08-06-2004, 10:07 AM
[font "Times New Roman"]Weekly Fishing Report - Week of August 2, 2004 [/font] [font "Times New Roman"][#004080]INLAND REPORT [/#004080][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]![[Image: lmb_small.gif]](http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/fishimag/lmb_small.gif)
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is reported as excellent. Areas to try include: Congamond Lakes (4 lbs. 2 oz.), Lakes Lillinonah and Hayward, Rogers (4.5 lbs.), Pattagansett, Candlewood, Bantam, Crystal (Ellington), Powers, Highland (18”), Upper Bolton, Quonnipaug and Amos Lakes, Mt. Tom, Beach, Mudge (50 fish on drop shot rig), Ball and Dog Ponds, Mansfield Hollow, Upper/Lower Moodus (5.8 lbs.) and Saugatuck Reservoirs and the Shetucket River. SMALLMOUTH BASS are reported at Saugatuck Reservoir, Squantz Pond, and the Quinebaug (very good), Shetucket, Pomperaug, Willimantic (very good) and Housatonic (excellent) Rivers.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]TROUT[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Rivers & streams– Consistent trout fishing in the Farmington River, TMA is described as fantastic! All condition factors are just right for a startling mid-summer experience. Take a trip and you won’t be disappointed. Early and late in the day are peak fishing times during is time of the year. The Farmington River is 61°F with 300 cfs (Riverton) of clear flows. Insect hatches have been stable and unchanging over the past several weeks. Needhami (#24-26, early morning - For more information on using the Needhami, see the [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/weekly/needhami.pdf"]Needhami Tips and Tricks[/url] (PDF, 54K), Isonychia (#12-14, fast water, evening), Blue Wing Olives (#16-20, mid-late afternoon), Sulphur duns (#18-20, Riverton area only, morning; afternoon to early evening for spinners), Caddis (tan #14-18, all day; green #22-26, evening), Midges (#22-32, morning), Black Ants (#14-20, mid day in fast water), Black Beetles (#16-18, mid day), Flying Ants (#18-22, mid day, when windy/humid) and Golden Drake (Potomanthus, #10-14, late evening) are successful patterns. The Housatonic River is 76°F with variable flows. The White Fly is here, (2 weeks early)! Use a White Wolf (#10-12). Other insect hatches include: Sulphurs (#14-16, evening), Blue Wing Olive (#18-22, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Isonychia (#12-14 evening), Light Cahill (#12-16, evening), and Black caddis (#16-18, early morning & evening). Midges and stoneflies are located at the mouths of streams. Golden stonefly nymphs hatch at first light and adults egg-lay after dark. 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). Areas of activity include: Farmington (21” rainbow), Housatonic (slow due to high temperatures, 21” brown), Naugatuck (5 lbs. 4oz. brown by 14 year old Joshua McColl, Torrington), Willimantic and Salmon Rivers and Salmon Brook.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Lakes & Ponds – Some lakes are still producing good fishing. Areas of activity include: East Twin (22” brown), Wonoscopomuc (4 lbs. brown), Rogers, Highland (6 lbs. brown) Lakes, Beach Pond (21 browns @ 4 colors) and Colebrook Reservoir.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]NORTHERN PIKE fishing is reported to be very good in Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Lake Lillinonah, Bantam (27-39”) Lake, Winchester Lake and Pachaug Pond. CATFISH are being caught from Lakes Lillinonah and Zoar. Anglers are finding KOKANEE (slow)in West Hill Pond by still fishing at night with corn. Some WALLEYE are being reported from Saugatuck Reservoir and Squantz Pond (drifting alewives). CALICO BASS action is reported in Avery, Silver (Meriden), Highland, and Oxoboxo Lakes, and Dog, Park, Glasgo and Pachaug Ponds. SUNFISH are providing excellent action using poppers on a fly rod. Try Mudge Pond, and Quinebaug, Amos, Bashan, Billings, Crystal (Ellington), and Mamanasco Lakes.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Connecticut River – STRIPED BASS action remains good in the lower river on live eels & hickory shad. NORTHERN PIKE fishing is excellent in the coves and in the mainstem near Haddam Meadows and downstream from Hartford to Haddam. SMALLMOUTH BASS are being caught in the north of the river. CATFISH (4-6 lbs.) are consistently being taken on frozen cut bait. CALICO BASS action on small minnows is reported in coves anglers fishing deeper water are having the most success.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]Boating Access Notes: [/#ff0000]The Boating Division also cautions boaters when using the Great Island launch in Old Lyme at low tide. Due to storm activity, access to the Sound from this launch is severely restricted during low tide.[/font] [font "Times New Roman"][#004080]MARINE REPORT[/#004080][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]![[Image: Stb.gif]](http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/fishimag/Stb.gif)
The water temperature remains in the mid 60’s to low 70’s °F. Check out the following web site for more detailed water temperatures:
[url "http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1"]http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1[/url]![[Image: arrow7.gif]](http://dep.state.ct.us/images/arrow7.gif)
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[font "Times New Roman"]Also remember to check [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/fishinfo/anguide.pdf#page=48&zoom=100"]page 48[/url] in the [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/fishinfo/angler.htm"]2004 Angler’s Guide[/url] for tidal information and [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/fishinfo/anguide.pdf#page=46&zoom=100"]page 46[/url] for saltwater trophy fish award info.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]STRIPED BASS - Fishing for large linesiders remains good to excellent at the reefs off Watch Hill, Ram Island Reef, south shore of Fishers Island, the Race (Valiant Rock), the Sluiceway (area between Plum Island and Great Gull Island), the hump south of Bartlett Reef, Black Point, the humps south of Hatchett Reef, Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, between the Baldwin Bridge (I-95) and the Amtrak RR Bridge (Connecticut River), Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, the reefs off Branford, New Haven Harbor, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground area, Penfield Reef, and the reefs around the Norwalk Islands. Live menhaden (bunker), hickory shad, scup or eels are the ticket.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]BLUEFISH fishing has picked up and is rated good. The reefs off Watch Hill, Ram Island Reef, the Race, Millstone warm water discharge, lower Connecticut River (between the Baldwin Bridge (I-95) and the Amtrak RR Bridge), Long Sand Shoal, Sixmile Reef, Cornfield Point, Falkner Island area (North Rip), New Haven Harbor (Sandy Point), Charles Island area, Penfield Reef, Norwalk Islands, and the reefs off Stamford. Early morning and evening is the time to find bluefish feeding at the surface which creates excellent top water action with surface plugs. Look for diving gulls which often gives bluefish feeding frenzies away. So far it looks like a banner year for SNAPPER BLUEFISH as fishing is good to excellent in most of the tidal rivers and creeks. Fish range in size from 3-6 inches.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SUMMER FLOUNDER fishing remains good on the south side of Fishers Island (Isabella Beach), mouth of the Mystic River to Groton Long Point, the hump south of Bartlett Reef, Black Point, lower Connecticut River, Long Sand Shoal, Duck Island area, the Falkner Island area, New Haven Harbor including the outer breakwater area, and the Charles Island area. Bucktail jigs baited with live mummichogs/killifish, snapper bluefish or large fresh squid strips are great baits for doormats.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]TAUTOG (BLACKFISH) fishing remains fair to at many of the major reefs in Fishers Island Sound, Bartlett Reef, Hatchett Reef, Crane Reef, Southwest Reef, Kimberly Reef, the reefs off Branford, New Haven Harbor Breakwaters and oyster grounds, Charles Island area, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, and the Norwalk Islands. Hermit crabs are the preferred bait for anglers seeking these reef bullies.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SCUP fishing remains good and will only get better at all the major rocky reefs and wrecks throughout LIS. Hooks baited with small squid strips on three-way bottom rigs or fish-finder/slip sinker rigs on light tackle is all you need to catch these feisty gamesters.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]HICKORY SHAD fishing is fair to good in the Niantic River and the lower Connecticut River by the DEP Marine Headquarters fishing pier.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]BONITO and LITTLE TUNNY have arrived in LIS. The Pine Island area (Groton), the Race, and the Millstone Point area are spots worth trying for these speedy torpedoes.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#009900]Interested in participating in the [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/fishinfo/anguide.pdf#page=44&zoom=100"]Volunteer Marine Angler Survey[/url]? Please see [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/fishinfo/anguide.pdf#page=44&zoom=100"]page 44[/url] of the 2004 CT Angler’s Guide for contact information. Your participation is critical to effective fisheries management of your marine fishery resources. Thank you.[/#009900][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]For the latest information regarding [#000000]size and catch limits[/#000000] on common marine fish species, please see the [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/marineinfo/saltregs.htm"]Current Marine Fisheries Recreational Regulations[/url][#0080ff] [/#0080ff][#000000]page.[/#000000][/font] [center][font "Times New Roman"][url "http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/weekly/fishadv.htm"]Weekly Fishing Report[/url] | [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/index.htm"]Bureau of Natural Resources[/url][/font][/center] [font "Arial"][size 2][url "http://dep.state.ct.us/index.htm"]Home[/url] | [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/aboutdep/contact/contact.htm"]Contact Us[/url] | [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/search2.htm"]Search[/url] | [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/survey/survey.htm"]Feedback[/url] | [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/legal.htm"]Website Legal Info[/url][/size][/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is reported as excellent. Areas to try include: Congamond Lakes (4 lbs. 2 oz.), Lakes Lillinonah and Hayward, Rogers (4.5 lbs.), Pattagansett, Candlewood, Bantam, Crystal (Ellington), Powers, Highland (18”), Upper Bolton, Quonnipaug and Amos Lakes, Mt. Tom, Beach, Mudge (50 fish on drop shot rig), Ball and Dog Ponds, Mansfield Hollow, Upper/Lower Moodus (5.8 lbs.) and Saugatuck Reservoirs and the Shetucket River. SMALLMOUTH BASS are reported at Saugatuck Reservoir, Squantz Pond, and the Quinebaug (very good), Shetucket, Pomperaug, Willimantic (very good) and Housatonic (excellent) Rivers.[/font] [font "Times New Roman"]TROUT[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Rivers & streams– Consistent trout fishing in the Farmington River, TMA is described as fantastic! All condition factors are just right for a startling mid-summer experience. Take a trip and you won’t be disappointed. Early and late in the day are peak fishing times during is time of the year. The Farmington River is 61°F with 300 cfs (Riverton) of clear flows. Insect hatches have been stable and unchanging over the past several weeks. Needhami (#24-26, early morning - For more information on using the Needhami, see the [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/weekly/needhami.pdf"]Needhami Tips and Tricks[/url] (PDF, 54K), Isonychia (#12-14, fast water, evening), Blue Wing Olives (#16-20, mid-late afternoon), Sulphur duns (#18-20, Riverton area only, morning; afternoon to early evening for spinners), Caddis (tan #14-18, all day; green #22-26, evening), Midges (#22-32, morning), Black Ants (#14-20, mid day in fast water), Black Beetles (#16-18, mid day), Flying Ants (#18-22, mid day, when windy/humid) and Golden Drake (Potomanthus, #10-14, late evening) are successful patterns. The Housatonic River is 76°F with variable flows. The White Fly is here, (2 weeks early)! Use a White Wolf (#10-12). Other insect hatches include: Sulphurs (#14-16, evening), Blue Wing Olive (#18-22, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Isonychia (#12-14 evening), Light Cahill (#12-16, evening), and Black caddis (#16-18, early morning & evening). Midges and stoneflies are located at the mouths of streams. Golden stonefly nymphs hatch at first light and adults egg-lay after dark. 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). Areas of activity include: Farmington (21” rainbow), Housatonic (slow due to high temperatures, 21” brown), Naugatuck (5 lbs. 4oz. brown by 14 year old Joshua McColl, Torrington), Willimantic and Salmon Rivers and Salmon Brook.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Lakes & Ponds – Some lakes are still producing good fishing. Areas of activity include: East Twin (22” brown), Wonoscopomuc (4 lbs. brown), Rogers, Highland (6 lbs. brown) Lakes, Beach Pond (21 browns @ 4 colors) and Colebrook Reservoir.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]NORTHERN PIKE fishing is reported to be very good in Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Lake Lillinonah, Bantam (27-39”) Lake, Winchester Lake and Pachaug Pond. CATFISH are being caught from Lakes Lillinonah and Zoar. Anglers are finding KOKANEE (slow)in West Hill Pond by still fishing at night with corn. Some WALLEYE are being reported from Saugatuck Reservoir and Squantz Pond (drifting alewives). CALICO BASS action is reported in Avery, Silver (Meriden), Highland, and Oxoboxo Lakes, and Dog, Park, Glasgo and Pachaug Ponds. SUNFISH are providing excellent action using poppers on a fly rod. Try Mudge Pond, and Quinebaug, Amos, Bashan, Billings, Crystal (Ellington), and Mamanasco Lakes.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Connecticut River – STRIPED BASS action remains good in the lower river on live eels & hickory shad. NORTHERN PIKE fishing is excellent in the coves and in the mainstem near Haddam Meadows and downstream from Hartford to Haddam. SMALLMOUTH BASS are being caught in the north of the river. CATFISH (4-6 lbs.) are consistently being taken on frozen cut bait. CALICO BASS action on small minnows is reported in coves anglers fishing deeper water are having the most success.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]Boating Access Notes: [/#ff0000]The Boating Division also cautions boaters when using the Great Island launch in Old Lyme at low tide. Due to storm activity, access to the Sound from this launch is severely restricted during low tide.[/font] [font "Times New Roman"][#004080]MARINE REPORT[/#004080][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]
The water temperature remains in the mid 60’s to low 70’s °F. Check out the following web site for more detailed water temperatures:[url "http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1"]http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1[/url]
[/font] [font "Times New Roman"]Also remember to check [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/fishinfo/anguide.pdf#page=48&zoom=100"]page 48[/url] in the [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/fishinfo/angler.htm"]2004 Angler’s Guide[/url] for tidal information and [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/fishinfo/anguide.pdf#page=46&zoom=100"]page 46[/url] for saltwater trophy fish award info.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]STRIPED BASS - Fishing for large linesiders remains good to excellent at the reefs off Watch Hill, Ram Island Reef, south shore of Fishers Island, the Race (Valiant Rock), the Sluiceway (area between Plum Island and Great Gull Island), the hump south of Bartlett Reef, Black Point, the humps south of Hatchett Reef, Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, between the Baldwin Bridge (I-95) and the Amtrak RR Bridge (Connecticut River), Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, the reefs off Branford, New Haven Harbor, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground area, Penfield Reef, and the reefs around the Norwalk Islands. Live menhaden (bunker), hickory shad, scup or eels are the ticket.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]BLUEFISH fishing has picked up and is rated good. The reefs off Watch Hill, Ram Island Reef, the Race, Millstone warm water discharge, lower Connecticut River (between the Baldwin Bridge (I-95) and the Amtrak RR Bridge), Long Sand Shoal, Sixmile Reef, Cornfield Point, Falkner Island area (North Rip), New Haven Harbor (Sandy Point), Charles Island area, Penfield Reef, Norwalk Islands, and the reefs off Stamford. Early morning and evening is the time to find bluefish feeding at the surface which creates excellent top water action with surface plugs. Look for diving gulls which often gives bluefish feeding frenzies away. So far it looks like a banner year for SNAPPER BLUEFISH as fishing is good to excellent in most of the tidal rivers and creeks. Fish range in size from 3-6 inches.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SUMMER FLOUNDER fishing remains good on the south side of Fishers Island (Isabella Beach), mouth of the Mystic River to Groton Long Point, the hump south of Bartlett Reef, Black Point, lower Connecticut River, Long Sand Shoal, Duck Island area, the Falkner Island area, New Haven Harbor including the outer breakwater area, and the Charles Island area. Bucktail jigs baited with live mummichogs/killifish, snapper bluefish or large fresh squid strips are great baits for doormats.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]TAUTOG (BLACKFISH) fishing remains fair to at many of the major reefs in Fishers Island Sound, Bartlett Reef, Hatchett Reef, Crane Reef, Southwest Reef, Kimberly Reef, the reefs off Branford, New Haven Harbor Breakwaters and oyster grounds, Charles Island area, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, and the Norwalk Islands. Hermit crabs are the preferred bait for anglers seeking these reef bullies.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SCUP fishing remains good and will only get better at all the major rocky reefs and wrecks throughout LIS. Hooks baited with small squid strips on three-way bottom rigs or fish-finder/slip sinker rigs on light tackle is all you need to catch these feisty gamesters.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]HICKORY SHAD fishing is fair to good in the Niantic River and the lower Connecticut River by the DEP Marine Headquarters fishing pier.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]BONITO and LITTLE TUNNY have arrived in LIS. The Pine Island area (Groton), the Race, and the Millstone Point area are spots worth trying for these speedy torpedoes.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#009900]Interested in participating in the [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/fishinfo/anguide.pdf#page=44&zoom=100"]Volunteer Marine Angler Survey[/url]? Please see [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/fishinfo/anguide.pdf#page=44&zoom=100"]page 44[/url] of the 2004 CT Angler’s Guide for contact information. Your participation is critical to effective fisheries management of your marine fishery resources. Thank you.[/#009900][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]For the latest information regarding [#000000]size and catch limits[/#000000] on common marine fish species, please see the [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/marineinfo/saltregs.htm"]Current Marine Fisheries Recreational Regulations[/url][#0080ff] [/#0080ff][#000000]page.[/#000000][/font] [center][font "Times New Roman"][url "http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/weekly/fishadv.htm"]Weekly Fishing Report[/url] | [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/index.htm"]Bureau of Natural Resources[/url][/font][/center] [font "Arial"][size 2][url "http://dep.state.ct.us/index.htm"]Home[/url] | [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/aboutdep/contact/contact.htm"]Contact Us[/url] | [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/search2.htm"]Search[/url] | [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/survey/survey.htm"]Feedback[/url] | [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/legal.htm"]Website Legal Info[/url][/size][/font]
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