FISHING REPORT NUMBER 3: 5/8/2008
INLAND REPORT
TROUT
Rivers & streams - Flows have decreased to more typical (and very fishable) levels and anglers have been
finding good to excellent trout fishing in most waters throughout the state, with best reports from the West
Branch Farmington TMA (browns up to 4 lbs), Salmon, Mill (including a 23 inch rainbow), Farmill, Fenton,
Pequonnock, Mianus, Natchaug, Willimantic, Little, Blackberry, Saugatuck River TMA, Eightmile (East
Haddam), Hammonasset, Housatonic (21 inch rainbow), Naugatuck, Pootatuck, Pomperaug, Quinebaug,
Moosup, Shetucket (9.5 lb brown among the catches), Yantic, Pachaug, Fivemile, French and Natchaug (4.5
lb brown among the catches) Rivers, Roaring Brook (Glastonbury), Broad Brook and Latimer Brook.
Farmington River - Flows are clear and moderate, currently 430 CFS at Riverton and an additional 120 CFS
from the Still River. Water temperatures are in the low 50’s °F. Current hatches/patterns include Blue Wing
Olive (a.k.a. baetis or vegans; #18) in a parachute or emerging dun (noon to 5pm), Hendrickson (a.k.a. red
quill; #12-#14) in a parachute, comparadun or emerger (1 pm or yellow egg sac pattern around 6 pm) and Blue
Quill (a.k.a. paralep; #18) in a parachute or emerger (midday). Also try Rusty Spinners (#16-18), Mahogany
Duns/Blue Quills (#18-20), Tan Caddis (#14-18) and Winter Caddis (#18-22). Nymphs (#18-22) are always a
good go-to fly. Try Bead Head, Midge Pupa, Brassie, Zebra Midge or Copper John patterns. Streamers are also
producing. Use White Zonkers & Buggers (#4-12) as well as Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghost.
Housatonic River - Flows are currently clear, comfortable for fishing, and are continuing to decrease
(currently 1,000 cfs at Falls Village and 1,500 cfs at Gaylordsville), although with rain predicted for Friday,
flows may again increase. Morning water temperatures are in the low to mid 50’s °F (TMA area). Adams
(#12-14) in the evening are producing. Hendrickson (#12-#14) in the afternoon and Blue Wing Olives (#12-
#16) are on the water with Green Caddis Pupa (#14-16) soon to show up. Anglers using Pheasant Tail (#12-
14), Copper John (#12-16) and American Pheasant Tail (#12-14) are finding nymphing to be very productive.
Try streamers (Yellow/White Zuddlers or Gray Ghost) around 6:30 pm.
Anglers Can Expect Good Fishing in western CT on the Farmington River, West Branch Farmington River,
Pomperaug River, Pequonnock River, Pootatuck River (upper), Saugatuck River (Lower), Sandy Brook, Still
River (Colebrook), Nepaug River, Housatonic River (TMA) and Naugatuck River (including TMA). In
Eastern CT, good fishing can be expected at Pattaconk Brook, Kitt Brook, Broad Brook (Preston), Choate
Brook, Quinebaug River, Middle River, Crystal Lake Brook, Tankerhoosen River, Hockanum River (above
and below TMA), Hammonasset River (including TMA), Salmon River (including TMA), Jeremy River,
Natchaug River, Bigelow Brook, Still River (Eastford), Yantic River (including TMA), Hop River,
Skungamaug River, Shetucket River and Snake Meadow Brook.
Lakes & Ponds – Good trout fishing was found in many lakes and ponds throughout the state including Lake
Saltonstall, Coventry Lake, East Twin Lake, Candlewood Lake (including three 15-17 “football-shaped”
browns for one angler), Highland Lake, Crystal Lake (Ellington), Lake Quonnipaug, Wononscopomuc Lake,
Tyler Lake, Mashapaug Lake, Amos Lake, Alexander Lake, Squantz Pond (including a 3 lb brown trout), Mt
Tom Pond, West Hill Pond and Beach Pond. Anglers can expect good fishing in western CT at Twin Brooks
Park Pond, Huntington Park Pond, Wononscopomuc Lake, Hop Brook Lake, Baummer's Pond, Mt. Tom Pond,
Black Rock Lake (Flood Control Impoundment), Ball Pond, the Bunnells Pond (Beardsley Park) Urban
Fishing Area, and the Wolfe Park (Great Hollow Pond) and Stratton Brook Trout Parks. In Eastern CT, good
fishing should be expected at Cedar Lake, Pattaconk Lake, Gardner Lake, Quonnipaug Lake, Black Pond
(Middlefield), Walkers Reservoir, Amos Lake, Wyassup Lake, Beach Pond, Billings Lake, the Beaver Brook
Park Ponds, Wauregan Reservoir, Alexander Lake, Moosup Pond and the Mohegan Park Pond, Chatfield
Hollow and Day Pond Trout Parks.
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is generally good with reports from Lake Zoar (5.6 lb bass), Lake
Lillinonah, Lake Saltonstall, Upper Moodus Reservoir, Quaddick Reservoir, Candlewood Lake, Saugatuck
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Reservoir, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir (mixed reports), Bantam Lake, Tyler Lake, Highland Lake,
Wononscopomuc Lake, Crystal Lake (Ellington), Amos Lake, Gardner Lake, Quonnipaug Lake, Ball Pond
and Mt. Tom Pond.
SMALLMOUTH BASS are reported at Candlewood Lake (catches include some in the 4-5 lb range),
Highland Lake, Coventry Lake, Bantam Lake, Crystal Lake (Ellington), and Squantz Pond. Smallmouth
fishing at Gardner Lake has been slow.
NORTHERN PIKE action reported at Bantam Lake and Mansfield Hollow Reservoir.
WALLEYE catches are being reported from Lake Saltonstall, Saugatuck Reservoir, Mashapaug Lake (10 lb
walleye reported), Gardner Lake and Squantz Pond (a 6.5 lb fish among the catches).
CHAIN PICKEREL are being caught at Lake Wononscopomuc, Saugatuck Reservoir and Upper Moodus
Reservoir.
CONNECTICUT RIVER – STRIPED BASS are in the river to the Windsor area. Mostly school size (16-25”)
fish. Some adults (to 37 inches) are showing up in the lower to mid river. Sand & blood worms are working.
Big plastic baits like 9” Houdini Shad, 7” Bombers & swim baits are also working. After a lull last week
(high flows, cooler temperatures), SHAD are now being reported throughout the river. Successful anglers
are using willow leaf or shad darts for these tasty treats. Anglers are reminded that the only legal method of
harvesting American shad is angling. NORTHERN PIKE action reported from Wethersfield and Crow
Point Cove. Knowledgeable anglers are targeting CATFISH in the Hartford to Middletown area. Sandworms
or cut bait are catching fish this week up to 5 lbs.
CONNECTICUT RIVER STRIPED BASS/RIVER HERRING STUDY - Researchers at the University of
Connecticut are continuing their study of the effects of striped bass on river herring in the Connecticut River.
This study sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection began last year, involves
the collection, and tagging, of striped bass by electrofishing several nights per week. This sampling takes place
on the CT River north from Wethersfield. Operations in the Connecticut portion of the river will be staged out
of Windsor Locks. In Massachusetts, most sampling will be in the Holyoke area. Anglers seeing an
electrofishing boat (boat with a generator, lights, and poles protruding into the water) should note these are
biologists doing important research.
As part of the study, anglers who catch a striped bass with a yellow or red tag are encouraged to call 860-486-
4694 to provide the tag ID #, the specific location where the fish was caught, whether the fish was released,
and your contact information. All such reports are eligible for a $15 (yellow tag) to $50 reward (red tag).
Please do not remove the tag from fish you plan to release.
BOAT LAUNCHES & BOATING INFORMATION
The state boat launch at HIGHLAND LAKE will be closed to all use on Wednesday, May 14th for
reconfiguration of the parking area.
DIDYMO REMINDER - Anglers are reminded to take precautions to prevent the spread of the highly invasive
freshwater alga Didymosphenia geminata, known as “Didymo”, into CT waters. Last year (2007), the presence
of didymo was confirmed in several popular trout streams, the upper Connecticut River (NH/VT), White River
(VT), Batten Kill (NY/VT) and the East and West Branches of the Delaware River (NY/PA). These were the
first official reports of didymo in the northeastern United States. This microscopic algae can develop massive
blooms, sometimes extending for several miles of river. These blooms can smother aquatic plants, aquatic
insects and molluscs, alter stream flow characteristics and fish habitat, and impact food webs. Dense mats of
didymo can also reduce recreational and aesthetic values of affected rivers.
Humans can unknowingly spread didymo. The microscopic cells can cling to fishing gear, waders (felt soles
can be especially problematic), boots and boats, and remain viable for months under even slightly moist
conditions. Although didymo has not yet been found in CT, it has been found in near-by states.
MARINE FISHING REPORT
Water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) are in upper 40’s to low 50’s °F.
Reminder: The TAUTOG (blackfish) recreational fishing season is closed through June 30.
Striped bass fishing for schoolies is the main ticket on the marine scene. Tidal rivers and harbors are prime time
for stripers. Striped bass spots worth trying include the Pawcatuck River to Sandy Point, Mystic River,
Thames River from Norwich down to Montville, Millstone Point, Niantic River, Hamburg Cove, Calves Island
and off Great Island (the “Wood Lot”) in the Connecticut River, Hammonasset River, Branford River, New
Haven Harbor (Sandy Point), Housatonic River, Bridgeport Harbor (power plant warm water discharge),
Saugatuck River, Norwalk, Stamford and Greenwich Harbors.
Winter flounder fishing remains fair at Bluff Point State Park (Poquonock Cove), Pine Island area, Niantic
River, North and South Brothers, Connecticut River east breakwater on the flood tide, Madison - Guilford
area, and Norwalk Harbor.
For regulation updates, please check our web site www.ct.gov/dep/fishing.