INLAND REPORT
TROUT
Rivers & streams - Generally moderate flows and weather have contributed to some good to excellent trout fishing this season. Anglers are catching plenty of fish, and are reporting some of the "…fattest fish they have ever seen." Reports from the West Branch Farmington (excellent in the Riverton area), Farmington River, Housatonic River, Pootatuck River, Pequonnock River, Hop River, Natchaug River, Blackledge River, Saugatuck River, Salmon River, Willimantic River, Mianus River, Mill River TMA and Salmon Brook. With several passing weather fronts in the five-day forecast, anglers may expect flows to vary greatly through the weekend.
Farmington River - Water temperatures continue in the low 50’s°F. Flows are currently clear and moderate, with the West Branch contributing 145 cfs (Riverton) and the Still River adding an additional 145 cfs. Flows, especially from the Still River may fluctuate over the next five days due to several passing weather fronts. Current hatches/patterns include Blue Winged Olive (#16-2
[a.k.a. baetis or vagans], Blue Quills (#18-20) [a.k.a. paralep], Tan Caddis (#16-18; starting) and Hendrickson (a.k.a. red quills, #14-16). The Hendrickson hatch is ending, but some are still being found in the Riverton area. Anglers may find fishing a bit more challenging as insect hatches shift.
Housatonic River - Water temperatures are in the mid 50’s°F. Flows are again clear and moderate (1,000 CFS at Falls Village and 1,550 cfs at Gaylordsville), but may increase again dependent on rainfall amounts. Current hatches/patterns include Green Caddis & Brown/Tan Caddis (#14-1 and Blue Wing Olive (#16-20, early morning; spinner fall in evening). March Browns (#10-12) and Gray Foxes (#14-16) should be starting up shortly. Midges (#22-26) are being seen at mouths of tributaries.
Anglers Can Expect Good Fishing in western CT on the East Aspetuck River, Farmill River, Farmington River (from Route 219, New Hartford to Route 4, Farmington), Leadmine Brook, Mill River (Hamden, includes the TMA), Muddy River, Pond Brook, Pootatuck River and Quinnipiac River. In Eastern CT, good fishing can be expected at the Blackledge River, Jeremy River, Blackwells Brook, Coginchaug River, Furnace Brook (Stafford), Hammonasset River (including the TMA), Hop River, Hunts Brook, Indiantown Brook, Latimer Brook, Latimer Brook, Mashamoquet Brook, Mt Hope River, Fenton River, Middle River (Stafford), Moosup River, Natchaug River, Pachaug River, Quanduck Brook, Quinebaug River, Roaring Brook (Glastonbury), Roaring Brook (Stafford), Salmon River (including the TMA), Scantic River, Shetucket River, Skungamaug River, Shunock Brook, Ten Mile River (Lebanon), Willimantic River (including TMA) and Yantic River (including TMA).
Lakes & Ponds – Excellent trout fishing was found in many lakes/ponds throughout Connecticut. Areas to try include Saugatuck Reservoir, East Twin Lake (25" brown among the catches), Coventry Lake, Crystal Lake (Ellington), Highland Lake (fish at 15’), Quonnipaug Lake, Mashapaug Lake, Wononskopomuc Lake, Stillwater Pond, Squantz Pond, Beach Pond, West Hill Pond, Black Pond (Woodstock; 4-lb brown) and Bunnells Pond (Beardsley Park).
Anglers can expect good fishing at Angus Park Pond, Bashan Lake, Green Falls Reservoir, Dodge Pond, Gay City Park Pond, Mashapaug Lake, Black Pond (Woodstock), Millers Pond, Somersville Mill Pond, Uncas Lake in eastern CT, and at East Twin Lake, Squantz Pond, Highland Lake, Nells Rock Reservoir, Pickett's Pond, Prospect Town Park Pond, and Upper Fulton Park Pond 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, Natchaug River, Wolfe Park (Great Hollow Pond), Southford Falls, Stratton Brook, Wharton Brook and Valley Falls Park Pond Trout Parks were all stocked this week.
ATLANTIC SALMON have been reported from the Shetucket River, Mashapaug Lake and Beach Pond
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is generally reported as fair to good. Areas to try include Moodus Reservoir, Lake McDonough, Lake Saltonstall, Highland Lake, Wononscopomuc Lake, Glasgo Pond (fair), Amos Lake (good), Candlewood Lake (good, catches include several 6 lb plus bass), Gardner Lake (good), Mansfield Hollow Reservoir (fair), Quaddick Lake (good), Pattagansett Lake, Beseck Lake, Bantam Lake (fair), Rogers Lake (very good), Ball Pond, Mudge Pond, Beach Pond (good) and Mono Pond.
SMALLMOUTH BASS are reported at Lake McDonough, Saugatuck Reservoir, Highland Lake (fair), Mashapaug Lake, Bantam Lake (some catches), Gardner Lake (slow), Lake Lillinonah (good), Candlewood Lake (excellent) and Squantz Pond.
NORTHERN PIKE catches reported from Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Winchester Lake, Bantam Lake and Pachaug Pond.
WALLEYE catches reported from Coventry Lake, Lake Saltonstall and Squantz Pond.
CONNECTICUT RIVER – STRIPED BASS are in the river from Haddam to Enfield. School size (16-25") fish and adults up to 50" are showing up. Trolling tube and worm, eels & soft plastics are working well. SHAD are reported in the river up to Windsor area and are fishing well at the confluence and upstream of the Farmington River. NORTHERN PIKE are reported in the Haddam Meadows area, Wethersfield Cove and White Oaks Cove.
TIPS & TRICKS
STRIPED BASS are surrendering to a number of techniques. They are on the prowl right now (especially at dawn, dusk and night) and when you find hungry stripers, it can get crazy. Shore anglers are finding that Black Bombers are the ticket for these marauders. For those day-timers success is found by using soft plastics or plugs. Trolling tube and worm, eels & soft plastics all work well. Some anglers are having good luck using 9" Houdini Shad in bubblegum & white colors.
NOTICES:
Anglers and boaters should be aware of the following special events scheduled for Saturday, May 16th:
Lake Lillinonah – Lake clean-up – operating out of the Route 133 boat launch.
Highland Lake – Lake clean-up – divers will be removing trash/debris from lake bottom.
Quaddick Reservoir – Canoe event launching from the State Park.
The Channel Three Kids Camp is no longer allowing angler access to the Skungamaug River through its property.
On the Naugatuck River, in the Beacon Falls area, DEP will no longer be able to stock the area downstream of Spruce Brook along the railroad tracks in Naugatuck State Forest due to safety concerns.
"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.
MARINE FISHING REPORT
Water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) are around 50 °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 good to excellent. Bigger fish have arrived on the reefs and tidal rivers with stripers in the 45 inch range being reported. Striper spots include the Pawcatuck River, upper Thames River (Norwich Harbor down to Montville), lower Connecticut River from Hamburg Cove down to the breakwaters, New Haven Harbor (Sandy Point), Bridgeport Harbor by the power plant warm water discharge (Breezy Point/Seaside Park), Housatonic River, Saugatuck River and the Norwalk Islands.
HICKORY SHAD are also in the tidal rivers mixed in with school stripers.
BLUEFISH have made their way into LIS but it is still early yet.
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
TROUT
Rivers & streams - Generally moderate flows and weather have contributed to some good to excellent trout fishing this season. Anglers are catching plenty of fish, and are reporting some of the "…fattest fish they have ever seen." Reports from the West Branch Farmington (excellent in the Riverton area), Farmington River, Housatonic River, Pootatuck River, Pequonnock River, Hop River, Natchaug River, Blackledge River, Saugatuck River, Salmon River, Willimantic River, Mianus River, Mill River TMA and Salmon Brook. With several passing weather fronts in the five-day forecast, anglers may expect flows to vary greatly through the weekend.
Farmington River - Water temperatures continue in the low 50’s°F. Flows are currently clear and moderate, with the West Branch contributing 145 cfs (Riverton) and the Still River adding an additional 145 cfs. Flows, especially from the Still River may fluctuate over the next five days due to several passing weather fronts. Current hatches/patterns include Blue Winged Olive (#16-2
[a.k.a. baetis or vagans], Blue Quills (#18-20) [a.k.a. paralep], Tan Caddis (#16-18; starting) and Hendrickson (a.k.a. red quills, #14-16). The Hendrickson hatch is ending, but some are still being found in the Riverton area. Anglers may find fishing a bit more challenging as insect hatches shift.
Housatonic River - Water temperatures are in the mid 50’s°F. Flows are again clear and moderate (1,000 CFS at Falls Village and 1,550 cfs at Gaylordsville), but may increase again dependent on rainfall amounts. Current hatches/patterns include Green Caddis & Brown/Tan Caddis (#14-1
and Blue Wing Olive (#16-20, early morning; spinner fall in evening). March Browns (#10-12) and Gray Foxes (#14-16) should be starting up shortly. Midges (#22-26) are being seen at mouths of tributaries.
Anglers Can Expect Good Fishing in western CT on the East Aspetuck River, Farmill River, Farmington River (from Route 219, New Hartford to Route 4, Farmington), Leadmine Brook, Mill River (Hamden, includes the TMA), Muddy River, Pond Brook, Pootatuck River and Quinnipiac River. In Eastern CT, good fishing can be expected at the Blackledge River, Jeremy River, Blackwells Brook, Coginchaug River, Furnace Brook (Stafford), Hammonasset River (including the TMA), Hop River, Hunts Brook, Indiantown Brook, Latimer Brook, Latimer Brook, Mashamoquet Brook, Mt Hope River, Fenton River, Middle River (Stafford), Moosup River, Natchaug River, Pachaug River, Quanduck Brook, Quinebaug River, Roaring Brook (Glastonbury), Roaring Brook (Stafford), Salmon River (including the TMA), Scantic River, Shetucket River, Skungamaug River, Shunock Brook, Ten Mile River (Lebanon), Willimantic River (including TMA) and Yantic River (including TMA).
Lakes & Ponds – Excellent trout fishing was found in many lakes/ponds throughout Connecticut. Areas to try include Saugatuck Reservoir, East Twin Lake (25" brown among the catches), Coventry Lake, Crystal Lake (Ellington), Highland Lake (fish at 15’), Quonnipaug Lake, Mashapaug Lake, Wononskopomuc Lake, Stillwater Pond, Squantz Pond, Beach Pond, West Hill Pond, Black Pond (Woodstock; 4-lb brown) and Bunnells Pond (Beardsley Park).
Anglers can expect good fishing at Angus Park Pond, Bashan Lake, Green Falls Reservoir, Dodge Pond, Gay City Park Pond, Mashapaug Lake, Black Pond (Woodstock), Millers Pond, Somersville Mill Pond, Uncas Lake in eastern CT, and at East Twin Lake, Squantz Pond, Highland Lake, Nells Rock Reservoir, Pickett's Pond, Prospect Town Park Pond, and Upper Fulton Park Pond 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, Natchaug River, Wolfe Park (Great Hollow Pond), Southford Falls, Stratton Brook, Wharton Brook and Valley Falls Park Pond Trout Parks were all stocked this week.
ATLANTIC SALMON have been reported from the Shetucket River, Mashapaug Lake and Beach Pond
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is generally reported as fair to good. Areas to try include Moodus Reservoir, Lake McDonough, Lake Saltonstall, Highland Lake, Wononscopomuc Lake, Glasgo Pond (fair), Amos Lake (good), Candlewood Lake (good, catches include several 6 lb plus bass), Gardner Lake (good), Mansfield Hollow Reservoir (fair), Quaddick Lake (good), Pattagansett Lake, Beseck Lake, Bantam Lake (fair), Rogers Lake (very good), Ball Pond, Mudge Pond, Beach Pond (good) and Mono Pond.
SMALLMOUTH BASS are reported at Lake McDonough, Saugatuck Reservoir, Highland Lake (fair), Mashapaug Lake, Bantam Lake (some catches), Gardner Lake (slow), Lake Lillinonah (good), Candlewood Lake (excellent) and Squantz Pond.
NORTHERN PIKE catches reported from Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Winchester Lake, Bantam Lake and Pachaug Pond.
WALLEYE catches reported from Coventry Lake, Lake Saltonstall and Squantz Pond.
CONNECTICUT RIVER – STRIPED BASS are in the river from Haddam to Enfield. School size (16-25") fish and adults up to 50" are showing up. Trolling tube and worm, eels & soft plastics are working well. SHAD are reported in the river up to Windsor area and are fishing well at the confluence and upstream of the Farmington River. NORTHERN PIKE are reported in the Haddam Meadows area, Wethersfield Cove and White Oaks Cove.
TIPS & TRICKS
STRIPED BASS are surrendering to a number of techniques. They are on the prowl right now (especially at dawn, dusk and night) and when you find hungry stripers, it can get crazy. Shore anglers are finding that Black Bombers are the ticket for these marauders. For those day-timers success is found by using soft plastics or plugs. Trolling tube and worm, eels & soft plastics all work well. Some anglers are having good luck using 9" Houdini Shad in bubblegum & white colors.
NOTICES:
Anglers and boaters should be aware of the following special events scheduled for Saturday, May 16th:
Lake Lillinonah – Lake clean-up – operating out of the Route 133 boat launch.
Highland Lake – Lake clean-up – divers will be removing trash/debris from lake bottom.
Quaddick Reservoir – Canoe event launching from the State Park.
The Channel Three Kids Camp is no longer allowing angler access to the Skungamaug River through its property.
On the Naugatuck River, in the Beacon Falls area, DEP will no longer be able to stock the area downstream of Spruce Brook along the railroad tracks in Naugatuck State Forest due to safety concerns.
"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.
MARINE FISHING REPORT
Water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) are around 50 °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 good to excellent. Bigger fish have arrived on the reefs and tidal rivers with stripers in the 45 inch range being reported. Striper spots include the Pawcatuck River, upper Thames River (Norwich Harbor down to Montville), lower Connecticut River from Hamburg Cove down to the breakwaters, New Haven Harbor (Sandy Point), Bridgeport Harbor by the power plant warm water discharge (Breezy Point/Seaside Park), Housatonic River, Saugatuck River and the Norwalk Islands.
HICKORY SHAD are also in the tidal rivers mixed in with school stripers.
BLUEFISH have made their way into LIS but it is still early yet.
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
