LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is generally fair to good. Waters to try include Highland Lake, East Twin Lake, Congamond Lakes, Beseck Lake, Candlewood Lake (fishing has improved greatly in the last two weeks), Lake Lillinonah (recent catches include a 4.6 lb bass), Lake McDonough, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Roseland Lake, Quonnipaug Lake, Messerschmidt Pond, Mono Pond, Bishop Swamp,Tyler Lake, Burr Pond, Lake Saltonstall, Bantam Lake, Black Pond (Meriden/Middlefield), Hatch Pond, Wononskopomuc Lake, Quinebaug River (some nice action reported from some of the impoundments), Coventry Lake and Dog Pond. Check out your small local ponds, some good fishing can often be found. Tournament angler reports are from Aspinook Pond (tough finding many, with a 2.34 lb lunker), Beach Pond (tough, but with a 5.07 lb lunker), Long Pond (fair action at best, 3.85 lb lunker, but not much else with any size), Mansfield Hollow Reservoir (fair-good action but lots of “shorts,” 5.2 lb, 3.5 lb and 2.9 lb lunkers),Candlewood Lake (good for largemouth, 4.27 lb lunker),Lake Lillinonah (fair, 3.9 lb lunker), Lake Zoar (fair for largemouth, 3.64 lb lunker) and Winchester Lake (slow-fair,4.2 lb and 3.25 lb lunkers).
SMALLMOUTH BASS catches are reported from Lake McDonough, Colebrook Reservoir, Bantam Lake andCandlewood Lake (fishing has improved recently, with some3-4 lb smallmouths caught. Fish are also finally being found on the humps). River smallie action reported from the Housatonic River, Naugatuck River and Quinebaug River. Tournament angler reports are from Beach Pond (very tough), Candlewood Lake (fair to good for smallmouth, with some in the 3-4 lb range), Lake Lillinonah (fair fishing, 4.26lb and 3.6 lb lunkers), Lake Zoar (fair to good action, but lots of undersized fish, 3.5 lb and 3.13 lb lunkers.
NORTHERN PIKE are reported from Winchester Lake.
WALLEYE are being reported from Squantz Pond (although it’s been slow) and Lake Saltonstall.
CHAIN PICKEREL are being caught at Wood Creek Pond, Winchester Lake and Wononskopomuc Lake.
KOKANEE SALMON catches were reported from East Twin Lake. Target 30-35 feet with down riggers onbeads (red and white).
CATFISH – Mostly on the slow side, but fair-good reports from Wauregan Reservoir and a few catches reported from Lake Kenosia, Bunnells Pond, Black Pond and Silver Lake.
PANFISH continue to provide great action, and they’re great for getting kids interested in fishing. Target the shallows with bobbers and worms, grubs or small shiners. Small spinners and jigs are also productive at this time of the year. Areas to try include Mohawk Pond, Page Park Lagoon, Pickerel Lake, Pine Lake, Powers Lake, Red Cedar Lake, Wharton Pond, Black Rock State Park, Salters Pond and Crescent Lake. Don’t forget your small local ponds, they are often great places to fish.
TROUT-LAKES & PONDS - Summer anglers are still finding some nice fishing in places, with fair to good reports from Colebrook Reservoir (26 feet), Crystal Lake (Ellington), Highland Lake (second basin), Lake McDonough (7 colors), East Twin Lake (30 plus feet over 40 feet of water) and West Hill Pond (night fishing)
TROUT- RIVERS & STREAMS - Trout fishing was generally slow last week, exceptions include the West Branch Farmington River (good), Housatonic River (good), Salmon River (fair) and the Hammonasset River (hard, but a few are still being found). Look for running water to find fish (late evenings, streamers and nymphs). Also don’t forget to include terrestrial fly patterns in your offerings. Conditions this weekend may be variable, with very warm humid weather forecast to continue into next week and rain, possibly heavy in some locations, predicted for Friday. Currently flows have dropped below typical mid-August levels in many locations, especially in eastern CT where they are well below typical levels (see stream flow graphic on page 4).Depending on rainfall amounts and where it falls, flows in some areas may increase fairly rapidly (stream flows for a number of areas can be found at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ct/nwis/rt).
Farmington River - Fishing continues to be verygood on the West Branch and conditions are currently very good, with clear, moderate flows(298 cfs at Riverton, with the Still River adding another 15 cfs). A 9 foot 5 weight fly rod with a9 foot leader and 6X tippet is recommended for this flow. Flows, especially below the confluence with the Still River, may increase tomorrow depending on rainfall amounts. Water temperatures are in the mid 60’sF. Hatches/patterns include Trico (Trycorythodesstygiatus, #22-26, morning 6am – 10am). The remaining bugs consist of Ephemerellaneedhami (#22-26, early morning), Leadwing Coachman (Isonychia bicolor, #12-14, fast water, evening), Blue Wing Olives (Drunella sps. #18, 22-24, mid-late afternoon),Sulphurs duns (#14-20, morning; afternoon to early evening for spinners), Cahills/Summer(Stenonema ithaca, #12-14, early morning),
Caddis (tan #16-20, all day; green #22-26, evening; summer pupa, #18-20 morning), Midges (#22-28, morning), Black Ants (#18-20, mid day in fast water), Flying Ants (#18-22, mid day, when windy/humid), Stone Hopper (#8-12, mid day) and Golden Drake (Anthopotamus distinctus, #10-14, late evening).
Housatonic River – Fishing has been good. Flows are currently clear and on the low side (296 cfs at Falls Village and 395 cfs at Gaylordsville), but very comfortable for fishing/wading. A 9 foot 4-weight fly rod with a 9 foot leader and 7X tippet is recommended for this flow. With some rain, possibly heavy, in the forecast, flows may increase for the weekend. Anglers can 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 update.
CONNECTICUT RIVER The river is currently very comfortable for fishing and boating. Flows are at typical mid-august levels withmoderate visibility. LARGEMOUTH BASS are being taken around Hartford-Middletown area and in the lower river coves. SMALLMOUTH BASS are reported in the Enfield area and near the mouth of the Farmington River. STRIPERS are providing some action in the lower river. Sunfish and cut bait are producing some CATFISH action. Target the outside bends in the river and the upstream side of the deeper holes near structure. Not many bigger fish reported this week.
NOTICES:
BASHAN LAKE (drawdown). Bashan Lake remains drawn down (slow refill has begun – lake currently down approximately 8 feet) following dam repairs and the state boat launch is closed.
CANDLEWOOD LAKE (fireworks). The annual fireworks display is scheduled for Saturday evening, August 22 in the Danbury Arm.
LAKE ZOAR (waterski event). A water ski clinic for the disabled is scheduled for Saturday, August 8, in the upper end of Lake Zoar (approximately the upper first mile of the lake below the Shepaug Dam). This event run from 9 am to 4 pm, and boaters are asked to take care when passing through this area (marked by buoys) of the lake, and avoid interfering with the event.
STRIPED BASS fishing continues to be good in the lower tidal rivers, especially at dawn as these large bass feed on menhaden during low light conditions. Fishing from sundown to sunrise for trophy-sized “cow” stripers is your best bet this time of the year. Casting swimming lures (Gulp), surface poppers, and bouncing jigs off the bottom in the shallows at low light has been productive. Also, live lining bunker (Atlantic menhaden), hickory shad or scup on the reefs has been effective on “cow” bass. Bunker (Atlantic menhaden) schools are in the major tidal rivers and harbors with stripers following close behind. Look for hovering or diving ospreys which is an indication of bunker (menhaden) schools. The usual striper spots include the Watch Hill Reefs (20-50ft), Ram Island Reef in Fishers Island Sound, lower Mystic and Thames River, the Race, Sluiceway, Plum Gut, Pigeon Rip, outer Bartlett Reef, Black Point, the “humps’ south of Hatchett Reef, lower Connecticut River, Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, Southwest Reef (outer), Sixmile Reef, Falkner Island area, the reefs off Branford, New Haven Harbor, West Haven (Bradley Point) and the upper reaches, Charles Island area, lower Housatonic River, buoys 18 and 20 off Stratford Point, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, Penfield Reef, around the Norwalk Islands, and Cable and Anchor Reef. Please use circle hooks when fishing with bait (prevent gut hooking) and practice catch and release when possible.
BLUEFISH fishing continues to be good in the eastern and central sound (Southwest Reef), slower in the western sound. Fish finder rigs baited with fresh bunker chunks has been effective for larger choppers. Bluefish fishing spots include the reefs off Watch Hill, the Race, Thames River, Sluiceway, Plum Gut, Pigeon Rip, lower Connecticut River (CT DEEP headquarters 37 inch 15 lb bluefish from shore), Long Sand Shoal, Six mile Reef, Falkner Island area, New Haven Harbor and upper reaches, lower Housatonic River, buoys 18 and 20 off Stratford Point, Stratford Shoal/Middle ground, Penfield Reef, and Cable and Anchor Reef. SNAPPER fishing is improving as they get larger and larger as the days go by… Fishing around the top of the flood tide has been better. Snappers are still small for this time of the year (4 to 6 inch)
SUMMER FLOUNDER (fluke) fishing has slowed for keeper-sized fluke, with many large fish migrating south/east towards Montauk. Look for doormat-sized summer flounder in deeper water/channels (50-110ft). Using live snapper blues or peanut bunker for bait is the ticket for catching that trophy doormat! Summer flounder spots include the south shore of Montauk Point, Fishers Island (Isabella Beach, Wilderness Point), Napatree Point and along the beach, off the Stonington breakwater, mouth of the Mystic River over to Groton Long Point, Two Tree Island Channel, Black Point/Niantic Bay including the Bloody Grounds, Sound View Beach, Long Sand Shoal, Falkner Island area, New Haven Harbor, off the mouth of the Housatonic River during the flood tide, and around the Norwalk Island
SCUP (porgy) fishing is the best…they are everywhere and so much fun to catch. These “Reef Slammers” are 14-17 inches (“hubcap size”) in length. Try fishing along fishing piers, any reef or rock pile in the Sound. Seriously, they are everywhere and easy to catch…go out enjoy the fast paced family fun action. Try the Race/Valiant Rock, Gardners Island, Milford (Charles Island), Montauk and Niantic, Millstone, Two Tree island, (Bartletts and Hatchetts Reef). Porgy fishing has also been reported at these very accessible shore fishing locations: Saint Mary’s by the Sea, Calf Pasture beach, Jennings and Penfield beach, Seaside Park, (Milford), Bradley Point Park (West Haven), New Haven, Harkness State Park, Rocky Neck State Park, Kimberley Reef (Guilford), Meigs Point Hammonassett State Park and Fort Trumbull State Park. Locate your favorite Enhanced Shore Fishing Opportunities for these excellent eating and fun catching “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 tackle shop for updated fishing information (see page 14 of the 2015 CT Angler’s Guide).
BLACK SEA BASS fishing continues to be fantastic…throughout the Sound. The hot spots continues to be The Race during slack tide/Lower Thames River Reefs/Goshen Reef/Falkner Island/Guilford/Branford Beacon/Southwest Reef/Middle Ground/Stratford Shoal. Fishing over deep water structure/cobble/gravel in 90 to 130 ft around slack tide will produce some trophy-sized “humpbacks on baited jigs or gulp. It’s important to continue to move from structure to structure and fish around slack tide (stay close to the bottom) 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 (green or white) on a spro jig and squid with a spinner above works great for these tasty “Bucketmouths”.
ATLANTIC BONITO and LITTLE TUNNY fishing has begun to heat up in the sound. A large 30 inch Atlantic Bonito (10 pounds) was recently caught at six mile reef (Clinton). These small tunas are cruising around from Watch Hill to Pine Island (including Fishers Island Sound), the Race to Little Gull Island, from Bartlett Reef to Black Point and west to New Haven. Dawn is the best time to fish for these inshore tunas. Try casting metal (heavy) lures to feeding fish on the surface. A quiet approach and finding birds (gulls/terns)actively feeding is the key to a successful trip.
BLACKFISH (TAUTOG) fishing is getting better. Remember, the season closes on September 1 (re-opens October 10th). Look for these “Reef Bullies” around your favorite local reef and or pilings (8 to 35 feet). The daily creel limit is 2 fish per person and the minimum size is 16 inches. Tautog love eating crabs.
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