DEP weekly report " Head for the salt"

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[font "Times New Roman"]Weekly Fishing Report - Week of October 11, 2004 [/font] [font "Times New Roman"][font "Times New Roman"][#004080]INLAND REPORT [/#004080][/font][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Broodstock [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/weekly/101104.htm#salmon"]Atlantic salmon[/url] stockings of the Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers began this week [#ff0000](including several salmon over 20 lbs)[/#ff0000]. DEP’s fall trout stocking is in its second full week.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]SPECIAL NOTE: ANGLERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT DEP WILL BE CONDUCTING AN EXPERIMENTAL STOCKING OF PRE-SPAWN ATLANTIC SALMON INTO FOUR CONNECTICUT RIVER TRIBUTARIES THIS WEEK.[/#ff0000] A total of 48 fish will be released into the Salmon, Blackledge and Jeremy Rivers, and 12 will be released into the Eightmile River. [#ff0000]THESE STOCKINGS ARE NOT PART OF THE ANNUAL BROODSTOCK SALMON STOCKING PROGRAM AND IT IS ILLEGAL TO HARVEST ATLANTIC SALMON IN THESE WATERS.[/#ff0000] The pre-spawn fish weigh about 10 lbs and anglers should take care not to mistake these fish for large brown trout. Spawning should take place over the next couple of weeks after which the salmon are expected to move downstream to the mainstem Connecticut River and out to sea. This fall, DEP biologists will be monitoring the stocked streams to identify spawning sites, and next spring, to determine spawning success.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]TROUT[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Rivers & streams - Fall stocking is well underway. Good trout fishing reported in the West Branch Farmington and Farmington River TMA’s (browns up to 19”), the Housatonic River TMA (a 20” brown), the Pootatuck, Pomperaug, Norwalk, East Aspetuck and Scantic Rivers, Salmon Brook and the Stratton Brook Trout Park. Anglers are reporting streamers & nymphing are the way to go and dominate the early morning & late evening. For streamers try white, yellow & brown colors. Patterns to try include: White Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10). Bottom bouncing nymphs with Caddis pupa (#14-16), Serendipity (#14-16), Pheasant Tail (#12-20), Prince (#6-18) and Hare’s ear (#8-20) is also recommended. The Farmington River is 55°F with 330 cfs of clear flows (just below Riverton). The bugs consist of Isonychia (#12-14, fast water, evening), Blue Wing Olives (#16-20, mid-late afternoon), Caddis (tan #14-18, all day; green #22-26, evening; summer pupa #18-20 morning), 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 Stone Hopper (#8-12, mid day) are successful patterns. The Housatonic River is currently 52°F, with flows (Falls Village) just under 800 cfs. Insect hatches include: Blue Wing Olive (#18-22, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Isonychia (#12-14 evening), and Black caddis (#16-20, early morning & evening). Try Black/Cinnamon Ants (#18-22, mid day in fast water), Black Beetles (#14-18, mid day), Stone Hopper (#8-10, mid day) and Flying Ants (#18-22, mid day, when windy/humid).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Lakes & Ponds – Lakes reporting good trout fishing include: East Twin (22” brown), Crystal (Ellington) (6 lb brown), Highland, Tyler, Mashapaug and Great Hollow Lakes, West Side Pond and Colebrook Reservoir.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Areas to try this weekend: The Trout Parks at Stratton Brook State Park and Black Rock Pond should provide good family fishing. Anglers should find plenty of trout in the Shetucket, Scantic, Natchaug and Quinebaug Rivers, Mashapaug Lake, Wangumbaug (Coventry) Lake, Wauregan Reservoir, and Mt. Tom, Stillwater, West Side, Mohawk, West Hill, Bigelow, Black (Woodstock)and Moosup Ponds.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]ATLANTIC SALMON[/font][/url]
[font "Times New Roman"]Surplus broodstock ATLANTIC SALMON stocking began this week. The DEP released 137 salmon into the Shetucket River on Tuesday, October 12, and the upper and lower sections of the Naugatuck River were stocked with a total of 132 salmon on Thursday, October 14. This first group of salmon is made up of barren fish that were not spawned at the hatchery this year. These salmon are three to four years old and although most weigh between 2 and 15 pounds each, there are a number of [#ff0000]fish in the 15-20 pound range[/#ff0000] and several salmon [#ff0000]over 20 pounds[/#ff0000]. DEP expects an additional 500-600 salmon to be available for stocking following spawning. Additional fish may also become available from federal fish hatcheries in November and December.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Anglers are allowed to fish for salmon in the Naugatuck River from the confluence of the East and West Branches (Torrington) downstream to the Housatonic River (Derby). Anglers may also fish for Atlantic salmon in the Housatonic River downstream of Derby Dam. On the Shetucket River, anglers can fish for salmon downstream from the Scotland Dam (Windham) to the Water Street Bridge in Norwich (the first bridge upstream of Norwich Harbor). Angling is restricted to [#ff0000]catch-and-release only[/#ff0000] in all open areas through November 30. The daily creel limit is zero and all Atlantic salmon must be immediately returned, without avoidable injury, to the waters from which taken. From December 1, 2004, through March 31, 2005, the daily creel limit for Atlantic salmon is one. During the open season, the legal method for taking Atlantic salmon is limited to angling using a single fly, or an artificial lure with a single free swinging hook. No additional weight may be added to the line above the fly or lure.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]BASS fishing continues to be variable, ranging from poor to good. Areas to try for LARGEMOUTH BASS includeAmos, Highland, Crystal (Ellington), Gardner, Winchester and Congamond Lakes, Lake Zoar, Beach, Mudge, Squantz and Mitchell Ponds, and Upper Moodus Reservoir. SMALLMOUTH BASS action reported from Highland Lake (2.5 lbs.), Mashapaug Lake (3.5 lbs.), Squantz Pond, and Colebrook Reservoir. Candlewood Lake remains very slow for both largemouth and smallmouth although the few catches include 4.0 lb and 3.4 lb smallmouth.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]NORTHERN PIKE fishing is improving. Fish are showing up in Mansfield Hollow Reservoir (34”), Bantam Lake (shallows) and Winchester Lake, Pachaug Pond and the Shepaug River. WALLEYE action reported from Lake Saltonstall and Squantz Pond (21”, 3.1 lbs.). BLACK CRAPPIE are keeping some anglers busy at Highland Lake (20 for one angler). A few late-season KOKANEE catches reported from West Hill Pond (night on corn/meal worms).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Connecticut River – NORTHERN PIKE fishing is reported as good in Enfield, Wethersfield Cove, and from Harbor Park (Middletown) to Salmon River Cove. A 38”, 13 lb pike among the catches. BLACK CRAPPIE are providing some excellent fall action on jigs in the coves throughout the river. Some SMALLMOUTH BASS action reported in the Enfield area. CATFISH have slowed, still some action reported on cut bait in the deeper holes & on the outside edges of the river. Try Harbor Park in Middletown and the Wethersfield Cove area for some action.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]NOTES: Lake Lillinonah will be drawndown approximately 6 feet starting October 23rd with refilling scheduled to begin the night of October 31st. A 7-8 foot winter drawdown of Candlewood Lake is currently scheduled to begin on November 1.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]FLOW INFORMATION:There are a number of resources available to anglers looking for current stream flow data including the following:[/font] [ul] [li][font "Times New Roman"]For Scotland Dam flow information call 860-456-4115 (The dam operates between a low of 75 feet and a high of 78 feet, [#ff0000]BREAKER IS CLOSED[/#ff0000] means the dam is venting water to make power. River level will be high, [#009900]BREAKER IS OPEN[/#009900] means there is no venting. River level should be low. Normal vents last about 10 hours).[/font] [li][font "Times New Roman"]Real time stream flow data from 46 USGS gauging stations can be found at the following web site: [url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ct/nwis/current/?type=flow"]http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ct/nwis/current/?type=flow[/url][/font] [li][font "Times New Roman"]Housatonic River flow data is available by calling NGS at: 1-888-417-4837.[/font] [li][font "Times New Roman"]Pool levels and dam discharge information for US Army Corp of Engineers flood control projects (including Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Colebrook Reservoir, West Thompson Lake) can be found at the following web site: [url "https://rsgis.crrel.usace.army.mil/nae/index.html"]https://rsgis.crrel.usace.army.mil/nae/index.html[/url][/font] [/li][/ul] [font "Times New Roman"][#004080]MARINE REPORT[/#004080][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]SPECIAL NOTE: [url "http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/marineinfo/saltregs.htm#Scup"]SCUP (PORGY)[/url] FISHING SEASON IS CLOSED FROM OCTOBER 13TH THROUGH OCTOBER 31ST.[/#ff0000][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]The water temperature remains in the mid 60’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"]BLUEFISH fishing is prime time with larger “Alligator” Bluefish (weighing in the mid - high teens) moving into LIS. It is pretty tough to avoid these toothy marauders as they fuel up for their southern migration. The usual spots include the Race, the reefs off Watch Hill, Ram Island Reef, Millstone warm water discharge, Hatchett Reef, lower Connecticut River from Essex down to Griswold Point on the flood tide, Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, Sixmile Reef, Crane Reef, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, Falkner Island area (North Rip), Thimble Islands to Branford reefs, New Haven Harbor, Charles Island area, Stratford Point, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground area, Penfield Reef, Norwalk Islands, Stamford Harbor, and Greenwich Point.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]STRIPED BASS fishing has improved dramatically, rated excellent with many large bass (40 pounds and larger) being taken in the recent week. The approaching October New Moon on the 13th should provide anglers with the best striper action, with many opportunities to catch a large “Cow” bass. The bait of choice for trophy size “linesiders” (40 pounds and larger) is eels, hickory shad, bunker, butterfish and chunks. The best times are during dawn and dusk, including nighttime and daytime periods of overcast low light conditions. Fishing is good at the Watch Hill reefs, 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, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, the reefs off Branford, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground area, and the reefs around the Norwalk Islands. Two 50 plus pound striped bass were landed this week. Please use circle hooks to avoid gut-hooked fish.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]HICKORY SHAD (“Connecticut Tarpon”) fishing remains good in the Niantic River and fair in the Connecticut River (Marine Fisheries Office) and Hammonasset River. Incoming tides are best. Shad approaching 22 inches have been caught on willowleafs, shad darts and leadhead jigs with plastic curly tails. Chartreuse, white and copper are the color of choice. Go out and enjoy some great shore-based fishing action.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]LITTLE TUNNY (False Albacore) and ATLANTIC BONITO fishing remains good in the Sluiceway, Pine Island area, Bartlett Reef, and from Millstone Point to Black Point.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]TAUTOG (BLACKFISH) (“Reef Bullies”) fishing is fair to good at the reefs in Fishers Island Sound, Bartlett Reef, Black Point, Hatchett Reef, Crane Reef, Southwest Reef, Kimberely Reef, Thimble Islands to Branford area, Stratford Shoal/Middle Grounds, and the reefs off Norwalk. Fish weighing 4- 8 pounds are common with a few bruisers weighing 15 pounds have been landed. Look for “Reef Bullies” in shallower water near or on structure. Hermit crabs, green crabs, Japanese crabs and conch are your best bets to score. Patience is the key with these finicky fish.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]BLACK SEA BASS fishing is rated good at any of the major reefs and wrecks in Long Island Sound. Fish weighing 2-4 pounds are common with a few “bucketmouths” weighing in at 6 pounds have been taken this week. Popular spots include Norwalk Islands, Stratford Shoal/Middle Grounds, Charles Island, Townshend Ledge, Branford Reef, Brown’s Reef, Faulkner’s Island, Kimberly Reef, Ram Island Reef, lower Thames River, Southwest Reef and Black Point in Niantic. Hermit and green crabs, squid strips, peanut bunker and conch are your baits of choice to catch this prized gamefish. Its white flesh is excellent table fare.[/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] [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] [font "Arial"][size 2]Send comments or questions regarding this site to[/size][#800000][size 2] [url "mailto:dep.webmaster@po.state.ct.us"]dep.webmaster@po.state.ct.us[/url][/size][/#800000][/font] [font "Arial"][size 2]Copyright 1998-2004 Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection[/size][/font]
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