CT Weekly Fishing Report - August 19, 2016

[Smallie_Stalker]

Connecticut Weekly Fishing Report - August 19, 2016

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INLAND REPORT

LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is generally reported as fair to good (with a few tough spots). Night fishing is productive. Try black jitterbugs and surface poppers. Places to try include Lake McDonough, West Hill Pond, East Twin Lake, Gardner Lake, Pickerel Lake, Beseck Lake, Amos Lake, Beach Pond, Highland Lake, Seymour Reservoir #4, Crystal Lake, Mudge Pond, West Side Pond, TylerLake Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Dog Pond, Hatch Pond, Park Pond, Lake Wononskopomuc, Lake
Saltonstall, Bishop Swamp, Winchester Lake, Congamond Lakes, Quinebaug Lake, Black Pond (Meriden), Burr Pond, Griggs Pond, Anderson Pond, Billings Lake, Moodus Reservoir, Aspinook Pond, Babcock Pond, Pachaug Pond, Lake Hayward, Quonnipaug Lake, Rogers Lake and Stillwater Pond.

Tournament angler reports are from Aspinook Pond (slow,2.75 lb lunker), Beach Pond (tough, 3.47 lb lunker), Gardner Lake (fair action, but not many bigger fish, with 3.75 lb and
2.39 lb lunkers), Pachaug Pond (fair to good fishing, 6.0 lb lunker), Candlewood Lake (fair, 6.8 lb, 5.5 lb, 4.6 lb, 4.21 lb and 5.5 lb lunkers), and Lake Zoar (fair, 4.84 lb and 4.10 lb lunkers),

SMALLMOUTH BASS. Catches reported from Candlewood Lake, Housatonic River (Upper), Naugatuck River, Lake McDonough, Lake Zoar and Lake Lillinonah. Housatonic River smallmouth fishing has been good.

Tournament angler reports are from Gardner Lake (slow, 2.81 lb lunker), Pachaug Pond (a few, 2.0 lb lunker), Candlewood Lake (Daytime fair, nighttime better, 4.4 lb, 4.66 lb, 4.4 lb and 3.96 lb lunkers), and Lake Zoar (fair for smallmouth, 3.86 lb and 3.27 lb lunkers).

CARP were caught in Lake Zoar, Hanover Pond, Batterson Park Pond, and Aspinook Pond, and the Lower Housatonic River (New Milford).

KOKANEE SALMON catches were reported from East Twin Lake (early morning) and West Hill Pond
(early night fishing with corn, south end). Target 30-35 feet with down riggers on beads.

Thermal Refuges are Critical
Thermal refuges are places where cold groundwater seeps or drains into a waterbody. These areas have much lower water temperature than the surrounding main waterbody. Between June 15 and September 15 mainstem water temperatures can be above lethal limits for trout. Refuge area in medium to large rivers like the Naugatuck, Salmon, Housatonic, and Shetucket, are critical for trout
to survive the summertime warm water temperatures. To protect the trout, all fishing is prohibited in and around all refuges as indicated by signage. Please do not disturb the trout that are seeking refuge within these areas and report any violations to DEEP law enforcement
immediately 860-424-3333.

NORTHERN PIKE decent fish reported from Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Quaddick Reservoir, and CT River.

CATFISH – Good fishing is ongoing in our Catfish Management Lakes including; Keeney Park Pond (Hartford), Black Pond (Middlefield), Spaulding Pond (Norwich) and Silver Lake (Meriden).

PANFISH has been excellent this season so far. For some great summer time fun try shore fishing in shallow areas. This simple and inexpensive method is the best way to get into them, small grubs, worms or shiners and bobber will put fish in your creel. Both small local ponds and larger waters work great. Areas reporting action include Wood Creek Pond, Tyler Lake, Lake Hayward, Morey Pond, Peck Pond, Crescent Lake (Southington), West Side Pond, Freshwater Pond, Dog Pond and Zeiner Pond.

TROUT-LAKES & PONDS - Some lakes are still producing fair to good fishing, with reports from
Lake McDonough (orange/silver Flash Kings at 7 colors, near outlet), East Twin Lake (Thinfish Copper;
Mooselook Wobbler blue/silver at 30 feet), Beach Pond (Kobra 114, 18 or 5, rigger at 23' feet), Long
Pond (streamers), West Hill Pond (south end), Crystal Lake (Ellington, at 7-8 colors, 40 feet of
water) and Highland Lake (second bay, 25-30 feet).

TROUT- RIVERS & STREAMS - Conditions should be fair again this weekend. This week's rain provided a quick "pulse" but with no significant rain in the forecast, flows will drop quickly. Fishing mornings and early evening in the "cooler" trout waters is the best option.

Farmington River - Fishing has been good on the West Branch and conditions should be good for the
weekend. Water temperatures are in the mid 60's°F in the upper part of the River and mid to upper 70's in the Collinsville/Unionville section. Flows are clear and moderate (currently 60 CFS at Riverton, with the Still River adding an additional 15
CFS).

NEW - On Thursday, August 18, due to high water temperatures and low flows, eight thermal refuges
where all fishing is prohibited were established on the West Branch Farmington River and the
Farmington River. These areas are at the mouths of the following tributaries to the West Branch
Farmington and Farmington rivers: East Mountain Brook (Hallock Brook, New Hartford), Cherry Brook
(Canton), Rattlesnake Hill Brook (Canton), Burlington Brook (Burlington), Hawley Brook (Avon),
Unionville Brook (Unionville), Hyde Brook (Unionville), and Pequabuck River (Farmington)


Hatches/patterns are a mixed bag of a variety of patterns including Tricos (Tricorythodes #22-24 in the
morning; started in the mid-section of the river), Ephemerella needhami (#22-26, early morning),
Leadwing Coachman (Isonychia bicolor, #12-14, fast water, afternoon/evening), Blue Wing Olives
(Drunella sps. & Baetis sps.; #18, 22-24, mid-late afternoon), Caddis (tan #16-20, all day; green #22-26, evening; summer pupa #18-20 morning), Cahills/Summer (Stenonema ithaca, #12-14, early morning),

Midges (#22-28, morning), Black Ants (#12-18, mi day in fast water), Black Beetles (#16-18, midday),
Flying Ants (#18-22, midday, when windy/humid), Stone Hopper (#8-12, mid-day).

Housatonic River – Overall fishing has been good, and conditions for the weekend should be remain good, especially for Smallmouth Bass. Flows are clear and have increased a bit thanks to this week's rain, and remain very good for fishing (currently 209 CFS at Falls Village and 255 CFS at Gaylordsville). Morning water temperatures are currently in the mid 70's °F (and rising through the day). Light Cahill (#12-14, evening), Isonychia (#10-12), Sulfur (#16-18) and Black caddis (#14-18, early morning & evening). Don't forget poppers and streamers (morning & evening). Patterns to try include White Zonkers, Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10). Also try brown crayfish like streamers, they are effective right now.

CONNECTICUT RIVER

LARGEMOUTH BASS are being taken in the coves in the mid to lower river. Last week, SMALLMOUTH
BASS were caught in the northern river (Windsor & Enfield area). Small to medium size bait were
working well. Try 3-4 inch rubber worms on 3/8 ounce football jigs or 2.5 inch paddle tail worms. Surface poppers in that size range can also be effective. CARP are being caught in the upper and lower river on pre-baited 'swims'. Anglers are finding CATFISH by night angling in the Hartford to Middletown stretch.Try from just north of Hartford on downstream, fish the outside bends (deep holes are producing aswell, try cut bait).