CT DEP 9/5/05 - Weekly Fishing Report

1. INLAND REPORT :LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is reported good in many lakes and ponds including Lake Lillinonah , Rogers, Powers, East Twin, Candlewood, Mamanasco, Amos (good numbers of bass in the 2-3 lb range), Wonoscopomuc, Congamond, Chamberlain, Maltby, Crystal, Powers, Winnemaug, Highland and Winchester Lakes, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, North Farms Reservoir, Breakneck Pond and Squantz Pond. Mixed reports for Lake Zoar.
2. SMALLMOUTH BASS action reported from Lake Lillinonah, Colebrook Reservoir, Powers Lake, Highland Lake, Candlewood Lake (fair), Squantz Pond, and the Housatonic River (continues to be excellent, try streamers and big flies).
3. Good reports for NORTHERN PIKE at Bantam Lake, Lake Zoar, Winchester Lake (some up to 24", reminder that the minimum length is 26”), Pachaug Pond and Hopeville Pond.
4. Some nice WALLEYE catches at Coventry Lake, Saugatuck Reservoir (including a 6.1 lb, 25.5" walleye) and Squantz Pond (a 27.5” walleye among the catches).
5. Anglers willing to go the “extra mile” may find some fair to good BLACK CRAPPIE (calico bass) fishing at Breakneck Pond.
6. SUNFISH are providing good late-summer fishing throughout the state, reports include Halls, Crescent, Dog and Hatch Ponds, Mamanasco Lake and Billings Lake.
7. TROUT:Rivers & streams - Temperatures have moderated and fishing should improve. Although this summer was hard on trout, anglers may find some trout in most streams that typically provide good early September fishing. Wild trout in high quality streams generally fared the best, although care should be taken when handing these fish, as they are still recovering from the stressful summer. Low flows in a number of the state’s streams also will continue to challenge trout anglers. Light line and leaders should work best for anglers in these conditions. Wild trout in high quality streams generally fared the best, although care should be taken when handing these fish, as they are still recovering from a stressful summer. Low flows in a number of the state’s streams also will continue to challenge trout anglers. Light line and leaders should work best for anglers in these conditions.
8. Trout fishing remains very good on the Farmington River. Flows remain clear and low (only about 105 cfs below the confluence with the Still River). Morning West Branch water temperatures are in the upper 50's °F below Hogback, increasing to the upper 60’s °F as you go downstream to the TMA. The continued presence of the Trico (#22-26, early morning) is offering anglers a challenge (spotty distribution). Other patterns to try include Isonychia (#10-12, fast water, evening), tiny Rusty Spinners (#22-26), Blue Wing Olives (#22-26, mid-late afternoon), Caddis (tan #18-20, all day; green #22-26, evening; summer pupa #18-20 morning), Midges (#22-32, morning), Black Ants (#14-20, mid day in fast water), Black Beetles (#16-18, mid day), Flying Ants (#18-22, mid day, when windy/humid), Stone Hopper (#8-12, mid day) and Golden Drake (Potomanthus, #10-14, late evening).
9. Housatonic River Trout fishing has improved with the cooler temperatures (morning water temperature is 66°F in the TMA). Flows are clear but continue to be low, about 130 cfs at Falls Village. Insect hatches include Flying Ants (#18-22, mid-day, when windy/humid, September is peek month), Fall Sulfurs (#18), Blue Wing Olive (#18-22, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Isonychia (#12-14 evening, September is peek month), Rusty Spinner (#10-24), Cahill/Stenonema (#12-16, evening), and Black caddis (#16-18, early morning & evening). Try Black/Cinnamon Ants (#18-22, mid day in fast water), Black Beetles (#14-18, mid day), Stone Hopper (#8-10, mid day). Streamer patterns to try include White Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, and Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10).
10. Lakes & Ponds – Good trout fishing reported from Squantz Pond, East Twin (24 trout for one angler; try from 8 pm-7 am) Lake, Highland Lake and Beach Pond.
11. Connecticut River – STRIPED BASS action is slow in the lower river. NORTHERN PIKE fishing has been good in the mainstem downstream from Hartford to Haddam Meadows. LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is fair to good (best in lower river coves). CATFISH are providing great late summer action on cut bait (chunking) in the deeper holes of the river. Some BLACK CRAPPIE action reported (try small shiners in back coves).
12. MARINE REPORT:The surface water temperature in Long Island Sound (LIS) remains in the high 60’s to low 70’s °F.
13. STRIPED BASS fishing is fair to good on the major reefs and rip areas. Again, the tube and worm combination and live lining scup, menhaden, hickory shad or eels, cut chunk bait on three way bottom rigs, and diamond jigs have been productive. The “Race” has been the most consistent area for stripers and BLUEFISH. Other spots include the Watch Hill reefs, Ram Island Reef, Plum Gut, Thames River, Millstone Point, Bartlett Reef, Black Point, the humps south of Hatchett Reef, Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, the reefs off Madison and Branford, New Haven Harbor, Milford Harbor breakwaters to Charles Island, Penfield Reef, and around the Norwalk Islands. Bluefish schools can be seen chasing peanut bunker in many of the harbors and river mouths.
14. SNAPPER BLUEFISH fishing remains good along the coastline.
15. SUMMER FLOUNDER (FLUKE) fishing is just fair for doormats. A lot of throwbacks are being reported especially in the rivers.
16. TAUTOG (blackfish) fishing is also fair.
17. SCUP (porgies) fishing is good at any of the major reefs with some jumbos being caught in Fishers Island Sound.
18. Niantic River and Clinton Harbor are the hot spots for hickory shad.
19. Reports of BLUEFIN TUNA in the Race area are still being reported as anglers using diamond jigs intended for bluefish occasionally hookup on one of these speedy torpedoes.
20. BLUE CRABBING is good and should steadily improve. Tidal creeks from Branford and to the east are producing good catches of “blue claws” after a dismal start this year.