09-07-2005, 09:50 AM
[font "Times New Roman"]Weekly Fishing Report - Week of August 29, 2005 [/font] [font "Times New Roman"]![[Image: lmb_small.gif]](http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/fishimag/lmb_small.gif)
[font "Times New Roman"][#004080]INLAND REPORT [/#004080][/font][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Good reports for LARGEMOUTH BASS from Lake Zoar, Lake Lillinonah (four 4+ lb bass for one tournament), Highland, Mashapaug, Candlewood, Cedar, Crystal, Bashan, Wyassup, Chamberlain, Congamond (5 lb bass), Amos (5.12 lb bass), Billings, Wonoscopomuc (33 fish) and Quonnipaug Lakes, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir (good action, no big ones), and Ball, Pachaug, Huntington State Park, Glasgo, Avery, Mudge, Stillwater and Squantz Ponds.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Some SMALLMOUTH BASS action reported from Mashapaug, Candlewood, Coventry (4 lb smallie) and East Twin Lakes, Squantz Pond and the Housatonic River (excellent). Smallmouth fishing at Lake Lillinonah was slow.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Good numbers of WALLEYE (early morning to sunrise) are being reported from Coventry Lake and Squantz Pond (17-22” fish, 5' off the bottom).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]NORTHERN PIKE (target cooler water) fishing is reported to be good at Bantam Lake, Winchester Lake and Pachaug Pond. Some catches also at Hopeville and Ashland Ponds.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Good reports for YELLOW PERCH (fishing throughout the day) from Candlewood, Crescent, Gardner and Crystal Lakes and Squantz Pond.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]CATFISH (some in the 24-26" range) continue to provide good action on portions of the Connecticut River (the Hartford-Cromwell area was slow last weekend).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]STRIPED BASS action (mostly schoolies) is good in the lower river on tubes and worms as well as on bait.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Fishing for SUNFISH is an excellent (and traditional) late summer activity for the entire family, good reports include Wood Creek Pond, and Crescent, Billings, Crystal (Ellington), and Mamanasco Lakes. Use worms, grubs, jigs or small poppers for them.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]TROUT[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Rivers & streams - Fly anglers should definitely include terrestrial fly patterns in their arsenal. Despite some recent precipitation, many streams remain relatively low.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Trout fishing remains good on the Farmington River. [#ff0000]Labor Day weekend anglers can look forward to even more fish in the Farmington River as DEP EXPECTS TO STOCK 1,200 SEEFORELLAN - STRAIN BROWN TROUT for the holiday weekend![/#ff0000] Morning water temperatures continue to range from the upper 50’s°F (above Riverton) to low 60’s°F (West branch TMA). Flows are clear but remain low (about 125 cfs just below the Still River in Riverton). Hatches include the Trico (#22-28, morning), Needhami (#22-26, early morning), Isonychia (#10-12, fast water, evening), Blue Wing Olives (#22-28, mid-late afternoon), Sulphurs duns (#18-20, below the dam due to low temperatures, morning; afternoon to early evening for spinners), Caddis (tan #16-18, all day; green #22-26, evening; summer pupa #18-20 morning), Midges (#22-32, morning), Cahills/Stenonema (#12-18, evenings), 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 (Potomanthus, #10-14, late evening).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Both fishing and water temperatures have improved somewhat on the Housatonic River, although conditions are still not good for trout. Flows are clear but remain low (about 210 cfs at Falls Village). Morning water temperatures in the TMA have been ranging from 68 to 72°F. ANTS are on right now. Hatches include white fly (#10-14, producing evening action), Blue Wing Olive (#18-22, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Isonychia (#12-14 evening), Light Cahill/Stenonema (#12-16, evening), and Black caddis (#16-18, early morning & evening) with some Alder Flies in the Bull's Bridge (warmer water) area. Try Black/Cinnamon Ants (#18-22, mid day in fast water), Black Beetles (#14-18, mid day), Stone Hopper (#8-10, mid day) and Flying Ants (#18-22, mid day, when windy/humid). Streamers are generally a good choice (try White Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghosts).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Lakes & Ponds – Good late summer trout fishing can be found at a number of lakes and ponds including Crystal Lake (Ellington), East Twin Lake (18 fish from 2:30 am to 5:30 am for one angler, at 42 feet), Highland Lake (10 fish at 25 feet), West Hill Pond (worms at 3 colors of lead line), West Side Pond and Beach Pond (21 trout).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]NOTES: [/#ff0000][/font][font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]A three foot drawdown of Lake Housatonic is currently scheduled for September 17th through [/#ff0000][/font][#ff0000][font "Times New Roman"]September 19th. A rowing event is tentatively scheduled for upper Lake Lillinonah on September 25, the Lover’s Leap passage may be closed to other boat traffic for several hours.[/font][/#ff0000] [font "Times New Roman"][#004080]MARINE REPORT[/#004080]![[Image: stb2.gif]](http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/fishimag/stb2.gif)
[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]The surface water temperature in Long Island Sound (LIS) ranges from the high 60’s to the low 70’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"]STRIPED BASS fishing is fair to good on the major reefs but should improve as fall approaches. Slow trolling the tube and worm or fishing with live baits (scup, menhaden, hickory shad or eels) have been effective for “cow” bass.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]STRIPERS and BLUEFISH can be caught off the Watch Hill reefs, Ram Island Reef, the Race, Plum Gut, Thames River, Bartlett Reef, Black Point, the humps south of Hatchett Reef, Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, the reefs off Madison and Branford, New Haven Harbor, Charles Island area, Penfield Reef, and around the Norwalk Islands. School stripers can caught in tidal rivers and coves.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SNAPPER BLUEFISH fishing is about at peak and fish range in length from about 5-8 inches.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SUMMER FLOUNDER (fluke) fishing remains hit or miss. Fluke areas include: the Stonington Harbor area, lower Mystic River, Groton Long Point, Black Point, Sound View Beach, Connecticut River, Long Sand Shoal, Six Mile Reef , Falkner Island, New Haven Harbor, and around the Norwalk Islands.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]TAUTOG (blackfish) is fair and SCUP (porgies) fishing is good at any of the rock piles located in LIS. Monster scup exceeding 15 inches in length are not unusual.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]The Niantic River and Clinton Harbor is fair for HICKORY SHAD. [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Reports of TUNA in eastern LIS are still being reported with anglers seeing fish breaching.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]BLUE CRABBING has improved dramatically along the coastline especially in the Guilford to Madison area, Westbrook and from the Connecticut River and tidal creeks to the east. JUST A REMINDER, the blue crab season is open from May 1-November 30 and the minimum size (measured across shell from spike to spike) is 5 inches for hard shell and 3 ½ for soft shell. All blue crabs measuring less than the legal length and egg bearing females must be returned immediately to the water unharmed. In addition, the possession of uncooked blue crabs without the body shell attached is prohibited and only two claws per body may be possessed.[/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]
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[font "Times New Roman"][#004080]INLAND REPORT [/#004080][/font][/font] [font "Times New Roman"]Good reports for LARGEMOUTH BASS from Lake Zoar, Lake Lillinonah (four 4+ lb bass for one tournament), Highland, Mashapaug, Candlewood, Cedar, Crystal, Bashan, Wyassup, Chamberlain, Congamond (5 lb bass), Amos (5.12 lb bass), Billings, Wonoscopomuc (33 fish) and Quonnipaug Lakes, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir (good action, no big ones), and Ball, Pachaug, Huntington State Park, Glasgo, Avery, Mudge, Stillwater and Squantz Ponds.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Some SMALLMOUTH BASS action reported from Mashapaug, Candlewood, Coventry (4 lb smallie) and East Twin Lakes, Squantz Pond and the Housatonic River (excellent). Smallmouth fishing at Lake Lillinonah was slow.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Good numbers of WALLEYE (early morning to sunrise) are being reported from Coventry Lake and Squantz Pond (17-22” fish, 5' off the bottom).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]NORTHERN PIKE (target cooler water) fishing is reported to be good at Bantam Lake, Winchester Lake and Pachaug Pond. Some catches also at Hopeville and Ashland Ponds.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Good reports for YELLOW PERCH (fishing throughout the day) from Candlewood, Crescent, Gardner and Crystal Lakes and Squantz Pond.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]CATFISH (some in the 24-26" range) continue to provide good action on portions of the Connecticut River (the Hartford-Cromwell area was slow last weekend).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]STRIPED BASS action (mostly schoolies) is good in the lower river on tubes and worms as well as on bait.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Fishing for SUNFISH is an excellent (and traditional) late summer activity for the entire family, good reports include Wood Creek Pond, and Crescent, Billings, Crystal (Ellington), and Mamanasco Lakes. Use worms, grubs, jigs or small poppers for them.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]TROUT[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Rivers & streams - Fly anglers should definitely include terrestrial fly patterns in their arsenal. Despite some recent precipitation, many streams remain relatively low.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Trout fishing remains good on the Farmington River. [#ff0000]Labor Day weekend anglers can look forward to even more fish in the Farmington River as DEP EXPECTS TO STOCK 1,200 SEEFORELLAN - STRAIN BROWN TROUT for the holiday weekend![/#ff0000] Morning water temperatures continue to range from the upper 50’s°F (above Riverton) to low 60’s°F (West branch TMA). Flows are clear but remain low (about 125 cfs just below the Still River in Riverton). Hatches include the Trico (#22-28, morning), Needhami (#22-26, early morning), Isonychia (#10-12, fast water, evening), Blue Wing Olives (#22-28, mid-late afternoon), Sulphurs duns (#18-20, below the dam due to low temperatures, morning; afternoon to early evening for spinners), Caddis (tan #16-18, all day; green #22-26, evening; summer pupa #18-20 morning), Midges (#22-32, morning), Cahills/Stenonema (#12-18, evenings), 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 (Potomanthus, #10-14, late evening).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Both fishing and water temperatures have improved somewhat on the Housatonic River, although conditions are still not good for trout. Flows are clear but remain low (about 210 cfs at Falls Village). Morning water temperatures in the TMA have been ranging from 68 to 72°F. ANTS are on right now. Hatches include white fly (#10-14, producing evening action), Blue Wing Olive (#18-22, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Isonychia (#12-14 evening), Light Cahill/Stenonema (#12-16, evening), and Black caddis (#16-18, early morning & evening) with some Alder Flies in the Bull's Bridge (warmer water) area. Try Black/Cinnamon Ants (#18-22, mid day in fast water), Black Beetles (#14-18, mid day), Stone Hopper (#8-10, mid day) and Flying Ants (#18-22, mid day, when windy/humid). Streamers are generally a good choice (try White Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghosts).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Lakes & Ponds – Good late summer trout fishing can be found at a number of lakes and ponds including Crystal Lake (Ellington), East Twin Lake (18 fish from 2:30 am to 5:30 am for one angler, at 42 feet), Highland Lake (10 fish at 25 feet), West Hill Pond (worms at 3 colors of lead line), West Side Pond and Beach Pond (21 trout).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]NOTES: [/#ff0000][/font][font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]A three foot drawdown of Lake Housatonic is currently scheduled for September 17th through [/#ff0000][/font][#ff0000][font "Times New Roman"]September 19th. A rowing event is tentatively scheduled for upper Lake Lillinonah on September 25, the Lover’s Leap passage may be closed to other boat traffic for several hours.[/font][/#ff0000] [font "Times New Roman"][#004080]MARINE REPORT[/#004080]
[/font] [font "Times New Roman"]The surface water temperature in Long Island Sound (LIS) ranges from the high 60’s to the low 70’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"]STRIPED BASS fishing is fair to good on the major reefs but should improve as fall approaches. Slow trolling the tube and worm or fishing with live baits (scup, menhaden, hickory shad or eels) have been effective for “cow” bass.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]STRIPERS and BLUEFISH can be caught off the Watch Hill reefs, Ram Island Reef, the Race, Plum Gut, Thames River, Bartlett Reef, Black Point, the humps south of Hatchett Reef, Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, the reefs off Madison and Branford, New Haven Harbor, Charles Island area, Penfield Reef, and around the Norwalk Islands. School stripers can caught in tidal rivers and coves.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SNAPPER BLUEFISH fishing is about at peak and fish range in length from about 5-8 inches.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SUMMER FLOUNDER (fluke) fishing remains hit or miss. Fluke areas include: the Stonington Harbor area, lower Mystic River, Groton Long Point, Black Point, Sound View Beach, Connecticut River, Long Sand Shoal, Six Mile Reef , Falkner Island, New Haven Harbor, and around the Norwalk Islands.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]TAUTOG (blackfish) is fair and SCUP (porgies) fishing is good at any of the rock piles located in LIS. Monster scup exceeding 15 inches in length are not unusual.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]The Niantic River and Clinton Harbor is fair for HICKORY SHAD. [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Reports of TUNA in eastern LIS are still being reported with anglers seeing fish breaching.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]BLUE CRABBING has improved dramatically along the coastline especially in the Guilford to Madison area, Westbrook and from the Connecticut River and tidal creeks to the east. JUST A REMINDER, the blue crab season is open from May 1-November 30 and the minimum size (measured across shell from spike to spike) is 5 inches for hard shell and 3 ½ for soft shell. All blue crabs measuring less than the legal length and egg bearing females must be returned immediately to the water unharmed. In addition, the possession of uncooked blue crabs without the body shell attached is prohibited and only two claws per body may be possessed.[/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]
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