It is beginning to seem like an endless cycle, as once again a week of bitter cold has been followed by a week of spring-like temperatures and steady rain. Many hardwater options across the region have fallen by the wayside, while other bodies of water are holding on to plenty of soft ice but will need a couple of cold days to firm back up. The warmer temperatures and higher river flows are very conducive to holdover striped bass fishing, and luckily the fish have been cooperating.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
A good number of lakes and ponds across Rhode Island held on to fishable ice through the first bout of warm rain last weekend, but next to none survived the steady rain we had Tuesday. Rhode Island ice fishermen must once again patiently wait for another cold snap to repair soft, inconsistent ice and even build a new base on some lakes that opened up. There is a shot that some shallower lakes and ponds nestled in the higher elevations will be safe to fish this weekend, but they will require some scouting, experience and extreme safety precautions to find.
If you are looking to wet a line and score some fish for the table, the almost spring-like weather has provided an opportunity to go after some cod on one of the local headboats under pretty favorable conditions for January. The Frances Fleet in Narragansett has once again been sailing as the gale force winds of the weekend are long gone. Captain Mike reported a slightly below average cod bite earlier this week that he attributed to poor water quality following the weekend swell. That being said, some keeper cod and plenty of ling have still been coming over the rails. Water clarity is quickly improving and the cod bite should be following suit. The Island Current out of Snug Harbor reported good to excellent cod action prior to last weekend’s weather and will also be back at it in the latter parts of this week.
Schoolie striper action in the Providence River has once again picked up as the river is now open and free of ice jams, according to Steve at Quaker Lane Bait and Tackle in North Kingstown. Anglers have been finding fish both day and night across a good portion of the upper river but the most consistent action has been on the dark dropping tides around the Hurricane Barrier. Small soft plastic baits fished slowly on a light jighead continue to be the best producers, with white Zoom Super Flukes being the most popular choice.
Connecticut Fishing Report
Much like Rhode Island, frozen lakes and ponds across Connecticut took quite a hit this week, although the extent may not be quite as extreme. Bodies of water that are directly affected by the rain and snow melt, such as the Connecticut River coves and the impoundments of the Housatonic River, are going to require some time and consistent cold weather before they are safe for ice fishermen once again. Many lakes and ponds across the northern stretches of the state had good amounts of ice before the rains and have held much of that ice. Colder temperatures are forecasted for the upcoming days and nights, and I believe there will be plenty of viable ice options up north, although getting on may require the use of long planks or waders after the tremendous influx of water. A good spud bar will also be a necessity for anyone trying to venture out onto the ice as many small holes grew to tremendous sizes Tuesday. These holes will likely freeze back up slightly and will be very easy to overlook—until you are neck deep in water.
Andrew at Fishin Factory III in Middletown reported that the Connecticut River coves were fishing very well for northern pike and crappie until this weekend’s weather tore it apart. Many anglers have now turned their attention to holdover stripers in the Thames River Basin, where fish have been schooled tightly in their usual haunts around Norwich Harbor. Anglers have also reported schoolie to small keeper bass in the upper stretches of the Yantic and Shetucket Rivers, with the bite getting increasingly better as the flows have gone up. Andrew anticipates having customers fishing the ice in the northwest and northeast corners of the state this weekend but they must proceed with caution as each lake has been affected differently by the warming weather.
The Housatonic River striper fishery has been excellent all winter long and this week has been no different. Jay, of Bobby J’s Bait and Tackle in Milford, cashed in on the great bite and the pleasant weather with two excellent days of fishing this past Sunday and Monday. Over the two day stretch Jay managed well over 100 schoolie stripers with a few keeper fish mixed in each day. Jay fished well into the night Monday and reported some larger keepers coming out after dark. Fish are widespread throughout the river with the greatest concentrations holding from the Sikorsky Bridge north to Sunnyside. Most fish have been coming on small soft plastics on 3/8- to ½-ounce jigheads fished slowly in 20-30 feet of water.
Similar reports from the Housatonic came in from TC Marine Bait and Tackle in Shelton, who had many customers coming through the shop buying up soft plastics and reporting great schoolie action from the river. While most fish have been sub-28 inches, a few keepers per trip has been commonplace.
Best Bets for the Weekend
Those looking for options on the hardwater this weekend may have to do quite a bit more searching than is typical for mid-January. There should be some viable ice-fishing options in the northern portions of Connecticut, but until the next good freeze sets in, your time may be better spent enjoying the great schoolie striper bite in Connecticut and Rhode Island rivers.