CT Weekly Fishing Report - Part 1

[Smallie_Stalker]

CT DEEP 2016
FISHING REPORT NUMBER 24
9/22/2016

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INLAND REPORT

LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is reported as fair to good. Places to try include East Twin Lake, Wononskopomuc Lake, Burr Pond, Hatch Pond, Tyler Lake, Congamond Lakes, Candlewood
Lake, Lake Housatonic, Lake Lillinonah, Highland Lake, Bantam Lake, Lake Saltonstall, Winchester Lake, Billings Lake, Quaddick Lake, Beach Pond, Griggs Pond, Dog Pond, Bigelow Pond, Stillwater Lake, Halls Pond, Quaddick Reservoir, Silver Lake (Meriden), Red Cedar Lake and Mudge Pond.

Tournament angler reports are from Amos Lake (slow to fair, 5.19 lb lunker, fish averaged over 2 lbs apiece), Gardner Lake (slow to fair, not much size with only a 2.17 lb lunker, fish
averaged barely a pound apiece), Moodus Reservoir (fair, no size with fish averaging a pound each and only a 2.08 lb lunker), Quaddick Lake (mostly good, with a 5.63 lb lunker and a
number of fish in the 3-4 lb range), Bantam Lake (good for a few, tough for others, 5.56 lb lunker), Candlewood Lake (fair to good, with a 5.27 lb lunker), Highland Lake (fair to good fishing,
2.75 lb lunker), and Lake Lillinonah (slow for three clubs with 4.53 lb & 1.72 lb lunkers, few fish of any size).

SMALLMOUTH BASS action reported at West Hill Pond, Bantam Lake, Candlewood Lake and Highland Lake. River smallies are providing some action on the Housatonic River (Upper), Quinebaug River and Naugatuck River.

Tournament angler reports are from Bantam Lake (a few in the bags), Candlewood Lake (fair to good for smallmouth, 5.21 lb lunker), Gardner Lake (very tough), Highland Lake (tough), and Lake Lillinonah (slow to fair, 4.39 lb, 3.81 lb & 2.84 lb lunkers).

NORTHERN PIKE catches continue to be reported from the Housatonic River, Bantam Lake, Lake
Lillinonah, Pachaug Pond, and the Connecticut River (Haddam).

BLACK CRAPPIE is picking up with reports of fish coming from Lake Saltonstall and Park Pond.

Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix)

CARP - Medium size carp being landed around Hartford in the CT River. Other carp hot spots include Lake Housatonic, Housatonic River (New Milford), Quinebaug River (Jewitt City), and Batterson Park
Pond.

WALLEYE - Look for deep drop offs and structure. For some action try Squantz Pond, Batterson Park Pond, Beach Pond, Mashapaug Lake, Gardner Lake, Mount Tom Pond, Lake Saltonstall, West Thompson Reservoir, Saugatuck Reservoir or Lake Zoar.

FALLFISH are the largest minnow native to Connecticut, and can reach over 15 inches (typically 8-12 inches). Fallfish provide excellent action on ultra-light tackle and fly rods. The fish are aggressive and will hit a variety of natural and artificial baits (use the same gear you would for trout). Fishing for Fallfish is a great way to spend time on a river (when water temperatures may be too warm for trout or if it seems to be fished out). Good Fallfish waters include the Willimantic River, Shetucket River, Natchaug River, Lower Farmington River (Avon-Windsor), Housatonic River (Cornwall to Kent), Scantic River (Somers to East Windsor), and Yantic River. The current state record Fallfish (2.25 pounds) was taken in 2012 by Chad Tessman.

PANFISH are providing excellent late summer action throughout the state. Use worms, grubs, jigs or small poppers for them. Small local ponds are often great places, for larger waters try include Dog Pond, Mohawk Pond, Miller Pond, Gorton Pond, Lake Hayward, Babcock Pond, Bishop Swamp Pond, Griggs Pond, Tyler Pond, Crescent Lake, Red Cedar Lake and Long Pond.

TROUT- FALL TROUT STOCKING UPDATE: As most of the state has not received any appreciable rainfall, all stocking is still on hold. It is likely that there will be a number of stocking schedule changes including cancellations, postponements and stockings of alternative water bodies that have better conditions for the stocking of coldwater species.

RIVERS & STREAMS - Conditions remain fair to poor again this weekend. Temperatures are moderating only slowly and many streams are still at or near record low flow. The best trout fishing will be in places with abundant coldwater such as the West Branch Farmington River, Mill River (Fairfield), and Salmon Brook (Granby). Mianus River TMA has had good catches.

Thermal Refuge update: The closure of the thermal refuge at the confluence of Furnace Brook and the
Housatonic River, Cornwall, has been extended until 9/29/2016 by the Commissioner of DEEP.
Farmington River – Fishing continues to be good and the conditions for this weekend should be good.
West Branch flows are clear and low, currently 60 CFS at Riverton with the Still River adding a mere 8
CFS more. Water temperatures are in the mid 60'sF.

Hatches/patterns include Tricos (#20-26), Isonychia bicolor (#10-14, fast water   afternoon/evening), Blue Wing Olives (Drunella & Baetis sps., #18, 20-24, mid-late afternoon), Cahill (#12-14), White Fly (#12-14; just after dark), Needhami, Caddis (tan #16-20, all day; green #20-22, evening; summer pupa #18-20 morning), Midges (#22-32, morning), Black Ants (#16-18, mid-day in fast water), Black Beetles (#16-18, mid-day), Flying Ants (#22-24, mid-day, when windy/humid), and Stone Hopper (#10-12, mid-day).

Housatonic River – fishing remains good and conditions for the weekend should remain good, especially for Smallmouth Bass, Carp, and Fallfish (Cornwall to Kent). Flows are clear, currently 169 CFS at Falls Village and 242 CFS at Gaylordsville). Morning water temperatures are currently in the upper 60's F.

Remember, the fishing prohibition within 100 feet of signs posted at the mouth of Furnace Brook,
Cornwall, has been extended through 9/29/16.
Smallmouth (and Fallfish) are plentiful throughout the entire river and will eagerly hit a variety of
poppers, dry flies, nymphs, and streamers. Patterns to try include White Zonkers, Wooly Buggers (go
big- larval dobsonflies can be up to 4" in length and are a favorite food item), Muddlers, Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10). Other insects include flying ants (#14-16, mid-day, when windy/humid, September is peak month), Fall Sulfurs (#16-18), Blue Wing Olives (#18-22), Tricos (#20-22), Leadwing Coachman (#10-12 evening, September is peak month), Sulfurs duns (#16-18, below the dam due to low temperatures, morning; afternoon to early evening for spinners), Light Cahill and Black caddis (#14-18, early morning & evening). Golden stonefly nymphs hatch at first light and adults egg-lay after dark. Try Black Ants (#14-20, midday in fast water), Black Beetles (#14-18, midday), Stone Hopper (#8-10, midday).
Try nymphing the pockets, deeper riffles and pool heads and don't forget streamers (morning &
evening).

TROUT-LAKES & PONDS - Lakes reporting fair trout fishing include West Hill Pond, Highland Lake, East Twin Lake, Crystal Lake (Ellington) and Beach Pond.