If the high volume of posts on fishing forums and social media sites are any indication, spring fever is spreading like wildfire. From amphibian migrations to the first river herring showing up, signs of spring are all around us. Pleasant weather and better fishing are right around the corner and the time is now to get your fresh and saltwater gear in order. Reels need to be serviced, new line purchased, hooks sharpened, leaders tied, and the list goes on. Do it soon before trout are sipping mayflies and fresh stripers are running up rivers. If you’re ready now, there are a few solid fishing opportunities to take advantage of from holdover linesiders to ice-out pike and bass to catch and release trout.
Rhode Island
The winter storm that blew through the region late last week put the kibosh on cod fishing for several days. When head boats returned to the grounds this past Monday, they were greeted with a large swell, dirty water and a slow bite. Captain Mike of the Frances Fleet reported there was a little pop of fish when they first set up on Monday morning, but action died almost as soon as it started. High-hook ended up with a scant four keeper codfish. Captain Chris of the Island Current agreed that things haven’t picked back up since last week’s storm just yet. They brought a hardy group out Monday and tried hard all over, but the fish just wouldn’t chew. More of the same bad news came from Captain Andy of Seven B’s about Monday and no one has sailed since. However, they all are optimistic that the water will clear in the next few days and trips will resume by Friday. Just be sure to call the outfit you plan to sail with ahead of time to double check the trip is still on.
One of the more welcome signs of the coming spring season occurred this week with the first river herring returning to runs as they have done every year for eons. JP Lee of the blog The Dented Bucket reported that a RI DEM biologist confirmed the herring sighting in Wakefield on Tuesday. Ospreys should be right behind them and migrating striped bass in another few weeks. Things are happening; slowly but surely.
In freshwater, while designated trout waters are closed to fishing until April 13, any public lake, pond or river not stocked with trout is open game for ice-out bass, pike, pickerel, perch, and crappie. Steve McKenna at Quaker Lane sold a few dozen shiners this week to anglers chasing fish that are shaking off their winter lethargy. A slew of lures worked very slowly can also rack up early season numbers. Here is a link to a list of designated trout waters to steer clear of; any other public waterway is A-OK:
http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/fishwild/troutwaters.htm.
Connecticut
Another awesome sign that spring nigh is trout stocking, which is well underway in Connecticut waters. According to their Facebook page, CT DEEP has already stocked the Willimantic River TMA, the Moosup River TMA and Mill River TMA in Fairfield. Other stretches like the Salmon River TMA and the Hammonasset TMA will be stocked any day now too. Fishing can be fast and furious for these freshly released wards of the state. Don’t get too technical, almost anything will work until they wise up in couple weeks. And don’t forget you can access the same trout stocking maps that the Inland Fisheries Division uses here: http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2696&q=467456&deepNav_GID=1632
Holdover striped bass are stirring in at least three Connecticut haunts. The lower Housatonic River is still fishing well, but the water is stained after the inch-plus of rain that fell on Tuesday. Nick at Fisherman’s World said to stick with soft-plastic baits like white Slug-Gos on lead heads. The Thames and Shetucket Rivers are another option. Jack at The Fish Connection told me Norwich Harbor is giving up a few holdovers, as well as Poquetanuck Cove and the stretch below the Greenville Dam. Hamburg Cove in the Connecticut River is another spot that is coughing up bass, albeit pint-sized, according to Q at Rivers End. He said they are falling for white curly tail grubs.
The Connecticut River is also the stage for a couple other hot bites at the moment. Andrew at Fishin’ Factory III said there are big schools of white perch holding in the coves of the lower river. Little curly tail grubs are killer for them, as are trout worms presented under a float. Upstream a ways it is ice-out time for northern pike. Andrew reported that the Haddam stretch was lights out before the recent rainfall. Anglers were setting up shop on shore and pitching large live or dead baits with bank sinkers to hold bottom. Pike up to 39-inches have been caught recently doing just that.
If you’re still in seminar mode, head to Rivers End on Saturday at 10 AM to hear East Coast Charters’ Captain Jack Sprengel talk jigging strategies. He will share his vast experience and expertise about vertical jigging with an emphasis on striped bass, black sea bass and fluke. Another seminar on Saturday, this one at 11 AM at Westport Outfitters, will feature CT Fish Guides’ Derrick Kirkpatrick, who will talk about surf fishing western Long Island Sound.
As far as ice fishing in Connecticut, most have packed away their hardwater gear until next winter and the fat lady is singing for the last holdouts still accessing a couple frozen lakes in the northwest corner. Gary at Connecticut Outfitters said the third bay of Highland Lake was one of the remaining places that still had ice anglers on it last weekend, but please take caution this weekend, especially after the last rain we had. Picks and a spud bar are an ice fisherman’s best friends this time of year.
Fishing Forecast for the Weekend
A good bet for this weekend would be to capitalize on the freshly stocked Trout Management Areas in Connecticut. It’s all catch and release this time of year, but at least you can easily find cooperative fish and get a tight line again. Another worthy option is targeting ice-out pike and bass using big live and dead baits under a float or right on bottom.
Herring creeping up?