CT Weekly Fishing Report - July 14 2016

[Smallie_Stalker]

Here are the highlights from this week's report.

CT DEEP 2016
FISHING REPORT NUMBER 14
7/14/2016

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INLAND REPORT

LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is reported as good to
very good. Places to try include Mashapaug Lake,
Colebrook Reservoir, Congamond Lakes, Lake
Saltonstall, Lake McDonough, Highland Lake,
Winchester Lake, Bantam Lake, Candlewood Lake, Lake
Wononskopomuc, Batterson Park Pond, Black Pond
(Meriden), Lake Lillinonah, Breakneck Pond (great hike
in location), Griggs Pond, Lake Waramaug, West Hill
Pond, Park Pond, Crystal Lake (Ellington), Gardner Lake,
Moodus Reservoir, Stillwater Pond, Winchester Lake,
Squantz Pond, Maltby Lake 2 & 3, Wood Creek Pond,
Pachaug Pond, Ball Pond, Quonnipaug Lake, Silver Lake
(Meriden) and Halls Pond.
Tournament angler reports are from Ashland Lake
(fair-good, 4.69 lb lunker), Mansfield Hollow Reservoir
(slow-fair, 2.9 lb lunker), Connecticut River (fair, 3.06
lb lunker, Bantam Lake (good fishing for largemouth,
with 4.01 lb lunker and three fish just over 3 lbs),
Candlewood Lake (fair, 3.47 lb lunker), and Lake Zoar
(fair, 4.94, 4.88 lb & 4.81 lb lunkers).

SMALLMOUTH BASS fishing was good in the
Connecticut River and Housatonic River (flyfishing with a popper). If still water is your fancy, smallies are
hitting in Mashapaug Lake, Lake McDonough, Highland Lake, Bantam Lake, Candlewood Lake, and Lake
Lillinonah.
Tournament angler reports are from Bantam Lake (fair for smallmouth), Candlewood Lake (fair action,
5.06 lb lunker for a night tourney, 4.12 lb lunker for a day tourny), Connecticut River (some), and Lake
Zoar (fair).

NORTHERN PIKE fishing is reported to be good and improving. Like smallmouth, the CT River was the
hot spot. Other good "Northern" waters are Lake Lillinonah, Winchester Lake, Bantam Lake, and the
Connecticut River Coves.

REMINDER TO ANGLERS FISHING IN OR CASTING INTO PERMITTED SWIM AREAS IS PROHIBITED.

State regulations prohibit fishing in or into a swim area that's been permitted by DEEP. Additionally,
vessels cannot be operated within a permitted swim area, and there's a 100 foot "no-wake" zone around the perimeter.
Swim areas that have been permitted by DEEP will be marked by
white buoys with orange markings, and there should be a permit number posted on the buoys. They may or may not have small orange barrier floats to further demarcate the area. Should questions arise concerning the validity of the swim area (no permit numbers or the area appears to have been changed/enlarged or keeps moving), please contact DEEP's Boating Division at 860-434-8638.

Housatonic River – Water temperatures will be rising for the
foreseeable future (low flow and hot sunny days). As such
many trout will be seeking out the tributaries and thermal
refuges while water temps are out of their comfort zone.
These areas are critical to their survival when going gets rough.
Water is clear with water temperatures are currently in the low
70's with flows at a very low 235 cfs at Falls Village and 330 cfs
at Gaylordsville.
Hatches/patterns: Major insect hatches are here and are
providing excellent fly fishing, but mostly in the late evening for
trout. Try poppers for Smallmouth Bass during the day, they
will provide non-stop action and help hone your skills.
Other flies include: Alder/Zebra Caddis (#8-10) will produce
some great fishing. Alder flies are very active during hot days.
Additional bugs include the Sulphurs (#14-18, evening), Blue
Wing Olive (#16-18, cloudy days, early morning; spinner fall in
evening), Isonychia (#10-12 late afternoon & evening, just
starting), Light Cahill (#12-14, evenings), Adams (#12-16,
evening), March Brown (#10-12, afternoon) and Gray Foxes
(#14-16). Black Caddis, Green caddis (#16-18, early morning &
evening) are on the water.

Anglers are reminded that the thermal refuge areas on the Housatonic, Naugatuck and Shetucket
Rivers are now closed to fishing (as of June 15). These areas will reopen on September 15. There is no fishing within 100 feet of signs indicating such closure at or near the mouths of tributaries to these
rivers. Additionally, a thermal refuge has been established on the Salmon River in East Haddam,
located around a spring entering the Salmon River approximately 220 feet south of the unused paved
boat launch at the state-owned property formerly known as the Sunrise Resort off of Route 151. The
refuge includes all water within 100 feet from the end of the pipe as posted. The Salmon River refuge
will be closed to fishing and access through September 15.

CONNECTICUT RIVER
Top water catches of STRIPED BASS in the lower river continue on live bunker or live eels. Anglers in the
Middletown area have been catching CATFISH in the holes. CARP including some nice "mirror" and
"fantail" have been caught between Middletown and Haddam. SMALLMOUTH BASS are putting on a
good show in the northern part of the River. Try top water plugs and 4", Mr. Twisters, Wacky Style
salted worms in motor oil or chartreuse for these feisty jumpers. BOWFIN are starting to be more
aggressive towards lures and bait resulting in increased catch and calls to the Inland Fisheries Division.
The Bowfin (Amia calva) has an elongate body, fairly hard (bony plates) head, and long fins on the dorsal
and ventral surface. They have some similarity to the infamous "snakehead". A change in the fishing
regulations now allows anglers to harvest if they desire. There are no size limits, daily limits, and the
season is open year round.


BASHAN LAKE Drawdown: Bashan Lake remains drawn down (slow refill continues – lake currently
remains down approximately 4 feet – note that refill rate is dependent on rainfall amounts) following
dam repairs and the state boat launch remains closed.

BRANFORD RIVER (boat launch). The Branford River state boat launch will be closed for renovations
beginning Monday, July 18, 2016. This closure is currently expected to last to November 14, 2016.
Alternative nearby launch sites include the Guilford Town boat launch and the East River State boat
launch, both in Guilford.

COVENTRY LAKE (invasive species alert). Hydrilla, a very highly invasive aquatic plant, has been found growing in Coventry Lake. All lake users should take extra care to check and clean their boats (including canoes, kayaks and rowing sculls), trailers, and fishing equipment before leaving the boat launch, or leaving the lakeshore.

DOOLEY POND (drawdown). A drawdown of Dooley Pond to facilitate dam repairs is ongoing
(expected to last to September 1). The state boat launch is currently closed.

GLASGO POND (drawdown). A drawdown of Glasgo Pond to facilitate dam repairs is ongoing (began September 2015). Launching of boats is difficult to impossible.

POWERS LAKE- A CT Army National Guard Bridge Engineer Unit (250th MRBC) will be conducting boating
and rafting operations at the ramp and on the water on Saturday, July 16 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at
the Powers Lake State boat launch and on the lake.

LAKE ZOAR (waterski event). A water ski clinic for the disabled is scheduled for Saturday, July 16, in the upper end of Lake Zoar (approximately the upper first mile of the lake below the Shepaug Dam). This event run from 9 am to 4 pm, and boaters are asked to take care when passing through this area (marked by buoys) of the lake, and avoid interfering with the event.

PHOTO CONTEST: Do you have the next Angler's Guide cover shot? Email us your high quality (high resolution) photos at and include photo contest in the subject line.

NEW! Youth Fishing Passport Fishing Challenge Scorecard: Download the new scorecard for your Youth Fishing Passport Holder on the program web page at www.ct.gov/deep/yfp.

Top anglers will receive a great prize pack of fishing gear

Because the report is too long to post here you can view the entire report at: