10-07-2008, 09:31 AM
[size 2]FISHING REPORT NUMBER 24: 10/2/2008
[/size]
[size 2]INLAND REPORT[/size][size 2]
2008 FALL BROODSTOCK ATLANTIC STOCKING
DEP will begin its annual stocking of surplus broodstock Atlantic salmon next week. Approximately 270 surplus broodstock Atlantic salmon from DEP’s Kensington Hatchery are scheduled to be released into the Shetucket and Naugatuck rivers next week. These fish will range in size from 2 to 15 pounds each. Additionally, Mashapaug Lake and Crystal Lake will each be stocked with 40 broodstock salmon each. These two lakes are being stocked on an experimental basis.
TROUT
Fall Trout Stocking update- This week, DEP stocked the Natchaug River, Day Pond, Chatfield Hollow and Mohegan Park Pond Trout Parks with a total of 1,000 brown trout (these fish are in the 11-14” range). The Valley Falls Park Pond Trout Park was again stocked with 200 standard-size rainbow trout.
Rivers & streams – Fall trout fishing should be improving with cooler temperatures arriving and flows continuing to drop to more comfortable fishing levels. Anglers can expect explosive action as the brown trout become aggressive as they enter fall spawning. Matching the hatch is not as important this time of the year. Streamers and nymphing are the way to go and typically dominate the early morning and late evening. For streamers try white, yellow and brown colors.
Patterns to try include White Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10). For nymphs, bottom bounce Caddis pupa (#16-26), Serendipity (#14-16), Pheasant Tail (#12-20), Prince (#6-1![[Image: icon_cool.gif]](http://nedisabledsportsmen.com/forum/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif)
and Hare’s ear (#8-20). Good reports from the West Branch Farmington and Housatonic Rivers.
FARMINGTON RIVER - West Branch flows are again clear, moderate and quite fishable (150 cfs at Riverton, plus an additional 85 cfs from the Still River) and water temperatures are around 60°F. Farther downstream, the East Branch is still adding an additional 50 cfs as Lake McDonough is drawn down. Current hatches/patterns include Tricos (Trycorythodes stygiatus, #22-28, 7:00am-10:00am, Riverton Area), Isonychia bicolor (major hatch, #10-14, fast water, afternoon/evening), Blue Wing Olives (Drunella & Baetis sps., #22-28, mid-late afternoon), Cahills/Summer (Stenonema ithaca (#12-1, Sulfurs duns (Heptagenia sps., #12-18, below the dam due to low temperatures, morning; afternoon to early evening for spinners), Caddis (tan #14-18, all day; green #22-26, evening; summer pupa #18-20 morning), Midges (#22-32, 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) and Stone Hopper (#10-12, mid day). Rusty Spinners (#18-26) have been producing in the evening.
Housatonic River – Fall conditions for fishing should be excellent this weekend, with temperatures again cooling (currently in the upper 50’s°F, mornings) and clear, moderate flows (currently 720 cfs at Falls Village and 1,000 cfs at Gaylordsville). Hatches/patterns include Blue Wing Olive (#18-26, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Leadwing Coachman (#10-12 evening), Cahills/Summer (#12-14), and Black caddis (#16, early morning & evening). Try Black/Cinnamon Ants (#14-18, mid day in fast water), Sulfurs (#16-1, Black Beetles (#14-18, mid day), Stone Hopper (#8-10, mid day) and Flying Ants (#16-18, mid day, when windy/humid). Try nymphing the pockets, deeper riffles and pool heads.
Lakes & Ponds – Trout fishing has generally slowed, with some action reported from Crystal Lake, Mashapaug Lake, Highland Lake, West Hill Pond, Candlewood Lake, East Twin Lake and Colebrook River Lake.
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing remains variable, ranging from slow to very good with the best report from Quaddick Reservoir (catches include several 5.5 lb bass), and good reports from Beach Pond (recent catches include 8 and 5 lb bass), Mudge Pond, Cedar Lake, Coventry Lake, Stillwater Pond, Bashan Lake, Page 1 of 3
Stillwater Pond and Babcock Pond. Fair largemouth fishing is reported from Candlewood Lake, West Hill Pond, Pachaug Pond, Highland Lake, East Twin Lake, Crystal Lake, Bantam Lake, Hatch Pond, Bantam Lake, Quonnipaug Lake and Wononskopomuc Lake. Fishing is reported as slow at Powers Lake, Rogers Lake and Mashapaug Lake (catches do include a 4.5 lb largemouth).
SMALLMOUTH BASS action reported from Colebrook Reservoir (fair), Candlewood Lake (good), Highland Lake (fair), Mashapaug Lake (slow), Coventry Lake (slow), West Hill Pond (slow) and Squantz Pond (fair).
WALLEYE - Some action reported from Mashapaug Lake, Coventry Lake, Squantz Pond and Beach Pond.
NORTHERN PIKE catches reported from Lake Zoar, Bantam Lake and Pachaug Pond.
CHAIN PICKEREL have been caught at Wononskopomuc Lake and Beardsley Park Pond.
CARP action has been good in the Lower Housatonic and in the Quinnipiac river. Dough balls, sweet corn, raisins, bread & boilies are producing some good catches of fish (up to 30 lb fish).
CONNECTICUT RIVER – Flows continue to moderate. CARP are being caught in the Hartford area, with some fish weighing in at over 25 lbs.
CATFISH have slowed but are still being found, with catches up to 29” reported. Try evenings with cut bait or large shiners in deeper areas near structure.
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is slow. Recent catches do include several 3 lb plus bass. Best reports from the Haddam area.
SMALLMOUTH BASS fishing is also slow, try the Farmington River confluence area.
Look for HICKORY SHAD in small coves.
BLACK CRAPPIE are providing some action on small shiners in the coves.
FISHING ACCESS & BOAT LAUNCH INFORMATION
The three-foot draw down of LAKE HOUSATONIC was rescheduled due to last week’s rains, and will take place this weekend from this weekend (10/4 – 10/5).
LAKE MCDONOUGH is currently being drawn down to the typical winter level (7-8 ft), remember that the boat launch closed after Labor Day weekend.
A 6 foot drawdown of GARDNER LAKE began this week.
The boat launch at Indian Well State Park on LAKE HOUSATONIC is currently scheduled to remain open for daytime use until December 1st.
DEP has been informed that public access to ALEXANDER LAKE is no longer available.
Boat rental operations at LAKE SALTONSTALL have closed for the year due to a planned drawdown. Since July, the lake has been drawn down over 5 feet to facilitate planned work includes construction of a new concrete spillway, inlets and earth embankment Also due to the draw down, shore fishing access is restricted to the fishing dock.
•
The “seawall” area extending from the handicap-accessible fishing pier to the permitted swim area at SQUANTZ POND is currently 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”).
•
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 3 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 13 trailered boats from the Lake Waramaug State Park campground 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 mid to upper 60’s °F. 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 2008 Connecticut Angler’s Guide for tidal information (page 52) and pages 49-51 for saltwater trophy fish award information.
BUNKER (Atlantic menhaden) remain in the tidal rivers and coves making a good supply of bait for both predatory fish and anglers.
BLUEFISH and STRIPED BASS fishing is good to excellent with monster bluefish measuring in total length to three feet not uncommon!
BLUEFISH are ravaging bunker as they bulk up for their fall migration. This time of year and into October is best time for surf anglers to score. Our local coastal state parks are prime areas to check out now for excellent shore fishing.
STRIPED BASS are also kicking in high gear as the fall migration continues. Other fishing areas include the Watch Hill reefs, Napatree Point to Sandy Point (Stonington), Ram Island Reef (Fishers Island Sound), Thames River, the Race, Sluiceway, Pigeon Rip, Plum Gut, Bartlett Reef, Black Point, Hatchett Reef, lower Connecticut River, Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, Southwest Reef, Duck Island area, Sixmile Reef, Falkner Island area, the reefs off Branford including Branford Harbor, New Haven Harbor, Charles Island to Milford Point, Buoys 18 and 20 off Stratford/Bridgeport, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground area, the reefs off Norwalk, Cable and Anchor Reef, the Cows off Stamford and Stamford Harbor, and Greenwich Harbor.
SNAPPER BLUES are still hanging in there mixing in with HICKORY SHAD. Consistent shad spots include the usual places: the Niantic River and the Connecticut River (DEP Marine Headquarters fishing pier).
TAUTOG (blackfish) fishing season reopened October 1 and the daily creel limit is 4 fish per angler.
LITTLE TUNNY (false albacore) and ATLANTIC BONITO reports are still coming in from Montauk Point, NY to Watch Hill, RI and the south side of Fishers Island.
For regulation updates, please check our web site: [/size][url "http://www.ct.gov/dep/fishing."][#006699][size 2]www.ct.gov/dep/fishing.[/size][/#006699][/url][size 2]
[/size][size 2]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]
[/size]
[size 2]INLAND REPORT[/size][size 2]
2008 FALL BROODSTOCK ATLANTIC STOCKING
DEP will begin its annual stocking of surplus broodstock Atlantic salmon next week. Approximately 270 surplus broodstock Atlantic salmon from DEP’s Kensington Hatchery are scheduled to be released into the Shetucket and Naugatuck rivers next week. These fish will range in size from 2 to 15 pounds each. Additionally, Mashapaug Lake and Crystal Lake will each be stocked with 40 broodstock salmon each. These two lakes are being stocked on an experimental basis.
TROUT
Fall Trout Stocking update- This week, DEP stocked the Natchaug River, Day Pond, Chatfield Hollow and Mohegan Park Pond Trout Parks with a total of 1,000 brown trout (these fish are in the 11-14” range). The Valley Falls Park Pond Trout Park was again stocked with 200 standard-size rainbow trout.
Rivers & streams – Fall trout fishing should be improving with cooler temperatures arriving and flows continuing to drop to more comfortable fishing levels. Anglers can expect explosive action as the brown trout become aggressive as they enter fall spawning. Matching the hatch is not as important this time of the year. Streamers and nymphing are the way to go and typically dominate the early morning and late evening. For streamers try white, yellow and brown colors.
Patterns to try include White Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10). For nymphs, bottom bounce Caddis pupa (#16-26), Serendipity (#14-16), Pheasant Tail (#12-20), Prince (#6-1
and Hare’s ear (#8-20). Good reports from the West Branch Farmington and Housatonic Rivers. FARMINGTON RIVER - West Branch flows are again clear, moderate and quite fishable (150 cfs at Riverton, plus an additional 85 cfs from the Still River) and water temperatures are around 60°F. Farther downstream, the East Branch is still adding an additional 50 cfs as Lake McDonough is drawn down. Current hatches/patterns include Tricos (Trycorythodes stygiatus, #22-28, 7:00am-10:00am, Riverton Area), Isonychia bicolor (major hatch, #10-14, fast water, afternoon/evening), Blue Wing Olives (Drunella & Baetis sps., #22-28, mid-late afternoon), Cahills/Summer (Stenonema ithaca (#12-1
, Sulfurs duns (Heptagenia sps., #12-18, below the dam due to low temperatures, morning; afternoon to early evening for spinners), Caddis (tan #14-18, all day; green #22-26, evening; summer pupa #18-20 morning), Midges (#22-32, 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) and Stone Hopper (#10-12, mid day). Rusty Spinners (#18-26) have been producing in the evening. Housatonic River – Fall conditions for fishing should be excellent this weekend, with temperatures again cooling (currently in the upper 50’s°F, mornings) and clear, moderate flows (currently 720 cfs at Falls Village and 1,000 cfs at Gaylordsville). Hatches/patterns include Blue Wing Olive (#18-26, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Leadwing Coachman (#10-12 evening), Cahills/Summer (#12-14), and Black caddis (#16, early morning & evening). Try Black/Cinnamon Ants (#14-18, mid day in fast water), Sulfurs (#16-1
, Black Beetles (#14-18, mid day), Stone Hopper (#8-10, mid day) and Flying Ants (#16-18, mid day, when windy/humid). Try nymphing the pockets, deeper riffles and pool heads. Lakes & Ponds – Trout fishing has generally slowed, with some action reported from Crystal Lake, Mashapaug Lake, Highland Lake, West Hill Pond, Candlewood Lake, East Twin Lake and Colebrook River Lake.
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing remains variable, ranging from slow to very good with the best report from Quaddick Reservoir (catches include several 5.5 lb bass), and good reports from Beach Pond (recent catches include 8 and 5 lb bass), Mudge Pond, Cedar Lake, Coventry Lake, Stillwater Pond, Bashan Lake, Page 1 of 3
Stillwater Pond and Babcock Pond. Fair largemouth fishing is reported from Candlewood Lake, West Hill Pond, Pachaug Pond, Highland Lake, East Twin Lake, Crystal Lake, Bantam Lake, Hatch Pond, Bantam Lake, Quonnipaug Lake and Wononskopomuc Lake. Fishing is reported as slow at Powers Lake, Rogers Lake and Mashapaug Lake (catches do include a 4.5 lb largemouth).
SMALLMOUTH BASS action reported from Colebrook Reservoir (fair), Candlewood Lake (good), Highland Lake (fair), Mashapaug Lake (slow), Coventry Lake (slow), West Hill Pond (slow) and Squantz Pond (fair).
WALLEYE - Some action reported from Mashapaug Lake, Coventry Lake, Squantz Pond and Beach Pond.
NORTHERN PIKE catches reported from Lake Zoar, Bantam Lake and Pachaug Pond.
CHAIN PICKEREL have been caught at Wononskopomuc Lake and Beardsley Park Pond.
CARP action has been good in the Lower Housatonic and in the Quinnipiac river. Dough balls, sweet corn, raisins, bread & boilies are producing some good catches of fish (up to 30 lb fish).
CONNECTICUT RIVER – Flows continue to moderate. CARP are being caught in the Hartford area, with some fish weighing in at over 25 lbs.
CATFISH have slowed but are still being found, with catches up to 29” reported. Try evenings with cut bait or large shiners in deeper areas near structure.
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is slow. Recent catches do include several 3 lb plus bass. Best reports from the Haddam area.
SMALLMOUTH BASS fishing is also slow, try the Farmington River confluence area.
Look for HICKORY SHAD in small coves.
BLACK CRAPPIE are providing some action on small shiners in the coves.
FISHING ACCESS & BOAT LAUNCH INFORMATION
The three-foot draw down of LAKE HOUSATONIC was rescheduled due to last week’s rains, and will take place this weekend from this weekend (10/4 – 10/5).
LAKE MCDONOUGH is currently being drawn down to the typical winter level (7-8 ft), remember that the boat launch closed after Labor Day weekend.
A 6 foot drawdown of GARDNER LAKE began this week.
The boat launch at Indian Well State Park on LAKE HOUSATONIC is currently scheduled to remain open for daytime use until December 1st.
DEP has been informed that public access to ALEXANDER LAKE is no longer available.
Boat rental operations at LAKE SALTONSTALL have closed for the year due to a planned drawdown. Since July, the lake has been drawn down over 5 feet to facilitate planned work includes construction of a new concrete spillway, inlets and earth embankment Also due to the draw down, shore fishing access is restricted to the fishing dock.
•
The “seawall” area extending from the handicap-accessible fishing pier to the permitted swim area at SQUANTZ POND is currently 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”).
•
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 3 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 13 trailered boats from the Lake Waramaug State Park campground 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 mid to upper 60’s °F. 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 2008 Connecticut Angler’s Guide for tidal information (page 52) and pages 49-51 for saltwater trophy fish award information.
BUNKER (Atlantic menhaden) remain in the tidal rivers and coves making a good supply of bait for both predatory fish and anglers.
BLUEFISH and STRIPED BASS fishing is good to excellent with monster bluefish measuring in total length to three feet not uncommon!
BLUEFISH are ravaging bunker as they bulk up for their fall migration. This time of year and into October is best time for surf anglers to score. Our local coastal state parks are prime areas to check out now for excellent shore fishing.
STRIPED BASS are also kicking in high gear as the fall migration continues. Other fishing areas include the Watch Hill reefs, Napatree Point to Sandy Point (Stonington), Ram Island Reef (Fishers Island Sound), Thames River, the Race, Sluiceway, Pigeon Rip, Plum Gut, Bartlett Reef, Black Point, Hatchett Reef, lower Connecticut River, Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, Southwest Reef, Duck Island area, Sixmile Reef, Falkner Island area, the reefs off Branford including Branford Harbor, New Haven Harbor, Charles Island to Milford Point, Buoys 18 and 20 off Stratford/Bridgeport, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground area, the reefs off Norwalk, Cable and Anchor Reef, the Cows off Stamford and Stamford Harbor, and Greenwich Harbor.
SNAPPER BLUES are still hanging in there mixing in with HICKORY SHAD. Consistent shad spots include the usual places: the Niantic River and the Connecticut River (DEP Marine Headquarters fishing pier).
TAUTOG (blackfish) fishing season reopened October 1 and the daily creel limit is 4 fish per angler.
LITTLE TUNNY (false albacore) and ATLANTIC BONITO reports are still coming in from Montauk Point, NY to Watch Hill, RI and the south side of Fishers Island.
For regulation updates, please check our web site: [/size][url "http://www.ct.gov/dep/fishing."][#006699][size 2]www.ct.gov/dep/fishing.[/size][/#006699][/url][size 2]
[/size][size 2]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]