Courtesy Connecticut DEP

INLAND REPORT

LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is variable, ranging slow to good. The best reports are from Candlewood Lake, Mudge Pond, Amos Lake (best at night) and Mamanasco Lake, with fair reports from Lake Wononskopomuc, Bantam Lake (very mixed reports), Quaddick Reservoir (a bit on the tough side, but catches include a 5.7 lb largemouth), Crystal Lake (Ellington), Cedar Lake and West Hill Pond. Slow fishing reported from Lake Quonnipaug, Glasgo Pond, Gorton Pond, Pachaug Pond and Beach Pond. Other areas reporting some action include the Bantam River, the Coginchaug River, Bishop Swamp, Beseck Lake, Dog Pond, Park Pond, Winchester Lake, Bolton Lake, Rogers Lake and Long Pond.

SMALLMOUTH BASS fishing is good at Candlewood Lake and in the Housatonic River (although slowing some as temperatures cool, try mid-afternoons). Some smallie catches also reported from Bantam Lake, Mashapaug Lake, Gardner Lake, Highland Lake, Coventry Lake and Bashan Lake.

Some NORTHERN PIKE catches have been reported from Lake Lillinonah, Winchester Lake, Bantam Lake and Pachaug Pond. Pike fishing should pick up as temperatures cool.

WALLEYE catches reported from Lake Saltonstall and Mashapaug Lake.

SUNFISH are providing excellent late summer action throughout the state. Use worms, grubs, jigs or small poppers on a fly rod for them. Small local ponds are often great places for sunnies, bigger areas to try include Lake Hayward, Highland Lake, Winchester Lake, Tyler Lake, Rogers Lake, Dog Pond, Leonard Pond, Red Cedar Lake, Bishop Pond and Halls Pond.

CONNECTICUT RIVER — Anglers are finding STRIPED BASS in the lower river. Tube and worm combination and eels are producing. Some NORTHERN PIKE are being caught, look for cooler water at mouths of tributaries and in deeper holes. Back coves are the best places to find BLACK CRAPPIE, try small shiners. SMALLMOUTH BASS are providing some nice action in the Windsor Locks/Enfield area. LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is generally tough, some are being taken in the lower river coves. CATFISH (catches up to 9 lbs) are providing great late summer action on cut bait (chunking) in the deeper holes. Try the East Hartford and Enfield areas.

TROUT — ANNUAL FALL TROUT STOCKINGS BEGIN

DEP started off the 2010 fall season by conducting its annual pre-Labor Day stocking of the Farmington River last Friday, releasing 2,000 large brown trout into the West Branch Farmington River (from just above the TMA to the Goodwin Dam). This week, DEP plans to stock a total of 1,300 large brown trout. These fish average 3.6 pounds apiece, and will be released into the Housatonic River (upper TMA), Naugatuck River TMA, Mohawk Pond, Stillwater Pond, Tyler Pond and West Side Pond. Another 3,000 brown trout (9-10 inch fish) will also be stocked into the Housatonic River TMA. Continued...

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Additional stockings in western CT are scheduled next week (week of Sept. 13) and stockings in eastern CT are currently scheduled to begin the week of Sept. 20. Anglers should be aware that due to the extended periods of limited precipitation this summer, flows in many rivers and streams are well below typical early September levels. Should conditions not improve, the fall trout stocking schedules may be subject to change.

Rivers & streams — Flows continue to be well below typical early September levels in many areas. When fishing in these low flow conditions, light line and leaders should work best. Although temperatures have moderated some, remaining trout may still be stressed (especially with the very flows) and anglers are reminded to take extra care when handling trout that they plan on releasing. Fall is typically a good time for terrestrial patterns and streamers. Good reports for trout from the West Branch Farmington River last week, and some catches have also been reported from the Housatonic River.

Farmington River — Trout fishing in the West Branch has been very good, and there are still plenty of the 2,000 trout that were stocked into the upper portions (upstream from the TMA to the dam) waiting for anglers. Morning water temperatures are currently in the low to mid 60s (West Branch TMA, rising some during the day, and higher downstream). Flows remain clear and very low, currently 86 cfs at Riverton, with the Still River providing another 6 cfs below Riverton.

Hatches/patterns: The Trico (Trycorythodes stygiatus, #26-28, early morning), hatch is winding down but can be found between 7-10 a.m. in the upper areas of the river. The remaining bugs include Isonychia bicolor (major hatch, #10-12, fast water, evening), Blue Wing Olives (Drunella sps. & Baetis sps.;#18-26, mid-late afternoon), Cahills/Summer (Stenonema ithaca, #14-16, evenings), Caddis (tan #14-18, 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 (#14-18, mid day), Flying Ants (#18-22, mid day, when windy/humid, especially after rain), Stone Hopper (#8-14, mid day) and Golden Drake (Anthopotamus distinctus, #10-14, late evening).

Housatonic River — Morning water temperatures in the TMA are currently in the upper 60s (rising during the day) but may continue to moderate as cooler weather is forecast for the weekend. Flows are clear but remain very low, only 90 cfs at Falls Village and 160 cfs at Gaylordsville. With several stockings taking place, fishing should begin to pick up.

Hatches/patterns include flying ants (#16-18, mid-day, when windy/humid, September is peak month), Fall Sulfurs (#16-18), Blue Wing Olive (#18-22, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Leadwing Coachman (#10-12 evening, September is peak month), Sulfurs duns (#16-18, morning; afternoon to early evening for spinners), Cahill (#12-16, evening) and Black caddis (#14-20, early morning & evening). Try Black Ants (#14-18, mid day in fast water), Black Beetles (#14-18, mid day), Stone Hopper (#8-10, mid day) and streamers (White Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghosts #4-10, morning & evening).

Lakes & Ponds — Some early September trout action reported from Mashapaug Lake, Crystal Lake (target 22-25 feet), Beach Pond, Long Pond, East Twin Lake (slow), West Hill Pond and Highland Lake. Feeding fish are still deep as the lakes have not cooled down much.

NOTES & NOTICES:

♦The drawdown of MOODUS RESERVOIR (Lower & Upper) has been delayed, and is now scheduled to begin on Sept. 20. It will take approximately 10 days to lower the lake by three feet.

♦RAINBOW RESERVOIR is currently being drawn down to facilitate dam maintenance. The boat launch will be unusable once the planned drawdown depth is reached. Continued...

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♦TYLER LAKE is being drawn down 2.5 feet to facilitate dam repairs, with refilling expected after Thanksgiving. While drawn down, the launching of trailered boats may be difficult.

♦The MDC Boat launch on LAKE MCDONOUGH is closed for the season.

♦The BAYBERRY LANE State Boat Launch (Groton) is closed for renovations until Dec. 31.

TIPS & TRICKS — CATCHING CRAPPIE

♦Use a loop knot for best results when fishing a jig. A free swinging jig moves well when casting and adds action when fished vertically.

♦It’s important to maintain a precise depth when fishing vertically. Experiment with lures at a variety of depths until you find the fish. Placing a rubber band around the spool of the reel will help mark the proper depth. This helps to return to that correct depth quickly. Using a slip bobber will also help.

♦When the Crappie disappears from the area you are fishing, move out to deeper water, and fish at the same depth. The fish will often suspend out from structure or drop offs, but maintains the same depth. This is often the case in late summer.

♦While many fishermen rely on the shallow water of spawning crappie for good fishing, crappie will almost always be found in the deeper depths. In a typical year there may be only two to three weeks when shallow water will provide more consistent fishing.

♦Experienced anglers use jigs, spinners, worms, small shiners and grubs to put fish in the creel.

MARINE FISHING REPORT Continued...

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Surface water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) continue to be in the low to mid 70s. SPECIAL NOTE: Just a reminder that the BLACKFISH fishing season is closed from Sept. 1-30.

STRIPED BASS fishing has improved to the point where anglers are catching keepers in the middle of the day! Buck tail jigs and even diamond jigs are catching stripers on the local reefs and rip areas.

BLUEFISH fishing does not get much better than this! Choppers are abundant throughout LIS and most are in the 4 to 6 lbs class but there are bigger fish in the teens being reported.

Fishing locations for both bluefish and stripers include the Watch Hill area, Ram Island Reef and East and West Clumps (Fishers Island Sound), lower Thames River, the Race (by Race Rock and Valiant Rock), outer Bartlett Reef, the Sluiceway, Plum Gut, Pigeon Rip, warm water discharge from Millstone Power Station, Harkness Memorial State Park, Black Point, Hatchett Reef, lower Connecticut River, Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, Southwest Reef, Duck Island area, Sixmile Reef, Hammonasset Beach State Park, Falkner Island area, reefs off Guilford and Branford, New Haven Harbor, Charles Island area and the sand spit at Silver Sands State Park, lower Housatonic River, buoys #18 and #20 off Bridgeport, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, Penfield Reef, Norwalk Islands, Cable and Anchor Reef, and Stamford and Greenwich Harbors.

SCUP (porgy) fishing is excellent. September is prime fishing time to hook up with these spunky hard fighting fish. Any of the major reefs and rock piles throughout LIS will harbor scup.

HICKORY SHAD fishing is rated just fair in the Niantic River and lower Connecticut River at the Baldwin Bridge State Boat Launch/Fishing Pier and the DEP Marine Headquarters Fishing Pier.

BLACK SEA BASS fishing is fair to good in the eastern portion of LIS including Black Point, the reefs in Fishers Island Sound, south side of Fishers Island and off the Watch Hill area. For those anglers willing to travel, Block Island Sound is red hot for sea bass.

BLUE CRABBING has dropped off a little but is still definitely worth while especially for very large “jimmies”.

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