CT DEP Fishing Report, Freshwater and Marine, August 14th 2008

Fri, Aug 15, 2008

CT DEP Freshwater and Marine Fishing Reports for August 14th 2008

FISHING REPORT NUMBER 17: 8/14/2008

INLAND REPORT

LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing has improved at many of the lakes and ponds across the state. Good reports for bass from Pattagansett Lake (several over 4lb), Hatch Pond (over 30 largemouths and smallmouths for one angler), and Long Meadow Pond (many fish, one 4lb 13oz). Highland Lake and Park Pond report many fish caught but not very large. Other areas reporting fair to good fishing for largemouths are Candlewood Lake, Lake McDonough, Scoville Reservoir, Lake Zoar, Lake Lillinoah, East Twin Lake, Gardner Lake, Beseck Lake, Gardner Lake, Powers Lake and Moosup Pond. Mixed reports for Lake Wononscopomuc.

SMALLMOUTH BASS Very good fishing for smallmouth bass is reported at Candlewood Lake including a 4lb 12 oz fish. Other areas reporting good catches are Colebrook & Saugatuck Reservoirs, Mashapaug, Bashan, Coventry, Highland, Gardner & Bantam Lakes, Upper Housatonic (bigger fish this year) and Farmington (Tarrifville) Rivers.

NORTHERN PIKE fishing is reported to be good in Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Lake Lillinonah, Winchester and Bantam Lakes and Pachaug Pond.

WALLEYE action reported from Lake Saltonstall, Coventry and Mashapaug Lakes and Squantz Pond.

SUNFISH continue to provide for excellent summertime action. Try dunking a few worms in one of the local neighborhood ponds. Other areas to try are Amos, Bashan, Gardner, Candlewood, Tyler, Hayward, Alexander, Crystal (Ellington), and Mamanasco Lakes and Wood Creek Pond.

TROUT

Rivers & streams – It was another variable week of conditions this week with cooler than normal temperatures due to a stubborn low pressure system over the Northeast. The heavy rains late last week slowed the trout fishing for the early part of the week but conditions improved as the flows moderated. However another threat of thunderstorms for Thursday into Friday may impact the fishing for this weekend. As the major hatches begin to wind down, anglers are advised to include terrestrial fly patterns. Good reports last week from the Upper Farmington River, Housatonic River, Natchaug River and the Mill River TMA.

Farmington River – The river at Tariffville is currently 66° running at 2400cfs with a slight stain. East Branch flows have been reduced from 350cfs to 150cfs while the West Branch remains at 116cfs. Trico Duns/Spinners (Trycorythodes stygiatus, #22-28) should be available early-mid morning as a result iof these reduced flows. Ephemerella needhami (#22-26, early morning), Leadwing Coachman (Isonychia bicolor, #12-14, fast water, afternoon/evening), Blue Wing Olives (Drunella sps. & Baetis sps.; #22-26, mid-late afternoon), Sulphurs duns (#18, morning; afternoon to early evening for spinners), Caddis (tan #16-18, all day; green #22-26, evening; summer pupa #18-20 morning), Cahills/Summer (Stenonema ithaca, #12-18, early morning), Midges (#22-32, morning), Black Ants (#14-20, mid day in fast water), Black Beetles (#16-18, mid day), Flying Ants (#18-22, mid day, when windy/humid), Stone Hopper (#8-12, mid day) and Golden Drake (Anthopotamus distinctus, #10-14, late evening) are successful patterns. Evenings provide the greatest variety of bugs out on the water

Housatonic River – Water is slowly clearing with about two plus feet of visibility and temperatures in the mid 60’s °F. The off color flows are approximately 1,220 cfs at Falls Village and 1,640 cfs at Gaylordsville. With the impending rains for Thursday into Friday, flows may be variable this weekend, call NGS at 1-888-417-4837 for updated flow information. The White Fly (Ephoron leukon) hatch is on. Use a White Wulff, #10-12. Other insect activity includes: Blue Wing Olive larvae (#10-16, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Light Cahill (#12-14, evening), and Black caddis (#14-20, early morning & evening). Midges (#20-26) and stoneflies are located at the mouths of streams. Golden stonefly nymphs hatch at first light and adults egg-lay after dark. Don’t forget streamers (morning & evening). Patterns to try include: White Zonkers, Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10).

Lakes & Ponds – Summer trout fishing is still variable, with good reports from East Twin (many big fish, including a 24.5” brown), Lake McDonough, Crystal (Ellington), Highland and Mashapaug Lakes, Beach, West Hill (target 30-35’), Mohawk & Mt Tom Ponds.

CONNECTICUT RIVER – River levels have dropped to around 12 feet but the forecasted rains for Thursday and Friday may make the fishing a bit more challenging. STRIPED BASS are being caught at the mouth of the river using chunk bait and eels. NORTHERN PIKE fishing is producing for anglers targeting cooler water in the deeper holes and at the confluences of rivers & streams. Bigger fish should start hitting again as the river cools down. LARGEMOUTH BASS are being taken in the coves around Hartford-Middletown and in the lower river. SMALLMOUTH BASS are being caught in the north of the river (Enfield area & near the mouth of the Farmington River). CATFISH angling is rated as very good and they are available to anglers on cut bait near brush piles & in the deeper holes of the river. Try just north of Hartford downstream to the Haddam area.

FISHING ACCESS & BOAT LAUNCH INFORMATION

The newly renovated LAKE WARAMAUG Town Boat Launch in Washington is now open for use by the general public. Seven parking spaces will be available on a first come first served basis at the new launch. Additionally, up to thirteen trailered boats from the nearby campground at Lake Waramaug State Park will be allowed to access the lake from the Town launch (the park will have 13 “eligibility certificates” available to issue to campers, issued on a first-come –first served basis).

The Town charges a $25 annual fee to launch (same fee for resident and nonresidents). All boats will be inspected for invasive plants and subjected to a $5 per launch inspection fee. The launch and inspection fees can be paid at the boat launch.

The hours of operation through Labor Day are:

Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday - 6 AM to Sunset

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday - 10 AM to 5 PM

From Labor Day to the last Sunday in October, the launch will be open three days a week (Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays) for morning (6 am to 11 am) and late afternoon/evening (4 pm to sunset) periods of operation.

The state boat launch on the THAMES RIVER in New London is closed for renovations, and is currently scheduled to re-open August 28th.

Due to inappropriate off-site parking by some users of the state boat launch at COVENTRY LAKE, once capacity is reached at this launch, further use of the launch will not be allowed until a parking space or spaces become available.

Anglers are reminded that the entire “seawall” area extending from the handicap-accessable fishing pier to the permitted swim area at SQUANTZ POND is now closed to all public access.

MARINE FISHING REPORT

Water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) remain in the low to mid 70’s °F. Check out the following web sites for more detailed water temperatures and marine boating conditions:

http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/stationstat.html
http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/
http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/AN/330.html

Remember, to check the 2008 Connecticut Angler’s Guide for tidal information (page 52) and pages 49-51 for saltwater trophy fish award information.

Striped bass fishing remains good to excellent if you can get by the bluefish! Dusk to dawn is still your best bet. Live bait is the choice for large stripers. Fishing for school stripers is also good in the tidal rivers and are mixed in with harbor bluefish. The usual striper locations include the rocky reefs between Watch Hill and eastern Fishers Island (Catumb Rocks and Sugar Reef), Napatree Point to Sandy Point (Stonington), Ram Island Reef, the Race, Sluiceway, Plum Gut, Bartlett Reef, Black Point, Hatchett Reef, Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, Falkner Island area, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, the reefs off Norwalk and the Cows off Stamford.

Bluefish fishing is good to excellent throughout LIS with some nice choppers being reported in the Race and off Wilderness Point (Fishers Island). Other bluefish spots include Pigeon Rip, Plum Gut, Long Sand Shoal, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, Falkner Island area, New Haven Harbor, Buoys 18 and 20 off Stratford/Bridgeport, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground area, around the Norwalk Islands, and Cable Anchor Reef. Along the shoreline snapper fishing is good.

Hickory shad fishing is good in the Niantic River and the Connecticut River (DEP Marine Headquarters Fishing Pier).

Summer flounder (fluke) fishing still remains fair. Scup (porgies) fishing is good to excellent with some nice jumbos (15+ inch fish) being caught off the local rocky reefs.

For regulation updates, please check our web site: www.ct.gov/dep/fishing.