dep FISHING REPORT NUMBER 12: 7/9/2009
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FISHING REPORT NUMBER 12: 7/9/2009
INLAND REPORT
LARGEMOUTH BASS – Summer patterns have not set up yet, bass fishing is generally fair to good, with reports from Candlewood Lake (good), Lake Wononskopomuc, Rainbow Reservoir, Lake Saltonstall, Ball Pond, Crystal Lake (Ellington), Scoville Reservoir, Mono Pond, Hatch Pond (good), Halls Pond, Ashland Pond (catches include a 5.8 lb largemouth), Powers Lake (good action, catches include a 5 lb largemouth), Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Rogers Lake, Cedar Lake, Bashan Lake and Beaver Brook Pond.
SMALLMOUTH BASS fishing is fair at many areas throughout the state, with reports from Lake Lillinonah, Bashan Lake, Coventry Lake, Mashapaug Lake, Candlewood Lake (good), Wyassup Lake, Highland Lake, and Gardner Lake.
ATLANTIC SALMON are still being caught at Mashapaug Lake, with a 21” fish coming to the boat this week.
NORTHERN PIKE fishing is reported to be good in Winchester Lake and Pachaug Pond.
KOKANEE (fish 12-15”) are producing good fishing at West Hill Pond (night, bait fishing over 40 feet of water) and East Twin Lake (slow trolled beads).
WALLEYE catches are being reported from Lake Saltonstall and Mashapaug Lake.
SUNFISH are providing excellent action statewide. Use worms or poppers on a fly rod. Larger waters to try include Bashan Lake, Hayward Lake, Beseck Lake, Coventry Lake (17” black crappie), Lower Bolton Lake and Tyler Lake, Batterson Park Pond, Ball Pond and Black (Meriden) Pond.
TROUT
Rivers & streams - Although the weather was perfect for most of the fourth of July weekend, high flows made some areas difficult to impossible to fish. Anglers will again enjoy good weather this weekend, and water levels should be much more fishable. Look for brown trout in the larger, deeper pools, and rainbow trout in the fast water. Some good reports last week from the West Branch Farmington River, Farmington River (a 22” brown among the catches), Blackberry River, Latimer Brook, Mill River TMA, Willimantic River TMA, Tankerhoosen River and Riga Brook.
Farmington River - Flows continue to clear, and are again moderate and fishable, currently 410 cfs at Riverton, plus an additional 100 cfs from the Still River. Ephemerella needhami (#22-26, early morning; 9:00am), Isonychia sps. (#10-12, evening), Blue Wing Olives (#16-24 (Drunella lata) & #22-26 (D. cornuta & cornutella), cloudy days, mid-late afternoon), Sulphurs (Epeorus vitreus) duns (#16-18, morning; afternoon to early evening for spinners), Caddis (tan #16-20, all day; green #22-26, evening), Midges (#22-28, morning), terrestrials have been very good during the middle of the day and Golden Drake (Potomanthus sps., #10-14, late evening) are successful patterns. Good success can be found below the surface with wets, streamers and bottom bouncing nymphs.
Housatonic River – The river is again fishable, as flows continue to clear and drop from this past weekend’s highs, currently 1,300 cfs at Falls Village and 1,980 cfs at Gaylordsville. This summer’s water temperatures continue to be great for trout, currently ranging in the low to mid 60’s°F (mornings). With moderate water temperatures, good weather and comfortable flows, fishing this weekend should be very good. Insect hatches/patterns include Alder/Zebra Caddis (Macrostemum zebratum, action slowing, #10-12, afternoon-evening near overhangs), Sulphurs (#14-16, evening), Blue Wing Olive (#18-22, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Isonychia sps. (#8-10 evening), Light Cahill (#12-14, evening), and Tan & green caddis (#14-20, early morning & evening). Look for midges and stoneflies at stream mouths, golden
2009 DEP Fishing Report Number 12, 7/9/2009
stonefly nymphs hatch at first light and adults egg-lay after dark. Don’t forget streamers (morning & evening). Patterns to try includeWhite Zonkers, Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10).
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 – Trout anglers are finding good action and some nice catches in a number of lakes and ponds throughout the state, with reports from East Twin Lake, Highland Lake, Crystal Lake (15 trout for one angler; target 25-30 ft), Mashapaug Lake (23 trout just from one report, target 7-8 colors), West Hill Pond, Mt. Tom Pond, Quonnipaug Lake (a number of trout caught from the first basin), Lake Wononskopomuc, Beaver Brook Pond, Candlewood Lake (more than 20 browns to 5 lbs plus on bait), Saugatuck Reservoir and Colebrook Reservoir.
CONNECTICUT RIVER – Flows are slowly decreasing from the highs this weekend. STRIPED BASS are being taken at night in the lower river on live eels and tube & worm.
NORTHERN PIKE fishing had been good, try the coves, Haddam Meadows, and the mainstem from Hartford down to Haddam.
Some LARGEMOUTH BASS are being found in the lower portions of the river.
CATFISH (fish up to 8 lbs, at night) are being taken on frozen herring & cut/chunk bait in 5-25 feet of water near the outside of bends.
NOTICES:
The BANTAM LAKE BOAT LAUNCH is now 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.
Access to HIGHLAND LAKE is restricted today, Thursday, July 9th, to facilitate an herbicide application targeting invasive plants. The state boat launch at Highland Lake is closed all day and will reopen July 10th starting from midnight.
TIPS & TRICKS - What to Think about:
SIGHT - Fish during low light levels, especially during the summer months. Bright sunlight will tend to send fish for cover. If you can see them, they can see you long before you cast. Fish early in the morning and late afternoon into the night. Always try to fish the shaded areas of the lake and be aware of any shadows you cast.
SOUND - While fishing, use a quiet, stealthy approach. Banging a tackle box on the bottom of your boat, hitting the side of your craft with an oar or making any loud noises will spook nearby fish.
LOCATION - Rely on your electronics while in a boat. Look for docks, grassy areas, drop-offs and cover. A map of the lake will help in finding the hot spots. Asking the local bait & tackle shops and other anglers can help. In general you should target warmer water during spring time and cooler water in the hot summer. Bait fish schools present an opportunity to find gamefish. Transitions areas from clear to murky waters as well as shallow to deep areas are preferred areas for your quarry.
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FISHING REPORT NUMBER 12: 7/9/2009
INLAND REPORT
LARGEMOUTH BASS – Summer patterns have not set up yet, bass fishing is generally fair to good, with reports from Candlewood Lake (good), Lake Wononskopomuc, Rainbow Reservoir, Lake Saltonstall, Ball Pond, Crystal Lake (Ellington), Scoville Reservoir, Mono Pond, Hatch Pond (good), Halls Pond, Ashland Pond (catches include a 5.8 lb largemouth), Powers Lake (good action, catches include a 5 lb largemouth), Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Rogers Lake, Cedar Lake, Bashan Lake and Beaver Brook Pond.
SMALLMOUTH BASS fishing is fair at many areas throughout the state, with reports from Lake Lillinonah, Bashan Lake, Coventry Lake, Mashapaug Lake, Candlewood Lake (good), Wyassup Lake, Highland Lake, and Gardner Lake.
ATLANTIC SALMON are still being caught at Mashapaug Lake, with a 21” fish coming to the boat this week.
NORTHERN PIKE fishing is reported to be good in Winchester Lake and Pachaug Pond.
KOKANEE (fish 12-15”) are producing good fishing at West Hill Pond (night, bait fishing over 40 feet of water) and East Twin Lake (slow trolled beads).
WALLEYE catches are being reported from Lake Saltonstall and Mashapaug Lake.
SUNFISH are providing excellent action statewide. Use worms or poppers on a fly rod. Larger waters to try include Bashan Lake, Hayward Lake, Beseck Lake, Coventry Lake (17” black crappie), Lower Bolton Lake and Tyler Lake, Batterson Park Pond, Ball Pond and Black (Meriden) Pond.
TROUT
Rivers & streams - Although the weather was perfect for most of the fourth of July weekend, high flows made some areas difficult to impossible to fish. Anglers will again enjoy good weather this weekend, and water levels should be much more fishable. Look for brown trout in the larger, deeper pools, and rainbow trout in the fast water. Some good reports last week from the West Branch Farmington River, Farmington River (a 22” brown among the catches), Blackberry River, Latimer Brook, Mill River TMA, Willimantic River TMA, Tankerhoosen River and Riga Brook.
Farmington River - Flows continue to clear, and are again moderate and fishable, currently 410 cfs at Riverton, plus an additional 100 cfs from the Still River. Ephemerella needhami (#22-26, early morning; 9:00am), Isonychia sps. (#10-12, evening), Blue Wing Olives (#16-24 (Drunella lata) & #22-26 (D. cornuta & cornutella), cloudy days, mid-late afternoon), Sulphurs (Epeorus vitreus) duns (#16-18, morning; afternoon to early evening for spinners), Caddis (tan #16-20, all day; green #22-26, evening), Midges (#22-28, morning), terrestrials have been very good during the middle of the day and Golden Drake (Potomanthus sps., #10-14, late evening) are successful patterns. Good success can be found below the surface with wets, streamers and bottom bouncing nymphs.
Housatonic River – The river is again fishable, as flows continue to clear and drop from this past weekend’s highs, currently 1,300 cfs at Falls Village and 1,980 cfs at Gaylordsville. This summer’s water temperatures continue to be great for trout, currently ranging in the low to mid 60’s°F (mornings). With moderate water temperatures, good weather and comfortable flows, fishing this weekend should be very good. Insect hatches/patterns include Alder/Zebra Caddis (Macrostemum zebratum, action slowing, #10-12, afternoon-evening near overhangs), Sulphurs (#14-16, evening), Blue Wing Olive (#18-22, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Isonychia sps. (#8-10 evening), Light Cahill (#12-14, evening), and Tan & green caddis (#14-20, early morning & evening). Look for midges and stoneflies at stream mouths, golden
2009 DEP Fishing Report Number 12, 7/9/2009
stonefly nymphs hatch at first light and adults egg-lay after dark. Don’t forget streamers (morning & evening). Patterns to try includeWhite Zonkers, Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10).
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 – Trout anglers are finding good action and some nice catches in a number of lakes and ponds throughout the state, with reports from East Twin Lake, Highland Lake, Crystal Lake (15 trout for one angler; target 25-30 ft), Mashapaug Lake (23 trout just from one report, target 7-8 colors), West Hill Pond, Mt. Tom Pond, Quonnipaug Lake (a number of trout caught from the first basin), Lake Wononskopomuc, Beaver Brook Pond, Candlewood Lake (more than 20 browns to 5 lbs plus on bait), Saugatuck Reservoir and Colebrook Reservoir.
CONNECTICUT RIVER – Flows are slowly decreasing from the highs this weekend. STRIPED BASS are being taken at night in the lower river on live eels and tube & worm.
NORTHERN PIKE fishing had been good, try the coves, Haddam Meadows, and the mainstem from Hartford down to Haddam.
Some LARGEMOUTH BASS are being found in the lower portions of the river.
CATFISH (fish up to 8 lbs, at night) are being taken on frozen herring & cut/chunk bait in 5-25 feet of water near the outside of bends.
NOTICES:
The BANTAM LAKE BOAT LAUNCH is now 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.
Access to HIGHLAND LAKE is restricted today, Thursday, July 9th, to facilitate an herbicide application targeting invasive plants. The state boat launch at Highland Lake is closed all day and will reopen July 10th starting from midnight.
TIPS & TRICKS - What to Think about:
SIGHT - Fish during low light levels, especially during the summer months. Bright sunlight will tend to send fish for cover. If you can see them, they can see you long before you cast. Fish early in the morning and late afternoon into the night. Always try to fish the shaded areas of the lake and be aware of any shadows you cast.
SOUND - While fishing, use a quiet, stealthy approach. Banging a tackle box on the bottom of your boat, hitting the side of your craft with an oar or making any loud noises will spook nearby fish.
LOCATION - Rely on your electronics while in a boat. Look for docks, grassy areas, drop-offs and cover. A map of the lake will help in finding the hot spots. Asking the local bait & tackle shops and other anglers can help. In general you should target warmer water during spring time and cooler water in the hot summer. Bait fish schools present an opportunity to find gamefish. Transitions areas from clear to murky waters as well as shallow to deep areas are preferred areas for your quarry.