07-18-2009, 09:23 AM
[size 2]FISHING REPORT NUMBER 13: 7/16/2009
INLAND REPORT
SUNFISH – Now that summer is finally arriving, it’s time to get the family out and experience the fast-paced action of fishing for panfish. Easy to catch, these fish can be a great way to introduce children to fishing, and great action can generally be found in your local ponds. Bigger locations to try for good fishing include: Quinnebaug Lake, Gardner Lake, Hayward Lake, Amos Lake, Coventry Lake, Lower Bolton Lake, Highland, Mudge Pond, Hatch Pond, Bishop Pond, Ball Pond, Batterson Park Pond & Black Pond (Meriden).
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is generally good. Areas to try include Lake Hayward, Lake Saltonstall, Upper & Lower Moodus Reservoir, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Scoville Reservoir, Warner Pond, Wononskopomuc Lake, East Twin Lake, Bashan Lake, Gardner Lake, Beseck Lake, Glasgo Pond, Pickerel Lake, Pattagansett Lake, Rogers Lake (catches include a 5.7 lb bass), Quonnipaug Lake, Crystal Lake (Ellington), Messerschmidt Pond, Ashland Pond, Avery Pond, Beachdale Pond, Ball Pond, Gorton Pond, Bishop Pond, Halls Pond, Leonard Pond, Spectacle Lake, Mudge Pond, Batterson Park Pond, Black Pond (Woodstock) and Hatch Pond.
SMALLMOUTH BASS action is fair to good, with reports from Colebrook Reservoir, Lake McDonough, Saugatuck Reservoir, Candlewood Lake, Squantz Pond, Highland Lake, Coventry Lake, Mashapaug Lake and Bashan Lake.
ATLANTIC SALMON are still being caught at Mashapaug Lake with 22” and 30” fish coming to net this last week. Target these fish at 25 feet over 30 feet of water.
NORTHERN PIKE fishing is reported to be good in Lake Lillinonah (target cold springs), Hopeville Pond and Winchester Lake.
WALLEYE are being reported from Lake Saltonstall, Squantz Pond, Batterson Park Pond and Coventry Lake.
CALICO BASS action is reported in Coventry Lake (green nightlights & bait), Park Pond and Silver Lake.
TROUT
Rivers & streams - With moderate temperatures and plenty of water, mid-July trout fishing this year should be good. Good reports for last weekend from the West Branch Farmington (browns to 20”), Farmington River, Naugatuck River, Mill River TMA, Willimantic River TMA, Hammonasett River, Fenton River, Blackberry River and Housatonic River.
Farmington River – Fishing has generally been good. West Branch flows are clear and moderate, about 370 cfs at Riverton with an additional 60 cfs from the Still River. Hatches/patterns include Ephemerella needhami (hatch just started, #22-26, early morning; 9:00am), Isonychia bicolor, (#10-12, evening), March Brown, (Stenonema ithaca, #10, evening), Blue Wing Olives (#16-18 (Drunella lata) & #20-24, (D. cornuta & cornutella), cloudy days, mid-late afternoon), Epeorus vitreus, (Sulphurs duns #14-16, afternoon to early evening for spinners), Caddis (tan #14-208, all day; green #22-26, evening) & Midges (#22-28, morning). Ants, beetles and Midges have been good throughout the day. Lots of
2009 DEP Fishing Report Number 13, 7/16/2009
success can be found below the surface on nymphs, wets and streamers. Try bottom bouncing caddis pupa.
Housatonic River – Trout fishing should be good this weekend. Flows are at very fishable levels and continue to drop, currently 825 cfs at Falls Village and 1,250 cfs at Gaylordsville. As some localized thunderstorms in the forecast for the next several days, anglers may wish to call FirstLight Power at 1-888-417-4837 for updated flow information.
Water temperatures this summer continue to be great for trout, and are currently in the mid to upper 60’s°F ( mornings in the TMA area). Hatches/patterns include Alder/Zebra Caddis (Macrostemum zebratum, action slowing, #10-12, afternoon-evening near overhangs), Sulphurs (#14-18, evening), Blue Wing Olive (#18-20, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Isonychia sps. (#10-12 evening), Light Cahill (#12-14, evening), and Tan & green caddis (#14-16, early morning & evening). Ants & Beetles (#14-1![[Image: icon_cool.gif]](http://nedisabledsportsmen.com/forum/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif)
are contributing well throughout the day. Streamer (morning & evening) patterns to try include White Zonkers, Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, and Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10).
Lakes & Ponds – Many of our lakes are still producing good trout fishing. Reports from Crystal Lake (Ellington, target 20-24 ft), East Twin Lake (for large brown trout, target 25 ft), Candlewood Lake (look for bait balls on fish finder), Mashapaug Lake (20 fish for one angler), Highland Lake, Wononscopomuc Lake, West Hill Pond, Black Pond (Woodstock), Mt. Tom Pond, Beach Pond and Long Pond.
CONNECTICUT RIVER – STRIPED BASS fishing picked up a bit last week. Most of the fish were “schoolie” sized fish, and were being taken at night in the lower river on live eels, and tube & worm.
WHITE PERCH are still being taken in the lower river, especially at the Lieutenant River.
A bit further upriver, anglers had good catches of LARGMOUTH BASS in the Haddam area.
NORTHERN PIKE (33” & 38” pike among the recent catches) fishing is good, with catches reported in the coves, Haddam Meadows area, and the mainstream from Hartford down to Haddam.
Some action for SMALLMOUTH BASS in the upper river near the mouth of the Farmington River. Look for where muddy and clear water meet.
There has been an increase in the number of CATFISH (some over 10 lbs) catches, mostly coming from the Haddam – Portland stretch. They are consistently being taken on frozen herring & cut/chunk bait (sunfish, eels & shad). Target 10-30’ of water near structures on the outside of river bends.
NOTICES:
The BANTAM LAKE BOAT LAUNCH is now closed to the public. The DEP had maintained and operated this boat launch located on town-owned property in Morris for many years. The current lease for the property had expired and to date, despite our best efforts, DEP has been unable to meet the town’s terms to secure a new lease. As a result of a town vote on Friday, June 26, the boat launch was closed to non-residents. Therefore, the DEP will no longer continue to operate the boat launch; and the town has taken over operation and maintenance of the property.
SPECIAL EVENT -ALL ARE WELCOME -Ronald McDonald, McDonald’s world famous clown, will be in person at the LATTIN’S COVE STATE BOAT LAUNCH on Candlewood Lake on Thursday, July 23, 2009 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm to promote a boating safety campaign. In an effort to promote boating safety practices, DEP staff, participating local marine police departments and patrols, and local boating safety organizations will be on the lookout this boating season for children in Fairfield County that are wearing life jackets. The DEP Boating Division has partnered with the McDonald’s Owner/Operators of Fairfield County to accomplish this goal by giving each child who is "caught" wearing their life jacket a free McDonald’s ice cream cone. Any child that redeems a special Reward Card for being "caught" doing the right thing while boating will receive one free ice cream cone (the free ice cream Reward Card is valid only in Fairfield County McDonald’s restaurants, and expires 10/10/2009).
2009 DEP Fishing Report Number 13, 7/16/2009
TIPS & TRICKS
Water Clarity and Largemouth Bass: Avoid brightly colored clothes and be stealthy.
Clear Water
Stained/Muddy Water
Major Fish Sense
Eyes
Lateral Line
Lure Retrieval
Fast to Very Fast
Slow
Lure Size
Small
Medium to Large
Line Size
Light
Medium to Heavy
Fish Movement
Will not range from cover.
Will range from cover.
Lure Presentation
Close to shady side of cover.
Medium to far from cover.
Hooks
Minimize # and size.
Maximize # and size.
Lure Color
Subdued with flash.
Bright with vibration.
Lure Type
Natural bait, grubs on jig heads
Vibrating blades
Angling Success
Difficult
Easiest
NEXT WEEK: What is the best bass fishing lure?
MARINE FISHING REPORT
Water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) still range from the low 60’s °F in the east to near 70 °F in western LIS. Water temperatures should rise slowly as we finally get into a more summer like weather pattern.
Check out the following web sites for more detailed water temperatures and marine boating conditions:
[/size][url "http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/stationstat.html"][#006699][size 2]http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/stationstat.html[/size][/#006699][/url][size 2]
[/size][url "http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1"][#006699][size 2]http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1[/size][/#006699][/url][size 2]
[/size][url "http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/"][#006699][size 2]http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/[/size][/#006699][/url][size 2]
[/size][url "http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/AN/330.html"][#006699][size 2]http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/AN/330.html[/size][/#006699][/url][size 2]
Remember to check the 2009 Connecticut Angler’s Guide for tidal information (page 52) and pages 49-51 for saltwater trophy fish award information.
STRIPED BASS fishing (as in last week’s report) is definitely more consistent during low light periods. Once the sun rises in the sky big cows head off into deeper water. However, live lining bunker, eels, hickory shad, and scup, or using cut chunk baits, trolling the tube and worm, and fishing bucktailed jigs on three way rigs have been effective and will produce a cow during daylight hours. But using these
2009 DEP Fishing Report Number 13, 7/16/2009
methods during low light will vastly increase your success rate. Striper spots include the Watch Hill reefs, the Race, Sluiceway, Pigeon Rip (south of Plum Island), Plum Gut, outer Bartlett Reef, Millstone Point (power plant warm water discharge), Hatchett Reef, Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, Falkner Island area, New Haven Harbor, Bridgeport Harbor, and the Norwalk Islands.
BLUEFISH fishing has improved as more fish invade LIS cursing striper anglers! Choppers range in size from 2 to 6 lbs but some monsters in the 12+ lbs range have been taken. Bluefish can be found in the same places mentioned in the striper section with the addition of the Charles Island area to Milford Point, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground area, Penfield Reef, and any of the coastal state parks or access areas for shore angler.
SCUP fishing remains good at any of the rock piles in LIS.
SUMMER FLOUNDER (fluke) fishing is fair to good although catching a legal size fish is a challenge. A lot of sub-legal throwbacks have been reported. Fluke spots include the Stonington area, Ram Island Reef to Groton Long Point, Niantic Bay area, Black Point, off Hatchett Point area, White Sands Beach, Connecticut River on the flood tide, Long Sand Shoal, off Hammonasset Beach State Park, Falkner Island area, New Haven Harbor, Stratford Point to Bridgeport Harbor breakwaters and around the Norwalk Islands. Anglers fishing deep water (80+ ft) have fared better for keepers but you have to be extremely patient.
Also, don’t overlook TAUTOG on the rock piles and structures throughout LIS. With the cooler water temperatures they can still be found in shallow inshore water.
HICKORY SHAD are still hanging out in the Niantic River. Early morning and dusk are the best times.
For regulation updates, please check our website [/size][url "http://www.ct.gov/dep/fishing"][#006699][size 2]www.ct.gov/dep/fishing[/size][/#006699][/url][size 2]
Special notice to saltwater anglers concerning the marine waters fishing license:
Public Act 09-173, the legislation that includes a saltwater recreational fishing license requirement, was signed into law on July 1st. A marine waters fishing license is now required for fishing in the Marine District (this includes Long Island Sound and tidal rivers south of the freshwater demarcation lines as listed on page 46 of the 2009 Connecticut Angler’s Guide).
Environmental Conservation Police will be checking for licenses and initially focusing their efforts on education and outreach. Saltwater anglers need to purchase their license as soon as possible.
The new licenses are available online (www.ct.gov/dep/fishing) and at all current vendors and DEP offices where the existing freshwater fishing and hunting licenses are sold. Please refer to the DEP website for additional information.
DEP WEEKLY FISHING REPORT
CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106
[/size][url "http://www.ct.gov/dep"][#006699][size 2]www.ct.gov/dep[/size][/#006699][/url]
[signature]
INLAND REPORT
SUNFISH – Now that summer is finally arriving, it’s time to get the family out and experience the fast-paced action of fishing for panfish. Easy to catch, these fish can be a great way to introduce children to fishing, and great action can generally be found in your local ponds. Bigger locations to try for good fishing include: Quinnebaug Lake, Gardner Lake, Hayward Lake, Amos Lake, Coventry Lake, Lower Bolton Lake, Highland, Mudge Pond, Hatch Pond, Bishop Pond, Ball Pond, Batterson Park Pond & Black Pond (Meriden).
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is generally good. Areas to try include Lake Hayward, Lake Saltonstall, Upper & Lower Moodus Reservoir, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Scoville Reservoir, Warner Pond, Wononskopomuc Lake, East Twin Lake, Bashan Lake, Gardner Lake, Beseck Lake, Glasgo Pond, Pickerel Lake, Pattagansett Lake, Rogers Lake (catches include a 5.7 lb bass), Quonnipaug Lake, Crystal Lake (Ellington), Messerschmidt Pond, Ashland Pond, Avery Pond, Beachdale Pond, Ball Pond, Gorton Pond, Bishop Pond, Halls Pond, Leonard Pond, Spectacle Lake, Mudge Pond, Batterson Park Pond, Black Pond (Woodstock) and Hatch Pond.
SMALLMOUTH BASS action is fair to good, with reports from Colebrook Reservoir, Lake McDonough, Saugatuck Reservoir, Candlewood Lake, Squantz Pond, Highland Lake, Coventry Lake, Mashapaug Lake and Bashan Lake.
ATLANTIC SALMON are still being caught at Mashapaug Lake with 22” and 30” fish coming to net this last week. Target these fish at 25 feet over 30 feet of water.
NORTHERN PIKE fishing is reported to be good in Lake Lillinonah (target cold springs), Hopeville Pond and Winchester Lake.
WALLEYE are being reported from Lake Saltonstall, Squantz Pond, Batterson Park Pond and Coventry Lake.
CALICO BASS action is reported in Coventry Lake (green nightlights & bait), Park Pond and Silver Lake.
TROUT
Rivers & streams - With moderate temperatures and plenty of water, mid-July trout fishing this year should be good. Good reports for last weekend from the West Branch Farmington (browns to 20”), Farmington River, Naugatuck River, Mill River TMA, Willimantic River TMA, Hammonasett River, Fenton River, Blackberry River and Housatonic River.
Farmington River – Fishing has generally been good. West Branch flows are clear and moderate, about 370 cfs at Riverton with an additional 60 cfs from the Still River. Hatches/patterns include Ephemerella needhami (hatch just started, #22-26, early morning; 9:00am), Isonychia bicolor, (#10-12, evening), March Brown, (Stenonema ithaca, #10, evening), Blue Wing Olives (#16-18 (Drunella lata) & #20-24, (D. cornuta & cornutella), cloudy days, mid-late afternoon), Epeorus vitreus, (Sulphurs duns #14-16, afternoon to early evening for spinners), Caddis (tan #14-208, all day; green #22-26, evening) & Midges (#22-28, morning). Ants, beetles and Midges have been good throughout the day. Lots of
2009 DEP Fishing Report Number 13, 7/16/2009
success can be found below the surface on nymphs, wets and streamers. Try bottom bouncing caddis pupa.
Housatonic River – Trout fishing should be good this weekend. Flows are at very fishable levels and continue to drop, currently 825 cfs at Falls Village and 1,250 cfs at Gaylordsville. As some localized thunderstorms in the forecast for the next several days, anglers may wish to call FirstLight Power at 1-888-417-4837 for updated flow information.
Water temperatures this summer continue to be great for trout, and are currently in the mid to upper 60’s°F ( mornings in the TMA area). Hatches/patterns include Alder/Zebra Caddis (Macrostemum zebratum, action slowing, #10-12, afternoon-evening near overhangs), Sulphurs (#14-18, evening), Blue Wing Olive (#18-20, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Isonychia sps. (#10-12 evening), Light Cahill (#12-14, evening), and Tan & green caddis (#14-16, early morning & evening). Ants & Beetles (#14-1
are contributing well throughout the day. Streamer (morning & evening) patterns to try include White Zonkers, Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, and Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10). Lakes & Ponds – Many of our lakes are still producing good trout fishing. Reports from Crystal Lake (Ellington, target 20-24 ft), East Twin Lake (for large brown trout, target 25 ft), Candlewood Lake (look for bait balls on fish finder), Mashapaug Lake (20 fish for one angler), Highland Lake, Wononscopomuc Lake, West Hill Pond, Black Pond (Woodstock), Mt. Tom Pond, Beach Pond and Long Pond.
CONNECTICUT RIVER – STRIPED BASS fishing picked up a bit last week. Most of the fish were “schoolie” sized fish, and were being taken at night in the lower river on live eels, and tube & worm.
WHITE PERCH are still being taken in the lower river, especially at the Lieutenant River.
A bit further upriver, anglers had good catches of LARGMOUTH BASS in the Haddam area.
NORTHERN PIKE (33” & 38” pike among the recent catches) fishing is good, with catches reported in the coves, Haddam Meadows area, and the mainstream from Hartford down to Haddam.
Some action for SMALLMOUTH BASS in the upper river near the mouth of the Farmington River. Look for where muddy and clear water meet.
There has been an increase in the number of CATFISH (some over 10 lbs) catches, mostly coming from the Haddam – Portland stretch. They are consistently being taken on frozen herring & cut/chunk bait (sunfish, eels & shad). Target 10-30’ of water near structures on the outside of river bends.
NOTICES:
The BANTAM LAKE BOAT LAUNCH is now closed to the public. The DEP had maintained and operated this boat launch located on town-owned property in Morris for many years. The current lease for the property had expired and to date, despite our best efforts, DEP has been unable to meet the town’s terms to secure a new lease. As a result of a town vote on Friday, June 26, the boat launch was closed to non-residents. Therefore, the DEP will no longer continue to operate the boat launch; and the town has taken over operation and maintenance of the property.
SPECIAL EVENT -ALL ARE WELCOME -Ronald McDonald, McDonald’s world famous clown, will be in person at the LATTIN’S COVE STATE BOAT LAUNCH on Candlewood Lake on Thursday, July 23, 2009 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm to promote a boating safety campaign. In an effort to promote boating safety practices, DEP staff, participating local marine police departments and patrols, and local boating safety organizations will be on the lookout this boating season for children in Fairfield County that are wearing life jackets. The DEP Boating Division has partnered with the McDonald’s Owner/Operators of Fairfield County to accomplish this goal by giving each child who is "caught" wearing their life jacket a free McDonald’s ice cream cone. Any child that redeems a special Reward Card for being "caught" doing the right thing while boating will receive one free ice cream cone (the free ice cream Reward Card is valid only in Fairfield County McDonald’s restaurants, and expires 10/10/2009).
2009 DEP Fishing Report Number 13, 7/16/2009
TIPS & TRICKS
Water Clarity and Largemouth Bass: Avoid brightly colored clothes and be stealthy.
Clear Water
Stained/Muddy Water
Major Fish Sense
Eyes
Lateral Line
Lure Retrieval
Fast to Very Fast
Slow
Lure Size
Small
Medium to Large
Line Size
Light
Medium to Heavy
Fish Movement
Will not range from cover.
Will range from cover.
Lure Presentation
Close to shady side of cover.
Medium to far from cover.
Hooks
Minimize # and size.
Maximize # and size.
Lure Color
Subdued with flash.
Bright with vibration.
Lure Type
Natural bait, grubs on jig heads
Vibrating blades
Angling Success
Difficult
Easiest
NEXT WEEK: What is the best bass fishing lure?
MARINE FISHING REPORT
Water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) still range from the low 60’s °F in the east to near 70 °F in western LIS. Water temperatures should rise slowly as we finally get into a more summer like weather pattern.
Check out the following web sites for more detailed water temperatures and marine boating conditions:
[/size][url "http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/stationstat.html"][#006699][size 2]http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/stationstat.html[/size][/#006699][/url][size 2]
[/size][url "http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1"][#006699][size 2]http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1[/size][/#006699][/url][size 2]
[/size][url "http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/"][#006699][size 2]http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/[/size][/#006699][/url][size 2]
[/size][url "http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/AN/330.html"][#006699][size 2]http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/AN/330.html[/size][/#006699][/url][size 2]
Remember to check the 2009 Connecticut Angler’s Guide for tidal information (page 52) and pages 49-51 for saltwater trophy fish award information.
STRIPED BASS fishing (as in last week’s report) is definitely more consistent during low light periods. Once the sun rises in the sky big cows head off into deeper water. However, live lining bunker, eels, hickory shad, and scup, or using cut chunk baits, trolling the tube and worm, and fishing bucktailed jigs on three way rigs have been effective and will produce a cow during daylight hours. But using these
2009 DEP Fishing Report Number 13, 7/16/2009
methods during low light will vastly increase your success rate. Striper spots include the Watch Hill reefs, the Race, Sluiceway, Pigeon Rip (south of Plum Island), Plum Gut, outer Bartlett Reef, Millstone Point (power plant warm water discharge), Hatchett Reef, Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, Falkner Island area, New Haven Harbor, Bridgeport Harbor, and the Norwalk Islands.
BLUEFISH fishing has improved as more fish invade LIS cursing striper anglers! Choppers range in size from 2 to 6 lbs but some monsters in the 12+ lbs range have been taken. Bluefish can be found in the same places mentioned in the striper section with the addition of the Charles Island area to Milford Point, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground area, Penfield Reef, and any of the coastal state parks or access areas for shore angler.
SCUP fishing remains good at any of the rock piles in LIS.
SUMMER FLOUNDER (fluke) fishing is fair to good although catching a legal size fish is a challenge. A lot of sub-legal throwbacks have been reported. Fluke spots include the Stonington area, Ram Island Reef to Groton Long Point, Niantic Bay area, Black Point, off Hatchett Point area, White Sands Beach, Connecticut River on the flood tide, Long Sand Shoal, off Hammonasset Beach State Park, Falkner Island area, New Haven Harbor, Stratford Point to Bridgeport Harbor breakwaters and around the Norwalk Islands. Anglers fishing deep water (80+ ft) have fared better for keepers but you have to be extremely patient.
Also, don’t overlook TAUTOG on the rock piles and structures throughout LIS. With the cooler water temperatures they can still be found in shallow inshore water.
HICKORY SHAD are still hanging out in the Niantic River. Early morning and dusk are the best times.
For regulation updates, please check our website [/size][url "http://www.ct.gov/dep/fishing"][#006699][size 2]www.ct.gov/dep/fishing[/size][/#006699][/url][size 2]
Special notice to saltwater anglers concerning the marine waters fishing license:
Public Act 09-173, the legislation that includes a saltwater recreational fishing license requirement, was signed into law on July 1st. A marine waters fishing license is now required for fishing in the Marine District (this includes Long Island Sound and tidal rivers south of the freshwater demarcation lines as listed on page 46 of the 2009 Connecticut Angler’s Guide).
Environmental Conservation Police will be checking for licenses and initially focusing their efforts on education and outreach. Saltwater anglers need to purchase their license as soon as possible.
The new licenses are available online (www.ct.gov/dep/fishing) and at all current vendors and DEP offices where the existing freshwater fishing and hunting licenses are sold. Please refer to the DEP website for additional information.
DEP WEEKLY FISHING REPORT
CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106
[/size][url "http://www.ct.gov/dep"][#006699][size 2]www.ct.gov/dep[/size][/#006699][/url]
[signature]