CT DEP Freshwater and Marine Fishing Reports for September 4th 2008
INLAND REPORT
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing remains generally fair to good with reports from Lake Lillinonah, Winchester Lake, Highland Lake, Lake Zoar, Glasgo Pond, Ball Pond, Candlewood Lake (only fair), Quonnipaug Lake, Rainbow Reservoir, Mudge Pond, Hatch Pond, Twin Brooks Park Pond, Great Hollow Pond, Babcock Pond, Lake Mcdonough, Moodus Reservoir, Crystal Lake, Long Pond, Silver Lake, Halls Pond, Red Cedar Lake, Gorton Pond, Park Pond, Wononscopomuc Lake and Rogers Lake. Slow fishing reported from Gardner Lake, Beach Pond and East Twin Lake.
SMALLMOUTH BASS action is variable with good reports from Candlewood Lake and Lake Lillinonah, fair reports from Lake McDonough, Coventry Lake, Colebrook Reservoir, Highland Lake and Squantz Pond, and slow fishing reported from Gardner Lake and Beach Pond. Anglers are still finding good river smallie action on the Housatonic River (try warm, sunny afternoons) and DEP’s sampling earlier this week found plenty of smallmouth waiting for anglers.
NORTHERN PIKE catches reported from Lake Winchester (36” pike), Bantam Lake, Hopeville Pond and Pachaug Pond.
Some WALLEYE are being reported from Lake Saltonstall, Saugatuck Reservoir, Gardner Lake, Mashapaug Lake and Coventry Lake.
Fall trout Stocking update- DEP is currently gearing up for its annual fall trout stockings. This year, these stockings will again start in early September and be conducted over an extended period, ending in late October. This extended season facilitates multiple stockings of a number of popular areas (especially the Trout Parks), and the earlier start takes advantage of good late summer and early fall weather. This week, to start the season, DEP stocked the Black Rock, Wharton Brook, and Wolfe Park (Great Hollow Pond) Trout Parks, the lower Farmington River Trout Management Area (TMA) and the Mill River in Hamden (including the TMA). A total of 3,300 brown trout were released this week, and these fish were in the 11-13 inch range.
Rivers & streams – Conditions for late summer trout fishing have been good, with adequate flows and moderate temperatures. Reports from both the West Branch Farmington and Housatonic Rivers have been very good. During the late summer, trout anglers should definitely keep terrestrial fly patterns in mind.
Farmington River – Conditions are good, fishing has been a bit challenging but good, and there are still plenty of the 2,400 trout stocked into the West Branch last week awaiting anglers. West Branch water temperatures are in the mid 60’s °F. West Branch flows currently are clear and fishable, about 330 cfs at Riverton plus an additional 60 cfs from the Still River. With heavy rains from the remnants of Hanna a possibility, anglers are reminded that flows may increase during this weekend. DEP currently is planning to conduct its annual electrofishing survey of the river from September 9th through 11th. Anglers should expect West Branch flows to drop to 100 cfs or less beginning late September 8th and lasting through the 11th. This schedule may be subject to change should heavy rainfall occur in the watershed.
The Trico (Trycorythodes stygiatus, #22-32, early morning) hatch on the Farmington River is slowing. Other hatches/patterns include Isonychia bicolor (major hatch, #10-12, fast water, evening), Blue Wing Olives (Drunella sps. & Baetis sps.;#22-28, mid-late afternoon), Sulfurs duns (Heptagenia sps., #16-20, below the dam due to low temperatures, morning; afternoon to early evening for spinners), Caddis (tan #18-22, all day; green #22-26, evening; summer pupa #18-20 morning), Midges (#20-26, morning), Black Ants (#16-18, mid day in fast water), Black Beetles (#16-18, mid day), Flying Ants (#18-22, mid day, when
windy/humid, especially after rain), Stone Hopper (#8-12, mid day) and Golden Drake (Anthopotamus distinctus, #10-14, late evening) are successful patterns.
Housatonic River – Conditions are great for early September trout fishing, temperatures are moderate (mid to upper 60’s°F, mornings) and flows are clear and near-perfect, currently 300 cfs at Falls Village and 390 cfs at Gaylordsville. With a possibility of heavy rain in the forecast for Saturday (Tropical Storm Hanna remnants), flows may however increase significantly this weekend, anglers should call FirstLight Power at 1-888-417-4837 for updated flow information. Insect hatches/patterns include flying ants (#18-22, mid-day, when windy/humid and after rains, September is peak month), Fall Sulfurs (#16-18), White Wulff (#10-14), Blue Wing Olive (#22-26, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Leadwing Coachman (#10-12 evening, September is peek month), Cahill (#12-14, evening), and Black caddis (#16-18, early morning & evening). Also try Black Ants (#18-22, mid day in fast water), Black Beetles (#14-18, mid day), Stone Hopper (#8-10, mid day) and don’t forget streamers (morning & evening). Patterns to try includeWhite, Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10).
Lakes & Ponds – Late summer trout fishing remains fair, with reports from Crystal Lake (Ellington), Quonnipaug Lake, East Twin Lake, West Hill Pond, Beach Pond and Highland Lake.
CONNECTICUT RIVER – CATFISH are providing some good late summer action on cut bait (try brush piles and other structure along deep holes). NORTHERN PIKE fishing has been improving, coves (especially Salmon River) and the mainstem along the Haddam Meadows producing the best reports. Also some pike caught in the mainstem from Wethersfield to Harbor Park. CARP up to 22.25 lbs (in the coves) are keeping anglers busy (caught on corn & dough balls). LARGEMOUTH BASS action is fair, best are the coves from Wethersfield to Lyme (Hamburg Cove), and also along mainstem weedlines below Middletown. SMALLMOUTH BASS fishing is fair, with catches reported from the Enfield Dam down the Middletown. STRIPED BASS action is still to be found in the lower river.
FISHING ACCESS & BOAT LAUNCH INFORMATION
FirstLight Power plans to draw down LAKE LILLINONAH to 3.5 feet below the normal operating range as a flood control measure, beginning Friday afternoon/evening (9/5), in response to the potential of the Housatonic River watershed to receive up to 6 inches of rain due to the remnants of Tropical Storm Hanna. It is likely that pool elevations will be returned to normal operating levels by early next week, depending on actual precipitation amounts.
The “seawall” area extending from the handicap-accessable fishing pier to the permitted swim area at SQUANTZ POND is now open to fishing. Anyone with a fishing pole can now access the fence through the several gates. Anglers can also enter the water in that area (except for the one area posted “no trespassing”).
A canoe/kayaking and swimming relay race is currently scheduled at HIGHLAND LAKE on this Saturday, September 6th, from 9 am to 1 pm. This event will occur in the vicinity of the state boat launch. Anglers and other boaters accessing the lake from the state launch should exercise additional caution.
The LAKE WARAMAUG Town Boat Launch in Washington remains open for use by the general public through 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. Seven parking spaces are available on a first come first served basis at the 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 Town charges a $25 annual fee to launch and all boats will be inspected for invasive plants ($5 per launch inspection fee). All town fees can be paid at the boat launch.
MARINE FISHING REPORT
Water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) are 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 at the usual spots: between Watch Hill and Fishers Island, Napatree Point to Sandy Point (Stonington), Ram Island Reef (Fishers Island Sound), the Race, Sluiceway, Plum Gut, Bartlett Reef, Black Point, outer humps off Hatchett Reef, lower Connecticut River, Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, Falkner Island area, the reefs off Branford, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, the reefs off Norwalk, the Cows off Stamford, and Greenwich Harbor.
BLUEFISH fishing is good to excellent throughout LIS. Many of the harbors and tidal rivers are loaded with PEANUT and ADULT BUNKER (Atlantic menhaden) so that means bluefish and stripers aren’t too far away. Bluefish can be found basically anywhere in LIS during this time of year. Popular chopper spots include the Race, Thames River, Pigeon Rip, Plum Gut, lower Connecticut River, Long Sand Shoal, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, Falkner Island area, the reefs off Branford, New Haven Harbor (Sandy Point), Charles Island area to Milford Point, Buoys 18 and 20 off Stratford/Bridgeport, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground area, around the Norwalk Islands, and Cable and Anchor Reef.
SNAPPER fishing is about peak.
HICKORY SHAD fishing is fair but should pick up. Shad spots include the Mystic River, Niantic River and the Connecticut River.
SCUP (porgy) fishing remains good to excellent on the local rocky reefs and the time to go is now!
BONITO are off the Watch Hill area, Bluff Point, Pine Island, Dumplings, and Little Gull Island. Also this is the time of year when some our southern visitors arrive in LIS such as a cobia was caught by an angler fishing off East Haven!
Special Note: Just a reminder, the summer flounder (fluke) and tautog (blackfish) recreational fishing seasons are currently closed.
For regulation updates, please check our web site: www.ct.gov/dep/fishing.
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