FISHING REPORT NUMBER 28: 11/8/2007 INLAND REPORT ATLANTIC SALMON Over the next two weeks the DEP will be releasing a total of 400 salmon from the Kensington Hatchery into the Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers. THESE FISH ARE BEAUTIFUL, AVERAGING NEARLY 13.5 LBS PER FISH! Included in these stockings will be approximately 60 FISH OVER 18 LBS including a number of FISH IN THE 20-30 LB RANGE and there is at least ONE SALMON OVER 30 LBS! The Naugatuck River should be getting about 100 fish this week. Both the Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers are scheduled to get stocked next week (and the Shetucket will get another load prior to Thanksgiving). Later, following spawning, the DEP expects to have available an additional 180 salmon from its Kensington Hatchery. Additional fish may also become available following spawning in the federal hatchery. Broodstock Atlantic salmon fishing in the Naugatuck River has improved, with a number of catches reported. Flashy streamers (attractor patterns) are among the weapons that usually work. Regulations reminder: Anglers are allowed to fish for salmon in the Naugatuck River from the confluence of the East and West Branches (Torrington) downstream to the Housatonic River (Derby). Anglers may also fish for Atlantic salmon in the Housatonic River downstream of Derby Dam. On the Shetucket River, anglers can fish for salmon downstream from the Scotland Dam (Windham) to the Water Street Bridge in Norwich (the first bridge upstream of Norwich Harbor). Angling for Atlantic salmon in these rivers is restricted to CATCH-AND-RELEASE ONLY through November 30. From December 1, 2007, through March 31, 2008, the daily creel limit for Atlantic salmon will be one. Fishing for Atlantic salmon is limited to use of a single fly or a lure with a single free-swinging hook. Complete regulations in the rivers (Naugatuck, Housatonic, and Shetucket) can be found on page 7 of the 2007 CT Angler’s Guide (an electronic version can be found on the DEP web site, www.ct.gov/dep/fishing ). Also, in October, flows in the Shetucket River were too low to safely stock large broodstock salmon. The first batch of salmon for this fall scheduled for the Shetucket River were instead released into Beach Pond (150 salmon) and Crystal Lake (100 salmon). In each lake, the regulations for methods, seasons and minimum lengths for salmon will be the same as for trout in that specific water body but the daily creel limit will be one salmon per day. (Please refer to the 2007 CT Angler’s Guide for trout regulations). TROUT Rivers & streams - Flows continue to improve to more typical fall levels. Fall fishing is good, with reports from the West Branch Farmington, Housatonic, Naugatuck, Pequonnock, and Norwalk Rivers, plus a number of smaller streams (some nice action on wild brook and brown trout). Fall is streamer and nymph time. For streamers try white, yellow & brown colors, patterns include White Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, and Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10). Nymphs to bottom-bounce include Tan & Winter Caddis pupa (#16-18), Serendipity (#14-16), Pheasant Tail (#12-20), Prince (#6-18) and Hare’s ear (#8-20). Farmington River Flows are clear and moderate, currently 245 cfs at Riverton and an additional 100 cfs from the Still River. Morning water temperatures remain around 50 °F. Hatches include BWO (dominant hatch), with Isonychia (#12-14-nymph), Sulfurs, Midges (#18-32) & Caddis mixed in. For best action try Blue Wing Olives (#28-30, late morning, 8-10x tippet), Caddis (winter & tan #18-22, early afternoon). Expect most of the action to be midday. Page 1 of 3 Housatonic River - Conditions should be good for fall trout fishing. Flows remain clear and moderate, currently about 450 cfs at Falls Village and about 800 cfs at Gaylordsville. Morning water temperatures in the TMA are in the mid 40’s °F. Streamers and nymphing will work well this time of year (see advice above). Hatches include Blue Wing Olive (#18-26, early morning), Midges (#20-26), Sulfurs (#16-18 in the Bull’s Bridge area) and Tan & Winter caddis (#14-18, early morning & late afternoon). Lakes & Ponds – Trout fishing was generally fair last week, with best reports from Highland Lake, East Twin Lake, Colebrook Reservoir (near the dam), Crystal Lake (slowing down), Beach Pond (although launching is difficult), Bunnells Pond and West Hill Pond. LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is variable. Good reports from, Amos Lake (catches include a 5.5 lb bass), Beach Pond and Bantam Lake, mixed reports from Candlewood Lake, Mudge Pond, Ball Pond and Powers Lake, and slow to fair fishing at Hatch Pond and Moodus Reservoir. SMALLMOUTH BASS fishing is reported as good at Beach Pond and fair at Colebrook Reservoir, Lake Lillinonah and Candlewood Lake. NORTHERN PIKE fishing is fair, some nice catches reported from Lake Lillinonah, Bantam Lake and Pachaug Pond. Some fall WALLEYE action reported from Saugatuck Reservoir, Mashapaug Lake (multiple catches of walleye up to 26”) Lake and Squantz Pond. Connecticut River – STRIPED BASS action in the lower river is slowing down. Successful anglers are using plugs and eels. Some schoolies are mixed in with larger fish. BLACK CRAPPIE (20 fish for one angler) are still putting on a good showing in the coves up and down the river (jigs & shiners are good options). One angler reports a 16” crappie among his catches. NORTHERN PIKE fishing is reported as fair to good. Good spots last week were Wethersfield Cove, and from Harbor Park (Middletown) down to the Haddam Meadows/Salmon River area. NOTICES: Boat launches & boating information Lake Housatonic - The boat launch in Indian Well State Park is open for daytime use (8:00 am to sunset) through Sunday, November 25th. Although the campground at Hopeville Pond State Park has closed for the season, access to the Hopeville Pond boat launch will be available through Thanskgiving (gate will be unlocked, please close after use). The State boat launch at Gardner Lake is closed for renovations and is currently expected to reopen in mid-April, 2008. Launching from the state boat launches may be difficult at Lattins Cove on Candlewood Lake, Pond Brook on Lake Lillinonah and Quaddick Reservoir due to low water levels. Drawdowns Drawdowns of a number of Eastern CT lakes including Bashan Lake (down 16”), Beach Pond (down 34 inches), Beseck Lake (down 3 feet), Bigelow Pond (down 18 inches), Gardner Lake (down 56 inches), Middle Bolton Lake (down 6 feet), Lower Bolton Lake, Pickerel Lake (down 4 inches), and Powers Lake (down 19 inches) are in progress. Fishing Hop Brook Lake remains closed to all “water contact activites” (swimming, fishing, boating, etc.) until further notice due to a “toxic-alga bloom”. Please call the USACE at 203-729-8840 for the current status. Page 2 of 3 MARINE FISHING REPORT Water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) are still pretty warm for this time year, currently ranging from the low to mid 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 Reminders: The SCUP (porgy) recreational fishing season is closed until May 31. The WEAKFISH daily creel limit is now 6 fish per angler. BLUEFISH fishing is still good with fish weighing in the teens being reported. This is about prime time for shore anglers to score on big choppers as they feast on peanut bunker along the coastline. Bluefish spots include the Race, Plum Gut, Thames River (from the mouth up to Gales Ferry), Harkness Memorial State Park, Pleasure Beach in Waterford, Pigeon Rip (area north of Plum Island), Bartlett Reef, Rocky Neck State Park, Hatchett Reef, Connecticut River from the Baldwin (I-95) Bridge to the breakwaters, Long Sand Shoal, Sixmile Reef, Southwest Reef, Hammonasset Beach State Park, Falkner Island area to the reefs off Branford, New Haven Harbor, Silver Sands State Park, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground area, Penfield Reef, Norwalk Islands and Stamford Harbor. STRIPED BASS fishing is improving as the water temperatures drop. Striper haunts include the reefs off Watch Hill, south side of Fishers Island, the Race, the Sluiceway, Plum Gut, Thames River, Harkness Memorial State Park, Bartlett Reef, Black Point area, Hatchett Reef, Connecticut River, Long Sand Shoal, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, Falkner Island area, the reefs off Branford, Milford Harbor- Charles Island area including Silver Sands State Park, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground area, Bridgeport Harbor, and the Norwalk Islands. HICKORY SHAD fishing is very consistent in the Niantic River between Rte. 156 and the railroad bridge and the lower Connecticut River especially at the DEP Marine Headquarters fishing pier and the Hammonasset River (Clinton Harbor). TAUTOG (blackfish) fishing remains good on the local reefs with BLACK SEA BASS mixed in. PEANUT BUNKER are still abundant in the tidal rivers and coves. For regulation updates, please check our web site 6www.ct.gov/dep/fishing. DEP WEEKLY FISHING REPORT CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106 Page 3 of 3 .