CT DEP Weekly Fishing Report 9/19/05

1. INLAND REPORT: LARGEMOUTH BASS and SMALLMOUTH BASS fishing has improved, reported as generally fair to good throughout the state with reports for largemouth from Lake Lillinonah, Lake Zoar (several 3-4 lb bass), Upper Moodus Reservoir, Candlewood (catches include a 5-lb fish), Bantam (12 bass for one angler), Congamond, East Twin, Highland (5.6 lb bass), Beach (7.25 lbs bass), Pachaug Pond and Mudge Pond (25 fish, largest a 4.9 lb). Smallmouth reports from the Housatonic River (very good), Shetucket River (good), Lake Lillinonah (fair), Lake Zoar (good action for smaller fish), Squantz Pond (fair), Candlewood Lake (much improved over the past several weeks, at least 4 smallies over 4 lbs reported), Lake Waramaug (20" smallie) and Gardner lake (mixed results).
2. NORTHERN PIKE action reported from Bantam Lake, Winchester Lake, Hopeville Pond, Pachaug Pond and Lake Lillinonah.
3. Good reports for YELLOW PERCH from Candlewood Lake, Gardner Lake, Squantz Pond (plenty of catches, no bigger perch) and Crescent Pond.
4. WALLEYE fishing has improved dramatically at Lake Saltonstall (5 fish over 23", best is 25.7", 6.75 lb walleye) and Squantz Pond (14 fish all over 22" including a 30", 9.4 lb beauty), also some walleye showing up in catches at Coventry Lake and Batterson Park Pond. Anglers can expect Saugatuck Reservoir fish to be found in the shallower, near shore areas as water temperatures drop.
5. TROUT: SPECIAL NOTE: DEP EXPECTS TO BEGIN ITS FALL STOCKING PROGRAM NEXT WEEK. Approximately 45,000 rainbow trout are currently scheduled to be stocked into 25 lakes and ponds, 10 Trout Parks and 20 rivers and streams. Trout Parks and lakes and ponds will be stocked first due to low flows in many of the rivers and streams typically stocked in the fall. Should flows not improve, trout scheduled to be stocked in rivers and streams with marginal flows may instead be stocked into more suitable waters (lakes, ponds).
6. LAKES & PONDS – Excellent trout fishing reported for those targeting morning and evening activity. Success is reported from East Twin Lake (25 fish from 11 pm to 5 am for one angler), Highland Lake (13 fish from 4 pm to dark on corn), Crystal Lake in Ellington (trolling at 4 colors of lead line), Beach Pond and West Hill Pond (corn/worm combination in the evening).
7. FARMINGTON RIVER. Trout fishing has been good on the Farmington River (mornings & evenings best). Morning West Branch water temperatures are in the mid 50's °F below Hogback, increasing to the mid 60’s °F as you go downstream to the TMA. West Branch flows continue to be clear and low (about 85 cfs from Hogback and an additional 20 cfs from the Still River). Lake McDonough is currently releasing approximately 200 cfs into the East Branch. It is expected that this additional flow into the mainstem Farmington will continue through at least Friday (9/23). Current hatches continue to include Isonychia (#12-14, fast water, evening), tiny Rusty Spinners (#22-26), Blue Wing Olives (#18-26, mornings and evenings), Caddis (tan #18-20, all day), Midges (#22-32, morning), Black Ants (#14-20, mid day in fast water), Black Beetles (#16-18, mid day), Flying Ants (#18-22, mornings and mid day, when windy/humid), Stenonema (#18-22, evenings) and Stone Hopper (#8-12, mid day).
8. HOUSATONIC RIVER- Morning water temperatures in the TMA are in the mid 60’s °F. Flows remain clear and low, about 120 cfs at Falls Village and about 170 cfs at Gaylordsville. In these low flow conditions, light line and leaders should work best. Current patterns include flying ants (#18-22, mid-day, when windy/humid, September is peek month), Blue Wing Olive (#18-22, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Isonychia (#12-14 evening, September is again 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).
9. Connecticut River – NORTHERN PIKE fishing remains good in the coves and mainstem (one angler got 4 fish up to 28" from Rocky Hill to Haddam). LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing remains fair (best in lower river coves). Fair to good reports for SMALLMOUTH BASS north of Hartford (Enfield/Windsor Locks area). Angling for CATFISH is fair in the Hartford area (6 lb cat among the catches.). Excellent BLUEFISH and STRIPED BASS action was reported by anglers who did very well from I-95 bridge to the mouth of the river.
10. MARINE REPORT: The surface water temperature in Long Island Sound (LIS) remains in the high 60’s to low 70’s °F.
11. STRIPED BASS fishing is fair to good on the major reefs and rip areas. 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. Fishing spots include the Watch Hill reefs, Ram Island Reef, the Race, 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.
12. Schools of BLUEFISH can be seen chasing peanut bunker in many of the harbors and river mouths. SNAPPER BLUEFISH fishing remains good along the coastline.
13. SUMMER FLOUNDER (FLUKE) fishing is fair.
14. SCUP (PORGIES) fishing is good at any of the major reefs with some jumbos being caught (17+ inches).
15. Niantic River and Clinton Harbor are the hot spots for HICKORY SHAD.
16. Reports of BLUEFIN TUNA in the Race area are still being reported.
17. BLUE CRABBING is improving daily.