Fishing CT Report – April 30, 2015

The main attraction right now here in Connecticut is the striped bass that have begun to crash the shores and enter the rivers. There are countless schoolies to be caught and some bigger fish in the mix. This is the time when things really start to heat up. The mighty Housatonic has been producing quite well with some fish up to 36″ being caught.

SP Minnows and soft plastics up to 8″ fished slow on the bottom have been good. The top water bite is just starting and un-weighted Slug-Gos have snagged a few fish in the early morning hours. The Connecticut River is looking a bit better this week and has been giving up a lot of schoolies. Anglers are finding success when fishing sand and blood worms. Just remember when you’re out on the rivers looking for bass to give each other some elbow room and to respect your fellow anglers. Its been shoulder to shoulder crowded and theres just a little bit of tension. But we are all out there to enjoy ourselves. Herring are showing up little by little. Large schools of bunker have been seen in the harbors in Milford, Bridgeport and Niantic. The shad bite is becoming a bit more consistent in the lower CT river as well so go get your willow leaves.

Other anglers are still chasing trout and DEEP is continuing to stock them to keep the people happy. The rivers have calmed down a bit since last week and are easier to fish. East Twin Lake, Highland Lake, West Hill Pond, lake Wononskopomuc, West Branch Farmington, Pequonnock River, upper Housatonic river TMA, Five Mile river, Pootatuck and Quinebaug River were all stocked this past week. There are plenty of trout out there for everyone, you just need to get out there on the water! Rooster tails, spoons, small Rapalas and meal worms are always a good bet when chasing trout. There were some good browns reported from Candlewood, Ball pond, Squantz pond, Quassy, Mt. Tom and a monster was pulled from East Twin lake (15.27lb). Torrey at UpCountry Outfitters said that things are looking good for the weekend. Dropping flow, combined with warmer weather and no rain, means water temps will go up, and this should have the Hendrickson hatch full-blown by this weekend.

Gary at CT Outfitters had a few pike (up to 38″) and decent-sized cats come into the shop this week. Anglers are finding some good fish in coves on the river. Large spinner baits, Rapalas and jumbo pond shiners are safe bets when chasing northerns. Crappie fishing remains hot across the state while these fish gorge themselves. They are so aggressive that they’ll hit larger baits intended for bass. Hatch, Lillinonah, Mamanasco and Candlewood produced some good slabs. Excellent bass reports came from Candlewood, Highland, Bantam and lower Moodus. Swim baits, spinner baits and jerkbaits continue to produce both largemouth and smallmouth from many of the states waters. Squantz pond seems to really be heating up lately. A few good trout and walleye have come into The Valley Angler this past week. It can be a difficult place to fish, but there are a lot of trohpies swimming around in there. The carp bite is just starting to pick up now and heavily baiting the waters is recommended to draw in fish. Whole kernel sweet corn and boilies great bait choices. Just remember that carp fishing is a game of patience. But these powerful and awesome game fish are worth it.