07-09-2005, 09:45 AM
[font "Times New Roman"]Weekly Fishing Report - Week of July 4, 2005 [/font] [font "Times New Roman"][#004080]INLAND REPORT[/#004080][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]![[Image: browntrt.gif]](http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/fishimag/browntrt.gif)
TROUT[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Rivers & streams - Good trout fishing reported from the Farmington (22” brown), Nonnewaug, Scantic, Mill, Willimantic, Housatonic and Shetucket Rivers. At this time of the year bait fisherman are finding corn/mealworm combination the most productive. Early and late in the day are peak fishing times in the summer. The mix of insect hatches has remained fairly stable.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]The Farmington River is currently fishing well throughout the day, water temperature is about 60°F (as of 7/7), and flows are fairly clear and quite fishable (about 200 cfs at Riverton plus an additional 80 cfs from the Still River). There should be plenty of trout in the upper reaches, the West Branch (from Hogback to the upper boundary of the TMA) was stocked with a total of 2,150 trout (800 brooks, 1,300 browns and 50 tiger trout) last Friday (7/1). Needhami (#20-26, early morning), Isonychia (#10-14, evening), Blue Wing Olives (#18-22, mid-late afternoon), Sulphurs duns (#18-20, afternoon to early evening for spinners), Caddis (tan #14-18, all day; green #22-26, evening), Midges (#22-28, morning), Black Ants (#14-18, morning) and Flying Ants (#18-22, when humid) are successful patterns. The Housatonic River is currently 72°F. Flows are clearing and have decreased to about 370 cfs. Rain is forecast for Friday so flows may again increase (for updated flow information call NGS at: 1-888-417-4837). Insect hatches include: Alder Caddis (#10-12, afternoon-evening near overhangs), Green/Brown Drakes (#8-12), Sulphurs (#14-16, evening), Blue Wing Olive (#18-22, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Isonychia (#12-14 evening), Light Cahill (#12-14, evening), and Tan & green caddis (#14-16, early morning & evening). Streamers (morning and evening) should catch some large fish.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]Anglers are reminded that the thermal refuge areas on the Housatonic, Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers are now closed to fishing and will reopen on September 1.[/#ff0000] Although Housatonic River anglers are familiar with thermal refuges, these areas are a new addition to the Shetucket and Naugatuck Rivers. From June 15 through August 31, all fishing within 100 feet of tributaries as posted by DEP (look for white signs) is prohibited. Shetucket River refuges are located at the mouths of Merrick Brook (Scotland) and Beaver Brook (Sprague). Naugatuck River refuges are located at the mouths of Pickett’s Brook (in TMA), Spruce Brook (in TMA, Litchfield), Spruce Brook (Naugatuck), Fulling Mill Brook (Naugatuck), Beacon Hill Brook (Naugatuck/Beacon Falls) and Bronson Brook (aka Hockanum Brook- Beacon Falls).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Lakes & Ponds – Many of our lakes and ponds are still producing good trout fishing, including Hogback, Colebrook and Saugatuck Reservoirs, Lake Saltonstall, Mashapaug, Crystal, Wonoscopomuc, Highland, East Twin and Candlewood Lakes, West Hill Pond (dawn and dusk for browns) and Beach Pond (20 fish).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"] Good LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing reported from Moodus Reservoir, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir (36 fish for one angler), Saugatuck Reservoir, Lake Lillinonah, Lake Zoar, Wonoscopomuc (28 fish), Candlewood, Bashan, Quonnipaug, Gardner, Bantam, Congamond, Beseck, Tyler, Winchester, Ashland and East Twin (30 fish) Lakes, and Halls, Mudge (28 fish) and Stillwater, Southford Falls SP, Pachaug, Mono and Babcock Ponds. SMALLMOUTH BASS action reported at Lake Zoar, Lake Lillinonah, Hogback Reservoir, Candlewood Lake, Mashapaug Lake, Squantz Pond, and on the Shetucket, Quinebaug and Housatonic Rivers. NORTHERN PIKE fishing is reported to be slow at Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Bantam Lake, Winchester Lake and Pachaug Pond. good catches of CATFISH at Lake Lillinonah and Lake Zoar. Evening bite for KOKANEE at West Hill Pond is on, try 4 colors of lead line. Fair WALLEYE action at Coventry Lake, Lake Saltonstall and Squantz Pond (6.7 lb walleye among the catches).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Connecticut River – NORTHERN PIKE catches reported from Hartford to Haddam (White Oaks Cove, Wethersfield Cove, Portland Bridge, Haddam Meadows). CATFISH are being taken on frozen herring and cut/chunk bait. Some STRIPED BASS still being taken at night in the lower river (live eels among the preferred baits).[/font] [font "Times New Roman"][#004080]MARINE REPORT[/#004080]![[Image: stb2.gif]](http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/fishimag/stb2.gif)
[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]The surface water temperature in Long Island Sound (LIS) ranges ranges from the mid 60’s to the 70 °F mark. Check out the following web sites for more detailed water temperatures and marine boating conditions:[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][url "http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1"]http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1[/url]![[Image: arrow7.gif]](http://www.dep.state.ct.us/images/arrow7.gif)
[url "http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/"]http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/[/url]
[url "http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/AN/330.html"]http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/AN/330.html[/url][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Also remember to check the CT [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/fishinfo/angler.htm"]Angler’s Guide[/url] page 52 for tidal information and page 50 for saltwater trophy fish award info.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]NOTE: [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/marineinfo/saltregs.htm#scup"]Scup (porgy)[/url] season opened July 1.[/#ff0000][#ff0000] The minimum size for scup is 10 ½ inches and the daily creel limit is 25 fish per person.[/#ff0000][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]Please see the [/#ff0000][url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/marineinfo/saltregs.htm"]Current Marine Fisheries Recreational Regulations[/url][#0080ff] [/#0080ff][#ff0000]page for new regulations on Summer Flounder (Fluke), Scup (Porgy) and Black Sea Bass that went into effect May 27, 2005.[/#ff0000][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]STRIPED BASS fishing is good on the local reefs with “cow” fish in the 50 inch range being reported! The slow troll/retrieve tube and worm combination, and drifting live scup, eels, bunker, and hickory shad continue to score on those trophy linesiders. STRIPERS and BLUEFISH can be found at the usual spots: The Race, the reefs off Watch Hill to the eastern tip of Fishers Island, Ram Island Reef, Plum Gut, Bartlett Reef, the humps south of Hatchett Reef, Long Sand Shoal, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, the reefs off Branford, New Haven Harbor, Charles Island area, Penfield Reef, and around the Norwalk Islands. Also, fishing for shoolie stripers is good in the lower Connecticut River by South Cove and Great Island.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SUMMER FLOUNDER (fluke) fishing is spotty but the chance of catching a doormat can happen anytime.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]BLACK SEA BASS can also be caught while fishing for doormats off Fishers Island Sound in the Stonington area, Twotree Island Channel, Niantic Bay including Black Point, Sound View Beach, Westbrook area, the “Dunes” off Mattituck, Falkner Island area to the reefs off Branford, and New Haven Harbor.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]TAUTOG (blackfish) can also be found along with SCUP on the major reefs with reports of monster scup in the 14+ inch range being reported.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]HICKORY SHAD are spotty in the Connecticut River but the Niantic River has been more consistent.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#009999]Interested in participating in the Marine Volunteer Angler Survey? Please see page 41 of the 2005 CT [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/fishinfo/angler.htm"]Angler’s Guide[/url] for contact information. Your participation is critical to effective fisheries management of your marine fishery resources. Thank you.[/#009999][/font] [center][font "Times New Roman"][url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/weekly/fishadv.htm"]Weekly Fishing Report[/url] | [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/index.htm"]Bureau of Natural Resources[/url][/font][/center] [font "Arial"][size 2][url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/index.htm"]Home[/url] | [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/aboutdep/contact/contact.htm"]Contact Us[/url] | [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/search2.htm"]Search[/url] | [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/survey/survey.htm"]Feedback[/url] | [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/legal.htm"]Website Legal Info[/url][/size][/font] [font "Arial"][size 2]Send comments or questions regarding this site to[/size][#800000][size 2] [url "mailto:dep.webmaster@po.state.ct.us"]dep.webmaster@po.state.ct.us[/url][/size][/#800000][/font] [font "Arial"][size 2]Copyright 1998-2004 Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection[/size][/font]
[signature]
[font "Times New Roman"]
TROUT[/font] [font "Times New Roman"]Rivers & streams - Good trout fishing reported from the Farmington (22” brown), Nonnewaug, Scantic, Mill, Willimantic, Housatonic and Shetucket Rivers. At this time of the year bait fisherman are finding corn/mealworm combination the most productive. Early and late in the day are peak fishing times in the summer. The mix of insect hatches has remained fairly stable.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]The Farmington River is currently fishing well throughout the day, water temperature is about 60°F (as of 7/7), and flows are fairly clear and quite fishable (about 200 cfs at Riverton plus an additional 80 cfs from the Still River). There should be plenty of trout in the upper reaches, the West Branch (from Hogback to the upper boundary of the TMA) was stocked with a total of 2,150 trout (800 brooks, 1,300 browns and 50 tiger trout) last Friday (7/1). Needhami (#20-26, early morning), Isonychia (#10-14, evening), Blue Wing Olives (#18-22, mid-late afternoon), Sulphurs duns (#18-20, afternoon to early evening for spinners), Caddis (tan #14-18, all day; green #22-26, evening), Midges (#22-28, morning), Black Ants (#14-18, morning) and Flying Ants (#18-22, when humid) are successful patterns. The Housatonic River is currently 72°F. Flows are clearing and have decreased to about 370 cfs. Rain is forecast for Friday so flows may again increase (for updated flow information call NGS at: 1-888-417-4837). Insect hatches include: Alder Caddis (#10-12, afternoon-evening near overhangs), Green/Brown Drakes (#8-12), Sulphurs (#14-16, evening), Blue Wing Olive (#18-22, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Isonychia (#12-14 evening), Light Cahill (#12-14, evening), and Tan & green caddis (#14-16, early morning & evening). Streamers (morning and evening) should catch some large fish.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]Anglers are reminded that the thermal refuge areas on the Housatonic, Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers are now closed to fishing and will reopen on September 1.[/#ff0000] Although Housatonic River anglers are familiar with thermal refuges, these areas are a new addition to the Shetucket and Naugatuck Rivers. From June 15 through August 31, all fishing within 100 feet of tributaries as posted by DEP (look for white signs) is prohibited. Shetucket River refuges are located at the mouths of Merrick Brook (Scotland) and Beaver Brook (Sprague). Naugatuck River refuges are located at the mouths of Pickett’s Brook (in TMA), Spruce Brook (in TMA, Litchfield), Spruce Brook (Naugatuck), Fulling Mill Brook (Naugatuck), Beacon Hill Brook (Naugatuck/Beacon Falls) and Bronson Brook (aka Hockanum Brook- Beacon Falls).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Lakes & Ponds – Many of our lakes and ponds are still producing good trout fishing, including Hogback, Colebrook and Saugatuck Reservoirs, Lake Saltonstall, Mashapaug, Crystal, Wonoscopomuc, Highland, East Twin and Candlewood Lakes, West Hill Pond (dawn and dusk for browns) and Beach Pond (20 fish).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"] Good LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing reported from Moodus Reservoir, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir (36 fish for one angler), Saugatuck Reservoir, Lake Lillinonah, Lake Zoar, Wonoscopomuc (28 fish), Candlewood, Bashan, Quonnipaug, Gardner, Bantam, Congamond, Beseck, Tyler, Winchester, Ashland and East Twin (30 fish) Lakes, and Halls, Mudge (28 fish) and Stillwater, Southford Falls SP, Pachaug, Mono and Babcock Ponds. SMALLMOUTH BASS action reported at Lake Zoar, Lake Lillinonah, Hogback Reservoir, Candlewood Lake, Mashapaug Lake, Squantz Pond, and on the Shetucket, Quinebaug and Housatonic Rivers. NORTHERN PIKE fishing is reported to be slow at Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Bantam Lake, Winchester Lake and Pachaug Pond. good catches of CATFISH at Lake Lillinonah and Lake Zoar. Evening bite for KOKANEE at West Hill Pond is on, try 4 colors of lead line. Fair WALLEYE action at Coventry Lake, Lake Saltonstall and Squantz Pond (6.7 lb walleye among the catches).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Connecticut River – NORTHERN PIKE catches reported from Hartford to Haddam (White Oaks Cove, Wethersfield Cove, Portland Bridge, Haddam Meadows). CATFISH are being taken on frozen herring and cut/chunk bait. Some STRIPED BASS still being taken at night in the lower river (live eels among the preferred baits).[/font] [font "Times New Roman"][#004080]MARINE REPORT[/#004080]
[/font] [font "Times New Roman"]The surface water temperature in Long Island Sound (LIS) ranges ranges from the mid 60’s to the 70 °F mark. Check out the following web sites for more detailed water temperatures and marine boating conditions:[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][url "http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1"]http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1[/url]
[url "http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/"]http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/[/url]
[url "http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/AN/330.html"]http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/AN/330.html[/url]
[/font] [font "Times New Roman"]Also remember to check the CT [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/fishinfo/angler.htm"]Angler’s Guide[/url] page 52 for tidal information and page 50 for saltwater trophy fish award info.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]NOTE: [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/marineinfo/saltregs.htm#scup"]Scup (porgy)[/url] season opened July 1.[/#ff0000][#ff0000] The minimum size for scup is 10 ½ inches and the daily creel limit is 25 fish per person.[/#ff0000][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]Please see the [/#ff0000][url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/marineinfo/saltregs.htm"]Current Marine Fisheries Recreational Regulations[/url][#0080ff] [/#0080ff][#ff0000]page for new regulations on Summer Flounder (Fluke), Scup (Porgy) and Black Sea Bass that went into effect May 27, 2005.[/#ff0000][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]STRIPED BASS fishing is good on the local reefs with “cow” fish in the 50 inch range being reported! The slow troll/retrieve tube and worm combination, and drifting live scup, eels, bunker, and hickory shad continue to score on those trophy linesiders. STRIPERS and BLUEFISH can be found at the usual spots: The Race, the reefs off Watch Hill to the eastern tip of Fishers Island, Ram Island Reef, Plum Gut, Bartlett Reef, the humps south of Hatchett Reef, Long Sand Shoal, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, the reefs off Branford, New Haven Harbor, Charles Island area, Penfield Reef, and around the Norwalk Islands. Also, fishing for shoolie stripers is good in the lower Connecticut River by South Cove and Great Island.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SUMMER FLOUNDER (fluke) fishing is spotty but the chance of catching a doormat can happen anytime.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]BLACK SEA BASS can also be caught while fishing for doormats off Fishers Island Sound in the Stonington area, Twotree Island Channel, Niantic Bay including Black Point, Sound View Beach, Westbrook area, the “Dunes” off Mattituck, Falkner Island area to the reefs off Branford, and New Haven Harbor.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]TAUTOG (blackfish) can also be found along with SCUP on the major reefs with reports of monster scup in the 14+ inch range being reported.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]HICKORY SHAD are spotty in the Connecticut River but the Niantic River has been more consistent.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#009999]Interested in participating in the Marine Volunteer Angler Survey? Please see page 41 of the 2005 CT [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/fishinfo/angler.htm"]Angler’s Guide[/url] for contact information. Your participation is critical to effective fisheries management of your marine fishery resources. Thank you.[/#009999][/font] [center][font "Times New Roman"][url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/weekly/fishadv.htm"]Weekly Fishing Report[/url] | [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/index.htm"]Bureau of Natural Resources[/url][/font][/center] [font "Arial"][size 2][url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/index.htm"]Home[/url] | [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/aboutdep/contact/contact.htm"]Contact Us[/url] | [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/search2.htm"]Search[/url] | [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/survey/survey.htm"]Feedback[/url] | [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/legal.htm"]Website Legal Info[/url][/size][/font] [font "Arial"][size 2]Send comments or questions regarding this site to[/size][#800000][size 2] [url "mailto:dep.webmaster@po.state.ct.us"]dep.webmaster@po.state.ct.us[/url][/size][/#800000][/font] [font "Arial"][size 2]Copyright 1998-2004 Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection[/size][/font]
[signature]