Fishing Report for Week of Oct. 29

FISHING REPORT NUMBER 28
10/29/2009

INLAND REPORT
ATLANTIC SALMON – The recently stocked broodstock salmon are providing some nice action for anglers, with good reports from the Shetucket River, Naugatuck River and Crystal Lake (lots of jumping salmon, at least eight 2-5 lb salmon weighed-in recently here). No reports yet from Mount Tom Pond. Anglers may also occasionally find a salmon in two other lakes, Mashapaug Lake and Beach Pond (each stocked with 200 salmon in April, 2009).
Anglers are reminded that all the broodstock Atlantic salmon available for stocking in Connecticut this fall were stocked earlier this month (October 13th-16th). A total of 1,300 broodstock salmon were stocked into the Shetucket River (550 fish), Naugatuck River (550 fish), Crystal Lake (100 fish) and Mount Tom Pond (100 fish) this fall. Anglers should consult the 2009 CT Anglers Guide for regulations for broodstock Atlantic salmon prior to fishing.
TROUT
Fall trout stocking update- DEP completed its 2009 fall trout stockings last week. A total of 34,000 trout (16,000 brown trout and 18,000 rainbow trout) were stocked from early September through mid October.
Rivers & streams - Several recent rain events have increased flows in a number of areas, making some rivers more difficult to fish at times. Anglers should keep smaller tributaries in mind this week. Streamers and nymphing can be very effective in the fall (often best during the early morning and late evening). For streamers try white, yellow & brown colors. Patterns to try include Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10). For nymphs, bottom bounce Caddis pupa (#14-16), Serendipity (#14-16), Pheasant Tail (#12-20), Prince (#6-18) and Hare’s ear (#8-20). Good reports last week from the Housatonic River, Hammonasset River (especially above Chestnut Hill Road), Salmon River, Scantic River and West Branch Farmington Rivers.
Farmington River – Flows are relatively clear and moderate from Hogback to Riverton, about 195 cfs. Below Riverton, flows are high as the Still River is currently adding another 425 cfs. Flows should clear and moderate through the early weekend (more rain is forecast for Sunday). BWO are the dominant hatch, with tan Caddis also producing. For best action try Blue Wing Olives (#20-28, mid-late afternoon), Isonychia (#12-14), Caddis (winter & tan #16-18, late morning-early afternoon) and Ants (#16-30).
Hatches/patterns include Isonychia (#10-14, parachute style), Blue Wing Olives (#18-26, mid-late afternoon), Ants (#14-20 on rainy days), Caddis (tan #18-22, all day; brown #16-18), Midges (#22-32, morning) and Rusty Spinner (#26-28).
Housatonic River – Flows are currently stained and relatively unfishable, currently 2,100 cfs at Falls Village and 2,550 cfs at Gaylordsville. Flows should drop to more fishable levels by the weekend. As rain may be in the forecast for Sunday, anglers should call FirstLight Power at 1-888-417-4837 for updated flow information. Morning water temperatures are now in the high 40’s to low 50’s °F. Hatches/patterns include Blue Wing Olive (#18-26), Isonychia (#10-12), Sulfur (#16-18), and Tan & Winter caddis (#16-20, early morning & evening). Streamers and nymphing work well this time of year (see advice above)!
Lakes & Ponds – Good reports for trout from Crystal Lake (lots of trout, try in shallow, 6-8 feet), and some decent action reported from Quonnipaug Lake. Candlewood Lake, Mashapaug Lake West Hill Pond, Colebrook Reservoir and Beach Pond are all reported as slow.
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is generally fair to slow, with reports from Highland Lake, Lake Wonoscopomuc, Amos Lake, Gardner Lake, Mashapaug Lake, Lake Saltonstall, Quonnipaug Lake, East Twin Lake and Burr Pond. Best reports are from Mudge Pond (good action, several 5-lb bass among the catches).
SMALLMOUTH BASS - Great reports for fall smallie fishing at Candlewood Lake, and some good catches reported from Squantz Pond. Most other areas are reporting fair to slow smallmouth fishing, including Highland Lake, Gardner Lake, Mashapaug Lake, Rainbow Reservoir and Coventry Lake.
NORTHERN PIKE – Some nice catches reported from Lake Lillinonah last week (note that this lake is drawn down 5 feet this week), and several catches reported from Mansfield Hollow Reservoir. Pike fishing has been slow at Quaddick Reservoir.
WALLEYE – Fair to good reports for walleye from Squantz Pond. Several good catches reported from Lake Saltonstall (including a 7 lb plus walleye). Mashapaug Lake has been slow.
CONNECTICUT RIVER – The river is currently high due to several recent rainfall events. Fishing last week was generally fair to good. NORTHERN PIKE fishing has been steady, best reports from coves and the Middletown area. A number of reported catches in the 26-34 inch range, try big shiners, spoons and swimming plugs. BLACK CRAPPIE action last week was good in the coves, jigs & small shiners work well. Some STRIPED BASS are being found throughout the river, mostly smaller fish. CHANNEL CATFISH are still providing anglers with some fair action, a number of catches in the 5-8 lb range. Some HICKORY SHAD are still in the river.
NOTICES:
§ QUADDICK RESERVOIR is currently drawn down approximately 2 feet, launching from the state boat launch at Quaddick State Park may be difficult for some boats.
§ An 8 foot drawdown of HIGHLAND LAKE began last two weeks ago (October 15th).
§ “Winter” drawdowns (2-4 feet) of a number of Eastern CT lakes including GARDNER LAKE, LOWER BOLTON LAKE, PICKEREL LAKE, MASHAPAUG LAKE, BASHAN LAKE and BESECK LAKE are in progress. The drawdown of MIDDLE BOLTON LAKE begins this week.
§ LAKE LILLINONAH is currently drawn down 5 feet with refilling scheduled to begin November 1st.
§ ASPINOOK POND continues to be drawn down 30 inches to facilitate dam maintenance. Areas such as the Butts Bridge lot used by many anglers/boaters to access the impoundment may be difficult to impossible to use by trailered boats.
§ Anglers are reminded that Saturday (October 31st) is the last day of fishing season at several lakes and ponds throughout the state, including LAKE WONOSCOPOMUC, GREEN FALLS RESERVOIR, BATTERSON PARK POND and SHENIPSIT RESERVOIR. Please refer to the 2009 CT Angler’s Guide for additional locations.

MARINE FISHING REPORT
Water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) are in the low 60’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>
It is that time of year for the big “B’s” - BLACKFISH, BLUES, AND BASS!
BLACKFISH (tautog) fishing is red hot on the local reefs and rock piles and in shallow water (about 20 feet or less).
STRIPED BASS and BLUEFISH fishing remains good throughout LIS and the bluefish are packing on the weight before their southern migration! Bluefish weighing in the teens are common and measuring three feet in length! If you can get by the blues, cow stripers are lurking underneath. Fishing spots include the Watch Hill reefs, Napatree Point, Ram Island Reef in Fishers Island Sound, Thames River, the Race, Sluiceway, Pigeon Rip, Plum Gut, outer Bartlett Reef, Hatchett Reef, lower Connecticut River, Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, Crane Reef, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, Falkner Island area, the reefs off Branford, New Haven Harbor, Charles Island to Milford Point, Housatonic River, Bridgeport Harbor, Penfield Reef, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, the reefs around the Norwalk Islands and Stamford Harbor.
HICKORY SHAD fishing remains good in the lower Niantic River and Connecticut River (DEP, Marine Headquarters fishing pier and the fishing pier by the Baldwin Bridge state boat launch).
LITTLE TUNNY (false albacore) and ATLANTIC BONITO (green bonito) fishing is still hanging in there (if the weather cooperates) off the Watch Hill area, south side of Fishers Island, Pine Island area, Race Rock (the Race), Little Gull Island, Sluiceway, Plum Gut, Bartlett Reef, Millstone Point area, Black Point, Hatchett Reef, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground area and off the Norwalk Islands.
Remember to check the 2009 Connecticut Angler’s Guide for tidal information (page 52) and pages 49-51 for saltwater trophy fish award information. For regulation updates, please check our website www.ct.gov/dep/fishing <http://www.ct.gov/dep/fishing>