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| BBC Tournament Lunker 5lb 9 oz. |
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| BBC BRIAN PARENTEAU |
NORTHERN PIKE reports came in from Winchester Lake, Bantam Lake and Quaddick Reservoir.
WALLEYE catches are being reported from Batterson Park Pond and Lake Saltonstall.
SUNFISH are providing excellent summer time action. Now is the time to get the family out and experience the fast-paced action of fishing for panfish. Locations to try for good fishing include Southford Falls Pond, Valley Falls Pond, West Pequonnock Reservoir, West Side Pond, Winchester Lake, Lake Winnemaug, Wood Creek Pond, Zeiner Pond, Mirror Lake (Meriden), Holbrook Pond and Hopeville Pond.
CATFISH – Fish are being caught at Bunnells Pond (Bridgeport), Birge Pond (Bristol), Picketts Pond (Derby), Keeney Park Pond (Hartford), Stanley Quarter Pond (New Britain), Lakewood Lake (Waterbury), Lake Wintergreen (Hamden/New Haven), Black Pond (Middlefield), Pattaconk Lake (Chester) and Silver Lake (Meriden).
TROUT-LAKES & PONDS - Anglers are still enjoying some good trout action at a number of lakes and ponds. Places to try include Highland Lake (20-15 feet), Lake McDonough(lower basin), East Twin Lake (20 feet plus), Crystal Lake(Ellington, 7-8 colors), Mashapaug Lake (5 colors), West Hill Pond (target 5 colors), Beach Pond (7-8 colors) and Long Pond.
TROUT- RIVERS & STREAMS - Conditions for the weekend should be fairly good for the weekend. Water temperatures are generally cool to moderate, flows are more than adequate (at or above typical early July levels – see stream flow graphic on page 4) and the weekend forecast is for good weather (although a bit on the warm side). With some rain, possibly heavy, in the forecast for tonight(Thursday), flows may however be high in some areas to start the weekend. Anglers should keep smaller streams and tributaries in mind as they’ll drop quickest (streamflows for a number of areas can be found on the USGS website at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ct/nwis/rt).Fishing has been good lately, with reports from the West Branch Farmington River, Farmington River, Mill River, Salmon River, Furnace Brook, Macedonia Brook, Tankerhoosen River, Eight mile River, Jeremy River and Hammonasett River. Expect rainbow trout to be in the fast water and the browns to be in the larger, deeper pools hugging the bottom. Bait fisherman are using a corn/mealworm combination with success.Farmington River - Although higher flows slowed things down early last week, fishing by the weekend was very good, and conditions should be good for this weekend. West Branch flows are clear and back at moderate levels (currently 325 cfs at Riverton with the Still River adding another 81 cfs). Note that with possibly heavy rain in the forecast for tonight (Thursday), Still River inputs may again increase. Water temperatures are in the low to mid 60’sF afternoons. Don’t forget that there’s plenty of the 2,250 trout (12 inch and longer fish) stocked last week waiting for anglers in the upper West Branch. Hatches/patterns include Ephemerella needhami (#16-18, early morning; 9:00am), Isonychia bicolor, (#10-12, evening), Light Cahill, (Stenonema ithaca, #12-18, evening), Blue Wing Olives (#18-20 (Drunella lata) & #22-26), (D. cornuta & cornutella), cloudy days, mid-late afternoon), Sulphurs, (Epeorus vitreus duns #16-18, afternoon to early evening for spinners), Caddis (tan #18-22, all day; green #16-18, evening) and Midges (#20-32, morning). Most success is below the surface on nymphs, wets and streamers. Try bottom bouncing caddis pupa Euro-style.
Housatonic River – Flows were too high last weekend for much fishing, but conditions for this weekend may be better as the river continues to clear (currently 1-3 feet visibility) and drop to more fishable levels, water temperatures are good for summer trout (morning water temperatures are only in the mid 60’sF) and good weather(although warm) is forecast. Currently flows are still on the high side, 1,330 cfs at Falls Village and 1,690 cfs at Gaylordsville. With possibly heavy rain in the forecast for Thursday evening, anglers may want to call First Light Power Resources at 1-888-417-4837 or check the USGS website(http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ct/nwis/current/?type=flow) for updated Housatonic River flow information (and also checkwith a local bait & tackle shop). A medium length leader should be used (9 ft) for this level of clarity and a 7X tippet will be a good match for these conditions.
Hatches/patterns include Alder/Zebra Caddis(Macrostemum zebratum, #10-12, afternoon-evening),Sulphurs (#14-18, evening), Blue Wing Olive (#18-20, early morning; spinner fall will be in the evening), Isonychia sps.(#10-12 evening), Light Cahill (#12-14, evening), and Tan & caddis (#14-20, early morning & evening). Expect tosee Ants & Beetles (#14-20) when the hot & humid days return. Midges (#20-24) and stoneflies (#4-8) typically are located at the mouths of streams. Golden stonefly nymphs(#6-14) normally hatch at first light and adults should egg-lay after dark. Don’t forget streamers (best bet, morning & evening), patterns include White Zonkers, Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, and Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10).
CONNECTICUT RIVER Flows have dropped to more comfortable boating/fishing levels, but are still turbid and higher than typical early July levels. Depending on precipitation levels in the upper watershed, flows may increase again before the weekend. Anglers have had good catches of LARGMOUTH BASS in the the Middletown to East Haddam stretch and tournament anglers were reporting generally fair to good largemouth bass fishing (including a 4.88 lb lunker). SMALLMOUTH BASS are being caught in the South Windsor area on Senkos and Mister Twisters. STRIPED BASS fishing was slow this past week. Some success was reported on rubber worms in shallow water and eels after dark. NORTHERN PIKE were reported in in the Middletown area.
STRIPED BASS fishing continues to be good...albeit it’s turning into a night bite for large cow bass. Hit your favorite spot (reef or shore access site) and hang on…Live eels, bucktails and diamond jigs on the larger reefs at the beginning and end of the tides are producing. Good striper spots include the Watch Hill reefs, lower Thames River, the Race, Plum Gut, Pigeon Rip, outer Bartlett Reef, Black Point, Hatchett Reef, lower Connecticut River (Great Island), Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, Southwest Reef (outer), Six mile Reef, Falkner Island area, the reefs off Branford, New Haven Harbor (including Sandy Point), Charles Island area, Housatonic River, buoys 18 and 20 off Stratford Point, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, Penfield Reef, around the Norwalk Islands, Cable and Anchor Reef, Cows off Stamford and West Haven/Woodmont area (from shore). Please use circle hooks when fishing with bait (prevent gut hooking) and practice catch and release.BLUEFISH fishing continues to be slow but is improving with larger “alligator” (10-16 lbs) blues showing up. Bluefish spots include, the Peconics, Race, Sluiceway, Plum Gut, Pigeon Rip, Saybrook Point, Long Sand Shoal, Six mile Reef, Falkner Island area, New Haven Harbor, buoys 18 and 20 off Stratford Point, Stratford Shoal/Middle ground, Penfield Reef, Cable and Anchor Reef and West Haven sand bar. Shore fishermen are having good success at West Haven Sand Bar/Piers and Seaside Park in Bridgeport. “SNAPPER” blues (young of the year) have arrived in the tidal creeks and rivers (2-4 inches)
SUMMER FLOUNDER fishing remains fair to good. Good numbers of fluke in the Sound…many are fish just short of the 18 inch min. length. Please release these “short’ fish with unavoidable harm. It appears to be a shallower water bite for legal-sized fluke. Try sand eels around the mouth of rivers…along the channel and across the channel mouths (15 - 35 feet). Fluke spots include the typical locations: south shore of Fishers Island (Isabella Beach, Wilderness Point), Napatree Point and along the beach, off the Stonington breakwater (coastal access area), mouth of the Mystic River to Groton Long Point, Thames River channel, Two Tree Island Channel, Black Point/Niantic River and bay, Long Sand Shoal, Westbrook-Clinton area, Falkner Island area, New Haven Harbor including by the breakwaters, off the mouth of the Housatonic River, Bridgeport harbor, round the Norwalk Islands, Westport (off Sherwood Island) and Can26 (Greenwich). Fishing from shore give Stonington Town dock and Point a try (Enhanced Shore Fishing Site). Pink, white and green teasers seem to be producing best. The traditional “fluke sandwich”(long squid strip and spearing) is working as well as mackerel strips….
Minimum size is 18 inches and the daily creel limit is 5 fish per person. Note: New York has the same summer flounder regulations as Connecticut. However, Rhode Island is already open with an 18 inch minimum length and an 8 fish daily creel limit. Since Rhode Island has a higher daily creel limit than Connecticut and New York please make sure you abide by the state with the most restrictive regulation when crossing (by boat) state boundaries.
SCUP (porgy) fishing is improving…with “Reef Slammers” measuring 11-17.5 inches (“hubcap size”) in length still being reported at every fishing pier, reef or rock pile. Try Gardners Island, Milford (Charles Island), Montauk and Niantic (Bartletts Reef). Porgy fishing has also been reported at these very accessible shore fishing locations: Calf Pasture beach, Jennings and Penfield beach, Seaside Park, Belmont Street Fishing Access (Milford), Bradley Point Park (West Haven), New Haven, Harkness State Park, Rocky Neck State Park, Meigs Point Hammonassett State Park and Fort Trumbull State Park. Locate your favorite Enhanced Shore Fishing Opportunities for these excellent eating “Reef Slammers”. These “Panfish of the Sea” are easily caught on sandworms/cut squid/conch or any other small piece of bait. Contact your local bait and tackleshop for updated fishing information (see page 14 of the 2015 CT Angler’s Guide).
BLACK SEA BASS fishing remains good. The hot spot continues to be Falkner Island/Guilford/Branford Beacon. Fishing over deep water structure/cobble/gravel in 80 to 120 ft around slack tide will produce some trophy-sized “humpbacks. It’s important to continue to move from structure to structure and fish around slack tide to find these beautiful and awesome eating fish. Remember, CT Black Sea Bass regulations are as follows…14 inch min. length, 3 fish daily limit from June 1st to August 31 and a five fish daily limit from September 1 to December 31st. Berkely Gulp (swimming mullet) on a spro jig and also squid with a spinner works great for these “Bucketmouths”
.BLACKFISH (TAUTOG) fishing season opened July 1 in Connecticut waters. The daily creel limit is 2 fish per person and the minimum size is 16 inches. Tautog love eating crabs...try green, Asian and hermit crabs for bait. Look for “Togs” over shellfish beds, pilings with mussel beds and rock (reef) piles (6 to 30 ft). Anglers please note: CTDEEP and Marine Fishing Clubs have been tagging blackfish with yellow American Littoral Society Tags to determine their movements and growth rates. This critical biological information will help us understand and manage this important resident species to Long Island Sound. Please record Tag Number, Location (Lat/Long), Length and weight of Blackfish and Date of Capture. www.littoralsociety.org 18 Hartshorne Dr., Ste.1, Highlands New Jersey 07732. Thank you very much for your cooperation and participating in Marine Fisheries Management.
STRIPED SEAROBIN fishing continues to be good. “Poor-Man’s Lobster” are found wherever one is fishing for scup, summer flounder (fluke) and sea bass (bottom fishing). With fish measuring over 22 inches and “barking up a storm” (grunting noise they make). West Haven sand bar and your favorite local beach have been producing for shore anglers. They love sandworms, squid and any live or dead bait.
HICKORY SHAD fishing is poor in the Black Hall River, Niantic River, lower Connecticut River by the DEEP Marine Headquarters fishing pier, Clinton Harbor and the lower Housatonic River. Hoping they will return in large numbers and provide exciting shore fishing for anglers.
WHITE PERCH fishing remains good. Perch are found in estuaries, tidal rivers and coves along the Connecticut shoreline. Productive spots include the Pawcatuck River (Stanton Weir Pit/Point), Mystic River, upper Thames River and Niantic River, lower Connecticut River (DEEP Marine Headquarters fishing pier), Black Hall River, Lieutenant River, North/South Cove and Hamburg Cove. Grass shrimp and or a small piece of sandworm fished on the bottom are the keys to success. You can collect grass shrimp witha minnow net along the shoreline where marsh or eel grass is growing. They love to cling to the grass or dock pilings.
BLUE CRAB fishing is slow in the tidal creeks. Remember…all egg bearing females must be released withunavoidable harm. Min. carapace length is 5 inches for a hard shell crab. Please contact your local baitand tackle shop for updated information, legal crab traps and bait to use for your fun-filled crabbing. Legal gear types include: scoop (dip) net, hand line, star crab trap, circular (topless) trap not exceeding 26 inches in diameter. Maryland Style Crab traps are prohibited. Chicken with the skin on is an awesome bait to capture these tasty crabs.
SHARK SPECIES YOU MAY ENCOUNTER IN COASTAL WATERS OF CONNECTICUT:
Anglers may catch Sand Tiger and Sandbar (Brown) Shark which are protected and prohibited species and must be released unharmed. IF YOU DON’T KNOW, PLEASE LET IT GO! Coastal shark information.
CATCHES STRIPED BASS: 52 LBS, 47.5”, WEST HAVEN
– Albert Zuppe
STRIPED BASS: 44 LBS, 45”, WEST HAVEN –
Albert Zuppe BLUEFISH: 18 LBS, 35”, WEST HAVEN –
Albert Zuppe BLUEFISH: 15.5 LBS, 33.5”, WEST HAVEN –
Jennifer Zuppe SCUP: 2 LBS 12 OZS, 17”, NEW HAVEN –
Albert Zuppe BLACK SEA BASS: 4 LBS, 11 OZS, 20”, NEW HAVEN -
Albert Zuppe BLACK SEA BASS: 4 LBS 4 OZS, 19.5”, BRANFORD BEACON –
Michelle Defeo BLACK SEA BASS: 4 LBS 6 OZS, 22”, CLINTON –
Joseph Estrada FLUKE: 6 LBS 1 OZ, 25.5”, NEW LONDON –
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