TROUT

Rivers & streams — The cool weather of this past week has provided ideal spring water temperatures, although this weekend will be warmer. Flows are very comfortable for fishing in most rivers and streams throughout the state.

Anglers are finding fishing to be variable, ranging from poor to excellent depending on location. Best reports are from the Pomperaug River, West Branch Farmington River, Farmington River, Salmon River, Mill River (Fairfield), Mt. Hope, Norwalk River, Natchaug River, Coginchaug River, Housatonic River, Quinebaug River, Willimantic River, Blackberry River, Beaver Brook, Blackledge River, Eightmile River, Coppermine River, Farm River, Jeremy River and Nepaug River. Both bait (live and earthworms or a mealworm/corn combination) and fly anglers are finding success. This week’s notable fish list include a 2.9 lb brook trout, a 26 inch brown trout and 4.4 lb, 6.4 lb, 8.3 lb, 7 lb plus and 9 lb plus rainbow trout. The “high hook” was given to one angler who caught and released 60 trout.

Farmington River — Plenty of good fishing reports from anglers during the past week. West Branch flows clear and quite fishable, currently 185 cfs at Riverton plus an additional 130 cfs from the Still River. Water temperatures are in the upper 40s to low 50s.

Successful hatches/patterns here include Winter/Summer Caddis (#16-20, early morning), Blue Wing Olive (#16-18, late morning-early afternoon), Blue Quills (#16-20, early afternoon), Midges (#22-28), Golden Stonefly nymphs (#6-12) and Quill Gordons (#16-18, early/mid afternoon). Hendricksons (#12-14, early afternoon) are in full hatch on the Farmington River now! Spinner fall occurs around 6:30 p.m.

Housatonic River — Conditions for fishing should be good. Morning water temperatures are in the low 50’s. Flows are clear and remain very fishable (and lower than typical spring levels), currently 900 cfs at Falls Village and 1,500 cfs at Gaylordsville.

Rusty spinners (#12), midges, Blue Quills, early caddis (#14-16) & golden stoneflies (#4-8) are among the current Housatonic hatches. The Hendrickson (#12-14) hatch is about done. Streamers (white/yellow) and nymphs are producing some large fish along the edges.

Rivers and streams stocking update. Scheduled to be stocked this week are the Blackledge River, Broad Brook (Preston), Choate Brook, Dickenson Creek, Five Mile River, Green Falls River, Kitt Brook, Little River (Canterbury), Moosup River, Natchaug River (including the Trout Park area), Pattaconk Brook, Quinebaug River, Salmon River (including the TMA), upper Scantic River and Shunock Brook in eastern CT, and the Farmington River (Farmington-Tariffville), Hall Meadow Brook, Hop Brook, Housatonic River (including the Bulls Bridge TMA), Kettletown Brook, Little River (Oxford), Macedonia Brook, Upper Naugatuck River (including the TMA), East Branch Naugatuck River, West Branch Naugatuck River, Nonewaug River, Pequonnock River (including Trumbull Basin SP and Beardsley Park), Pomperaug River, Upper Pootatuck River, lower Saugatuck River,Weekeepeemee River and the Kent Falls Trout Park in western CT. Note that stocking schedules are subject to change.

Lakes & Ponds — Good fishing was found in many lakes/ponds throughout Connecticut, with reports from Crystal Lake (6-8 colors), Beach Pond (4 colors), Long Pond, Mashapaug Lake (2 colors), Northfield Lake, West Hill Pond, Highland Lake, Lake Wononskopomuc, Cedar Lake, East Twin Lake (20-25’ of water) & Candlewood Lake. This week’s notable catches include a 5 lb, 24 inch tiger trout (5 lbs. 24”) and 22, 23.5, 25 and 26 inch brown trout (all catch-and-release fish). In general try trolling at 3-4 colors of lead line (12-15 feet).

Lakes and ponds stocking update. In eastern CT, Amos Lake, Bigelow Pond, Black Pond (Middlefield), Broad Brook Mill Pond, Cedar Lake, Green Falls Reservoir, Hewitt Fly Pond, Higganum Reservoir, Hanover Reservoir, Long Pond, Mashapaug Lake, Pattaconk Lake, Quonnipaug Lake, Wyassup Lake, the Day Pond Trout Park, the Mohegan Park Pond Trout Park and the Valley Falls Park Pond Trout Park are all scheduled for stocking this week (4/26 – 4/30). In western CT, Candlewood Lake, East Twin Lake, Fountain Lake, Saugatuck Reservoir, Squantz Pond, Starret Pond, Stillwater Pond, Twin Brooks Pond. The Bunnells Pond (Beardsley Park Pond) and Keney Park Pond Urban Fishing Areas, the Southford Falls Trout Park, the Stratton Brook Trout Park, the Wolfe Park Trout Park (Great Hollow Pond) and the Black Rock Pond Trout Park are scheduled for stocking this week.

LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is picking up as fish move onto spawning beds. Good reports from Gardner Lake, Bantam Lake (including a 6.2 lb largemouth), Candlewood Lake (typical spring action for largemouth, not that many caught, but lots of big fish, catches include 8.5 lb, 6.5 lb, 6.4 lb and 5.4 lb bass), Batterson Park Pond, Moodus Reservoir, Bashan Lake, Ball Pond, Hatch Pond and Mono Pond, and fair reports from Pattagansett Lake, Lake Lillinonah (catches include a 5.5 lb largemouth), Hopeville Pond, West Hill Pond, Lake Wononskopomuc, Crystal Lake, Bishop Pond, Pachaug Pond, Highland Lake, Pickerel Lake, Quonnipaug Lake, Beseck Lake, Silver Lake, Black Pond.

SMALLMOUTH BASS is generally fair to good. Best reports from Candlewood Lake (some catches in the 4-5 lb smallies and lots of 2-4 lb bass), Highland Lake, Colebrook Reservoir and Squantz Pond. Some smallies are also being found at Rainbow Reservoir, Bashan Lake, Lake Lillinonah and Coventry Lake. Action is slow at Gardner Lake and West Hill Pond.

ATLANTIC SALMON — Anglers have been finding some holdover broodstock Atlantic salmon at Crystal Lake (Ellington). Recent catches include a 15 lb beauty and some of the 2-6 lb fish stocked last year.

KOKANEE SALMON — Some fish are being caught at West Hill Pond, one successful angler was fishing over 30 feet of water. Try corn or corn/meal worm combination.

CONNECTICUT RIVER — STRIPED BASS are in the river up to Windsor. Legal size fish are now mixed in with the schoolies. Sand & blood worms are working as well as soft plastics. CATFISH are being caught in the coves in the Hartford & Cromwell areas of the river. SHAD are reported throughout the river. Some nice Northern pike action reported from the coves in the East Haddam/Haddam area. CARP are putting on a good show as many anglers new to the sport are catching some medium size fish (10-15 lb fish).

TIPS & TRICKS

LARGEMOUTH BASS — Use 3 or 4 inch worms or tubes with a 3/8 oz jig head. Adding weight to the bait is important when fishing deep structures. Throw worms rigged Texas style with a 1/8 - 1/16 oz. weight. Drop shot fishing off the bottom is generating some good results. Depending on water clarity, watermelon, green, pumpkin or black with metal flake are the major colors now. Warmer water will be found by targeting shallow water with darker bottoms.

NOTES & NOTICES

♦The Valley Forge Road bridge crossing of the Saugatuck River at Devil’s Glenn will be closed for repairs. The section of the Saugatuck River from Saugatuck Reservoir Dam down to Davis Hill Road will not be stocked this year.

♦The Butts Bridge Road bridge over the Quinebaug River/Aspinook Pond is currently closed for road reconstruction. The state water access area on Butts Bridge Road is open to public use, but can be accessed by vehicle from the east only.

MARINE FISHING REPORT

Surface water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) are in the upper 40’s° F. Check out the following web sites for more detailed water temperatures and marine boating conditions:

http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/stationstat.html

http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/

http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/AN/330.html

Striped bass remain to be in the spotlight. The upper Housatonic River from Devon up to the Derby Dam is still productive as ever. The lower Connecticut River turned on with reports of 70 fish being caught and released by two anglers. Most fish are small but there are also fish in the 24 to 28 inch range. Norwich Harbor down to the Montville area in the Thames River has had activity with some keeper size fish being reported.

Winter flounder and Tautog fishing has been on the slow side this past week. Last day for tog is April 30.

For regulation updates and fishing/crabbing information, please check out our website at: www.ct.gov/dep or pick up the new 2010 Angler’s Guide. The guide contains all current marine fishing regulations and more.

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