Fishing CT Report – April 2, 2015

It’s beginning to feel a lot like spring, finally. With warmer temps and rain in the forecast, rivers are moving and ice is melting. DEEP continues their stocking efforts with Trout Management Areas (TMA) and other bodies of water in preparation of opening day. TMAs such as the Naugatuck, Farmington and Hockanum have been hot. Anglers have been putting in time on the rivers looking to shake off the rust from a long winter and cast around a bit. Countless fish were reported from all of the recently stocked TMAs. Brookies, browns and bows with a few nice holdovers in the mix, too. Different TMA’s have different restrictions, so be sure to know the regulations where you are fishing. Spinners, spoons, Phoebes and Trout Magnet soft plastics are sure bets when heading out. Fly-fishermen have been doing well along the Farmington and upper Housatonic. Good choices include size 12-14 stonefly nymphs in black or yellow, size 14-18 caddis nymphs (hares ear, or green worm) and size 12-14 Hendrickson nymphs. One angler reported doing well with size 18 winter caddis in the morning and size 16 black stoneflies around noon, and then finished up with a size 20 Griffaths Gnat at midday.

Other anglers have been on the lower tidal rivers looking for holdover schoolie striped bass. The same stuff that’s been working for the past few weeks is still working. Smaller soft plastics and Alabama rigs are the ticket. But it’s been reported as pretty slow out there, though a few anglers have done alright. The water is warming up ever so slightly but it’s still cold and it has slowed down the bite. It is basically last call to ice fish for most of CT and reports have been slow. The ice is deteriorating quickly in many places. Coves far off of the rivers and smaller places in the northern part of the state are your best bet. A plank is needed as the edges are most likely either gone or soft. So take caution and be smart out there. Late ice can be very productive and some hardcore anglers are putting in a few more days where they can. Largemouth were reported from Hatch pond, Highland and Winchester. A few pike came from Lillinonah, Winchester and Connecticut River coves. Now is the time to land an alligator-sized northern. More trout were iced at Highland and West Hill over the weekend. Crappie were reported from Hatch pond and Lillinonah. Yellow and white perch were both reported from the CT and Housatonic rivers as well. Kayak anglers are getting into some good schools of white perch on the lower CT.

NOTE: Trout management lakes closed on 3/31 until 4/11. Also, Tautog season opened on 4/1. Not expecting to see many togs with such cold water temps, though.