10-10-2005, 09:38 AM
[font "Times New Roman"]Weekly Fishing Report - Week of October 3, 2005 [/font] [font "Times New Roman"]![[Image: browntrt.gif]](http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/fishimag/browntrt.gif)
[font "Times New Roman"][#004080]INLAND REPORT[/#004080][/font][/font][font "Times New Roman"]TROUT[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]DEP is in the second week of fall trout stocking. Across the state, flows continue to be low in many rivers and streams, and are affecting stocking. Scheduled stockings of the Yantic River, Salmon River, Stratton Brook Trout Park, and Sandy Brook have either been cancelled or delayed. The Sleeping Giant Trout Park (Mill River, Hamden) and the Natchaug River have also received less trout than usual due to poor flow conditions.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]LAKES & PONDS –Lakes reporting good trout fishing include Beach Pond (very good), Crystal Lake, Highland Lake, West Hill Pond and East Twin Lake (22 fish for one group). Areas to try this weekend include Black Pond (Woodstock), Mashapaug Lake, Valley Falls Park Pond, Black Pond (Middlefield/Meriden) and the Black Rock, Horse Pond and Wolfe Park (Great Hollow Pond) Trout Parks.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]RIVERS & STREAMS -Good reports from last week for the West Branch Farmington and Farmington River TMA’s, Housatonic River TMA, Pootatuck River and Salmon Brook (42 fish for one angler). Areas to try this weekend include the Shetucket, Moosup (TMA), Willimantic (TMA), Norwalk, Natchaug, West Branch Farmington (above the TMA) and the Farmington (TMA) Rivers.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Typically, matching the hatch is not as important at this time of the year. Streamers and nymphing are the way to go and often dominate the early morning and late evening. For streamers try white, yellow and brown colors. Patterns to try include White Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn and Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10). For nymphs, bottem bounce with Caddis pupa (#16-26), Serendipity (#14-16), Pheasant Tail (#12-20), Prince (#6-18) and Hare’s ear (#8-20). Light line and leaders should work best in the current low flow, clear water conditions.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Farmington River- West Branch flows continue to be clear and low (currently about 84 cfs from Hogback and an additional 11 cfs from the Still River). Morning West Branch water temperatures continue to range from the mid 50's °F below Hogback to the low 60’s °F in the TMA. Hatches are somewhat slow, currents patterns include Isonychia (#10-14, fast water, evening), Blue Wing Olives (#16-20, mid-late afternoon), Caddis (tan #16-20, all day; green #22-26, evening; summer pupa #18-20 morning), Midges (#22-28, morning), Black Ants (#14-20, mid day in fast water), Black Beetles (#16-18, mid day), Flying Ants (#16-20, mid day, when windy/humid) and Stone Hoppers (#8-12, mid day). Rusty Spinners (#22-26) have been producing in the evening.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Housatonic River- Flows remain clear and low, about 130 cfs at Falls Village and about 160 cfs at Gaylordsville. Morning water temperatures in the TMA are in the upper 50’s to low 60’s °F. Current hatches include Blue Wing Olive (#18-26, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Isonychia (#10-12 evening), and Black caddis (#14-18, early morning & evening). Try Black/Cinnamon Ants (#18-22, mid day in fast water), Black Beetles (#14-18, mid day), Stone Hopper (#8-10, mid day) and Flying Ants (#14-18, mid day, when windy/humid).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]LARGEMOUTH & SMALLMOUTH BASS fishing is variable, ranging from slow to good. Reports for largemouth bass include Highland (fair), East Twin, Lower Bolton, Billings (fair), Coventry (mixed), Candlewood (slow), Congamond (fair), Gardner (slow), Pattagansett (good), Wononscopomuc (good), Cedar, Bantam (good), Winchester (slow), and Bashan Lakes, West Hill Pond and Park Pond (good action, no big ones). Smallmouth bass action reported at Highland (including a 4.5 lb,20" smallie, try deep), Lower Bolton, Coventry (mixed), Candlewood (slow, but a 3.7 lb smallie among the catches), and Bashan Lakes and West Hill Pond.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]NORTHERN PIKE catches reported from Bantam Lake and Winchester Lake.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]WALLEYE fishing has been good to excellent at Lake Saltonstall (8 fish with biggest being 8.4 lb, 30"), also some catches at Squantz Pond (26" walleye) and Gardner.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]CHAIN PICKEREL have been caught at Winchester, Wononoscopomuc and Highland Lakes.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]A 15" YELLOW PERCH was reported from Highland Lake, also good action reported from Lower Bolton Lake.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Connecticut River – NORTHERN PIKE fishing is reported as good. Fish have been found from Enfield, Wethersfield Cove, Harbor Park, and the Haddam Meadows - Salmon River Cove area. LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is slow (although some nice catches reported from the Salmon River Cove area). Some SMALLMOUTH BASS action reported from the Enfield area. CATFISH have slowed, but are still being taken (cut bait in the deeper holes and on the outside edges of the river). STRIPED BASS action reported in the Wethersfield Cove area (schoolies around 17"). The lower river is very good just after dark for stripers following hickory shad.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]NOTES:[/#ff0000][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]A complete drawdown of Rainbow Reservoir occurred in September. Although the reservoir has refilled, anglers are reminded that it will take several years for the fish populations to recover.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Lake Lillinonah will be drawndown 4 feet on October 15th with refilling scheduled for the night of October 23rd.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Lake Zoar will be drawndown 5 feet on October 22nd with refilling scheduled for the night of October 30th.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Lake McDonough has been drawndown 7-8 feet to the typical winter level[/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 water temperature in Long Island Sound (LIS) remains on the warm side for this time of year, with readings in the mid to high 60’s °F. 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"]STRIPED BASS and BLUEFISH fishing is good and will only get better as the fall season progresses. Look for a lot of top water action as stripers and bluefish feed on schools of peanut bunker! The usual fishing spots include the Watch Hill reefs, Ram Island Reef, the Race, Plum Gut, Thames River, Millstone Point, Bartlett Reef, Black Point, the humps south of Hatchett Reef, Long Sand Shoal, Connecticut River breakwater to White Sands Beach, Cornfield Point, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, the reefs off Madison and Branford, New Haven Harbor, Milford Harbor breakwaters to Charles Island and Milford Point, Housatonic River, Penfield Reef, and around the Norwalk Islands. SNAPPER BLUEFISH fishing remains good along the coastline.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SUMMER FLOUNDER (fluke) fishing is on the slow side. Montauk Pt, NY is your best bet.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SCUP (porgies) fishing is rated good to excellent in LIS.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]BLACKFISH (tautog) fishing is fair to good on the major reefs but will improve as the water temperatures cool down.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]HICKORY SHAD fishing is fair to good in the Niantic River, Connecticut River and Clinton Harbor.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]LITTLE TUNNY and ATLANTIC BONITO fishing is heating up. Your best chances are at Plum Gut, the Sluiceway, the Race, Pine Island area off the Thames River, and between Millstone Point and Pleasure Beach in Waterford.[/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 the latest regulations on common saltwater fish species or download t[b]he [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/pdf.htm"]2005 Marine Fisheries Brochure[/url]. [/#ff0000][/b][/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"][#004080]INLAND REPORT[/#004080][/font][/font][font "Times New Roman"]TROUT[/font] [font "Times New Roman"]DEP is in the second week of fall trout stocking. Across the state, flows continue to be low in many rivers and streams, and are affecting stocking. Scheduled stockings of the Yantic River, Salmon River, Stratton Brook Trout Park, and Sandy Brook have either been cancelled or delayed. The Sleeping Giant Trout Park (Mill River, Hamden) and the Natchaug River have also received less trout than usual due to poor flow conditions.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]LAKES & PONDS –Lakes reporting good trout fishing include Beach Pond (very good), Crystal Lake, Highland Lake, West Hill Pond and East Twin Lake (22 fish for one group). Areas to try this weekend include Black Pond (Woodstock), Mashapaug Lake, Valley Falls Park Pond, Black Pond (Middlefield/Meriden) and the Black Rock, Horse Pond and Wolfe Park (Great Hollow Pond) Trout Parks.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]RIVERS & STREAMS -Good reports from last week for the West Branch Farmington and Farmington River TMA’s, Housatonic River TMA, Pootatuck River and Salmon Brook (42 fish for one angler). Areas to try this weekend include the Shetucket, Moosup (TMA), Willimantic (TMA), Norwalk, Natchaug, West Branch Farmington (above the TMA) and the Farmington (TMA) Rivers.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Typically, matching the hatch is not as important at this time of the year. Streamers and nymphing are the way to go and often dominate the early morning and late evening. For streamers try white, yellow and brown colors. Patterns to try include White Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn and Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10). For nymphs, bottem bounce with Caddis pupa (#16-26), Serendipity (#14-16), Pheasant Tail (#12-20), Prince (#6-18) and Hare’s ear (#8-20). Light line and leaders should work best in the current low flow, clear water conditions.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Farmington River- West Branch flows continue to be clear and low (currently about 84 cfs from Hogback and an additional 11 cfs from the Still River). Morning West Branch water temperatures continue to range from the mid 50's °F below Hogback to the low 60’s °F in the TMA. Hatches are somewhat slow, currents patterns include Isonychia (#10-14, fast water, evening), Blue Wing Olives (#16-20, mid-late afternoon), Caddis (tan #16-20, all day; green #22-26, evening; summer pupa #18-20 morning), Midges (#22-28, morning), Black Ants (#14-20, mid day in fast water), Black Beetles (#16-18, mid day), Flying Ants (#16-20, mid day, when windy/humid) and Stone Hoppers (#8-12, mid day). Rusty Spinners (#22-26) have been producing in the evening.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Housatonic River- Flows remain clear and low, about 130 cfs at Falls Village and about 160 cfs at Gaylordsville. Morning water temperatures in the TMA are in the upper 50’s to low 60’s °F. Current hatches include Blue Wing Olive (#18-26, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Isonychia (#10-12 evening), and Black caddis (#14-18, early morning & evening). Try Black/Cinnamon Ants (#18-22, mid day in fast water), Black Beetles (#14-18, mid day), Stone Hopper (#8-10, mid day) and Flying Ants (#14-18, mid day, when windy/humid).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]LARGEMOUTH & SMALLMOUTH BASS fishing is variable, ranging from slow to good. Reports for largemouth bass include Highland (fair), East Twin, Lower Bolton, Billings (fair), Coventry (mixed), Candlewood (slow), Congamond (fair), Gardner (slow), Pattagansett (good), Wononscopomuc (good), Cedar, Bantam (good), Winchester (slow), and Bashan Lakes, West Hill Pond and Park Pond (good action, no big ones). Smallmouth bass action reported at Highland (including a 4.5 lb,20" smallie, try deep), Lower Bolton, Coventry (mixed), Candlewood (slow, but a 3.7 lb smallie among the catches), and Bashan Lakes and West Hill Pond.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]NORTHERN PIKE catches reported from Bantam Lake and Winchester Lake.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]WALLEYE fishing has been good to excellent at Lake Saltonstall (8 fish with biggest being 8.4 lb, 30"), also some catches at Squantz Pond (26" walleye) and Gardner.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]CHAIN PICKEREL have been caught at Winchester, Wononoscopomuc and Highland Lakes.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]A 15" YELLOW PERCH was reported from Highland Lake, also good action reported from Lower Bolton Lake.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Connecticut River – NORTHERN PIKE fishing is reported as good. Fish have been found from Enfield, Wethersfield Cove, Harbor Park, and the Haddam Meadows - Salmon River Cove area. LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is slow (although some nice catches reported from the Salmon River Cove area). Some SMALLMOUTH BASS action reported from the Enfield area. CATFISH have slowed, but are still being taken (cut bait in the deeper holes and on the outside edges of the river). STRIPED BASS action reported in the Wethersfield Cove area (schoolies around 17"). The lower river is very good just after dark for stripers following hickory shad.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]NOTES:[/#ff0000][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]A complete drawdown of Rainbow Reservoir occurred in September. Although the reservoir has refilled, anglers are reminded that it will take several years for the fish populations to recover.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Lake Lillinonah will be drawndown 4 feet on October 15th with refilling scheduled for the night of October 23rd.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Lake Zoar will be drawndown 5 feet on October 22nd with refilling scheduled for the night of October 30th.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Lake McDonough has been drawndown 7-8 feet to the typical winter level[/font] [font "Times New Roman"][#004080]MARINE REPORT[/#004080]
[/font] [font "Times New Roman"]The water temperature in Long Island Sound (LIS) remains on the warm side for this time of year, with readings in the mid to high 60’s °F. 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"]STRIPED BASS and BLUEFISH fishing is good and will only get better as the fall season progresses. Look for a lot of top water action as stripers and bluefish feed on schools of peanut bunker! The usual fishing spots include the Watch Hill reefs, Ram Island Reef, the Race, Plum Gut, Thames River, Millstone Point, Bartlett Reef, Black Point, the humps south of Hatchett Reef, Long Sand Shoal, Connecticut River breakwater to White Sands Beach, Cornfield Point, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, the reefs off Madison and Branford, New Haven Harbor, Milford Harbor breakwaters to Charles Island and Milford Point, Housatonic River, Penfield Reef, and around the Norwalk Islands. SNAPPER BLUEFISH fishing remains good along the coastline.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SUMMER FLOUNDER (fluke) fishing is on the slow side. Montauk Pt, NY is your best bet.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SCUP (porgies) fishing is rated good to excellent in LIS.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]BLACKFISH (tautog) fishing is fair to good on the major reefs but will improve as the water temperatures cool down.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]HICKORY SHAD fishing is fair to good in the Niantic River, Connecticut River and Clinton Harbor.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]LITTLE TUNNY and ATLANTIC BONITO fishing is heating up. Your best chances are at Plum Gut, the Sluiceway, the Race, Pine Island area off the Thames River, and between Millstone Point and Pleasure Beach in Waterford.[/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 the latest regulations on common saltwater fish species or download t[b]he [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/pdf.htm"]2005 Marine Fisheries Brochure[/url]. [/#ff0000][/b][/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]
