Sub-zero temperatures following our latest winter storm has kept the ice safe across most of Connecticut and Rhode Island, although getting to your destination can be grueling. The cod bite remains an excellent one and most are hoping that mother nature will let up just enough to keep the fleets sailing.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
Some great cod fishing is still going down in the water’s around Block Island, but the weather has kept most anglers from enjoying it on all but a couple of days last week. Captain Mike of The Frances Fleet in Narragansett capitalized on some pleasant weather last Friday and was able to put together a very successful trip. Captain Mike reported that the fish had dispersed a bit but after some moving around a good sized pod of some larger fish was located. Six fish over 15-pounds came over the rails, with the pool fish weighing in at 25-pounds. As has been the case, a lot of short fish are in the area but that has not prevented most customers from taking home some quality keepers; high hook from this trip took home five nice eaters. The weather was a bit more unsettled on Sunday but that didn’t stop Captain Frank and a boat full of brave anglers from finding another nice haul of keeper fish. Most of the keepers on this trip were in the mid to upper teens, with the pool fish coming in around 20-pounds. On all of the trips this week some good numbers of ocean perch and red hake came aboard, and are adding to the diversity of your take home catch. Captain Frank reported that even more herring and mackerel have been showing up on the cod grounds, and fishing should remain very good whenever the weather allows.
Captain Chris of The Island Current in Point Judith also reported another strong week of cod fishing around Cox’s Ledge, on the days that they were able to get out. Chris reports multiple keepers for most anglers with many falling into the 8- to 12-pound range and a few larger fish in the 14-20 pound range. The cod grounds remain loaded with baitfish and the fleet will continue to sail each day at 5 AM, weather permitting.
The extreme snow that now blankets most of the state will certainly make things more difficult for those looking to take to this ice this weekend. One of the only positives to come from this storm is the extreme winds kept some areas from accumulating too much snow. Another positive was that many bodies of water had a good base of strong ice before the snows arrived and will not be destroyed by the weight of the light snow on top of it. If you have access to some areas that don’t require too much walking or a good pair of snowshoes, there will still be plenty of ice fishing opportunities this weekend. Prior to the storm, Worden’s and Stump Pond were fishing very well for pickerel and largemouth bass, with Stump giving up a small pike here and there. Silver Springs and Lincoln Woods remain hotbeds for trout action through the ice, and both were reported to have a strong bite before the storm.
Connecticut Fishing Report
Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, was sad to see the blizzard hit in the midst of what has been a pretty darn good ice year. Unfortunately the heavy snow will keep some ice anglers at home, but it will keep the lakes quiet for the die-hards who don’t mind trudging through some snow. The central and western part of the state saw considerably less snow and will probably be a little easier going this weekend. Pike fishing has been decent on the Connecticut River coves in terms of action, although large fish have continued to be hard to come by. The coves remain the best bet for good multi-species action, including a few chunky holdover stripers that have hit the ice in Wethersfield Cove. The access areas for the cove have been plowed out and are ready to fish this weekend. Candlewood Lake has been fishing very well in the east for smallmouth bass, trout and jumbo perch; and luckily it lies in the corner of the state that saw the least amount of snow. The seeforellen craze continues to get a lot of guys on the ice at Cedar Lake and Black Pond, but appears that these fish are smartening up and becoming harder to catch. Holdover striped bass are still around in good numbers in the Housatonic and a few are being caught in the Thames estuaries. The upcoming cold snap will make targeting these fish difficult, but as we start to hit warmer days later in the month this fishery should pick right back up.
Joe, at Rivers End in Old Saybrook, reported that the ice fishing buzz has slowed down following the recent snowfall, but anglers are targeting and finding some holdover striped bass in the coves and estuaries of the lower Connecticut River. The Housatonic River bite has slowed down, but that is more likely due to the cold temperatures than a lack of fish; a couple warm days in a row should kickstart that action right back up.
At Upcountry Sportfishing in Pine Meadow, Torrey reported that getting to the river may take some hiking through the snow, but the river is at a nice, clean medium level. The total flow at the permanent catch and release area is 323 cfs and drops down to around 200 as you move upstream toward Riverton. Torrey was able to get out on Thursday and managed a handful of trout on pheasant tail and rainbow warrior nymphs. Good bug activity has been reported during the afternoon hours, and nymphs continue to be the top producer this winter. The river is pretty clear of slush but as we approach some cold weekend temperatures we may get some slush/skim ice on the downstream portions of the river. If this is the case, a quick trip up to Hitchcock Chair/Riverton Self Storage area will usually bring you to some cleaner water. As always be sure to call the shop ahead of time for a full report on the fishing and river conditions.
The Valley Angler in Danbury was happy to report that they took the light end of the blizzard and both Candlewood and Squantz continue to fish very good through the ice. Some large browns and rainbows were taken at Squantz post-storm and Candlewood continues to give up nice trout, perch and smallmouth. The big news out of the shop was that they decided to postpone their annual Jig and Pig tournament until February 7th, to hopefully make things a little safer/easier for everyone involved. Be sure to contact the shop for details on this great annual event.
Best Bets for the weekend
The unfortunate timing of the blizzard has certainly put a damper on what has been a good ice season thus far, but don’t let it discourage you completely. Temperatures are forecasted to remain frigid for the better part of the next ten days, and ice will undoubtedly remain safe in most places across southern New England. Take advantage of snowshoes/skis/snowmobiles or look for bodies of water that were less-affected by the storm and get out on the ice, because we all know it could disappear very quickly around here.