08-26-2005, 11:00 PM
[font "Times New Roman"]Weekly Fishing Report - Week of August 22, 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"]LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is reported as good to very good in many lakes and ponds including Candlewood (5.25 lb bass), Bantam, Winnemaug, Highland, Powers (5.24 lb catch), Winchester, Congamond, Quonnipaug (4.0 lb), Mashapaug, Wonoscopomuc, Cedar and East Twin Lakes, Scoville Reservoir, Pachaug (5.6 and 5.2 lb bass), Ball, Huntington Park and Moosup Ponds. Largemouth fishing is fair to good on the Connecticut River (coves from Hartford down to Haddam).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SMALLMOUTH BASS action reported from Lake Housatonic, Lake Lillinonah, Mashapaug Lake, Candlewood Lake, Colebrook Reservoir, Squantz Pond, and the Farmington (Tarrifville area), Connecticut River (good north of Hartford) and Housatonic (excellent) Rivers.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]NORTHERN PIKE fishing generally has slowed due to cooler water which disperses pike although some nice catches are reported from Bantam Lake, Hopeville Pond, Pachaug Pond, and the CT River (30” pike from Wethersfield Cove).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]WALLEYE action is generally slow, some catches reported from Squantz Pond.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Good CALICO BASS action reported at Silver Lake (Meriden), Long Pond, Park Pond and Pachaug Pond.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SUNFISH are providing excellent summer time action throughout the state. Use worms, grubs, jigs or small poppers for them. They are a riot on a fly rod. Areas to try include: Woodcreek Pond, Crescent Pond, Billings Lake, Crystal Lake (Ellington), and Mamanasco Lake.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]YELLOW PERCH catches reported from Colebrook Reservoir, and Crescent (Southington), Bantam, Mashapaug, Wonoscopomuc, Candlewood (JUMBOS), Red Cedar and Tyler Lakes.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Connecticut River CATFISH (including several cats well over two feet in length) are still providing summer time action on cut bait (chunking).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]TROUT[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]ANGLERS ARE REMINDED THAT THE THERMAL REFUGE AREAS ON THE HOUSATONIC, NAUGATUCK AND SHETUCKET RIVERS ARE CLOSED TO FISHING UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1.[/#ff0000] [#ff0000]From June 15 through August 31, all fishing within 100 feet of tributaries as posted by DEP (look for white signs) is prohibited.[/#ff0000][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Rivers & streams -Anglers are advised to move their efforts more toward terrestrial fly patterns as hatches slow. Streams flows in many areas are relatively low due to limited rainfall.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Trout fishing remain fairly good on the Farmington River. Morning water temperatures range from the upper 50’s°F (above Riverton) to low 60’s°F (West branch TMA). Flows are clear but will remain low (about 110 cfs just below the Still River in Riverton) due to the limited amount of precipitation in the watershed for the West Branch since May (Colebrook Reservoir is about 16 feet below average for this time of year). Hatches remain similar to the past few weeks excdpt for the appearance of the Trico (#22-28). The remaining bugs consist of Needhami (#22-26, early morning), Isonychia (#12-14, fast water, evening), Blue Wing Olives (#16-24, mid-late afternoon), Sulphurs duns (#18-20, still some in Riverton area only due to low temperatures, morning; afternoon to early evening for spinners), Caddis (tan #16-20, all day; green #22-26, evening; summer pupa #18-20 morning), Midges (#22-32, morning), 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"]Trout fishing on the Housatonic River has improved somewhat as temperatures have moderated and some trout have moved out of thermal refuges. Flows are currently clear and low (about 170 cfs at Falls Village). Water temperatures in the morning are currently about 68°F, but may rise to the low-mid 70’s°F during the day. Hatches include White fly (#10-14), Sulfurs (#18), Blue Wing Olive (#18-22, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Isonychia (#12-14 evening), Light Cahill (#12-16, evening), and Black caddis (#16-18, early morning & evening) with some Alder Flies in the Bull's Bridge area. Also 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). Don’t forget streamers (morning & evening). Patterns to try include White, Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Lakes & Ponds – Some good summer trout fishing reported from Crystal Lake (Ellington), Beach Pond, East Twin Lake (22” rainbow) and Highland Lake (double digit catches for several anglers).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]NOTES: A three foot drawdown of Lake Housatonic is currently scheduled for September 17th through September 19th.[/#ff0000][/font] [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) remains in 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"][#ff0000]SPECIAL NOTE: School bluefin tuna have been reported in the following areas of LIS: “The Race”, “Sluiceway”, and “Plum Gut”. ANGLERS ATTEMPTING TO CATCH BLUEFIN TUNA AND OTHER TUNAS, or BILLFISH AND SHARKS, MUST POSSESS A NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES PERMIT. Permits and current regulation information can be found at [url "http://www.nmfspermits.com/"]http://www.nmfspermits.com[/url][/#ff0000][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]STRIPED BASS fishing remains fair to good on the major reefs and rip areas. Dusk to dawn is the time to go during this time of year. Drift fishing live baits (scup, hickory shad or eels) on three way rigs is the preferred method for catching that trophy “linesider.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Both STRIPERS and BLUEFISH can be caught at the usual spots: 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.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SNAPPER BLUEFISH are in the tidal creeks and coves and are about 4 to 6 inches in length.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SUMMER FLOUNDER (fluke) fishing is spotty depending on the area but “doormats” in excess of 7 lbs. have been reported this past week. Fluke areas include: the Stonington Harbor area, lower Mystic River, Groton Long Point, Bloody Grounds to Black Point, Connecticut River, Long Sand Shoal, Six Mile Reef area, Falkner Island, and off the New Haven Harbor breakwaters.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]TAUTOG (blackfish) and SCUP (porgies) can be caught at the major reefs.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]The Niantic River and the Hammock River (Clinton Harbor) are your best bets for HICKORY SHAD.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Reports of BLUE CRABS are coming in but are sporadic. However, an 8 ¾ inch blue crab is the largest crab reported this year and was entered for a Trophy Catch Award.[/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 fish species.[/#ff0000][/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"]LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is reported as good to very good in many lakes and ponds including Candlewood (5.25 lb bass), Bantam, Winnemaug, Highland, Powers (5.24 lb catch), Winchester, Congamond, Quonnipaug (4.0 lb), Mashapaug, Wonoscopomuc, Cedar and East Twin Lakes, Scoville Reservoir, Pachaug (5.6 and 5.2 lb bass), Ball, Huntington Park and Moosup Ponds. Largemouth fishing is fair to good on the Connecticut River (coves from Hartford down to Haddam).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SMALLMOUTH BASS action reported from Lake Housatonic, Lake Lillinonah, Mashapaug Lake, Candlewood Lake, Colebrook Reservoir, Squantz Pond, and the Farmington (Tarrifville area), Connecticut River (good north of Hartford) and Housatonic (excellent) Rivers.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]NORTHERN PIKE fishing generally has slowed due to cooler water which disperses pike although some nice catches are reported from Bantam Lake, Hopeville Pond, Pachaug Pond, and the CT River (30” pike from Wethersfield Cove).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]WALLEYE action is generally slow, some catches reported from Squantz Pond.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Good CALICO BASS action reported at Silver Lake (Meriden), Long Pond, Park Pond and Pachaug Pond.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SUNFISH are providing excellent summer time action throughout the state. Use worms, grubs, jigs or small poppers for them. They are a riot on a fly rod. Areas to try include: Woodcreek Pond, Crescent Pond, Billings Lake, Crystal Lake (Ellington), and Mamanasco Lake.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]YELLOW PERCH catches reported from Colebrook Reservoir, and Crescent (Southington), Bantam, Mashapaug, Wonoscopomuc, Candlewood (JUMBOS), Red Cedar and Tyler Lakes.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Connecticut River CATFISH (including several cats well over two feet in length) are still providing summer time action on cut bait (chunking).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]TROUT[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]ANGLERS ARE REMINDED THAT THE THERMAL REFUGE AREAS ON THE HOUSATONIC, NAUGATUCK AND SHETUCKET RIVERS ARE CLOSED TO FISHING UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1.[/#ff0000] [#ff0000]From June 15 through August 31, all fishing within 100 feet of tributaries as posted by DEP (look for white signs) is prohibited.[/#ff0000][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Rivers & streams -Anglers are advised to move their efforts more toward terrestrial fly patterns as hatches slow. Streams flows in many areas are relatively low due to limited rainfall.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Trout fishing remain fairly good on the Farmington River. Morning water temperatures range from the upper 50’s°F (above Riverton) to low 60’s°F (West branch TMA). Flows are clear but will remain low (about 110 cfs just below the Still River in Riverton) due to the limited amount of precipitation in the watershed for the West Branch since May (Colebrook Reservoir is about 16 feet below average for this time of year). Hatches remain similar to the past few weeks excdpt for the appearance of the Trico (#22-28). The remaining bugs consist of Needhami (#22-26, early morning), Isonychia (#12-14, fast water, evening), Blue Wing Olives (#16-24, mid-late afternoon), Sulphurs duns (#18-20, still some in Riverton area only due to low temperatures, morning; afternoon to early evening for spinners), Caddis (tan #16-20, all day; green #22-26, evening; summer pupa #18-20 morning), Midges (#22-32, morning), 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"]Trout fishing on the Housatonic River has improved somewhat as temperatures have moderated and some trout have moved out of thermal refuges. Flows are currently clear and low (about 170 cfs at Falls Village). Water temperatures in the morning are currently about 68°F, but may rise to the low-mid 70’s°F during the day. Hatches include White fly (#10-14), Sulfurs (#18), Blue Wing Olive (#18-22, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Isonychia (#12-14 evening), Light Cahill (#12-16, evening), and Black caddis (#16-18, early morning & evening) with some Alder Flies in the Bull's Bridge area. Also 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). Don’t forget streamers (morning & evening). Patterns to try include White, Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Lakes & Ponds – Some good summer trout fishing reported from Crystal Lake (Ellington), Beach Pond, East Twin Lake (22” rainbow) and Highland Lake (double digit catches for several anglers).[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000]NOTES: A three foot drawdown of Lake Housatonic is currently scheduled for September 17th through September 19th.[/#ff0000][/font] [font "Times New Roman"][#004080]MARINE REPORT[/#004080]
[/font] [font "Times New Roman"]The surface water temperature in Long Island Sound (LIS) remains in 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"][#ff0000]SPECIAL NOTE: School bluefin tuna have been reported in the following areas of LIS: “The Race”, “Sluiceway”, and “Plum Gut”. ANGLERS ATTEMPTING TO CATCH BLUEFIN TUNA AND OTHER TUNAS, or BILLFISH AND SHARKS, MUST POSSESS A NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES PERMIT. Permits and current regulation information can be found at [url "http://www.nmfspermits.com/"]http://www.nmfspermits.com[/url][/#ff0000][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]STRIPED BASS fishing remains fair to good on the major reefs and rip areas. Dusk to dawn is the time to go during this time of year. Drift fishing live baits (scup, hickory shad or eels) on three way rigs is the preferred method for catching that trophy “linesider.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Both STRIPERS and BLUEFISH can be caught at the usual spots: 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.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SNAPPER BLUEFISH are in the tidal creeks and coves and are about 4 to 6 inches in length.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SUMMER FLOUNDER (fluke) fishing is spotty depending on the area but “doormats” in excess of 7 lbs. have been reported this past week. Fluke areas include: the Stonington Harbor area, lower Mystic River, Groton Long Point, Bloody Grounds to Black Point, Connecticut River, Long Sand Shoal, Six Mile Reef area, Falkner Island, and off the New Haven Harbor breakwaters.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]TAUTOG (blackfish) and SCUP (porgies) can be caught at the major reefs.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]The Niantic River and the Hammock River (Clinton Harbor) are your best bets for HICKORY SHAD.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Reports of BLUE CRABS are coming in but are sporadic. However, an 8 ¾ inch blue crab is the largest crab reported this year and was entered for a Trophy Catch Award.[/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 fish species.[/#ff0000][/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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