Fishing Report

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

STRIPED BASS fishing will be good to excellent around the full ”harvest” moon. Tis the season for catching some big bass as they feed heavily prior to their migration. Trolling jigs and live lining bunker (Atlantic menhaden) and or an eel on the reefs/shoal areas at dawn and dusk will produce some nice bass (51 inches – 48 pounds, (Long Sand Shoal). 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.

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 fishing is very good. They can be found throughout the sound (find the birds). Large numbers of bluefish can be found in the lower estuaries, rivers and beaches feeding on menhaden/anchovies. The “Top-water” bite continues to be very good (look for the “blow-ups”. 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 is much better in the western sound with fish measuring 6 to 12 inches in length.

BLACK SEA BASS fishing has been good. You may need to move around from wreck/reef/hump to find good numbers of these tasty bottom fish. The spawn is over and they are feeding heavily on small crabs and squid. 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 (Falkner Island) 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 a tough go…however those patient anglers who put their time in fishing deep water (90-120 ft) are scoring on large doormat fluke up to 12 pounds. Live lining snapper blues and whole squid in deep water 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 to Darien.

SCUP (porgy) fishing is the best it has been in decades. Chumming has been very productive. Good shore fishing areas include; Morningside (Milford), Coast Guard Jetty at Southport Beach, Rick Jetty at Calf Pasture beach, South Benson Fishing Pier, Sherwood Island, Pleasure Beach Fishing Pier, St Mary’s by the Sea, Gulf Beach Pier, Bonds Dock (Stratford) and Stratford wall along with Long Beach (excellent shore spots). Other shore spots include The Sound School Fishing Pier/Dock, Rocky Neck State Park, Harkness Memorial State Park, Meigs Point, Hammonassett, Sherwood Island State Park and Fort Trumbull State Park. Fish during the high tide at these shore locations. Locate your favorite Enhanced Shore Fishing Opportunities for these hard fighting and excellent eating “Reef Slammers”.

ATLANTIC BONITO & LITTLE TUNNY fishing is great one day and puzzling the next (where did the go) …you never know with these fast swimming tunas. However, the action in CT is heating up. Big catches of these small tunas have been reported from Bluff Point to Hatchett Reef. Shore anglers are scoring at Ocean Beach, Seaside, Harkness Memorial and Rocky Neck State Park. These small tunas are also cruising around from Pt. Judith, Watch Hill to Pine Island (including Fishers Island Sound), the Race to Little Gull Island, from Bartlett Reef to Black Point. Dawn and dusk is the best time to fish for these

inshore tunas. They feeding heavily of young of the year anchovy. 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.

WEAKFISH fishing is surprisingly good. From the Mystic River to the Thames River has been very productive. Many scup/seabass/fluke anglers are catching them while bottom fishing. Fish up to 26 inches are being reported from West Haven Beaches/Charles Island area to Norwalk. Also, look for weakfish in Guilford/Madison/New Haven Harbor areas.

HICKORY SHAD fishing is good in the Black Hall River and fair in the Lieutenant River, Housatonic River and the lower Connecticut River (DEEP Marine Headquarters fishing pier). Anglers are still waiting for the fall bite to happen, especially shore anglers. Fishing remains good at Fort Trumbull, Black Hall, Clinton Harbor River systems and the lower Connecticut River (DEEP Marine Headquarters fishing pier). You will also find “schoolie” bass, snappers and hickory shad can all be found schooling together at these locations.

BLUE CRAB fishing is good in all tidal creeks/bays, especially around pilings in the evening with an incoming tide. Remember, all egg-bearing females must be released without avoidable injury. Minimum carapace length is 5 inches for a hard shell crab. 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 it (along with a long handle net) is the preferred method to capture these tasty crabs. For more information please see the Blue Crab Fact Sheet on our website.

GOT A FISHING REPORT - PLEASE EMAIL US AT deep.marine.fisheries@ct.gov

NOTABLE CATCHES:

Species Length (in.) Weight (lb) Angler

Atlantic Chub Mackerel 14” 1 lb. 2 oz. Brandon Collins

Black Sea Bass 23.6” 4 lb. 6 oz. Randy Manulla Jr.

Smooth Dogfish 41” - Alyssa Zuppe

Atlantic Needlefish 34” - Zacery Martindale

Summer Flounder 25 ¾” 6 lb. 5 oz. Garland Donadio

TROUT- FALL 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 coldwater species.

RIVERS & STREAMS - Conditions should be fair to poor again this weekend. Temperatures are moderating only slowly and many streams are still at or near record low flow. The best trout fishing will be in places with abundant coldwater; the West Branch Farmington River, Mill River (Fairfield), and Salmon Brook (Granby).

Thermal Refuge update: As stream temperatures have dropped slightly, many fish are no longer seeking the cold water plumes of thermal refuges. The prohibition from fishing within 100 feet of these areas expired on 9/15/2016. The only exception is the refuge at the confluence of Furnace Brook and the Housatonic River, Cornwall, which has been extended by the Commissioner of DEEP until 9/29 /2016 inclusive.

Farmington River – Fishing continues to be good and the conditions for this weekend should be good. West Branch flows are clear and moderately low, currently 76 CFS at Riverton with the Still River adding a mere 5 CFS, and water temperatures are in the mid 60’sF.

Hatches/patterns include Tricos (#20-26), Isonychia bicolor (#10-14, fast water, afternoon/evening), Blue Wing Olives (Drunella & Baetis sps., #18, 20-24, mid-late afternoon), Cahill (#12-14), White Fly (#12-14; just after dark), Needhami, Caddis (tan #16-20, all day; green #20-22, evening; summer pupa #18-20 morning), Midges (#22-32, morning), Black Ants (#16-18, mid-day in fast water), Black Beetles (#16-18, mid-day), Flying Ants (#22-24, mid-day, when windy/humid), and Stone Hopper (#10-12, mid-day).

Housatonic River – fishing remains good and conditions for the weekend should remain good, especially for Smallmouth Bass, Carp, and Fallfish (Cornwall to Kent). Flows are clear, currently 94 CFS at Falls Village and 126 CFS at Gaylordsville). Morning water temperatures are currently in the low to mid 70’s F. The fishing prohibition within 100 feet of signs posted at the mouth of Furnace Brook, Cornwall, has been extended by the Commissioner until 9/29/16 (inclusive).

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 include flying ants (#14-16, mid-day, when windy/humid, September is peak month), Fall Sulfurs (#16-18), Blue Wing Olives (#18-22), Tricos (#20-22), Leadwing Coachman (#10-12 evening, September is peak month), Sulfurs duns (#16-18, below the dam due to low temperatures, morning; afternoon to early evening for spinners), Light Cahill and Black caddis (#14-18, early morning & evening). Golden stonefly nymphs hatch at first light and adults egg-lay after dark. Try Black Ants (#14-20, mid day in fast water), Black Beetles (#14-18, mid day), Stone Hopper (#8-10, mid day). Don’t forget streamers (morning & evening). Patterns to try include: White, Muddlers, Micky Finn, Woolly Buggers (olive/burned orange or tan #8-12), Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10).

Try nymphing the pockets, deeper riffles and pool heads.

TROUT-LAKES & PONDS - Lakes reporting good late summer trout fishing include West Hill Pond, Highland Lake, East Twin Lake, Crystal Lake (Ellington) and Beach Pond.

CONNECTICUT RIVER

The River remains very low (making fishing in some places very difficult).

BLACK CRAPPIE action is improving in the coves up and down the river. Target the backwaters with small shiners.

SMALLMOUTH BASS (some fish up to 4 lbs) are providing action in the river both above Hartford and downstream, where recent catches included a 4.63 lb beauty.

NORTHERN PIKE fishing is reported as good in the main stem and coves. Fish have been caught from the Hartford area downstream to Chapman Pond.

LARGEMOUTH BASS are being caught (but you have to work for them) in the Hartford to Haddam area.

CARP are providing action in coves and in the main stem (Hartford to Middletown area).

NEW SHARK REGULATIONS – EFFECTIVE MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 2016: An Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permit is required to take, possess, or land any shark species, other than smooth or spiny dogfish, in this state.

To obtain an HMS permit visit: http://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/aps/permits/ or call NMFS Customer Service Center at (888) 872-8862. CT Marine anglers may encounter Sand Tiger and Sandbar (Brown) Shark which are protected and prohibited species and they must be released unharmed. IF YOU DON’T KNOW, PLEASE LET IT GO! Coastal shark information.

Connecticut State Boundary Line in Long Island Sound. Anglers please note: Though Connecticut has reciprocity with neighboring states (New York, Rhode Island, Maine and Massachusetts), residents of Connecticut are required to have a CT Resident Marine Waters Sport Fishing License to fish in the Marine District.

WHALES AND SEALS - see check WHALE WATCHING GUIDELINES. All marine mammals are protected by the Federal Marine Mammal Protection Act. Following these recommended operational guidelines helps minimize chances of harassing or injuring whales and violating Federal law. Guidelines apply to all large whales from Maine through Virginia, except North Atlantic right whales. It is illegal to approach a right whale within 500 yards (1500 feet) unless granted specific exemption or authorization.