staying hot. The greatest concentration of fluke, which is providing lots of keeper-sized fish, is off to the east of Point Judith according to Thom at Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle in North Kingstown. As has been the case right along, the best fishing and bigger fish are to be taken in deeper waters in the 40- to 60-foot range with squid and spearing. Colby at Breachway Tackle in Charlestown reported lots of 6- and 7-pounders being weighed in, with a couple in the 11-pound class as well. Mary at Maridee Bait & Tackle in Narragansett reported that the hot spots right now are off the east and center walls at Point Judith, and toward the Five Cottages in about 60 feet of water.
2. Fluking out on Block Island appears to be slowing just a bit, with a considerable increase in the number of smaller fish taken recently. Twin Maples Tackle on the island reported small squid starting to show up in the harbor, a sign that a run of good fluke hot on the heels of the squid could be expected in the coming week.
3. As it was for last week, it is for this week – bluefish are king! These toothy predators are just about everywhere, in the bays, along the shore, in the shallows, and in the depths. While many of the fish are in the 3- to 5-pound range, there are numerous fish being taken in the 10-pound range, with occasional bigger ones.
4. Colby at Breachway Tackle in Charlestown noted that many fisherman intent on catching other species are calling the blues a major “pain” in the gear! That said, lots of light-tackle enthusiasts and kids especially are having a bonanza in the breachways on snappers according to Mary at Maridee’s Bait & Tackle. The folks at Saltwater Edge in Newport reported good angling with fly rods and lighter gear from shore after dark, with lots of honest 10- to 12-pound blues being landed.
5. Out on Block Island, a greater number of bigger blues are being taken on both bait and hardware from boats in slightly deeper water off the beaches. This is not to say that blues can’t be had casting off the beaches, it’s just that larger fish are lurking just a bit farther offshore. School bass are abundant, and becoming more abundant in the shallow water areas while the bigger bass are pretty much to be had only after dark and/or in deeper waters. Of course, live eels after dark continue to be the top producer of slammer bass. Twin Maples Tackle on Block Island reported a 46-pounder caught on a live eel at night from the beach off the southwest point of the island.
6. The Saltwater Edge, just to buck the after-dark trend, is reporting great striper fishing just at dark in the Newport region with small surface plugs and flies or poppers. While the fish technically fall into the “school bass” category, many fish are actually keeper-sized. Apparently mullet have shown up in the area, drawing in larger fish that are feeding heavily just at and after dark.
7. Continuing the “not after dark only” trend, the fishing from shore from Black Rock to Dorys Cove on Block Island, early and late (and yes, into the dark) has been sizzling. Beach anglers tossing needlefish plugs are taking lots of very nice bass. Breachway Tackle and Maridee both reported that school bass are hitting well at both day and dusk, with a marked increased in surface action.
8. Bonito continue to be sporadic throughout Rhode Island Sound, with no reported concentrations of fish hanging around anywhere in particular. Saltwater Edge reported that the schools that had been frequenting the Newport and Westport areas have broken up for the time being, perhaps due to the high-pressure system that has settled over the area.
9. Twin Maples Tackle on Block Island reported several weakfish in the 9-pound range taken on the north end of the island. The weakfish were taken incidentally while targeting bluefish, but this is the first time in several years that this species has been reported as more than a “freak” catch in some out of the way spot. Good news, perhaps.
10. Moving west into Watch Hill and eastern Long Island Sound, the fluke fishing remains good, with excellent catches still coming in from the beaches off Misquamicut and off the south side of Fishers Island, mainly in water 40 to 60 feet deep.
11. Cheryl at Shaffer’s Marina in Mystic weighed in a 7.5-pounder taken near Gates Island on the south side of Fishers Island while Richard at Hillyer’s reported a 12-pounder taken near Black Point in Niantic. Bluefish are everywhere, but that’s no surprise by now. While there is a preponderance of smaller blues in the 3- to 5-pound range, Cheryl at Shaffer’s noted that anglers are landing blues up to 12 pounds pretty regularly off the “clumps” on the north side of Fishers Island.
12. Both Hillyer’s and the Fish Connection report intense angling for bluefish in the river mouths, shallow coves and along the beaches, mainly for harbor blues and snapper blues.
    Striper fishing is good, though mainly early and late, and of course after dark with eels. School bass are quite active on the reefs off Watch Hill, with early and late being best times, better still if the tide is moving briskly.
    
13. Shaffer’s, Fish Connection and Hillyer’s are all hearing regular reports from anglers having good fishing for stripers on the reefs. Bartletts Reef in the Niantic/Waterford region is also producing nice catches of striped bass, mainly school bass, according to Joe at the Fish Connection. Bonito are still not consistent in this area, though Cheryl had reliable reports of a school of these speedsters just off of Napatree Point this past Saturday. Joe at the Fish Connection reported bonito sightings off of Avery Point and Ocean Beach earlier in the week, but no reports yet in the Niantic area.
14. Farther west in Long Island Sound, “mum’s the word” with one of the larger tournaments of the season getting into full swing. Capt. Morgan’s, Stratford Bait & Tackle and Fisherman’s World all report excellent bluefishing, with many big blues being landed from boat and shore. While anglers are readily talking about good catches of good-sized bluefish, they are being quite tight lipped about where and how they came about the catch according to Chris at Stratford Bait & Tackle. It will have to suffice to say, at least for this week, that there is excellent fishing for bluefish to be had in the western end of the Sound.
    Fluke fishing is still very good, with bigger fish being taken more regularly, continuing the trend from last week.
    
15. Chris at Stratford Bait & Tackle says the fluke fishing has improved, mainly because everyone is focused in on the big tournament and not targeting fluke. He attributes an increased number of big fluke being taken per angler simply because there are less anglers out there fishing for them. If Chris is correct, that trend may expire next week when the tournament is over and people begin to think about fluke once again.
16. Stripers appear to be slowing down in the far western Sound as water temperature peak for the season. Big fish can still be found, but only at night in deeper water and with something irresistible like live eels. School bass can be had during daylight hours, but dawn and dusk prevail as the prime time to seek stripers, even the smaller ones.
17. The bonito have not yet moved fully into the western Sound. Nick at Fisherman’s World had reports of some bonito off Edens Neck, but it was evidently short lived. Capt. Morgan’s reported a few bonito in the Clinton area, but nothing further west while Chris at Stratford Bait & Tackle said he has not had any reliable reports of bonito in the area to date.
18. Out in the Rhode Island area, the fluke fishing is still hot and staying hot. The greatest concentration of fluke, which is providing lots of keeper-sized fish, is off to the east of Point Judith according to Thom at Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle in North Kingstown. As has been the case right along, the best fishing and bigger fish are to be taken in deeper waters in the 40- to 60-foot range with squid and spearing. Colby at Breachway Tackle in Charlestown reported lots of 6- and 7-pounders being weighed in, with a couple in the 11-pound class as well. Mary at Maridee Bait & Tackle in Narragansett reported that the hot spots right now are off the east and center walls at Point Judith, and toward the Five Cottages in about 60 feet of water.
19. Fluking out on Block Island appears to be slowing just a bit, with a considerable increase in the number of smaller fish taken recently. Twin Maples Tackle on the island reported small squid starting to show up in the harbor, a sign that a run of good fluke hot on the heels of the squid could be expected in the coming week.

Rhode Island:

1. Out in the Rhode Island area, the fluke fishing is still hot and staying hot. The greatest concentration of fluke, which is providing lots of keeper-sized fish, is off to the east of Point Judith according to Thom at Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle in North Kingstown. As has been the case right along, the best fishing and bigger fish are to be taken in deeper waters in the 40- to 60-foot range with squid and spearing. Colby at Breachway Tackle in Charlestown reported lots of 6- and 7-pounders being weighed in, with a couple in the 11-pound class as well. Mary at Maridee Bait & Tackle in Narragansett reported that the hot spots right now are off the east and center walls at Point Judith, and toward the Five Cottages in about 60 feet of water.
2. Fluking out on Block Island appears to be slowing just a bit, with a considerable increase in the number of smaller fish taken recently. Twin Maples Tackle on the island reported small squid starting to show up in the harbor, a sign that a run of good fluke hot on the heels of the squid could be expected in the coming week.
3. Out in the Rhode Island area, the fluke fishing is still hot and staying hot. The greatest concentration of fluke, which is providing lots of keeper-sized fish, is off to the east of Point Judith according to Thom at Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle in North Kingstown. As has been the case right along, the best fishing and bigger fish are to be taken in deeper waters in the 40- to 60-foot range with squid and spearing. Colby at Breachway Tackle in Charlestown reported lots of 6- and 7-pounders being weighed in, with a couple in the 11-pound class as well. Mary at Maridee Bait & Tackle in Narragansett reported that the hot spots right now are off the east and center walls at Point Judith, and toward the Five Cottages in about 60 feet of water.
4. Fluking out on Block Island appears to be slowing just a bit, with a considerable increase in the number of smaller fish taken recently. Twin Maples Tackle on the island reported small squid starting to show up in the harbor, a sign that a run of good fluke hot on the heels of the squid could be expected in the coming week.
5. As it was for last week, it is for this week – bluefish are king! These toothy predators are just about everywhere, in the bays, along the shore, in the shallows, and in the depths. While many of the fish are in the 3- to 5-pound range, there are numerous fish being taken in the 10-pound range, with occasional bigger ones.
6. Colby at Breachway Tackle in Charlestown noted that many fisherman intent on catching other species are calling the blues a major “pain” in the gear! That said, lots of light-tackle enthusiasts and kids especially are having a bonanza in the breachways on snappers according to Mary at Maridee’s Bait & Tackle. The folks at Saltwater Edge in Newport reported good angling with fly rods and lighter gear from shore after dark, with lots of honest 10- to 12-pound blues being landed.
7. Out on Block Island, a greater number of bigger blues are being taken on both bait and hardware from boats in slightly deeper water off the beaches. This is not to say that blues can’t be had casting off the beaches, it’s just that larger fish are lurking just a bit farther offshore. School bass are abundant, and becoming more abundant in the shallow water areas while the bigger bass are pretty much to be had only after dark and/or in deeper waters. Of course, live eels after dark continue to be the top producer of slammer bass. Twin Maples Tackle on Block Island reported a 46-pounder caught on a live eel at night from the beach off the southwest point of the island.
8. The Saltwater Edge, just to buck the after-dark trend, is reporting great striper fishing just at dark in the Newport region with small surface plugs and flies or poppers. While the fish technically fall into the “school bass” category, many fish are actually keeper-sized. Apparently mullet have shown up in the area, drawing in larger fish that are feeding heavily just at and after dark.
9. Continuing the “not after dark only” trend, the fishing from shore from Black Rock to Dorys Cove on Block Island, early and late (and yes, into the dark) has been sizzling. Beach anglers tossing needlefish plugs are taking lots of very nice bass. Breachway Tackle and Maridee both reported that school bass are hitting well at both day and dusk, with a marked increased in surface action.
10. Bonito continue to be sporadic throughout Rhode Island Sound, with no reported concentrations of fish hanging around anywhere in particular. Saltwater Edge reported that the schools that had been frequenting the Newport and Westport areas have broken up for the time being, perhaps due to the high-pressure system that has settled over the area.
11. Twin Maples Tackle on Block Island reported several weakfish in the 9-pound range taken on the north end of the island. The weakfish were taken incidentally while targeting bluefish, but this is the first time in several years that this species has been reported as more than a “freak” catch in some out of the way spot. Good news, perhaps.:

Best Bets for Connecticut and Rhode Island

• With the preponderance of large bunker in the river mouths and shallows in the western end of Long Island Sound, big fish will be close and in reach of shore-bound anglers. Given we are supposed to see a bit of unsettled weather over the weekend, which ought to get the fish jazzed up for a feeding frenzy or two, I would bet on good fishing to good fish in that area from shore. It may be a bit busy, but it may be the ticket to some incredible fishin
• My second choice, given that everyone will be swarming about the western portion of Long Island Sound chasing large blues and stripers, would be to target fluke in some of the traditionally good spots like the 28C and 11B buoys, Green Ledge and Middle Ground. It may be a great weekend to target some hot fluke fishing while a majority of anglers are ignoring this species. If going west is too far, go east to deeper water around the walls at Point Judith and pick up on the excellent fluke fishing there.

Rivers End Tackle

1. STRIPED BASS- Theres been a slowdown in the big bass reports this week, I suspect thats because the bunker have been harder to find in the River. Clinton Harbor has a good load of bunker. The night bite in the Race and Plum Gut has also slowed. The excuse there is that the blues are too thick. There have been some larger bass taken on the night bite at Hatchetts and Bartletts. Schoolies have been on the surface at both Hatchetts and Bartletts.
2. BLUEFISH- This is the big weekend for bluefish hunters. Theres been a lot of medium sized blues at the Race and Plum Gut responding to diamond jigs and drifted bucktails. The larger blues we've heard of tend to be out of the schools and on the smaller reefs.
3. SNAPPER BLUES- Good reports are coming from the Causeway, DEP Piers, Blackhall River, North Cove and Lieutenant River.
4. FLUKE- Fewer reports from the River this week but don't give up on it. Theres plenty of small bait in the River and it might be time to fish shallower. Soundview has had a few more good reports this week in 30' of water. The bigger one are still in 80'plus. No good word from Montauk yet, mostly shorts.
5. PORGIES- Better reports this week from Hatchetts and Black Point.
6. Bonito- Not many reports this side of Watch Hill. They appear to be thinning with the best shots off Rhode Island.
7. BLUE CRABS- Better reports this week from North and South Coves. Also good at Oyster River, Lieutenant and Blackhall Rivers. Night spotting good behind Great Island.

Conn Post

1. Congratulations go out to the Milford Striped Bass Club for winning the Interclub Bluefish Tournament last weekend. The club's 15-fish limit, weighing 146.6 pounds — a mere four pounds more than second place Stratford Boat Owners Association — illustrates how well Long Island Sound's bluefish population is faring. Anglers can go out and catch several bluefish weighing seven to 10 pounds with little difficulty.
2. Since the tournament, some of the better bluefish action has been found in Greenwich Harbor, around the mainland points between Darien and Norwalk, off Manresa Island, Buoy 11B, in the trough between Penfield Lighthouse and Fayerweather Island, at the mouth of Bridgeport Harbor, in the Housatonic River between the Route 1 Bridge and Stratford Point and throughout New Haven Harbor, especially near Sandy Point, the Quinnipiac River mouth, Morris Cove and Lighthouse Point. Heather Volosin of Milford caught a nice 11.30 pound bluefish last week on a fresh bunker chunk.
3. Striped bass are also grabbing bluefish baits in the above areas, as well as at Bartlett Reef, Millstone Point, Black Point, Southwest Reef, the mouths of the Branford and Farm rivers, the rocks off Bradley Point, Pond Point, Milford Point, the shoals along the former Remington Gun Club, around Buoy 20, both the east and west ends of Seaside Park, Penfield Reef, Frost Point, Sheffield Island, Peach Island and Buoy 28C.
4. Chick Michaud of Milford weighed in a 26.16 pound striped bass last week at Stratford Bait & Tackle. Pat Gombos of Fairfield picked up a 29.80 pound striped bass off Georges Rock on a fresh bunker chunk. Al Rosenthal of Fairfield caught an 18.55 pound bass around the old Fairfield Dumping Ground.
5. While saltwater anglers are enjoying excellent bluefish and striped bass action, sweetwater casters are catching largemouth bass with relative ease. The bass have been falling for soft plastic worms, jerkbaits and live minnows. Field reports show good largemouth bass fishing in Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Moodus Reservoir, Lake Housatonic, Lake Saltonstall, Candlewood Lake, Powers Lake, Quonnipaug Lake, Lake Waramaug, Bantam Lake, the Bantam River, Bashan Lake, Highland Lake, Winchester Lake, Park Pond, West Hill Pond, Beseck Lake, Ball Pond, Messerschmidt Pond, Hop Brook Flood Control Impoundment and Long Meadow Pond.
6. Elsewhere in freshwater, northern pike reports are fair to good at Lake Lillinonah, Bantam Lake, Winchester Lake and Pachaug Pond. Walleye are consistently cooperating at Lake Saltonstall and Squantz Pond. Steve Dunn of Stratford tried his luck at the Saugatuck Reservoir, where he hooked a 4.70 pound walleye on a Krocodile Spoon. Crappie catches are very good from Silver Lake, Highland Lake, Dog Pond, Park Pond, Lake Zoar and Pachaug Pond.
7. Back on the Sound, fluke fishing is steadily improving. Large cut strip baits, whole squid and live snappers appear to be the ticket for catching big fluke at the mouth of the Mystic River, the lower Niantic River, the mouth of the Connecticut River, between the breakwaters in New Haven Harbor, at the mouth of the Housatonic River, in Bridgeport Harbor, around Penfield Lighthouse and off the eastern end of the Norwalk Island chain. Michael Fillipino of Fairfield took top fluke honors this week with a 14.25 pound fluke. The big fish was caught off Fayerweather Island and certified at Ted's Bait & Tackle. Fillipino's fluke was only four ounces shy of the state record. [FRANK MCKANE JR.]

On The Water

1. The fluke are biting well and getting bigger. Most of the hot action is taking place in deeper water at 40 to 60 feet, using a variety of baits on traditional fluke rigs. Thom at Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle in North Kingstown and Colby at Breachway Tackle in Charlestown both reported many keepers and quite a few BIG keepers as well. Mary at Maridee Bait & Tackle in Narragansett agrees that the fluking is great, but reiterated that there are many shorts to be caught and released in pursuit of a keeper.
2. Fluking out on Block Island is good, and at times, it’s fantastic. The problem is, according to the folks at Twin Maples Bait and Tackle, that the fluke are just not being very consistent. So one day the fishing is red hot, then maybe cooled down considerably the following day, then red hot again a day or so following. Lots of shorts out on Block Island too, and while it may be maddening at times the number of shorts being taken perhaps bodes well for next season.
3. If the fluke aren’t hitting, the bluefish certainly will be. All over the region bluefish are swarming in and chomping anything they deem edible, which is just about everything. Don’t be surprised to get hammered by blues while trying to get your bait down to the fluke, scup, stripers or other species you are targeting.
4. Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle and Maridee Bait & Tackle both reported a number of blues over the 10-pound mark being taken along the beaches and other nearshore areas. Mary at Maridee also reported lots of snapper blues tight along the coast, providing lots of sport for light-tackle enthusiasts. Breachway Tackle in Charlestown was the only shop to note that bluefish, while abundant, where not yet overrunning the salt ponds.
5. While the shoreline, breachways and river mouths may be stacked up with small blues in the 4- to 6-pound range, venturing offshore just a short distance will improve the chance of tagging a larger, more formidable blue. This is especially true out on Block Island, where the blues, especially larger ones, have been sporadic from shore but pretty consistent by boat according the folks at Twin Maples Bait & Tackle on Block Island.
6. Fishing for keeper stripers is still very a much a game to be played during the hours of darkness, particularly with live eels. The bass, however, are becoming more active on the twin shoulders of darkness – early and late in the day, and often at the surface. School bass are around during daylight hours, but all the shops are bemoaning the fact that it is often impossible to get to the bass through the horde of marauding bluefish.
7. The Saltwater Edge in Newport reported lots of school bass, and of course bluefish, along the coast from Narragansett to the Westport River area feeding heavily on small bait, particularly baby bunker. Silversides are also abundant, making flies and light-tackle spoons and minnow baits the “go to” fish catchers.
8. Out on Block Island striper fishing is pretty hot, particularly if you like the thrill of sight-fishing to stripers from shore with fly rod or light tackle. Twin Maples reports stripers up to 36 inches feeding on sand eels in the shallows just off the beach. Stripers on East Beach, Scotch Beach and Mansion Beach are all displaying this daytime feeding behavior. A prime spot to try your luck would be just north of the Town Beach. Patience, footwork and a good pair of polarized sunglasses will put you in touch with some exciting daytime fishing on Block Island. Be sure to have some sand eel imitations.
9. Bonito are beginning to show here and there, but not consistently in any given spot for any length of time. Quaker Lane reported a mixed bag of bonito, small bluefin tuna and skipjack tuna off Sakonnet Point that appeared early this past week. The Saltwater Edge also reported some small bonito, near 4 pounds, and an occasional bluefin tuna mixed in with bluefish in the Newport area. None of these fish are being consistent, so be prepared to use your gas card liberally if you want to hunt down these speedsters.
10. Weird catch of the week goes to Thom at Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle, who landed a large Atlantic torpedo ray. Fortunately he recognized the fish and didn’t touch it as this species is capable of discharging an electric current of up to 220 volts! If you want to get a “charge” out of fishing, there are probably more fun ways of doing so.
11. Along Watch Hill and the eastern end of Long Island Sound, similar trends emerge. The fluking is good, often great, and improving steadily. The good word is that the number of shorts relative to keepers seems to be improving. Shaffer’s Marina in Mystic, The Fish Connection in Preston, and Hillyer’s Bait & Tackle in Waterford all reported good to excellent fluking off the beaches in Rhode Island and on the south side of Fishers Island. Best action is in deeper waters, in the 40- to 60-foot range, on squid, worms and frozen bait like smelt.
12. Striper fishing is good and getting better at twilight and at dawn. The reefs off of Watch Hill are holding lots of fish, though they are particular about their feeding schedule. Jack at The Fish Connection recommends fishing about 2 hours into the tide, which is when the bass often feed actively on the surface. Cheryl at Shaffer’s Marina suggests trolling a tube-and-worm rig anywhere along the north side of Fishers Island, or using surface plugs on Latimer or Ram Island reefs in the early morning. Mark at Hillyer’s suggests trolling a tube-and-worm rig off Bartletts Reef, or using Hammer Jigs out in The Race.
13. Bluefish are everywhere. The smaller blues tend to be in the Sound itself, with larger ones off the Rhode Island south shore beaches. The bluefish action can be hot all day long, so be prepared to share your bait selections targeted to other species with the ever-present and ever-hungry blues.
14. The bonito are showing a bit more consistently down along the beaches in Rhode Island according to Jack at The Fish Connection, and occasionally off Race Point and Bartletts Reef. There are rumors, but no confirmation of bonito in the Mystic River area yet.
15. The scup fishing is good, with reports of big scup all over the region. Mark at Hillyer’s did note however, that while the individual scup seem to be larger, the overall schools of scup appear to be smaller. Mark suggested the spindle on Bartletts as a likely scup spot.
16. Hickory shad are still in the Mystic and Niantic rivers, but beginning to thin out some. Blackfishing is very slow, probably due to the warm water temperatures at the moment. Tuna are a regular item offshore on charters to the canyons, and Cheryl at Shaffer’s reported a 200-pound Mako landed by the Dodd brothers earlier in the week.
17. In the western end of Long Island Sound, fluke fishing is improving, with bigger fluke becoming more prevalent relative to shorts. Deeper water in the 40- to 50-foot range is where the fluke are holding. Nick at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk suggests trying the deeper water around the 28C and 11B buoys, or along any of the quick drop-offs in the area. Captain Morgan at Captain Morgan’s Bait & Tackle in Madison suggests south of Falkner Island and some of the deeper sections of the river mouths.
18. With increasing water temperatures in the western sound, striper fishing has slowed, particularly for the bigger fish, though they can still be had during the hours of darkness. Stratford Bait & Tackle reported lots of school bass in the mouth of the Housatonic River providing light-tackle and fly-rod action, while Captain Morgan reported lots school bass action, lasting throughout the daylight hours.
19. The big news for the western Sound is large bunker continuing to hold close to shore, bringing the possibility of big fish, particularly big bluefish, to the shore-bound angler. The folks at Stratford Bait & Tackle note that this is probably the first time in 6 or 7 years that they have seen such a convergence of big bunker and big bluefish in the area. This of course bodes well for anglers in the western Sound, who can look forward to excellent fishing prospects as the season progresses.
20. Bluefish are everywhere, with bigger blues chasing down the bigger bunker. While best prospects will be from a boat, with the big bait moving in close, shore-bound anglers casting from the beaches will have increased probability of success. There are several tournaments going on in the region, so the prospects for competitive bluefish landings are very good.
21. Scup fishing is good in the western Sound, with Charles Island and the Middle Ground being prime areas. Captain Morgan reports weakfish still in the area, but thinning out. There have been no reports of bonito in the western Sound.
22. Best Bets for Connecticut and Rhode Island
23. There is no question that the fluke fishing is hot and getting hotter. Grab your fluking gear and get out into 40 to 60 feet of water and catch a delicious feast for dinner! Best bets are off Rhode Island’s south shore beaches and off the south side of Fishers Island.
24. If you want some light-tackle adventure, particularly if you are a fly-rodder, grab a ferry or take your boat over to Block Island and patrol the beaches on foot. Sight-casting to stripers gorging on sand eels in the shallows will get the adrenaline pumping. Bring along light-tackle gear or a fly rod with plenty of sand eel imitations.
25. If you are in the mood for bigger bluefish, try the far western end of Long Island Sound in and around the Stratford-Housatonic River area. With the good concentrations of big bunker being close to shore, the opportunity to tag a large bluefish in that area has not been better. [By Alan Desbonnet
26. The fluke are biting well and getting bigger. Most of the hot action is taking place in deeper water at 40 to 60 feet, using a variety of baits on traditional fluke rigs. Thom at Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle in North Kingstown and Colby at Breachway Tackle in Charlestown both reported many keepers and quite a few BIG keepers as well. Mary at Maridee Bait & Tackle in Narragansett agrees that the fluking is great, but reiterated that there are many shorts to be caught and released in pursuit of a keeper.
27. Fluking out on Block Island is good, and at times, it’s fantastic. The problem is, according to the folks at Twin Maples Bait and Tackle, that the fluke are just not being very consistent. So one day the fishing is red hot, then maybe cooled down considerably the following day, then red hot again a day or so following. Lots of shorts out on Block Island too, and while it may be maddening at times the number of shorts being taken perhaps bodes well for next season.
28. If the fluke aren’t hitting, the bluefish certainly will be. All over the region bluefish are swarming in and chomping anything they deem edible, which is just about everything. Don’t be surprised to get hammered by blues while trying to get your bait down to the fluke, scup, stripers or other species you are targeting.
29. Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle and Maridee Bait & Tackle both reported a number of blues over the 10-pound mark being taken along the beaches and other nearshore areas. Mary at Maridee also reported lots of snapper blues tight along the coast, providing lots of sport for light-tackle enthusiasts. Breachway Tackle in Charlestown was the only shop to note that bluefish, while abundant, where not yet overrunning the salt ponds.
30. While the shoreline, breachways and river mouths may be stacked up with small blues in the 4- to 6-pound range, venturing offshore just a short distance will improve the chance of tagging a larger, more formidable blue. This is especially true out on Block Island, where the blues, especially larger ones, have been sporadic from shore but pretty consistent by boat according the folks at Twin Maples Bait & Tackle on Block Island.
31. Fishing for keeper stripers is still very a much a game to be played during the hours of darkness, particularly with live eels. The bass, however, are becoming more active on the twin shoulders of darkness – early and late in the day, and often at the surface. School bass are around during daylight hours, but all the shops are bemoaning the fact that it is often impossible to get to the bass through the horde of marauding bluefish.
32. The Saltwater Edge in Newport reported lots of school bass, and of course bluefish, along the coast from Narragansett to the Westport River area feeding heavily on small bait, particularly baby bunker. Silversides are also abundant, making flies and light-tackle spoons and minnow baits the “go to” fish catchers.
33. Out on Block Island striper fishing is pretty hot, particularly if you like the thrill of sight-fishing to stripers from shore with fly rod or light tackle. Twin Maples reports stripers up to 36 inches feeding on sand eels in the shallows just off the beach. Stripers on East Beach, Scotch Beach and Mansion Beach are all displaying this daytime feeding behavior. A prime spot to try your luck would be just north of the Town Beach. Patience, footwork and a good pair of polarized sunglasses will put you in touch with some exciting daytime fishing on Block Island. Be sure to have some sand eel imitations.
34. Bonito are beginning to show here and there, but not consistently in any given spot for any length of time. Quaker Lane reported a mixed bag of bonito, small bluefin tuna and skipjack tuna off Sakonnet Point that appeared early this past week. The Saltwater Edge also reported some small bonito, near 4 pounds, and an occasional bluefin tuna mixed in with bluefish in the Newport area. None of these fish are being consistent, so be prepared to use your gas card liberally if you want to hunt down these speedsters.
35. Weird catch of the week goes to Thom at Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle, who landed a large Atlantic torpedo ray. Fortunately he recognized the fish and didn’t touch it as this species is capable of discharging an electric current of up to 220 volts! If you want to get a “charge” out of fishing, there are probably more fun ways of doing so.
36. Along Watch Hill and the eastern end of Long Island Sound, similar trends emerge. The fluking is good, often great, and improving steadily. The good word is that the number of shorts relative to keepers seems to be improving. Shaffer’s Marina in Mystic, The Fish Connection in Preston, and Hillyer’s Bait & Tackle in Waterford all reported good to excellent fluking off the beaches in Rhode Island and on the south side of Fishers Island. Best action is in deeper waters, in the 40- to 60-foot range, on squid, worms and frozen bait like smelt.
37. Striper fishing is good and getting better at twilight and at dawn. The reefs off of Watch Hill are holding lots of fish, though they are particular about their feeding schedule. Jack at The Fish Connection recommends fishing about 2 hours into the tide, which is when the bass often feed actively on the surface. Cheryl at Shaffer’s Marina suggests trolling a tube-and-worm rig anywhere along the north side of Fishers Island, or using surface plugs on Latimer or Ram Island reefs in the early morning. Mark at Hillyer’s suggests trolling a tube-and-worm rig off Bartletts Reef, or using Hammer Jigs out in The Race.
38. Bluefish are everywhere. The smaller blues tend to be in the Sound itself, with larger ones off the Rhode Island south shore beaches. The bluefish action can be hot all day long, so be prepared to share your bait selections targeted to other species with the ever-present and ever-hungry blues.
39. The bonito are showing a bit more consistently down along the beaches in Rhode Island according to Jack at The Fish Connection, and occasionally off Race Point and Bartletts Reef. There are rumors, but no confirmation of bonito in the Mystic River area yet.
40. The scup fishing is good, with reports of big scup all over the region. Mark at Hillyer’s did note however, that while the individual scup seem to be larger, the overall schools of scup appear to be smaller. Mark suggested the spindle on Bartletts as a likely scup spot.
41. Hickory shad are still in the Mystic and Niantic rivers, but beginning to thin out some. Blackfishing is very slow, probably due to the warm water temperatures at the moment. Tuna are a regular item offshore on charters to the canyons, and Cheryl at Shaffer’s reported a 200-pound Mako landed by the Dodd brothers earlier in the week.
42. In the western end of Long Island Sound, fluke fishing is improving, with bigger fluke becoming more prevalent relative to shorts. Deeper water in the 40- to 50-foot range is where the fluke are holding. Nick at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk suggests trying the deeper water around the 28C and 11B buoys, or along any of the quick drop-offs in the area. Captain Morgan at Captain Morgan’s Bait & Tackle in Madison suggests south of Falkner Island and some of the deeper sections of the river mouths.
43. With increasing water temperatures in the western sound, striper fishing has slowed, particularly for the bigger fish, though they can still be had during the hours of darkness. Stratford Bait & Tackle reported lots of school bass in the mouth of the Housatonic River providing light-tackle and fly-rod action, while Captain Morgan reported lots school bass action, lasting throughout the daylight hours.
44. The big news for the western Sound is large bunker continuing to hold close to shore, bringing the possibility of big fish, particularly big bluefish, to the shore-bound angler. The folks at Stratford Bait & Tackle note that this is probably the first time in 6 or 7 years that they have seen such a convergence of big bunker and big bluefish in the area. This of course bodes well for anglers in the western Sound, who can look forward to excellent fishing prospects as the season progresses.
45. Bluefish are everywhere, with bigger blues chasing down the bigger bunker. While best prospects will be from a boat, with the big bait moving in close, shore-bound anglers casting from the beaches will have increased probability of success. There are several tournaments going on in the region, so the prospects for competitive bluefish landings are very good.
46. Scup fishing is good in the western Sound, with Charles Island and the Middle Ground being prime areas. Captain Morgan reports weakfish still in the area, but thinning out. There have been no reports of bonito in the western Sound.

Best Bets for Connecticut and Rhode Island

There is no question that the fluke fishing is hot and getting hotter. Grab your fluking gear and get out into 40 to 60 feet of water and catch a delicious feast for dinner! Best bets are off Rhode Island’s south shore beaches and off the south side of Fishers Island.
If you want some light-tackle adventure, particularly if you are a fly-rodder, grab a ferry or take your boat over to Block Island and patrol the beaches on foot. Sight-casting to stripers gorging on sand eels in the shallows will get the adrenaline pumping. Bring along light-tackle gear or a fly rod with plenty of sand eel imitations.
If you are in the mood for bigger bluefish, try the far western end of Long Island Sound in and around the Stratford-Housatonic River area. With the good concentrations of big bunker being close to shore, the opportunity to tag a large bluefish in that area has not been better. [By Alan Desbonnet]

Rivers End Tackle

1. STRIPED BASS- The bunker have been spreading out from their concentration at the mouth of the Connecticut River. There have been some in Clinton Harbor, Lots in Branford, some spread out in the Connecticut River and there was a school in the Race yesterday. Hickory Shad are still hanging out near the mouth of the River. Daytime fishing for large bass has slowed and is dependent on live or fresh dead baits.The night bite is still good at Bartletts, Plum Gut and some bass at Pigeon Rip daytimes. Schoolies have been on the surface in the evening at Race Rock feeding on some sort of crustacean. They seem to hit lures as the sun fades.
2. BLUEFISH- The Race and Plum Gut and Pigeon Rip are loaded with small to medium sized choppers. Diamond jigs are the best bets there. Southwest Reef has blues a bit larger. Theres also a good bite on chunks at the mouth of the River and Long Sand Shoal.
3. SNAPPER BLUES- Theres a good run on this year. Good reports are coming from the Causeway, DEP Piers, Blackhall River and Lieutenant River.
4. FLUKE- The numbers are thinning out but the sizes are increasing. Theres a fair bite at Long Sand Shoal, a better bite in the River and similar off Soundview. The biggest sizes are coming from the depths off Hatchetts to Bartletts , 80 feet or greater.
5. PORGIES- Fair reports coming from Hatchetts and Bartletts. Some good catches coming from Race Rock.
6. Bonito- Fewer reports this week with activity centered around Watch Hill and Fishers Island.
7. BLUE CRABS- Same as last week. Best catches are coming from the coves behind Great Island. Some decent catches also coming from Oyster River and South Cove.