Connecticut Fishing Report 7-27-17

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

FREE FISHING LICENSE DAY

The second 2017 (and final) Free Fishing License Day is Saturday, August 12, 2017 (and also the day of the NCLI/DEEP CARE program Saltwater fishing event at Fort Trumbull State Park – see page 7 for more information on this event). Anyone can obtain a free one-day fishing license to fish this day.

The free 1-day license can be obtained through our mobile friendly site at www.ct.gov/deep/sportsmenlicensing and at the same vendors (Designated vendor (tackle shop), Town Halls and DEEP offices where other licenses are available (DEEP Offices).

LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing continues to be good. Places to try include Congamond Lakes (good night action with a number of fish around 3 lbs, fair to good in the day), , Lake Saltonstall, Lake McDonough, Highland Lake, Winchester Lake, Bantam Lake, Candlewood Lake (work the edge habitat), Ball Pond, Lake Wononskopomuc, Highland Lake (good, catches included a 7.5 lb beast), Batterson Park Pond, Black Pond (Meriden), Beseck Lake (some nice action reported), Lake Lillinonah, Stillwater Pond, Griggs Pond, Lake Waramaug, West Hill Pond, Park Pond, Winchester Lake, Squantz Pond, Wood Creek Pond, Pachaug Pond, Breakneck Pond (great hike in location), Crystal Lake (Ellington), Quaddick Lake, Gardner Lake, Moodus Reservoir, Quonnipaug Lake, Silver Lake (Meriden) and Halls Pond.

Tournament angler reports are from Aspinook Pond (fair, 3.12 lb lunker), Beseck Lake (fair action, 3.76 lb lunker), Lake of Isles (fair, with a 4.43 lb lunker), Mansfield Hollow Reservoir (fair to good for an late afternoon-evening tournament with a 4.13 lb lunker, fair a day tourney with a 3.3 lb lunker), Pachaug Pond (good fishing for one club with a 4.47 lb lunker, slow for two other clubs with 3.37 lb and 2.63 lb lunkers), Candlewood Lake (fair, 3.39 lb lunker), East Twin Lake (fair fishing, 4.55 lb lunker),
 Lake Lillinonah (fair to good action for one club), Connecticut River (launched from Salmon River -very good fishing for one club with lots of limits, all anglers got at least 10 lbs of fish with a 5.56 lb lunker and an average fish weight of over 2.3 lbs apiece, fair to good for an earlier club, with a 4.02 lb lunker).

SMALLMOUTH BASS Remains slow in many lakes and ponds, but action is being found with the best reports from Candlewood Lake (they’re starting to move to deeper spots around humps), Highland Lake, Lake Lillinonah and Colebrook River Lake. Fishing for river smallmouth was good in the Housatonic River (flyfishing with a popper) and the Connecticut River (try the suffield/Enfield area). Tournament angler reports are from Aspinook Pond (few), Pachaug Pond (some caught), Candlewood Lake (fair, 3.6 lb lunker), Lake Lillinonah (some “successful” fishing, with several smallie's over 3 lbs each and a 4.13 lb lunker), and the Connecticut River (some action on smallmouth)

KOKANEE have been spotty at both East Twin Lake (mostly 12 inch fish with some 14 inchers) and West Hill Pond. Try Beads, Mooselook Wobblers, DB Smelt, and Flash King lures (blue & silver); or fishing corn over lights at night.

CONNECTICUT RIVER. The river continues to be comfortable for fishing and boating. Flows continue just enough above typical levels to ease boat access to those hard to get into places, but have become more turbid again. STRIPED BASS are hanging out near the mouth (with schools of bunker - lots) and good action can be found from shore at the DEEP Old Lyme boardwalk or by launching a kayak from Great Island Launch in Old Lyme. CATFISH (up to and over 10 pounds) are being caught throughout the river.