INLAND REPORT
LARGEMOUTH BASS
– With summer struggling to begin, bass fishing is variable. Good reports from Candlewood Lake, Rogers Lake, Upper Moodus Reservoir (a 7 lb plus largemouth among the catches), Fitchville Pond, Mashapaug Lake, Quonnipaug Lake, Mudge Pond, Hatch Pond, Lake Wononskopomuc, Lake Saltonstall, Bolton Lakes, North Farms Reservoir, Tyler Lake and Dog Pond. Fishing is fair at Amos Lake, East Twin Lake, Lake Lillinonah, Highland Lake, Lake Zoar, Pachaug Pond, Powers Lake and Glasgo Pond, and anglers are really having to work for their catches at Beach Pond, Aspinook Pond, Pattagansett Lake, and Mansfield Hollow Reservoir.
SMALLMOUTH BASS
is generally fair to good, with reports from Rainbow Reservoir, Candlewood Lake (including a number of 3-4 lb fish), Coventry Lake, Mashapaug Lake, Gardner Lake, Bashan Lake and Colebrook Reservoir (recent catches here include a 4.5 lb smallie).
NORTHERN PIKE
– A number of catches reported from Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Quaddick Reservoir (28" and 33" pike), Winchester Lake and Pachaug Pond.
KOKANEE SALMON
are being caught at West Hill Pond and East Twin Lake (fish to 14").
WALLEYE
catches reported from Coventry Lake (good action, with 3 keepers up to 22"), Lake Saltonstall, Mashapaug Lake, Squantz Pond and Saugatuck Reservoir.
CALICO BASS (black crappie)
– Good action reported from Coventry Lake (17" beauty among the catches), Silver Lake (Berlin), Highland Lake, Park Pond and Dog Pond.
TROUT
Rivers & streams
- With relatively cool temperatures, ample flows, and good weather forecast, the upcoming 4th of July weekend is shaping up to be very good for trout fishing. Anglers are reminded that although water levels in most streams throughout the state have declined to very fishable levels (from the highs of two weeks ago), flows may again be very high in some areas due to localized downpours. At this time of the year bait fisherman are finding corn/mealworm combination to be very productive. Expect rainbows to be in the faster water. Recent good reports include the West Branch Farmington River (Goodwin Dam to Riverton), Farmington River (Unionville section - recently stocked), Housatonic River, Mianus River TMA, Hammonasset River, Latimer Brook, Furnace Brook, Macedonia Brook and Guinea Brook.
Farmington River -
Flows continue to clear, and are quite fishable but on the high side, currently 440 cfs at Riverton, with the Still River adding an additional 200 cfs. Current hatches/patterns include Isonychia (#10-12, evening), Blue Wing Olives (Drunella sps., #18-26, mid-late afternoon), Sulphurs duns, (Ephemerella dorothea, #16-20, afternoon to early evening for spinners), Caddis (tan #14-18, all day; green #22-26, evening), Midges (#22-28, morning), and Pale Evening Duns (Epeorus vitreus #14-16, afternoon & early evenings). Try bottom-bouncing nymphs in the riffles.
Housatonic River – Fishing conditions should continue to improve for the weekend. Flows are clearing and dropping to more fishable levels, currently 1,500 cfs at Falls Village and 2,300 cfs at Gaylordsville. Morning water temperatures are in the mid 60’s °F. Hatches/patterns include Alder/Zebra Caddis (Macrostemum zebratum, #10-12, afternoon-evening near overhangs), Green/Brown Drakes (#8-12), Sulphurs (#14-18, evening), Blue Wing Olive (#18-20, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Isonychia (#8-10 evening), Light Cahill (#12-14, evening), and Tan & green caddis (#14-20, early
morning & evening). Look for midges and stoneflies are at the stream mouths. Streamers (morning & evening) are catching some large fish.
Anglers are reminded that the thermal refuge areas on the Housatonic, Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers are now closed to fishing and will reopen on September 1
. There is no fishing within 100 feet of the mouths of posted tributaries to these rivers.
Lakes & Ponds
–
Early summer trout fishing is generally fair to good with reports from Mashapaug Lake (20 fish day for one angler), East Twin Lake (browns to 24", target 30-40 ft), Highland Lake (target 20-25 ft), Crystal Lake (Ellington, target 22-24 ft), Candlewood (23", 6 lb brown among the catches, target 20 ft), Saugatuck Reservoir, Coventry Lake, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Wononscopomuc Lake, Mohawk Pond, Mt. Tom Pond, West Hill Pond, Long Pond and Beach Pond.
CONNECTICUT RIVER –
Some small STRIPED BASS are still in the lower river. Fish are being caught on sand worms, and using chunk bait. The main effort is at the mouth of the river where anglers are using plastics & poppers for bigger fish. Some BLUEFISH are in the mouth of the river. Scattered PANFISH catches are in the stretch from Haddam to Middletown, and some WHITE PERCH are still being taken down in the lower river, as well as HICKORY SHAD. NORTHERN PIKE fishing is good, with a number of catches reported, especially in the Haddam Meadows area. Good action for SMALLMOUTH BASS in the upper river near the mouth of the Farmington River. LARGEMOUTH BASS fish is fair at best. CATFISH are consistently being taken on frozen herring and cut/chunk bait (overcast days & nights best, try on the outside of river bends).
NOTICES:
Effective immediately, the BANTAM LAKE BOAT LAUNCH is closed to the public.
The DEP had maintained and operated this boat launch located on town-owned property in Morris for many years. The current lease for the property had expired and to date, despite our best efforts, DEP has been unable to meet the town’s terms to secure a new lease. As a result of a town vote on Friday, June 26, the boat launch was closed to non-residents. Therefore, the DEP will no longer continue to operate the boat launch; and the town has taken over operation and maintenance of the property.
Anglers and other boaters are advised that portions of QUADDICK LAKE are being treated with herbicides on Thursday, July 2nd. Access to the lake (including to the state launch) is not affected, but treatment areas should be avoided during the actual application. Maps of the treatment areas have been posted at launches.
Access to HIGHLAND LAKE will be restricted on Thursday, July 9th to facilitate an herbicide application targeting invasive plants. The state boat launch at Highland Lake will be closed all day on July 9th starting from midnight.
TIPS & TRICKS
KOKANEE SALMON
prefer water temperatures of 50°F or colder. If an entire lake is warmer than 50°F, they will be found close to the bottom or near underwater springs where the coolest water is available. Trolled spoons, spinners or small plugs should be tipped with a small piece of worm, maggot, grub, salmon egg, or white or yellow corn kernel.
TROLLING
is a very productive method for catching kokanee. In the spring and fall when the fish are nearer the surface, flat lines & small flashers are often used. In summer when they head for deeper water, leaded lines or down riggers are used to reach the right temperature zone. Troll at a very slow speed. Some anglers vary their speed by working an "S" pattern. Sharp hooks are a must.
STILL FISHING
with a corn/grub combination at night can be very effective for catching kokanee. Fish take ups will be very subtle and a quick strike is needed.
LARGEMOUTH BASS
– With summer struggling to begin, bass fishing is variable. Good reports from Candlewood Lake, Rogers Lake, Upper Moodus Reservoir (a 7 lb plus largemouth among the catches), Fitchville Pond, Mashapaug Lake, Quonnipaug Lake, Mudge Pond, Hatch Pond, Lake Wononskopomuc, Lake Saltonstall, Bolton Lakes, North Farms Reservoir, Tyler Lake and Dog Pond. Fishing is fair at Amos Lake, East Twin Lake, Lake Lillinonah, Highland Lake, Lake Zoar, Pachaug Pond, Powers Lake and Glasgo Pond, and anglers are really having to work for their catches at Beach Pond, Aspinook Pond, Pattagansett Lake, and Mansfield Hollow Reservoir.
SMALLMOUTH BASS
is generally fair to good, with reports from Rainbow Reservoir, Candlewood Lake (including a number of 3-4 lb fish), Coventry Lake, Mashapaug Lake, Gardner Lake, Bashan Lake and Colebrook Reservoir (recent catches here include a 4.5 lb smallie).
NORTHERN PIKE
– A number of catches reported from Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Quaddick Reservoir (28" and 33" pike), Winchester Lake and Pachaug Pond.
KOKANEE SALMON
are being caught at West Hill Pond and East Twin Lake (fish to 14").
WALLEYE
catches reported from Coventry Lake (good action, with 3 keepers up to 22"), Lake Saltonstall, Mashapaug Lake, Squantz Pond and Saugatuck Reservoir.
CALICO BASS (black crappie)
– Good action reported from Coventry Lake (17" beauty among the catches), Silver Lake (Berlin), Highland Lake, Park Pond and Dog Pond.
TROUT
Rivers & streams
- With relatively cool temperatures, ample flows, and good weather forecast, the upcoming 4th of July weekend is shaping up to be very good for trout fishing. Anglers are reminded that although water levels in most streams throughout the state have declined to very fishable levels (from the highs of two weeks ago), flows may again be very high in some areas due to localized downpours. At this time of the year bait fisherman are finding corn/mealworm combination to be very productive. Expect rainbows to be in the faster water. Recent good reports include the West Branch Farmington River (Goodwin Dam to Riverton), Farmington River (Unionville section - recently stocked), Housatonic River, Mianus River TMA, Hammonasset River, Latimer Brook, Furnace Brook, Macedonia Brook and Guinea Brook.
Farmington River -
Flows continue to clear, and are quite fishable but on the high side, currently 440 cfs at Riverton, with the Still River adding an additional 200 cfs. Current hatches/patterns include Isonychia (#10-12, evening), Blue Wing Olives (Drunella sps., #18-26, mid-late afternoon), Sulphurs duns, (Ephemerella dorothea, #16-20, afternoon to early evening for spinners), Caddis (tan #14-18, all day; green #22-26, evening), Midges (#22-28, morning), and Pale Evening Duns (Epeorus vitreus #14-16, afternoon & early evenings). Try bottom-bouncing nymphs in the riffles.
Housatonic River – Fishing conditions should continue to improve for the weekend. Flows are clearing and dropping to more fishable levels, currently 1,500 cfs at Falls Village and 2,300 cfs at Gaylordsville. Morning water temperatures are in the mid 60’s °F. Hatches/patterns include Alder/Zebra Caddis (Macrostemum zebratum, #10-12, afternoon-evening near overhangs), Green/Brown Drakes (#8-12), Sulphurs (#14-18, evening), Blue Wing Olive (#18-20, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Isonychia (#8-10 evening), Light Cahill (#12-14, evening), and Tan & green caddis (#14-20, early
morning & evening). Look for midges and stoneflies are at the stream mouths. Streamers (morning & evening) are catching some large fish.
Anglers are reminded that the thermal refuge areas on the Housatonic, Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers are now closed to fishing and will reopen on September 1
. There is no fishing within 100 feet of the mouths of posted tributaries to these rivers.
Lakes & Ponds
–
Early summer trout fishing is generally fair to good with reports from Mashapaug Lake (20 fish day for one angler), East Twin Lake (browns to 24", target 30-40 ft), Highland Lake (target 20-25 ft), Crystal Lake (Ellington, target 22-24 ft), Candlewood (23", 6 lb brown among the catches, target 20 ft), Saugatuck Reservoir, Coventry Lake, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Wononscopomuc Lake, Mohawk Pond, Mt. Tom Pond, West Hill Pond, Long Pond and Beach Pond.
CONNECTICUT RIVER –
Some small STRIPED BASS are still in the lower river. Fish are being caught on sand worms, and using chunk bait. The main effort is at the mouth of the river where anglers are using plastics & poppers for bigger fish. Some BLUEFISH are in the mouth of the river. Scattered PANFISH catches are in the stretch from Haddam to Middletown, and some WHITE PERCH are still being taken down in the lower river, as well as HICKORY SHAD. NORTHERN PIKE fishing is good, with a number of catches reported, especially in the Haddam Meadows area. Good action for SMALLMOUTH BASS in the upper river near the mouth of the Farmington River. LARGEMOUTH BASS fish is fair at best. CATFISH are consistently being taken on frozen herring and cut/chunk bait (overcast days & nights best, try on the outside of river bends).
NOTICES:
Effective immediately, the BANTAM LAKE BOAT LAUNCH is closed to the public.
The DEP had maintained and operated this boat launch located on town-owned property in Morris for many years. The current lease for the property had expired and to date, despite our best efforts, DEP has been unable to meet the town’s terms to secure a new lease. As a result of a town vote on Friday, June 26, the boat launch was closed to non-residents. Therefore, the DEP will no longer continue to operate the boat launch; and the town has taken over operation and maintenance of the property.
Anglers and other boaters are advised that portions of QUADDICK LAKE are being treated with herbicides on Thursday, July 2nd. Access to the lake (including to the state launch) is not affected, but treatment areas should be avoided during the actual application. Maps of the treatment areas have been posted at launches.
Access to HIGHLAND LAKE will be restricted on Thursday, July 9th to facilitate an herbicide application targeting invasive plants. The state boat launch at Highland Lake will be closed all day on July 9th starting from midnight.
TIPS & TRICKS
KOKANEE SALMON
prefer water temperatures of 50°F or colder. If an entire lake is warmer than 50°F, they will be found close to the bottom or near underwater springs where the coolest water is available. Trolled spoons, spinners or small plugs should be tipped with a small piece of worm, maggot, grub, salmon egg, or white or yellow corn kernel.
TROLLING
is a very productive method for catching kokanee. In the spring and fall when the fish are nearer the surface, flat lines & small flashers are often used. In summer when they head for deeper water, leaded lines or down riggers are used to reach the right temperature zone. Troll at a very slow speed. Some anglers vary their speed by working an "S" pattern. Sharp hooks are a must.
STILL FISHING
with a corn/grub combination at night can be very effective for catching kokanee. Fish take ups will be very subtle and a quick strike is needed.