Connecticut has some outstanding fishing right Now !

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

TROUT STOCKING– Trout stocking has come to an end for spring 2016. With the very “spring-like”

weather and no sign of early summer heat, trout fishing will remain very good through Memorial Day

Weekend. Some have inquired as to why there will not be any stocking over the Memorial Day

Weekend. Typically, by the end of May, water temperatures begin to approach the upper thresholds for

trout in many of our waters. The Inland Fisheries Division is looking to reduce stress on the fish by

completing our trout stocking by mid-May

). Nymphing can be a good go to as hatches are intermittent. Try wooly buggers, muddler

minnow, Stoneflies (#6-10), Pheasant Tails (#14-20), and Black Stoneflies (#18-22) among others.

Housatonic River - Fishing has been good. Conditions for the weekend will be variable. Currently flows

are about half of what is typical of mid-May levels (currently 660 cfs at Falls Village and 997 cfs at

Gaylordsville) and very fishable. Anglers can call FirstLight 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 check with a local bait & tackle shop). Morning water temperatures are

in the upper 40’s °F.

Hatches/patterns Same general conditions as the Farmington, keep a variety of flies on hand.

Expecially, Hendrickson (#12-14), Blue Wing Olive (a.k.a. Baetis vagans; #16-18), Green/Olive Caddis

(#16-18). Anglers using March Brown (#10-12), Pheasant Tail (#12-18) & Stonefly nymphs (#16-18) are

finding nymphing to be working well. Try streamers (Yellow/White Zuddlers or Gray Ghost). Brown and

green woolly buggers are working.

Rivers and streams stocking update (Note that all stocking schedules are subject to change):

RIVERS AND STREAMS: The Natchaug has been real good with small caddis and olives. The Willimantic

has been slow in the TMA but above and below have been real good with buggers and wet flies. The

Hockanum is good in the TMA using mostly small caddis.

In western CT; Blackberry River, Whiting River, Leadmine Brook, Pequonnock River, Pomperaug River,

Farmington River TMA (from the lower Collinsville dam to the Route 177 bridge), Norwalk River

(Merwin Meadows), and the Farmington River TMA (from the lower end of the year-round catch-and-

release area at Route 219 to the lower Collinsville dam).

In eastern CT; the Willimantic River (both the TMA and sections downstream of the TMA), Skungamaug

River, Scantic River, Shunock Brook, Little River (Canterbury), Hammonasset River (including the TMA),

Mount Misery Brook, Myron Kinnie Brook, Indiantown Brook, Coginchaug River, Roaring Brook

(Glastonbury), and Salmon River (including the TMA).

TROUT-LAKES & PONDS - Trout fishing has been generally good with reports from Beach Pond (fair),

Hewitt fly Pond (good), Crystal Lake,Highland Lake (heavy bait for browns was working for some),

Saugatuck Reservoir, Candlewood Lake (fair), and Squantz Pond (good).

Lakes and ponds stocking update (Note that all stocking schedules are subject to change):

In eastern CT; Amos Lake, Long Pond, Wyassup Lake, Crystal Lake, Green Falls Reservoir, Angus Park

Pond, and Gay City Park Pond.

TROUT PARKS – Fishing is reported as good to fair to good at our Trout Parks and Community Fishing

Waters. The Chatfield Hollow (brook only) Trout Park was stocked.

Author with a nice 23 inch post spawn Largemouth on a Rebel lure 5-19-16

LARGEMOUTH BASS continues to require some work as water temperatures are slow to rise.

Working slugos across the emerging aquatic plants to

trigger the strike.

Tournament angler reports are from Gardner Lake

(fishing on the tough side for many, also not many

bigger fish, 2.5 lb and 1.5 lb lunkers), Pattagansett

Lake (slow to faira ction, fish average weight was 2.24

lbs with a 4.74 lb lunker), Quaddick Lake (lots of action

– “…caught bass all day”, but nearly all 13-14 inch fish,

biggest fish were 2.96 lb, 2.85 lb and 2.46 lb), Rogers

Lake (good fishing, with some nice size – fish averaged

2.5 lbs per fish, with a 6.25 lb lunker), Candlewood

Lake (fair for largemouth, 6.91 lb, 6.87 lb and 6.42 lb

lunkers), East Twin Lake (good to very good action,

with some big fish, including a 7.5 lunker caught by

Dennis Sikorski, and 5.9 lb and 5.1 lb bass, and a

nearly 3 lb per fish average), Lake Lillinonah (fair

action), Lake McDonough (good for largemouth, with

a 3.6 lb lunker), West Hill Pond (fair action, with a 6.48

lb lunker) and Lake Zoar (hard work finding many, not

much size with a 3.69 lb lunker)

SMALLMOUTH BASS. Tournament angler reports are from Gardner Lake (nothing), Candlewood Lake

(fishing has picked up, 3.7 lb lunker), Lake Lillinonah (fair to good fishing, with a 4.69 lb lunker), Lake

McDonough (slow to fair for smallmouth, 2.6 lb lunker), and Lake Zoar (slow to fair).

Nice 13 inch Crappie I caught on 5-19-16

BLACK CRAPPIE fishing is very good throughout the state and should pick up a bit when waters warm a

few more degrees, look for underwater structure close to the shallows.

CHAIN PICKEREL Very good reports from most waters, pickerel are on the aggressive feed trying to

bulk up. Gardner Lake was the hot-spot.

COMMON CARP Very good reports from shallow coves on the Connecticut River, Lake Zoar, Lake

Housatonic, Lake Lillinonah, and lower Housatonic River (New Milford), and Hanover Pond- Meriden.

CONNECTICUT RIVER

Water temperatures went up to 14 – 17 C (57 – 63 F), which is still a bit low for this time of year but

closer to normal. Flows are clear and at typical levels (17,600 CFS). STRIPED BASS (schoolie-size and

some bigger fish) are being found scattered throughout the river. Some 20-30 lb plus fish caught in the

upper river (good action on bloodworms, large white slugos, and plugs). Action at the mouth has been

better early in the morning (see marine report). AMERICAN SHAD are really picking up and can be found

throughout the river (very good action in the Enfield area). Willow leafs remain the standby

. BLACK

CRAPPIE fishing reamains good (small grey, white, or silver plastic jigs).

2016 CT DEEP Weekly Fishing Report No. 6, 5/19/2016

World Fish Migration Day: This Saturday, May 21, is a world-wide celebration of

efforts to restore migratory fish runs. Many fishways in CT will be open for tours

and viewing. Here are some details:

All fishway open houses are from 10:00 am until 3:30 pm unless otherwise

noted. Look for yard signs on the day of the event.

Rainbow Dam Fishway Open House- The state’s tallest fishway on the Farmington River,

Windsor. A vertical slot fishway at a 59 foot high hydroelectric dam. Includes a trap, an

underground window where visitors can see fish swim by, and downstream fish passage

facilities. DEEP staff will be on hand to answer questions. Species could include Atlantic salmon,

American shad, blueback herring, sea lamprey, American eel, sea-run trout, and many resident

river species like trout and bass. Address: 400 Rainbow Road, Windsor, CT 

Harry Haakonsen Fishway Open House- A Denil fishway on the Quinnipiac River in Wallingford

in the shadow of the Wilbur Cross Parkway (exit 64). Includes an underground video chamber

with a camera that records images of migrating fish. Species could include American shad,

gizzard shad, blueback herring, sea lamprey, American eel, and many resident river species like

white suckers, trout, and bass. DEEP staff will be on hand to answer questions. Address: 367

Quinnipiac Ave., Wallingford, CT

StanChem Fishway Open House- A Denil fishway on the Mattabesset River in Berlin. Includes

an underground viewing window where visitors can watch migrating fish swim past. Species

could include American shad, gizzard shad, blueback herring, sea lamprey, American eel, and

many resident river species like white suckers, trout, and bass. DEEP staff will be on hand to

answer questions. Address: 409 Berlin St., East Berlin, CT 

Greeneville Dam Fishlift Open House- A fish elevator on the Shetucket River in the Greeneville

section of Norwich. Includes a viewing window where visitors can watch migrating fish swim

past. Species could include American shad, gizzard shad, blueback herring, striped bass and

many resident river species like white suckers, trout, and bass. Norwich Public Utilities staff will

be on hand to answer questions. Address: 88th Street, Norwich, CT

Latimer Brook Fishway Open House- A steeppass fishway on Latimer Brook in East Lyme.

Includes a trap and an electronic fish counter. This fishway passes alewife and sea-run trout.

DEEP staff will be on hand to explain the operation of the fishway and the sea-run trout

program. Address: 100 Boston Post Road, East Lyme, CT (best for GPS since the fishway has no

fixed address. But the actual site is about ¼ mile east of the intersection of Rt. 161 and Rt. 1

(Flanders) on Rt. 1

Mianus Pond Fishway Open House- A steeppass fishway at the head-of-tide on the Mianus

River in the Cos Cob section of Greenwich. Includes a walkway along the fishway, an electronic

fish counter, an underwater video camera, and an eel pass. Staff from the Greenwich

Conservation Commission will be on hand to explain the fishway. This open house will run from

2:00 to 4:00 pm. Address: 848 East Putnam Ave. Cos Cob, CT 

Striper Bass is Excellent right now.

with the approaching full ”flower” moon.

There have been some very large stripers

being caught in the Thames River (Norwich).

Striper spots include the Pawcatuck River,

Mystic River, Thames River, Niantic River,

lower Connecticut River (DEEP Marine

Headquarters fishing pier and Dock and Dine),

Black Hall River, New Haven Harbor (Sandy

Point), Housatonic River and Norwalk Harbor

including the islands. Sand and blood worms

have been working the best for “schoolie”

bass. Casting swimming lures, small jigs (Chartreuse color) with twister tails, soft baits, and Kastmasters

and other metal lures will all work. Find the menhaden (bunker) and you will find those beautiful

stripers. The evening/night bite is fantastic with bait, including eels.

Bonus Striped Bass Tags are gone for this year. Thank you for everyone who took advantage of this

unique program.

SUMMER FLOUNDER (fluke) fishing is good overall and quickly improving. As squid enter Long Island

Sound…fishing will only get better. Mid to western LIS anglers reported fluke from 3 to 7 lbs being

common. Anglers targeting fluke report that skates and searobins appear to be in plentiful supply.

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, mouth of the Mystic River to

Groton Long Point, Thames River channel, Two Tree Island Channel, Black Point/Niantic Bay/River, Long

Sand Shoal, Westbrook-Clinton area, Falkner Island area, West Haven to Woodmont, New Haven Harbor

including by the breakwaters, off the mouth of the Housatonic River, and around the Norwalk Islands.

Since squid are coming in, offering a live one on the bottom (10-40 feet) would be a good move for

catching that big slab “doormat” fluke! Try drifting with a white or pink Bucktail Jig and attach a Berkely

3”- 4” Gulp Mullet in chartreuse, white or pink color. Fresh squid and or silversides (spearing) have also

been producing. Minimum size is 18 inches and the daily creel limit is 5 fish per person.

WHITE PERCH fishing is fair, outgoing tide is better along the Connecticut shoreline and its coves. Perch

spots include the Pawcatuck River, Mystic River, Thames River, upper Niantic River, lower Connecticut

River (DEEP Marine Headquarters fishing pier), Black Hall River, Lieutenant River, North/South Cove and

Hamburg Cove. Grass shrimp and small garden worms are the keys to success.

SCUP (porgy) fishing is phenomenal by Orient Point and the north shore bays. Much better in Gardiners

Bay and the Peconics (Little Peconic Bay is hot). Hook up with a Party or Charter Boat

and enjoy some

of the best scup fishing you will ever experience. These prespawn scup are gigantic! Seriously, try

fishing on a party boat and enjoy some great fishing. Porgies measuring 12-18 inches (“hubcap size”)

have been caught! Porgy fishing has also been reported at these excellent shore fishing locations: 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 or any other small piece of bait. Contact

your

local bait and tackleshop for updated fishing information.

BLACK SEA BASS fishing is slow but improving. The early season hot spot is Falkner Island and from New

Haven to Woodmont. Fishing over any deep water structure in 60 to 100 ft around slack tide will

produce some trophy-sized “humpbacks”. Fish shallower and you will catch plenty of keeper-sized sea

bass. It’s important to continue to move from structure to structure to find these beautiful and

awesome eating fish. Remember, CT black sea bass regulations are as follows…15 inch min. length, 5

fish daily limit from May 1

st

to December 31

st

. Berkely Gulp (swimming mullet) on a jig along with squid

with a spinner works great for these “Bucketmouths”.

HICKORY SHAD fishing is fair in the lower Connecticut River by the DEEP Marine Headquarters fishing

pier. Connecticut Tarpon (Hickory shad) can be found mixed in with schoolie striped bass and harbor

blues. Flood or Ebb tide is best and lures of choice are a willow leaf (silver), kastmaster (single hook),

small plastic jigs (white or chartreuse), and or shad darts in various colors. One day they are here in

large numbers…the next day you are left wondering…where did they go.

WEAKFISH. Look for weakfish in Guilford/New Haven Harbor over to the Milford/Stratford area along

with the Peconics (NY). Some really nice 8 to 12 pound fish have been recently caught at Sandy Point in

West Haven.

BLUEFISH. The Race, Millstone Outflow, Plum Gut and the north side of Long Island including

Gardiners Bay and the Peconics are the early season hotspots. The “Blues” are coming as we

speak…chasing the squid into the sound..

For Current Connecticut Recreational Fishing Regulations: Anglers should consult the 2016 Connecticut

Anglers Guide which is now available at most Town Clerks Offices, DEEP offices and at tackle stores

selling fishing licenses. Current regulations, electronic versions of the Angler’s Guide and additional

information can all be accessed on the DEEP website at: www.ct.gov/deep/fishing

.