FISHING REPORT NUMBER 15: 7/31/2008
INLAND REPORT
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is variable. Good reports for bass from Mudge Pond, Lake McDonough, Crystal Lake (Ellington), Gardner Lake, Aspinook Pond, North Farms Reservoir, Lake Waramaug, Quonnipaug Lake and Pattaconk Lake. Fair fishing is reported at Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Pachaug Pond, Bantam Lake, Lake Zoar, Candlewood Lake, Highland Lake, Scoville Reservoir and Morey Pond, and slow fishing at Powers Lake. Mixed reports for Long Pond, Mono Pond and Moodus Reservoir.
SMALLMOUTH BASS fishing remains variable, with the best reports from Candlewood Lake and Mashapaug Lake. Fishing for smallmouth is fair at Lake McDonough, Lake Lillinonah, West Hill Pond, Lake Housatonic and Coventry Lake, and anglers had to work hard for their catches at Gardner Lake, Crystal Lake, Bantam Lake and Highland Lake. Mixed reports for Lake Zoar. Before the rains, river smallmouth action had been excellent on the Housatonic River, and smallies were also providing some action in the Quinnebaug, Farmington and Shetucket Rivers.
NORTHERN PIKE fishing is variable, with good reports from Pachaug Pond (where recent catches include a 14.5 lb, 42 inch beauty) and Bantam Lake. Pike catches also reported from Hopeville Pond, Winchester Lake and the upper Housatonic River.
KOKANEE – Trolling during the day and fishing with lights at night with corn/mealworms are finding anglers some salmon at West Hill Pond.
WALLEYE fishing is fair, with some catches reported from Beach Pond, Mashapaug Lake, Coventry Lake and Squantz Pond.
TROUT
Rivers & streams - The recent rains and high flows made for difficult fishing in many areas last weekend. With flows moderating and pleasant temperatures forecast, conditions should be good for summer trout angling this weekend (in some areas, fishing small tributary streams may be the best option). And, as typical in the summer, early and late in the day are the best times.
Anglers are reminded that the thermal refuge areas on the Housatonic, Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers are currently 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.
Farmington River – West Branch flows have cleared and dropped to more moderate levels, currently 430 cfs at Riverton with the Still River adding an additional 85 cfs. Current hatches include/patterns include Light Cahill (Stenonema sps., #14-16), Cream Cahill (two tailed, #16), Ephemerella needhami (#22-26, not all at once in the traditional early morning, 3-4 times per day), Leadwing Coachman (Isonychia bicolor, #12-14, fast water, evening), Blue Wing Olives (Drunella sps., #22-26, mid-late afternoon), Sulphurs duns (Epeorus vitreus, #16-20, morning; afternoon to early evening for spinners), Rusty Spinner (#20-2, Caddis (tan #14-18, all day; green #18/22, evening), Midges (#22-32, morning), Black Ants (#14-18, mid day in fast water), Black Beetles (#8-10, mid day), Flying Ants (#18-22, mid day, when windy/humid) and Golden Drake (Anthopotamus distinctus, #10-14, late evening). At this time of year you should be on 8 or 9 x for the tippet size.
Housatonic River - Flows are clearing and still high, but continue to drop (currently 1,340 cfs at Falls Village and 2,040 cfs at Gaylordsville) to more fishable levels. Flows may be below 1,000 cfs (Falls Village) during the weekend (depending on precipitation, call NGS at 1-888-417-4837 for updated flow information). Morning water temperatures continue to be in the low to mid 70’s °F. Insect hatches/patterns include some Alder/Zebra Caddis (Macrostemum zebratum are around in small numbers, #10-12, afternoon-evening near overhangs), Sulphurs (#14-16, evening), Blue Wing Olive (#18-24, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Leadwing Coachman (#10-12 evening), Light Cahill (#14-20, evening) and assorted caddis (#16-18, early morning & evening). Terrestrial season is here. Try Black/Cinnamon Ants (#18-22, mid day in fast water), Black Beetles (#14-18, mid day) and Flying Ants (#18-22, mid day, when windy/humid). Don’t forget streamers (morning & evening). Patterns to try include White Zonkers, Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10). The Dobson Fly is active and anglers are using a black woolly bugger to mimic it.
Lakes & Ponds – Good reports for trout from Lake McDonough, Mashapaug Lake, Crystal Lake (Ellington), Wononscopomuc Lake, East Twin Lake and West Hill Pond and mixed reports from Highland Lake. Candlewood Lake has been fishing slow for trout.
CONNECTICUT RIVER – High flows put a damper on most angler activity last weekend.
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing in the coves downstream from Middletown was reported as fair this past weekend. Prior to the rains,
SMALLMOUTH BASS fishing was fair (at best) north of Hartford
CATFISH angling had been good, with plenty of fish being taken on fresh/frozen cut bait. Flows are still high and murky, but should continue to drop through the weekend to more comfortable levels. With the river carrying excess floating debris, anglers should also continue to exercise additional caution on the water.
FISHING ACCESS & BOAT LAUNCH INFORMATION
•
On Tuesday, August 5th, several patches of invasive plants at BANTAM LAKE are scheduled to be treated with an herbicide. The lake will remain open to boating and fishing, however, anglers are advised to be on the lookout for the applicator’s boat and equipment on the lake.
•
The state boat launch on the THAMES RIVER in New London is currently closed for renovations, and is currently scheduled to re-open August 28th.
•
Due to inappropriate off-site parking by some users of the state boat launch at COVENTRY LAKE, once capacity is reached at this launch, further use of the launch will not be allowed until a parking space or spaces become available.
•
Anglers are reminded that the entire “seawall” area extending from the handicap-accessable fishing pier to the permitted swim area at SQUANTZ POND is now closed to all public access.
MARINE FISHING REPORT
Water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) remain in the low to mid 70’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 2008 Connecticut Angler’s Guide for tidal information (page 52) and pages 49-51 for saltwater trophy fish award information.
STRIPED BASS fishing is still hanging there pretty good considering we are in the mid summer doldrums. Anglers are still scoring well on cow bass with many in the 40+ lbs range but you have to work at it! Drifting live bunker (Atlantic menhaden) has been the ticket at night or very early in the morning. Also using live eels, or scup on three way rigs or trolling the tube and worm have been producing nice catches. The usual striper haunts include the rocky reefs between Watch Hill and eastern Fishers Island, the Race, Sluiceway, Plum Gut, Bartlett Reef, Black Point, Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, Falkner Island area, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, the reefs off Norwalk and the Cows off Stamford.
BLUEFISH fishing is good to excellent throughout LIS. The Race, Pigeon Rip, Plum Gut, Long Sand Shoal, Sixmile Reef, upper New Haven Harbor, Buoy 20 off Stratford/Bridgeport, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground area and around the Norwalk Islands have been very consistent. SNAPPER fishing is good in the tidal rivers even after all the rain we had over this past weekend. Snappers are about 4 inches in length.
HICKORY SHAD fishing has dropped of in the Niantic and Connecticut Rivers and is rated fair at best.
SUMMER FLOUNDER (fluke) fishing still remains on the slow side in LIS.
SCUP (porgies) fishing is good on the local rocky reefs with TAUTOG (blackfish) in the mix.
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
INLAND REPORT
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is variable. Good reports for bass from Mudge Pond, Lake McDonough, Crystal Lake (Ellington), Gardner Lake, Aspinook Pond, North Farms Reservoir, Lake Waramaug, Quonnipaug Lake and Pattaconk Lake. Fair fishing is reported at Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Pachaug Pond, Bantam Lake, Lake Zoar, Candlewood Lake, Highland Lake, Scoville Reservoir and Morey Pond, and slow fishing at Powers Lake. Mixed reports for Long Pond, Mono Pond and Moodus Reservoir.
SMALLMOUTH BASS fishing remains variable, with the best reports from Candlewood Lake and Mashapaug Lake. Fishing for smallmouth is fair at Lake McDonough, Lake Lillinonah, West Hill Pond, Lake Housatonic and Coventry Lake, and anglers had to work hard for their catches at Gardner Lake, Crystal Lake, Bantam Lake and Highland Lake. Mixed reports for Lake Zoar. Before the rains, river smallmouth action had been excellent on the Housatonic River, and smallies were also providing some action in the Quinnebaug, Farmington and Shetucket Rivers.
NORTHERN PIKE fishing is variable, with good reports from Pachaug Pond (where recent catches include a 14.5 lb, 42 inch beauty) and Bantam Lake. Pike catches also reported from Hopeville Pond, Winchester Lake and the upper Housatonic River.
KOKANEE – Trolling during the day and fishing with lights at night with corn/mealworms are finding anglers some salmon at West Hill Pond.
WALLEYE fishing is fair, with some catches reported from Beach Pond, Mashapaug Lake, Coventry Lake and Squantz Pond.
TROUT
Rivers & streams - The recent rains and high flows made for difficult fishing in many areas last weekend. With flows moderating and pleasant temperatures forecast, conditions should be good for summer trout angling this weekend (in some areas, fishing small tributary streams may be the best option). And, as typical in the summer, early and late in the day are the best times.
Anglers are reminded that the thermal refuge areas on the Housatonic, Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers are currently 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.
Farmington River – West Branch flows have cleared and dropped to more moderate levels, currently 430 cfs at Riverton with the Still River adding an additional 85 cfs. Current hatches include/patterns include Light Cahill (Stenonema sps., #14-16), Cream Cahill (two tailed, #16), Ephemerella needhami (#22-26, not all at once in the traditional early morning, 3-4 times per day), Leadwing Coachman (Isonychia bicolor, #12-14, fast water, evening), Blue Wing Olives (Drunella sps., #22-26, mid-late afternoon), Sulphurs duns (Epeorus vitreus, #16-20, morning; afternoon to early evening for spinners), Rusty Spinner (#20-2, Caddis (tan #14-18, all day; green #18/22, evening), Midges (#22-32, morning), Black Ants (#14-18, mid day in fast water), Black Beetles (#8-10, mid day), Flying Ants (#18-22, mid day, when windy/humid) and Golden Drake (Anthopotamus distinctus, #10-14, late evening). At this time of year you should be on 8 or 9 x for the tippet size.
Housatonic River - Flows are clearing and still high, but continue to drop (currently 1,340 cfs at Falls Village and 2,040 cfs at Gaylordsville) to more fishable levels. Flows may be below 1,000 cfs (Falls Village) during the weekend (depending on precipitation, call NGS at 1-888-417-4837 for updated flow information). Morning water temperatures continue to be in the low to mid 70’s °F. Insect hatches/patterns include some Alder/Zebra Caddis (Macrostemum zebratum are around in small numbers, #10-12, afternoon-evening near overhangs), Sulphurs (#14-16, evening), Blue Wing Olive (#18-24, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Leadwing Coachman (#10-12 evening), Light Cahill (#14-20, evening) and assorted caddis (#16-18, early morning & evening). Terrestrial season is here. Try Black/Cinnamon Ants (#18-22, mid day in fast water), Black Beetles (#14-18, mid day) and Flying Ants (#18-22, mid day, when windy/humid). Don’t forget streamers (morning & evening). Patterns to try include White Zonkers, Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10). The Dobson Fly is active and anglers are using a black woolly bugger to mimic it.
Lakes & Ponds – Good reports for trout from Lake McDonough, Mashapaug Lake, Crystal Lake (Ellington), Wononscopomuc Lake, East Twin Lake and West Hill Pond and mixed reports from Highland Lake. Candlewood Lake has been fishing slow for trout.
CONNECTICUT RIVER – High flows put a damper on most angler activity last weekend.
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing in the coves downstream from Middletown was reported as fair this past weekend. Prior to the rains,
SMALLMOUTH BASS fishing was fair (at best) north of Hartford
CATFISH angling had been good, with plenty of fish being taken on fresh/frozen cut bait. Flows are still high and murky, but should continue to drop through the weekend to more comfortable levels. With the river carrying excess floating debris, anglers should also continue to exercise additional caution on the water.
FISHING ACCESS & BOAT LAUNCH INFORMATION
•
On Tuesday, August 5th, several patches of invasive plants at BANTAM LAKE are scheduled to be treated with an herbicide. The lake will remain open to boating and fishing, however, anglers are advised to be on the lookout for the applicator’s boat and equipment on the lake.
•
The state boat launch on the THAMES RIVER in New London is currently closed for renovations, and is currently scheduled to re-open August 28th.
•
Due to inappropriate off-site parking by some users of the state boat launch at COVENTRY LAKE, once capacity is reached at this launch, further use of the launch will not be allowed until a parking space or spaces become available.
•
Anglers are reminded that the entire “seawall” area extending from the handicap-accessable fishing pier to the permitted swim area at SQUANTZ POND is now closed to all public access.
MARINE FISHING REPORT
Water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) remain in the low to mid 70’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 2008 Connecticut Angler’s Guide for tidal information (page 52) and pages 49-51 for saltwater trophy fish award information.
STRIPED BASS fishing is still hanging there pretty good considering we are in the mid summer doldrums. Anglers are still scoring well on cow bass with many in the 40+ lbs range but you have to work at it! Drifting live bunker (Atlantic menhaden) has been the ticket at night or very early in the morning. Also using live eels, or scup on three way rigs or trolling the tube and worm have been producing nice catches. The usual striper haunts include the rocky reefs between Watch Hill and eastern Fishers Island, the Race, Sluiceway, Plum Gut, Bartlett Reef, Black Point, Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, Falkner Island area, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, the reefs off Norwalk and the Cows off Stamford.
BLUEFISH fishing is good to excellent throughout LIS. The Race, Pigeon Rip, Plum Gut, Long Sand Shoal, Sixmile Reef, upper New Haven Harbor, Buoy 20 off Stratford/Bridgeport, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground area and around the Norwalk Islands have been very consistent. SNAPPER fishing is good in the tidal rivers even after all the rain we had over this past weekend. Snappers are about 4 inches in length.
HICKORY SHAD fishing has dropped of in the Niantic and Connecticut Rivers and is rated fair at best.
SUMMER FLOUNDER (fluke) fishing still remains on the slow side in LIS.
SCUP (porgies) fishing is good on the local rocky reefs with TAUTOG (blackfish) in the mix.
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