Fishing Report Number 2: 4/30/2009
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INLAND REPORT
TROUT
Rivers & streams - Anglers will find that the fishing is very good to excellent. The warm weather of this past week has jump started some of the insect hatches. Flows are quite comfortable for fishing, although generally a bit lower than typical for late April/early May. Good reports last week from the West Branch Farmington and Farmington Rivers (including a 7 lb rainbow), Housatonic River (many 20”+ trout reported), Natchaug River (rainbow), Saugatuck River (20.5” brown), Naugatuck River, Muddy River, Coginchaug River, Mill River, Pomperaug River, Pootatuck River, Salmon River, Willimantic River TMA, Norwalk River & Roaring Brook.
Farmington River - Water temperatures are in the upper 40’s to low 50’s °F. Flows remain clear and quite fishable, currently 160 cfs at Riverton plus an additional 100 cfs from the Still River. Successful hatches/patterns include Winter/Summer Caddis (#16-20, early morning, minor hatch), Blue Wing Olive (#16-18, late morning-early afternoon), Blue Quills (#16-20, early afternoon), Midges (#22-2
, Golden Stonefly nymphs (#6-12) and Quill Gordons (#16-18, early/mid afternoon). Hendricksons (#12-14, early afternoon) are in full hatch on the Farmington River now! Spinner fall occurs around 6:30 pm.
Housatonic River - The river has warmed considerably, with water temperatures now in the upper 50’s/low 60’s °F. Flows remain clear and fishable (and lower than typical spring levels), currently 725 cfs at Falls Village and 1,100 cfs at Gaylordsville. Rusty spinners (#12), midges, Blue Quills, early caddis (#14-16) & golden stoneflies (#4- are among the current hatches. The Hendrickson (#12-14) hatch is going great! Streamers (white/yellow) and nymphs are producing some large fish along the edges of the water.
Anglers Can Expect Good Fishing in western CT on the West Branch Farmington River, Farmington River (including the TMA), Hop Brook, Kettletown Brook, Little River (Oxford), Macedonia Brook, Mianus River (including the TMA), Mill River (including the TMA), Nonewaug River, Norwalk River, Pequabuck River (Rockwell Park area), Saugatuck River (including the TMA) West Branch Saugatuck River and Weekeepeemee River. In Eastern CT, good fishing can be expected at the Blackledge River, Broad Brook (Preston), Choate Brook, Crystal Lake Brook, Dickenson Creek, Five Mile River, Green Falls River, Hockanum River (above TMA), Kitt Brook, Little River (Canterbury), Moosup River, Mount Misery Brook, Myron Kinnie Brook, Natchaug River, Pachaug River, Pattaconk Brook, Quinebaug River, Roaring Brook (Glastonbury), Salmon River (including the TMA), upper Scantic River, Shunock Brook, Tankerhoosen River and Yantic River (including the TMA).
Lakes & Ponds – Good fishing was found in many lakes/ponds throughout Connecticut. Try trolling at 3 colors of lead line (12-15’). Areas to try include Crystal Lake (Ellington; 26”, 7 lb brown), Coventry Lake, Mashapaug Lake, West Hill Pond (look for fish at 15’), Highland Lake, Beardsley Park Pond, Quonnipaug Lake and Lake Wononskopomuc.
Anglers can expect good fishing at Amos Lake, Angus Park Pond, Bicentennial Pond, Bigelow Pond, Black Pond (Middlefield), Broad Brook Mill Pond, Cedar Lake, Crystal Lake (Ellington), Gay City Park Pond, Green Falls Reservoir, Hanover Reservoir, Hewitt Fly Pond, Higganum Reservoir, Long Pond, Mashapaug Lake, Quonnipaug Lake, Pattaconk Lake, Walkers Reservoir, Bashan Lake, Gardner Lake and Wyassup Lake in eastern CT, and at Fountain Lake, Keney Park Pond, Lake Wintergreen, and Scoville Reservoir in western CT.
Trout Parks - These areas are designed to be easy to fish, with excellent access and amenities such as picnic areas nearby, and are stocked frequently. The Day Pond, Mohegan Park Pond, Valley Falls Park Pond, Natchaug River, Southford Falls, Wharton Brook, Black Rock Pond, Stratton Brook Park , and Kent Falls Trout Parks were all stocked again this week.
ATLANTIC SALMON catches reported from Mashapaug Lake (a 25” salmon) and Beach Pond (some 2-3 lb fish being caught).
KOKANEE SALMON were caught at West Hill Pond by an angler was fishing over 40 feet of water. Try corn or corn/meal worm combination.
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is productive as fish move onto the spawning beds. Try Lake of Isles, Lake Wononskopomuc, Lake Lillinonah, Mashapaug Lake, Candlewood Lake, Mudge Pond, Batterson Park Pond and Gortons Pond. An 8-lb largemouth was recently caught at West Hill Pond.
SMALLMOUTH BASS action is good to excellent at Candlewood Lake, with numerous catches in the 3-5 lb range, and at least 4 smallies in the 5-6 lb range. Catches also reported from Gardner Lake, Lake Lillinonah, Crystal Lake, Highland Lake, Coventry Lake and Squantz Pond.
CHAIN PICKEREL are being caught at Wonoskopomuc Lake, Tyler Lake, Lake Quonnipaug, Rogers Lake and Mono Pond.
CONNECTICUT RIVER – STRIPED BASS are in the river up to Middletown. Legal size fish are now mixed in with the schoolies. Sand & blood worms are working as well as soft plastics. CATFISH are being caught in the coves in the Hartford and Cromwell area. SHAD are reported in the river up to the Windsor area.
NOTICES:
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“NO-FISHING” ZONE at the Greenville Dam (Shetucket River, Norwich) - We have received a number of inquiries concerning the “no-fishing” zone for the Greenville Dam fishway/lift on the Shetucket River in Norwich. This “no-fishing” area is depicted in red on the image below. The “no fishing” boundary is to protect actively migrating fish that use the Greeneville fishlift to ascend the river beyond the Greeneville Dam. Fishing within this closed area; including casting from outside of the closed area into the closed area, is prohibited.
The Greenville Dam “no fishing” area is rectangular. The western side is defined by the shoreline of triver; the southern side is defina line between the two large rocks(painted red); the eastern side defined by a line between the eastern-most red rock (the one on the right) and the crest of the dam; the northern side is defined by thcrest of the dam.
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Launching remains difficult at the state boat launch at Lattins Cove on Candlewood Lake due to low water levels.
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The channel Three Kids Camp is no longer allowing angler access to the Skungamaug River through its property.
MARINE FISHING REPORT
Water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) are in the mid to high 40’s °F. Check out the following web sites for more detailed water temperatures and marine boating conditions:
http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/stationstat.html
http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/
http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/AN/330.html
Remember to check the 2009 Connecticut Angler’s Guide for tidal information (page 52) and pages 49-51 for saltwater trophy fish award information.
Striped bass fishing is continuing to improve as water temperatures rise. Striper spots include the Pawcatuck River, upper Thames River (Norwich Harbor down to Montville), lower Connecticut River from Hamburg Cove down to the DEP Marine Headquarters fishing pier and off the woodlot at Great Island, New Haven Harbor (Sandy Point), Housatonic River from Derby down to Devon, Bridgeport Harbor by the power plant warm water discharge (Breezy Point/Seaside Park), Saugatuck River, and Norwalk Harbor.
Winter flounder fishing is fair at best.
Bluefish should be arriving any day as waters warm into the 50’s °F.
Blackfish (tautog) fishing season closes May 1st. through June 30th.
For regulation updates, please check our web site www.ct.gov/dep/fishing.
DEP WEEKLY FISHING REPORT
CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106
www.ct.gov/dep
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INLAND REPORT
TROUT
Rivers & streams - Anglers will find that the fishing is very good to excellent. The warm weather of this past week has jump started some of the insect hatches. Flows are quite comfortable for fishing, although generally a bit lower than typical for late April/early May. Good reports last week from the West Branch Farmington and Farmington Rivers (including a 7 lb rainbow), Housatonic River (many 20”+ trout reported), Natchaug River (rainbow), Saugatuck River (20.5” brown), Naugatuck River, Muddy River, Coginchaug River, Mill River, Pomperaug River, Pootatuck River, Salmon River, Willimantic River TMA, Norwalk River & Roaring Brook.
Farmington River - Water temperatures are in the upper 40’s to low 50’s °F. Flows remain clear and quite fishable, currently 160 cfs at Riverton plus an additional 100 cfs from the Still River. Successful hatches/patterns include Winter/Summer Caddis (#16-20, early morning, minor hatch), Blue Wing Olive (#16-18, late morning-early afternoon), Blue Quills (#16-20, early afternoon), Midges (#22-2
, Golden Stonefly nymphs (#6-12) and Quill Gordons (#16-18, early/mid afternoon). Hendricksons (#12-14, early afternoon) are in full hatch on the Farmington River now! Spinner fall occurs around 6:30 pm.
Housatonic River - The river has warmed considerably, with water temperatures now in the upper 50’s/low 60’s °F. Flows remain clear and fishable (and lower than typical spring levels), currently 725 cfs at Falls Village and 1,100 cfs at Gaylordsville. Rusty spinners (#12), midges, Blue Quills, early caddis (#14-16) & golden stoneflies (#4-
are among the current hatches. The Hendrickson (#12-14) hatch is going great! Streamers (white/yellow) and nymphs are producing some large fish along the edges of the water.
Anglers Can Expect Good Fishing in western CT on the West Branch Farmington River, Farmington River (including the TMA), Hop Brook, Kettletown Brook, Little River (Oxford), Macedonia Brook, Mianus River (including the TMA), Mill River (including the TMA), Nonewaug River, Norwalk River, Pequabuck River (Rockwell Park area), Saugatuck River (including the TMA) West Branch Saugatuck River and Weekeepeemee River. In Eastern CT, good fishing can be expected at the Blackledge River, Broad Brook (Preston), Choate Brook, Crystal Lake Brook, Dickenson Creek, Five Mile River, Green Falls River, Hockanum River (above TMA), Kitt Brook, Little River (Canterbury), Moosup River, Mount Misery Brook, Myron Kinnie Brook, Natchaug River, Pachaug River, Pattaconk Brook, Quinebaug River, Roaring Brook (Glastonbury), Salmon River (including the TMA), upper Scantic River, Shunock Brook, Tankerhoosen River and Yantic River (including the TMA).
Lakes & Ponds – Good fishing was found in many lakes/ponds throughout Connecticut. Try trolling at 3 colors of lead line (12-15’). Areas to try include Crystal Lake (Ellington; 26”, 7 lb brown), Coventry Lake, Mashapaug Lake, West Hill Pond (look for fish at 15’), Highland Lake, Beardsley Park Pond, Quonnipaug Lake and Lake Wononskopomuc.
Anglers can expect good fishing at Amos Lake, Angus Park Pond, Bicentennial Pond, Bigelow Pond, Black Pond (Middlefield), Broad Brook Mill Pond, Cedar Lake, Crystal Lake (Ellington), Gay City Park Pond, Green Falls Reservoir, Hanover Reservoir, Hewitt Fly Pond, Higganum Reservoir, Long Pond, Mashapaug Lake, Quonnipaug Lake, Pattaconk Lake, Walkers Reservoir, Bashan Lake, Gardner Lake and Wyassup Lake in eastern CT, and at Fountain Lake, Keney Park Pond, Lake Wintergreen, and Scoville Reservoir in western CT.
Trout Parks - These areas are designed to be easy to fish, with excellent access and amenities such as picnic areas nearby, and are stocked frequently. The Day Pond, Mohegan Park Pond, Valley Falls Park Pond, Natchaug River, Southford Falls, Wharton Brook, Black Rock Pond, Stratton Brook Park , and Kent Falls Trout Parks were all stocked again this week.
ATLANTIC SALMON catches reported from Mashapaug Lake (a 25” salmon) and Beach Pond (some 2-3 lb fish being caught).
KOKANEE SALMON were caught at West Hill Pond by an angler was fishing over 40 feet of water. Try corn or corn/meal worm combination.
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is productive as fish move onto the spawning beds. Try Lake of Isles, Lake Wononskopomuc, Lake Lillinonah, Mashapaug Lake, Candlewood Lake, Mudge Pond, Batterson Park Pond and Gortons Pond. An 8-lb largemouth was recently caught at West Hill Pond.
SMALLMOUTH BASS action is good to excellent at Candlewood Lake, with numerous catches in the 3-5 lb range, and at least 4 smallies in the 5-6 lb range. Catches also reported from Gardner Lake, Lake Lillinonah, Crystal Lake, Highland Lake, Coventry Lake and Squantz Pond.
CHAIN PICKEREL are being caught at Wonoskopomuc Lake, Tyler Lake, Lake Quonnipaug, Rogers Lake and Mono Pond.
CONNECTICUT RIVER – STRIPED BASS are in the river up to Middletown. Legal size fish are now mixed in with the schoolies. Sand & blood worms are working as well as soft plastics. CATFISH are being caught in the coves in the Hartford and Cromwell area. SHAD are reported in the river up to the Windsor area.
NOTICES:
��
“NO-FISHING” ZONE at the Greenville Dam (Shetucket River, Norwich) - We have received a number of inquiries concerning the “no-fishing” zone for the Greenville Dam fishway/lift on the Shetucket River in Norwich. This “no-fishing” area is depicted in red on the image below. The “no fishing” boundary is to protect actively migrating fish that use the Greeneville fishlift to ascend the river beyond the Greeneville Dam. Fishing within this closed area; including casting from outside of the closed area into the closed area, is prohibited.
The Greenville Dam “no fishing” area is rectangular. The western side is defined by the shoreline of triver; the southern side is defina line between the two large rocks(painted red); the eastern side defined by a line between the eastern-most red rock (the one on the right) and the crest of the dam; the northern side is defined by thcrest of the dam.
��
Launching remains difficult at the state boat launch at Lattins Cove on Candlewood Lake due to low water levels.
��
The channel Three Kids Camp is no longer allowing angler access to the Skungamaug River through its property.
MARINE FISHING REPORT
Water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) are in the mid to high 40’s °F. Check out the following web sites for more detailed water temperatures and marine boating conditions:
http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/stationstat.html
http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/
http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/AN/330.html
Remember to check the 2009 Connecticut Angler’s Guide for tidal information (page 52) and pages 49-51 for saltwater trophy fish award information.
Striped bass fishing is continuing to improve as water temperatures rise. Striper spots include the Pawcatuck River, upper Thames River (Norwich Harbor down to Montville), lower Connecticut River from Hamburg Cove down to the DEP Marine Headquarters fishing pier and off the woodlot at Great Island, New Haven Harbor (Sandy Point), Housatonic River from Derby down to Devon, Bridgeport Harbor by the power plant warm water discharge (Breezy Point/Seaside Park), Saugatuck River, and Norwalk Harbor.
Winter flounder fishing is fair at best.
Bluefish should be arriving any day as waters warm into the 50’s °F.
Blackfish (tautog) fishing season closes May 1st. through June 30th.
For regulation updates, please check our web site www.ct.gov/dep/fishing.
DEP WEEKLY FISHING REPORT
CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106
www.ct.gov/dep