Weekly DEP Report

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[font "Times New Roman"]Weekly Fishing Report - Week of November 14, 2005 [/font] [font "Times New Roman"][font "Times New Roman"][#004080]INLAND REPORT[/#004080][/font][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]ATLANTIC SALMON[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]Broodstock Atlantic salmon fishing is red hot[/#ff0000] on both the Naugatuck River (many reports of hook-ups and many big fish are resulting) and the Shetucket River (fewer reports, but plenty of fish caught including several around 20 lbs). Fishing for them is extremely popular with anglers, and catching one can be a memorable experience. Since mid-October, 1,650 salmon have been stocked into the two rivers, and DEP currently expects to stock some additional salmon in December. Please visit the [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/fishinfo/salmonstockingphotos.htm"]Salmon Stocking Page[/url] for pictures from the Naugatuck River stocking. [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]Reminder- 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 salmon 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 continues to be variable, with reports from Crystal Lake (Ellington), Great Hollow lake (mixed reports), Saugatuck Reservoir (26” brown), Hogback Reservoir, Colebrook Reservoir (fair), West Hill Pond (fair), Squantz (good, many 17-20” trout) and Beach Pond (mixed reports).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]RIVERS & STREAMS -Fall fishing can produce good results for those equipped for challenging weather conditions. Streamers and nymphing dominate the early morning,late afternoon, and mid-day under low-light conditions. Typical fall colors for streamers are white, yellow and brown. Patterns include White Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10). Typical Bottom bouncing nymphs include Tan and Winter Caddis pupa (#16-18), 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 water temperatures are in the upper 40’s °F. Flows are currently high (450 cfs from Hogback, and about 1,000 cfs below the Still River) due to Wednesday night’s rains, but should drop to more fishable levels by the weekend. BWO continue to be the dominant hatch, with Midges and Caddis mixed in. For best action try Blue Wing Olives (#16-20, late morning) and Winter Caddis (#16-18, early afternoon). Expect most of the action to be between 11:30 am and 3:00pm.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Housatonic River- Morning TMA water temperatures are in the upper 40’s °F. The river is still fishable although flows have again increased (about 2,300 cfs at Falls village and 3,400 at Gaylordsville as of Thursday morning). Flows are relatively clear, and should drop to more comfortable levels during the weekend. Current hatches include Blue Wing Olive (#18-22, early morning) and Winter Caddis (#16-20, early morning and late afternoon).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]LARGEMOUTH BASS open-water fishing is winding down, with reports from Coventry Lake (a 7.1 lb bass by David Dodd), Crystal Lake in Ellington (a 5.5 lb by Tom Phelps, Vernon), Highland Lake (fair), Congamond Lakes (fair), Candlewood lake (fair), Lake Zoar (good), Lake Lillinonah (good), Dooley Pond (some action on cookie-cutters), Mudge (slow), Black Pond in Meriden (fair).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SMALLMOUTH BASS are reported at Highland (good), Gardner, Candlewood lake (mixed reports), Colebrook Reservoir (mixed, includes a 3.5 lb smallie) and Squantz Pond (good, catches in the 17-21” range)[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Some NORTHERN PIKE catches reported from Bantam Lake and Winchester Lake.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Fall WALLEYE remains good for some anglers, with reports from Saugatuck Reservoir (4 fish up to 8.7 lbs for one experienced walleye angler) and Squantz Pond (7 fish up to 8.1 lbs).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]YELLOW PERCH are being caught in good numbers. This favorite of ice fishermen is already teasing anglers with some really larger specimens. Reports include Candlewood Lake (including a 2 plus pound monster), Bantam Lake, Gardner Lake and West Side Pond.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Connecticut River – BLACK CRAPPIE are still putting on a good showing on jigs & shiners at White Oaks Cove and in the lower river. Mixed reports for NORTHERN PIKE. Pike have been caught from in Wethersfield Cove, the mouth of Chapman’s Pond and near Salmon River Cove.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"] [font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]NOTES:[/#ff0000][/font][/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 State Park road to MASHAPAUG LAKE IS CLOSED due to storm damage. This closure may last for an extended period.[/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"]Winter drawdowns of Gardner Lake, Pachaug Pond (down 16 inches), Lower Bolton Lake (down 1 foot), Middle Bolton Lake (down 2.5 feet), Glasgo Pond (down 20 inches) and Bashan Lake (down 8 inches) are underway. All are scheduled for 3 foot drawdowns except Pachaug (5 feet) and Lower Bolton (2 feet). Levels last reported on November 8th.[/font] [li][font "Times New Roman"]A 10 foot Candlewood Lake drawdown began last week, current drawdown rate is approximately 1-1.5 feet per week (0.1 - 0.2 feet per day). The level as of 11/16 was 427.6 feet. As a reminder, the summer minimum level is 427.0 feet.[/font] [li][font "Times New Roman"]The Scotland Dam impoundment on the Shetucket River was drawndown for maintenance on November 7th. Shetucket River flows will be “run-of-the-river” through November 20th.[/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 low to mid 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"]BLUEFISH fishing is still good especially in the Race although it’s starting to wind down.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]STRIPED BASS fishing is good on the major reefs and rip areas with fish measuring in the 40+ inch range being reported over this past weekend. Cow bass spots include the Watch Hill reefs, the Race, Plum Gut, Millstone Point, Bartlett Reef, Black Point, Hatchett Reef, Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, New Haven Harbor and the breakwaters, Milford Harbor breakwaters to Charles Island, Milford Point area, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, Penfield Reef, Compo Beach, and the Norwalk Islands. Live eels and the tube and worm combination (T&W) have been working well. The T&W has been very effective especially trolling along breakwaters.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]BLACKFISH (tautog) is good on the rocky reefs in Fishers Island Sound, Black Point area, Rocky Neck State Park to the Brothers, Hatchett Point, Falkner Island area including Kimberly Reef, the reefs off Madison and Guilford, New Haven breakwaters, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, the Norwalk Islands and the Cows off Stamford. Anchoring finesse is critical with tog.[/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] [font "Arial"][size 2][url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/index.htm"]Home[/url] | [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/aboutdep/contact/contact.htm"]Contact Us[/url] | [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/search2.htm"]Search[/url] | [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/survey/survey.htm"]Feedback[/url] | [url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/legal.htm"]Website Legal Info[/url][/size][/font]
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