FISHING FORCAST

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

CARP
were caught in Lake Housatonic, Connecticut River, Lower Farmington River, Quinebaug River. Batterson Park Pond, and Aspinook Pond. Look for the 2016 CT CARP open tournament coming this October.

Big Time CARP fishing coming to Connecticut once again (October 9-14, 2016). $100,000 prize if you break the state record. Check it out at http://www.carptournamentseries.com/site/

FALLFISH The largest native minnow to Connecticut, Fallfish can reach over 15 inches (typically 8-12 inches). Fallfish provide excellent action on ultra-light tackle and fly rods. The fish are aggressive and will hit a variety of natural and artificial baits (use the same gear you would for trout). Fishing for Fallfish is a great way to spend time on a river (when water temperatures may be too warm for trout or if it seems to be fished out). Good Fallfish waters include the Willimantic River, Shetucket River, Natchaug River, Lower Farmington River (Avon-Windsor), Housatonic River (Cornwall to Kent), Scantic River (Somers to East Windsor), and Yantic River. The current state record Fallfish (2.25 pounds) was taken in 2012 by Chad Tessman.

KOKANEE SALMON catches were reported from East Twin Lake (early morning) and West Hill Pond (early night fishing with corn, south end). Target 30-35 feet with down riggers on beads.

NORTHERN PIKE the bite is on in the Housatonic (Kent) and CT River.

CATFISH – Good fishing is ongoing in our Catfish Management Lakes including; Black Pond (Middlefield), Spaulding Pond (Norwich), Beardsley Park Pond (Bridgeport), Butternut Park Pond (Middletown) and Silver Lake (Meriden).

PANFISH continues to entertain. Areas reporting action include Wood Creek Pond, Park Pond, Lake, Lake Hayward, Pickett’s Pond, Morey Pond, Peck Pond, Crescent Lake (Southington), West Side Pond, Freshwater Pond, Center Springs Park Pond, Salters Pond, Dog Pond and Zeiner Pond.

 

Thermal refuges are places where cold groundwater seeps or drains into a waterbody. These areas have much lower water temperature than the surrounding main waterbody.

Between June 15 and September 15 main stream water temperatures can be above lethal limits for trout. Refuge area in medium to large rivers like the Naugatuck, Salmon, Housatonic, and Shetucket, are critical for trout to survive the summertime warm water temperatures.

To protect the trout, all fishing is prohibited in and around all refuges as indicated by signage (below). Please do not disturb the trout that are seeking refuge within these areas and report any violations to DEEP law enforcement immediately 860-424-3333. 

    

ALL TROUT STOCKING UPDATE: DEEP has been getting a number of questions concerning how the current environmental conditions (low flows, warm water temperatures) would affect our typical fall stocking programs. At this time we are reviewing fall stocking options. Should environmental conditions not significantly improve, it is likely that there will be a number of stocking schedule changes including cancellations, postponements and stockings of alternative water bodies that have better conditions for the stocking of cold water species.

TROUT-LAKES & PONDS – A few lakes are still producing fair fishing, including East Twin Lake and Highland Lake, Lake Wononskopomuc (Thinfish Copper; Mooselook Wobbler blue/silver at 30 feet), Beach Pond (Kobra 114, 18 or 5, rigger at 23’ feet), Long Pond (streamers), West Hill Pond (south end), and Crystal Lake (Ellington, at 7-8 colors, 40 feet of water).

TROUT- RIVERS & STREAMS - Conditions should be fair again this weekend. Continued dry air with cool overnights (low 50’s) will continue to lower water temperatures to a range better suited for trout. Streams in northwestern CT are still at or near record lows as the lack of significant rain continues– see stream flow graphic on page 6. The best trout fishing will be early mornings following these crisp cool nights.

Housatonic River – Overall, fishing has been very good, and conditions for the weekend should remain good, especially for Smallmouth Bass and Fallfish (Cornwall to Kent). Flows are clear and are on a slow decrease following last week’s rain (currently 110 CFS at Falls Village and 155 CFS at Gaylordsville). Morning water temperatures are currently in the low to mid 70’s F.

Smallmouth (and Fallfish) are plentiful throughout the entire river and will eagerly hit a variety of poppers, dry flies, nymphs, and streamers. Patterns to try include White Zonkers, Wooly Buggers (go big- larval dobsonflies can be up to 4” in length and are a favorite food item), Muddlers, Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10). Other insects that may be hatching sporadically include; Light Cahill (#12-14, evening), Isonychia (#10-12), Sulfur (#16-18) and Black caddis (#14-18, early morning & evening).

CONNECTICUT RIVER

LARGEMOUTH BASS and SMALLMOUTH BASS action is come and go. Most catches seem to be in the northern river (Windsor & Enfield area). Small to medium size bait were working well. Try 3-4 inch rubber worms on 3/8 ounce football jigs or 2.5 inch paddle tail worms. Surface poppers in that size range can also be effective. CARP are being caught in the upper and lower river (Hartford power plant and Wethersfield Cove). Anglers are finding CATFISH by night angling in the Hartford to Middletown stretch (live shiners working). Try from just north of Hartford on downstream, fish the outside bends (deep holes are producing as well, try cut bait or live shiners).

STRIPED BASS fishing remains very good at night. Hook up with a charter boat and learn how to catch those “cow” bass. Live lining bunker (Atlantic menhaden) on the reefs at dawn and dusk still producing some nice bass (50 inches – 54 pounds, (Plum Gut). Striper spots include the Watch Hill reefs, 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 (Breakwalls) and the upper reaches, Charles Island area, lower Housatonic River, buoys 18 and 20 off Stratford Point, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, Milford Point, Penfield Reef, around the Norwalk Islands, and Cable and Anchor Reef. Don’t have a Boat? Hook up with the many Party or Charter Boats found throughout CT’s shoreline from Greenwich to Stonington.

STRIPED BASS ANGLERS FISHING IN RHODE ISLAND WATERS - are advised that the state of Rhode Island has adopted the following regulations pertaining to striped bass. These regulations apply to all Rhode Island state lands and waters including the waters around Block Island: “Any person recreationally harvesting a striped bass thirty-four (34) inches or larger shall at the time of harvest have the right pectoral fin removed at a point as close to the body of the fish as possible.”

BLUEFISH is very good. Large numbers of bluefish found in the lower estuaries and rivers feeding on menhaden. Eastern Sound has seen much better fishing for “alligator –size” blues. Bluefish fishing spots include the reefs off Watch Hill, the Race, Thames River, Sluiceway, Plum Gut, Pigeon Rip, lower Connecticut River, Long Sand Shoal, Sixmile Reef, Falkner Island area, New Haven Harbor and upper reaches, lower Housatonic River, buoys 18 and 20 off Stratford Point, Stratford Shoal/Middleground, Penfield Reef, and Cable and Anchor Reef.

SNAPPER fishing has improved in the tidal creeks and rivers with fish measuring 6 to 10 inches in length.

BLACKFISH (Tautog) fishing closed on September 1, 2016 and will reopen on October 10, 2016.

BLACK SEA BASS fishing has been very consistent in the Sound. The sea bass have just finished spawning and are feeding heavily on crabs and small fish throughout Long Island Sound. Plan a trip on a party/charter boat trip to fish off of Block Island…there are many giant-sized sea bass out there. Eastern Sound (Fishers Island to Block Island and northeast of Montauk) anglers are having better success. For those willing to travel, Block Island Sound is the place to be for humpback sea bass. Closer to home, the rocky reefs from Niantic, to Branford (Faulkner Ilsand) have been consistent all season. A reminder to all anglers…if you are fishing in water deeper than 100’, barotrauma can cause released fish to struggle to make it back to the bottom. A descending devise such as the Shelton Fish Descender can help assist the sea bass air bladder to recompress and get safely back down to the depths. See Fishsmart.org for more information.

SUMMER FLOUNDER (fluke) fishing is getting better as fall approaches. They are feeding heavily prior to their migration south for the fall/winter. Fishermen are reporting some very large doormat fluke being caught (13 lbs 8 ozs, central sound). Apparently, the bite is in very shallow water (6 to 25 feet). Hit those beach areas where all the bait is stacked up along the shoreline. Live lining snapper blues in deep water (80 to 100’) is the preferred method by fluke sharpies. The usual summer flounder spots include the south shore of 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, Twotree 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 Islands.