07-08-2008, 12:31 AM
[size 2]FISHING REPORT NUMBER 11: 7/3/2008
INLAND REPORT
TROUT
Rivers & streams - Anglers are reporting good to very good early summer trout fishing. Water temperatures are moderate, flows are mostly clear, comfortable and fishable, although anglers may find variable conditions in some areas due to the continuing and frequent, but localized thunderstorm activity, that the state has been experiencing. Good reports from last week include the West Branch and mainstem Farmington Rivers, Housatonic River, Mianus River, Blackberry River, Aspetuck river, Shepaug River, Eightmile River (Lyme), Natchaug River, Naugatuck River, Hammonasset Riover, Latimer Brook, Furnace Brook, Macedonia Brook and Mill Brook.
Farmington River - West Branch flows are currently clear and moderate, approximately 400 cfs at Riverton. The Still River is providing an additional 80 cfs. Morning water temperatures are in the mid to high 50’s°F. Isonychia (#10-12, evening), Blue Wing Olives (#18-26, mid-late afternoon), Sulphurs duns, (#16-20, afternoon to early evening for spinners), Caddis (tan #16-18, all day; green #22-26, evening), Midges (#22-28, morning), Pale Evening Duns (Epeorus vitreus #14-16, afternoon & early evenings) are successful patterns. The first Needhami have been spotted! Also try bottom-bouncing nymphs in the riffles.
DEP would like to inform Farmington River anglers that the traditional 4th of July stocking in the upper Farmington River has been cancelled. The trout that were scheduled to be stocked need to be held for at least 45 days to complete treatment of problems caused by a fish pathogen. The 4th of July stocking had to be cancelled as these were the only available fish that are currently large enough to stock. Revised plans call for these trout to be held and added to the pre-Labor Day stocking of the upper Farmington River.
Housatonic River - Conditions are very good for early July trout fishing. Flows are clear and moderate, currently 780 cfs at Falls village and 1,020 cfs at Gaylordsville, with morning water temperatures still in the upper 60’s °F. Insect hatches/patterns include Alder/Zebra Caddis (#10-12, afternoon-evening near overhangs), Green/Brown Drakes (#8-12), Sulphurs (#16-18, evening), Blue Wing Olive (#18-26, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Isonychia (#10-12 evening), Light Cahill (#12-14, evening), and Tan & green caddis (#14-20, early morning & evening). Work streamers mornings & evenings to catch larger fish. 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.
Lakes & Ponds – Trout anglers are finding some good fishing in a number of lakes including East Twin Lake (target 14-21’), Crystal (Ellington, target 22-24’), Alexander Lake, Candlewood Lake (browns up to 4 lbs), Highland Lake (target 25’), Wononscopmuc Lake, Mashapaug Lake and West Hill Pond. Mixed reports from Beach Pond.
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is reported as good to very good at many locations including Lake Quassapaug, Mamanasco Lake, Coventry Lake (catches include a 5.9 lb bass), Winchester Lake, Saugatuck Reservoir, Breakneck pond, Gardner Lake, Pattaconk Lake, Cedar Lake, Hatch Pond and Dooley Pond. Largemouth fishing is reported to be fair at Highland Lake and Pachaug Pond, and slow at Lake Zoar.
SMALLMOUTH BASS reported as good at Candlewood Lake, West Hill Pond, and Saugatuck Reservoir. Smallmouth action is fair at Lake lillinonah and Lake Housatonic, and slow at Coventry Lake
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and Highland Lake. Mixed reports for Squantz Pond and Bashan Lake. River smallie action is good up on the upper Housatonic River (try late afternoons) and picking up in the Farmington River (Tariffville area).
NORTHERN PIKE – A number of pike catches reported from Bantam Lake, Winchester Lake and Pachaug Pond.
KOKANEE SALMON remains fair at West Hill Pond.
WALLEYE catches reported from Lake Saltonstall, Mashapaug Lake (including a 7-lb walleye), Squantz Pond (several in the 6-7 lb range) and Saugatuck Reservoir.
CALICO BASS is reported to be good at Silver Lake (Berlin/Meriden), Highland Lake, Park Pond and Dog Pond.
CONNECTICUT RIVER – NORTHERN PIKE fishing is good, with a number of catches reported in Haddam Meadows area. Although a few STRIPED BASS can still be found throughout the river, the main action will be at the far lower river and mouth. Good action for SMALLMOUTH BASS north of Hartford, with the best reports from the confluence with the Farmington River. LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is good in the coves and back areas from Keeney cove down through the Hamburg cove area. CATFISH are consistently being taken on frozen herring & cut/chunk bait.
FISHING ACCESS & BOAT LAUNCH INFORMATION
•
Access to BANTAM LAKE will be restricted on Tuesday, July 8th to facilitate an herbicide application targeting several invasive plant species. The state boat launch at Bantam Lake will be closed all day on July 8th starting from midnight.
•
The state boat launch on QUADDICK RESERVOIR will be closed to public use on Wednesday, July 9th to facilitate an herbicide application.
•
The state boat launch on the THAMES RIVER in New London will be closed from July 14th to August 28th for renovations.
•
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.
•
DEP recently completed a reconfiguration of the state boat launch at HIGHLAND LAKE. The new layout is expected to greatly improve traffic flow and increase maneuvering room within the launch. There will now be 27 parking spots available for vehicles with boat trailers.
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MARINE FISHING REPORT
Water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) are in the mid to upper 60’s °F. Check out the following web sites for more detailed water temperatures and marine boating conditions:
[/size][url "http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/stationstat.html"][#006699][size 2]http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/stationstat.html[/size][/#006699][/url][size 2]
[/size][url "http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1"][#006699][size 2]http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1[/size][/#006699][/url][size 2]
[/size][url "http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/"][#006699][size 2]http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/[/size][/#006699][/url][size 2]
[/size][url "http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/AN/330.html"][#006699][size 2]http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/AN/330.html[/size][/#006699][/url][size 2]
STRIPED BASS fishing has picked up with fish in the 50 inch range being reported! Before sunrise and after sunset are the best times. Bouncing the bottom with bucktails or soft plastics on three way rigs, trolling the tube and worm combination and drifting live baits such as menhaden (bunker), hickory shad, or eels and cut chunk baits continue to score. Striper spots include the reefs off Watch Hill, the Race, Sluiceway, Plum Gut, Bartlett Reef, mouth of the Niantic River, Black Point, Hatchett Reef, Long Sand Shoal, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, Falkner Island area, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, and the Norwalk Islands. Schoolie fishing along with larger linesiders is super off the DEP Marine Headquarters fishing dock (one angler lost a 40+ incher trying to lift it over the rail!).
BLUEFISH fishing has also improved at the usual locations: Ram Island Reef in Fishers Island Sound, lower Thames River over to Harkness Memorial State Park, the Race, Sluiceway, Plum Gut, Long Sand Shoal, north rip at Falkner Island, New Haven Harbor, lower Housatonic River, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground and south of the Norwalk Islands (Budd Reef, Cable and Anchor Reef, and Buoy “11B”).
HICKORY SHAD are around but nothing consistent at the usual spots (lower Niantic and Connecticut Rivers).
SUMMER FLOUNDER (fluke) fishing is getting better but you have to put in a lot of time to catch that elusive doormat. Water depths in 40 plus on tight contours (drop offs) are you best bet.
SCUP (porgies) fishing is fair to good on the major reefs and rock piles throughout LIS.
TAUTOG (blackfish) fishing season reopened July 1, however, the daily creel limit is 2 fish per angler.
For regulation updates, please check our web site: [/size][url "http://www.ct.gov/dep/fishing."][#006699][size 2]www.ct.gov/dep/fishing.[/size][/#006699][/url][size 2]
DEP WEEKLY FISHING REPORT
CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106 Page 3 of 3[/size]
[signature]
INLAND REPORT
TROUT
Rivers & streams - Anglers are reporting good to very good early summer trout fishing. Water temperatures are moderate, flows are mostly clear, comfortable and fishable, although anglers may find variable conditions in some areas due to the continuing and frequent, but localized thunderstorm activity, that the state has been experiencing. Good reports from last week include the West Branch and mainstem Farmington Rivers, Housatonic River, Mianus River, Blackberry River, Aspetuck river, Shepaug River, Eightmile River (Lyme), Natchaug River, Naugatuck River, Hammonasset Riover, Latimer Brook, Furnace Brook, Macedonia Brook and Mill Brook.
Farmington River - West Branch flows are currently clear and moderate, approximately 400 cfs at Riverton. The Still River is providing an additional 80 cfs. Morning water temperatures are in the mid to high 50’s°F. Isonychia (#10-12, evening), Blue Wing Olives (#18-26, mid-late afternoon), Sulphurs duns, (#16-20, afternoon to early evening for spinners), Caddis (tan #16-18, all day; green #22-26, evening), Midges (#22-28, morning), Pale Evening Duns (Epeorus vitreus #14-16, afternoon & early evenings) are successful patterns. The first Needhami have been spotted! Also try bottom-bouncing nymphs in the riffles.
DEP would like to inform Farmington River anglers that the traditional 4th of July stocking in the upper Farmington River has been cancelled. The trout that were scheduled to be stocked need to be held for at least 45 days to complete treatment of problems caused by a fish pathogen. The 4th of July stocking had to be cancelled as these were the only available fish that are currently large enough to stock. Revised plans call for these trout to be held and added to the pre-Labor Day stocking of the upper Farmington River.
Housatonic River - Conditions are very good for early July trout fishing. Flows are clear and moderate, currently 780 cfs at Falls village and 1,020 cfs at Gaylordsville, with morning water temperatures still in the upper 60’s °F. Insect hatches/patterns include Alder/Zebra Caddis (#10-12, afternoon-evening near overhangs), Green/Brown Drakes (#8-12), Sulphurs (#16-18, evening), Blue Wing Olive (#18-26, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Isonychia (#10-12 evening), Light Cahill (#12-14, evening), and Tan & green caddis (#14-20, early morning & evening). Work streamers mornings & evenings to catch larger fish. 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.
Lakes & Ponds – Trout anglers are finding some good fishing in a number of lakes including East Twin Lake (target 14-21’), Crystal (Ellington, target 22-24’), Alexander Lake, Candlewood Lake (browns up to 4 lbs), Highland Lake (target 25’), Wononscopmuc Lake, Mashapaug Lake and West Hill Pond. Mixed reports from Beach Pond.
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is reported as good to very good at many locations including Lake Quassapaug, Mamanasco Lake, Coventry Lake (catches include a 5.9 lb bass), Winchester Lake, Saugatuck Reservoir, Breakneck pond, Gardner Lake, Pattaconk Lake, Cedar Lake, Hatch Pond and Dooley Pond. Largemouth fishing is reported to be fair at Highland Lake and Pachaug Pond, and slow at Lake Zoar.
SMALLMOUTH BASS reported as good at Candlewood Lake, West Hill Pond, and Saugatuck Reservoir. Smallmouth action is fair at Lake lillinonah and Lake Housatonic, and slow at Coventry Lake
Page 1 of 3
and Highland Lake. Mixed reports for Squantz Pond and Bashan Lake. River smallie action is good up on the upper Housatonic River (try late afternoons) and picking up in the Farmington River (Tariffville area).
NORTHERN PIKE – A number of pike catches reported from Bantam Lake, Winchester Lake and Pachaug Pond.
KOKANEE SALMON remains fair at West Hill Pond.
WALLEYE catches reported from Lake Saltonstall, Mashapaug Lake (including a 7-lb walleye), Squantz Pond (several in the 6-7 lb range) and Saugatuck Reservoir.
CALICO BASS is reported to be good at Silver Lake (Berlin/Meriden), Highland Lake, Park Pond and Dog Pond.
CONNECTICUT RIVER – NORTHERN PIKE fishing is good, with a number of catches reported in Haddam Meadows area. Although a few STRIPED BASS can still be found throughout the river, the main action will be at the far lower river and mouth. Good action for SMALLMOUTH BASS north of Hartford, with the best reports from the confluence with the Farmington River. LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is good in the coves and back areas from Keeney cove down through the Hamburg cove area. CATFISH are consistently being taken on frozen herring & cut/chunk bait.
FISHING ACCESS & BOAT LAUNCH INFORMATION
•
Access to BANTAM LAKE will be restricted on Tuesday, July 8th to facilitate an herbicide application targeting several invasive plant species. The state boat launch at Bantam Lake will be closed all day on July 8th starting from midnight.
•
The state boat launch on QUADDICK RESERVOIR will be closed to public use on Wednesday, July 9th to facilitate an herbicide application.
•
The state boat launch on the THAMES RIVER in New London will be closed from July 14th to August 28th for renovations.
•
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.
•
DEP recently completed a reconfiguration of the state boat launch at HIGHLAND LAKE. The new layout is expected to greatly improve traffic flow and increase maneuvering room within the launch. There will now be 27 parking spots available for vehicles with boat trailers.
Page 2 of 3
MARINE FISHING REPORT
Water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) are in the mid to upper 60’s °F. Check out the following web sites for more detailed water temperatures and marine boating conditions:
[/size][url "http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/stationstat.html"][#006699][size 2]http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/stationstat.html[/size][/#006699][/url][size 2]
[/size][url "http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1"][#006699][size 2]http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1[/size][/#006699][/url][size 2]
[/size][url "http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/"][#006699][size 2]http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/[/size][/#006699][/url][size 2]
[/size][url "http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/AN/330.html"][#006699][size 2]http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/AN/330.html[/size][/#006699][/url][size 2]
STRIPED BASS fishing has picked up with fish in the 50 inch range being reported! Before sunrise and after sunset are the best times. Bouncing the bottom with bucktails or soft plastics on three way rigs, trolling the tube and worm combination and drifting live baits such as menhaden (bunker), hickory shad, or eels and cut chunk baits continue to score. Striper spots include the reefs off Watch Hill, the Race, Sluiceway, Plum Gut, Bartlett Reef, mouth of the Niantic River, Black Point, Hatchett Reef, Long Sand Shoal, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, Falkner Island area, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, and the Norwalk Islands. Schoolie fishing along with larger linesiders is super off the DEP Marine Headquarters fishing dock (one angler lost a 40+ incher trying to lift it over the rail!).
BLUEFISH fishing has also improved at the usual locations: Ram Island Reef in Fishers Island Sound, lower Thames River over to Harkness Memorial State Park, the Race, Sluiceway, Plum Gut, Long Sand Shoal, north rip at Falkner Island, New Haven Harbor, lower Housatonic River, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground and south of the Norwalk Islands (Budd Reef, Cable and Anchor Reef, and Buoy “11B”).
HICKORY SHAD are around but nothing consistent at the usual spots (lower Niantic and Connecticut Rivers).
SUMMER FLOUNDER (fluke) fishing is getting better but you have to put in a lot of time to catch that elusive doormat. Water depths in 40 plus on tight contours (drop offs) are you best bet.
SCUP (porgies) fishing is fair to good on the major reefs and rock piles throughout LIS.
TAUTOG (blackfish) fishing season reopened July 1, however, the daily creel limit is 2 fish per angler.
For regulation updates, please check our web site: [/size][url "http://www.ct.gov/dep/fishing."][#006699][size 2]www.ct.gov/dep/fishing.[/size][/#006699][/url][size 2]
DEP WEEKLY FISHING REPORT
CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106 Page 3 of 3[/size]
[signature]