DEEP Fishing Marine and Southeastern CT Report

DEEP's Marine Fishing Report

Surface water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) range from the mid 40’s to about the 50°F mark. Check out the following web sites for more detailed water temperatures and marine boating conditions:
http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/stationstat.html http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/

STRIPED BASS fishing has improved over the past week with keeper size fish being reported. The major tidal rivers are boasting good action. Striper spots include the Pawcatuck River, Thames River from Norwich down to Montville, Millstone warm water discharge, Niantic River, Connecticut River by Great Island (Wood Lot), Housatonic River, and around the Norwalk Islands. 

WINTER FLOUNDER fishing has improved at Bluff Pt. State Park, mouth of the Thames River in the Pine Island area, Niantic River, and Norwalk Harbor. Chumming heavily is key for a successful trip.

BLUEFISH should be just around the corner as water temperatures creep into the lower 50s°F. Early season spots include the Race, Millstone warm water discharge, Plum Gut including Gardiners Bay (NY), and New Haven Harbor (Sandy Point).

TAUTOG fishing season is closed from May 1st thru and including June 30th. The reason for the springtime closure is to protect those big spawning females!

http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1 http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/AN/330.html

2013 BONUS STRIPED BASS PROGRAM

•  In 2013 DEEP is issuing free vouchers to anglers fishing Connecticut waters (both Inland and Marine) to take 4,025 striped bass in a size range (at least 22 inches in length but shorter than 28 inches) below the current recreational minimum length for stripers in CT.
•  Each voucher allows the angler to keep one “bonus” striper and can be used anywhere on Connecticut waters. The vouchers are valid through June 30, 2013.
•  Voucherscanbeobtainedinpersonatanumberof DEEP Offices (all that sell licenses, plus several coastal state parks and Dinosaur SP ‐ for a complete list, see link below), from DEEP Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police Officers, and from Riverfront Recapture Rangers.
•  Anglers can obtain one voucher per day and use a maximum of two vouchers per day to keep “bonus” fish.
•  Use of these vouchers does not affect an angler’s ability to keep their regular daily limit of striped bass. Each angler participating in the program can also keep up to two striped bass a day, 28 inches or larger in total length. For more information, visit: Bonus Striper Vouchers or call: 860‐424‐3474 or 860‐434‐6043..

For Current Connecticut Recreational Fishing Regulations: Anglers should consult the 2013 Connecticut Anglers Guide which is now available at most Town Clerks Offices, DEEP offices and at tackle stores selling fishing licenses. Current regulations, electronic versions of the Angler’s Guide and additional information can all be accessed on the DEEP website at: www.ct.gov/deep/fishing. 

Inland Fishing

CONNECTICUT RIVER – Water temperatures have been slow to warm, even with flows continuing to be lower than is typical forlate April/ early May.

Some STRIPED BASS are in the river up to Middletown. Legal size fish are now mixed in with the schoolies in the lower part of the river. Sand & blood worms are working off the dock at DEEP Old Lyme Headquarters.

SHAD fishing has been slow as the river temperatures have yet to warm up sufficiently to bring in the crowd. So far this year 234 fish (as of 4/30) have been passed at Holyoke Fishway in MA. They can be found in the river up to the confluence of the Farmington River but few in numbers. 

Lakes and ponds stocking update (Note that all stocking schedules are subject to change): This week in eastern CT, Green Falls Reservoir, Hewitt Fly Pond, Saw Mill Pond, Long Pond, Wyassup Lake, Rogers Lake, Norwich Pond, Higganum Reservoir, Walkers Reservoir, Bicentennial Pond, Gay City Park Pond, Angus Park Pond, Bigelow Pond, Mashapaug Lake, Paine Pond, Amos Lake and Beaver Brook Park Ponds are scheduled to be stocked.

Rivers and streams stocking update (Note that all stocking schedules are subject to change): This week in eastern CT, the Green Falls River, Indiantown Brook, Hunts Brook, Shunock Brook, Jeremy River, Blackledge River (lower), Crystal Lake Brook, Tankerhoosen River, Hockanum River (above and below the TMA), Salmon River (including the TMA), Five Mile River (Thompson below Quaddick Lake, Putnam, Killingly), Quinebaug River (Putnam), Natchaug River. Willimantic River, Middle River, Yantic River (including the TMA), Roaring Brook (Glastonbury), Roaring Brook (Stafford), Bigelow Brook, Still River (Eastford)andShetucketRiverareall scheduled for stocking.