11-07-2005, 11:11 AM
[font "Times New Roman"]Weekly Fishing Report - Week of October 31, 2005 [/font] [font "Times New Roman"][#004080]INLAND REPORT[/#004080][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]![[Image: salmon.gif]](http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/fishimag/salmon.gif)
ATLANTIC SALMON[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]With fishable flows and more salmon in the water, anglers are beginning to report catches (especially from the Naugatuck River). No really big salmon yet. DEP stocked the Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers twice this week, with each river receiving a total of 400 broodstock Atlantic salmon. The salmon released this week are from the federal hatchery in Vermont, and typically weigh 5-6 pounds each. These stockings bring the number of salmon stocked this fall up to 1,087 fish. DEP currently expects to stock the first group of spawned salmon from its Kensington Hatchery during the week of November 7th.
[#ff0000]Reminder [/#ff0000][#ff0000]- Anglers are reminded that catch-and- release fishing is in effect through November 30, 2005. From December 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006, anglers may keep one fish per day. Fishing for Atlantic salmon is limited to use of single-fly or lure with a single free-swinging hook.[/#ff0000][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]TROUT[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]LAKES & PONDS –Trout fishing remains variable, with reports from Wonoscopomuc Lake (good, including 3 trout over 7 lbs on the last day of the season), Great Hollow Pond (fair including a nice 15” rainbow), Crystal Lake (slow), Hogback Reservoir (some nice browns reported), Highland Lake (mixed reports, best in Second Bay, about 15 feet) and Beach Pond (good).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]RIVERS & STREAMS -With flows in most areas at more fishable levels, this weekend is a good time to get out and enjoy some late fall trout action. Anglers last weekend had mixed results with reports from the Scantic River (several nice rainbow), West Branch Farmington TMA (good, 20 browns for one pair, 22 for another group, also some nice rainbow) and Salmon River (slow, some nice rainbows). Anglers are also finding nice catches of beautifully colored brook trout from some of the wild trout streams. Streamers and nymphing are the way to go in the fall and best during the early morning and late evening. For streamers try white, yellow & brown colors. Patterns to try include Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10). For nymphs, Bottom bounce with Caddis pupa (#14-16), Serendipity (#14-16), Pheasant Tail (#12-20), Prince (#6-18) and Hare’s ear (#8-20).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Farmington River- West Branch morning water temperatures are around 50°F. West Branch flows are clear, quite fishable and only somewhat high, about 430 cfs from Hogback to Riverton and about 600 cfs below the confluence of the Still River. Current hatches include Blue Wing Olives (#16-20, mid-late afternoon), Caddis (tan #14-18; winter #18-22, winter pupa #16-20 morning), Midges (#22-32), Black Ants (#14-20). Now’s the time for streamers.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Housatonic River- Morning water temperatures in the TMA are in the upper 40’s °F. Flows are high, but clearing and dropping, currently about 1,650 cfs at Falls Village and 2,800 cfs at Gaylordsville. The river should be quite fishable this weekend! Time for Blue Wing Olives (#18-22), Black Caddis (#16-20), streamers and nymphs.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]LARGEMOUTH AND SMALLMOUTH BASS fishing continues to be variable, ranging from slow to good, with reports for LARGEMOUTH from Bantam (good- including a 6.98 lb bass), Lake Saltonstall (8 bass in the 3-6 lb range for one angler in the last two weeks), Amos Lake (good), Hatch Pond (good action, no big fish), Billings Lake (good, including a 6-lb bass), Highland (slow), Pierrepont Pond (good), Mudge Pond (slow), Crystal Lake (fair), Rogers Lake (slow) and Pachaug Pond (fair). SMALLMOUTH reports are from Gardner Lake (fair), Highland Lake (generally good, several 3-plus lb smallies among the catches) and Candlewood Lake (fair).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Chain pickerel catches from Amos Lake, Lake Wonoscopomuc (now closed) and Lake McDonough[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Good WALLEYE action at Squantz Pond (30”, 9.6 lb and 10.8 lb fish among the catches) and Lake Saltonstall (including a 8.9 lb 28.5” beauty).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]NORTHERN PIKE catches reported from Hamilton Reservoir (37”) and Mansfield Hollow Reservoir (10 lb, 38” pike). With Connecticut River flows returning to safe and fishable levels, pike action should be picking up (pike action is typically good in late fall on the river).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]NOTES:[/#ff0000][/font] [ul] [li][font "Times New Roman"]DEP’s Quinebaug Fish Hatchery visitor center will be closed until further notice while the building undergoes repairs to the roof. All other areas generally open to the public will remain open.[/font] [li][font "Times New Roman"]The Natchaug State Forest entrance road bridge across the NATCHAUG RIVER off of Route 198 in Eastford is closed indefinitely. This closure applies to both vehicles and pedestrians. For additional information including alternate access: [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/stateparks/forests/natchaug.htm"]http://www.dep.state.ct.us/stateparks/forests/natchaug.htm[/url][/font] [li][font "Times New Roman"]A 5 foot drawdown of LAKE ZOAR began Friday night, Oct 28, with refilling scheduled to begin Sunday night, November 6th.[/font] [li][font "Times New Roman"]A 3-foot drawdown of HIGHLAND LAKE is scheduled to begin on November 1st.[/font] [li][font "Times New Roman"]Winter drawdowns of Gardner Lake, Pachaug Pond, Lower Bolton Lake, Glasgo Pond and Bashan Lake should be underway this week.[/font] [li][font "Times New Roman"]Of interest- since Oct. 7th, the water level at Colebrook Reservoir rose 63 feet, a storage gain of 11.2 billion gallons. [/font] [li]
[font "Times New Roman"]Lake Wonoscopomuc closed for the season on October 31st. Although boat rentals are no longer available and the docks are being removed, Lake Saltonstall will be open to shore fishing through November 30th.[/font][/li][/ul] [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) ranges from the mid to high 50’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"]Now is time for the three “B’s”, BLACKFISH, BLUEFISH, and BASS! BLUEFISH fishing is excellent, about near peak in LIS.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]STRIPED BASS fishing is also in high gear as the fall migration continues and should only get better as water temperatures drop and bluefish move out of LIS. STRIPER and BLUEFISH spots include the Watch Hill reefs, Ram Island Reef, the Race, Plum Gut, Millstone Point, Bartlett Reef, Black Point, the humps south of Hatchett Reef, Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, the reefs off Madison and Branford, Milford Harbor breakwaters to Charles Island, Milford Point area, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, Penfield Reef, Compo Beach, the Norwalk Islands, and Greenwich Point.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SCHOOLIE STRIPER action remains good in the tidal rivers along with HICKORY SHAD.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]BLACKFISH (tautog) fishing remains hot and heavy on the major reefs and should continue well into November as long as the weather holds out.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]LITTLE TUNNY and ATLANTIC BONITO fishing is hit or miss. The usual inshore tuna spots include Plum Gut, the Sluiceway, the Race, Pine Island area off the Thames River, Millstone Point and Pleasure Beach in Waterford, and Hatchett Reef.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]PLEASE NOTE: [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/marineinfo/saltregs.htm#scup"]SCUP[/url] FISHING CLOSED NOVEMBER 1ST[/#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 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]
[signature]
[font "Times New Roman"]
ATLANTIC SALMON[/font] [font "Times New Roman"]With fishable flows and more salmon in the water, anglers are beginning to report catches (especially from the Naugatuck River). No really big salmon yet. DEP stocked the Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers twice this week, with each river receiving a total of 400 broodstock Atlantic salmon. The salmon released this week are from the federal hatchery in Vermont, and typically weigh 5-6 pounds each. These stockings bring the number of salmon stocked this fall up to 1,087 fish. DEP currently expects to stock the first group of spawned salmon from its Kensington Hatchery during the week of November 7th.
[#ff0000]Reminder [/#ff0000][#ff0000]- Anglers are reminded that catch-and- release fishing is in effect through November 30, 2005. From December 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006, anglers may keep one fish per day. Fishing for Atlantic salmon is limited to use of single-fly or lure with a single free-swinging hook.[/#ff0000][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]TROUT[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]LAKES & PONDS –Trout fishing remains variable, with reports from Wonoscopomuc Lake (good, including 3 trout over 7 lbs on the last day of the season), Great Hollow Pond (fair including a nice 15” rainbow), Crystal Lake (slow), Hogback Reservoir (some nice browns reported), Highland Lake (mixed reports, best in Second Bay, about 15 feet) and Beach Pond (good).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]RIVERS & STREAMS -With flows in most areas at more fishable levels, this weekend is a good time to get out and enjoy some late fall trout action. Anglers last weekend had mixed results with reports from the Scantic River (several nice rainbow), West Branch Farmington TMA (good, 20 browns for one pair, 22 for another group, also some nice rainbow) and Salmon River (slow, some nice rainbows). Anglers are also finding nice catches of beautifully colored brook trout from some of the wild trout streams. Streamers and nymphing are the way to go in the fall and best during the early morning and late evening. For streamers try white, yellow & brown colors. Patterns to try include Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10). For nymphs, Bottom bounce with Caddis pupa (#14-16), Serendipity (#14-16), Pheasant Tail (#12-20), Prince (#6-18) and Hare’s ear (#8-20).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Farmington River- West Branch morning water temperatures are around 50°F. West Branch flows are clear, quite fishable and only somewhat high, about 430 cfs from Hogback to Riverton and about 600 cfs below the confluence of the Still River. Current hatches include Blue Wing Olives (#16-20, mid-late afternoon), Caddis (tan #14-18; winter #18-22, winter pupa #16-20 morning), Midges (#22-32), Black Ants (#14-20). Now’s the time for streamers.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Housatonic River- Morning water temperatures in the TMA are in the upper 40’s °F. Flows are high, but clearing and dropping, currently about 1,650 cfs at Falls Village and 2,800 cfs at Gaylordsville. The river should be quite fishable this weekend! Time for Blue Wing Olives (#18-22), Black Caddis (#16-20), streamers and nymphs.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]LARGEMOUTH AND SMALLMOUTH BASS fishing continues to be variable, ranging from slow to good, with reports for LARGEMOUTH from Bantam (good- including a 6.98 lb bass), Lake Saltonstall (8 bass in the 3-6 lb range for one angler in the last two weeks), Amos Lake (good), Hatch Pond (good action, no big fish), Billings Lake (good, including a 6-lb bass), Highland (slow), Pierrepont Pond (good), Mudge Pond (slow), Crystal Lake (fair), Rogers Lake (slow) and Pachaug Pond (fair). SMALLMOUTH reports are from Gardner Lake (fair), Highland Lake (generally good, several 3-plus lb smallies among the catches) and Candlewood Lake (fair).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Chain pickerel catches from Amos Lake, Lake Wonoscopomuc (now closed) and Lake McDonough[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Good WALLEYE action at Squantz Pond (30”, 9.6 lb and 10.8 lb fish among the catches) and Lake Saltonstall (including a 8.9 lb 28.5” beauty).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]NORTHERN PIKE catches reported from Hamilton Reservoir (37”) and Mansfield Hollow Reservoir (10 lb, 38” pike). With Connecticut River flows returning to safe and fishable levels, pike action should be picking up (pike action is typically good in late fall on the river).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]NOTES:[/#ff0000][/font] [ul] [li][font "Times New Roman"]DEP’s Quinebaug Fish Hatchery visitor center will be closed until further notice while the building undergoes repairs to the roof. All other areas generally open to the public will remain open.[/font] [li][font "Times New Roman"]The Natchaug State Forest entrance road bridge across the NATCHAUG RIVER off of Route 198 in Eastford is closed indefinitely. This closure applies to both vehicles and pedestrians. For additional information including alternate access: [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/stateparks/forests/natchaug.htm"]http://www.dep.state.ct.us/stateparks/forests/natchaug.htm[/url][/font] [li][font "Times New Roman"]A 5 foot drawdown of LAKE ZOAR began Friday night, Oct 28, with refilling scheduled to begin Sunday night, November 6th.[/font] [li][font "Times New Roman"]A 3-foot drawdown of HIGHLAND LAKE is scheduled to begin on November 1st.[/font] [li][font "Times New Roman"]Winter drawdowns of Gardner Lake, Pachaug Pond, Lower Bolton Lake, Glasgo Pond and Bashan Lake should be underway this week.[/font] [li][font "Times New Roman"]Of interest- since Oct. 7th, the water level at Colebrook Reservoir rose 63 feet, a storage gain of 11.2 billion gallons. [/font] [li]
[font "Times New Roman"]Lake Wonoscopomuc closed for the season on October 31st. Although boat rentals are no longer available and the docks are being removed, Lake Saltonstall will be open to shore fishing through November 30th.[/font][/li][/ul] [font "Times New Roman"][#004080]MARINE REPORT[/#004080]
[/font] [font "Times New Roman"]The water temperature in Long Island Sound (LIS) ranges from the mid to high 50’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"]Now is time for the three “B’s”, BLACKFISH, BLUEFISH, and BASS! BLUEFISH fishing is excellent, about near peak in LIS.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]STRIPED BASS fishing is also in high gear as the fall migration continues and should only get better as water temperatures drop and bluefish move out of LIS. STRIPER and BLUEFISH spots include the Watch Hill reefs, Ram Island Reef, the Race, Plum Gut, Millstone Point, Bartlett Reef, Black Point, the humps south of Hatchett Reef, Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, the reefs off Madison and Branford, Milford Harbor breakwaters to Charles Island, Milford Point area, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, Penfield Reef, Compo Beach, the Norwalk Islands, and Greenwich Point.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SCHOOLIE STRIPER action remains good in the tidal rivers along with HICKORY SHAD.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]BLACKFISH (tautog) fishing remains hot and heavy on the major reefs and should continue well into November as long as the weather holds out.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]LITTLE TUNNY and ATLANTIC BONITO fishing is hit or miss. The usual inshore tuna spots include Plum Gut, the Sluiceway, the Race, Pine Island area off the Thames River, Millstone Point and Pleasure Beach in Waterford, and Hatchett Reef.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]PLEASE NOTE: [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/marineinfo/saltregs.htm#scup"]SCUP[/url] FISHING CLOSED NOVEMBER 1ST[/#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 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]
[signature]