Fishing CT Report – May 7, 2015

Striped bass fishing continues to entertain anglers across the state. The rivers and harbors are heating up. Larger soft plastics, Bombers, and swim baits have been successful in getting strikes. The top water bite is getting better and better every day too. The Housatonic river has been the place to be but the CT is picking up just as well with some of the same quality fish being found in both rivers. We also had a bit of rain this week and that gets the river moving just a little bit more which can turn on the bite. You just have to work a bit harder to find them on the CT. Bunker have a strong presence with large schools of them being spotted in the harbors. They also push up into the river at flood tide. Herring have been viewed at fish ladders as they make their way up the rivers to spawn. American Shad are being found on the lower CT and its confluences with other, smaller rivers. The interesting thing is that a few Hickory Shad were caught this past week mixed in with the Americans. Its a bit early for them to be showing up, but its a good definitely not a bad thing.

Trout fishing is still going strong. There are plenty of stockers to go around. DEEP is still working hard and they are putting out fresh fish for everyone. Good reports came from recently stocked places like the Farmill, Candlewood, Nells Rock, Gardner lake, West Hill pond and the upper Naugy. Candlewood (5.3lb), Ball pond, Saugatuck resevoir and Squantz pond (6.7lb) continue to give up excellent brown trout. A few Kokanee up to 16″ came from West Hill pond this past week too. The Farmington river has been fishing very well. In the morning, midges and winter/summer caddis sz18-24 have been working well. Midges are sz24-32 and Blue Wing Olive sz18-24 on cloudy days. Noon-evening you have Hendricksons sz12-14, tan caddis sz14-16 red quill/mahogany duns sz16, soft hackle flies sz12-18 in tan or pheasant tail and nymphs like pheasant tail, caddis larva,rainbow warriors midge pupa assrtd sz12-20. Spinners will be falling when the evenings are on the cooler side sz12-16.

Bass fishing has been excellent across the state. Many anglers are still finding success with swim baits, jerk baits, spinner baits and inline spinners. On smaller bodies of water, bass are in shallow and some are even spawning. Good largemouth reports came from Candlewood, Bantam, Pachaug pond, upper Moodus, Pickerel lake, Saltonstall and Kenosia. Smallie reports were solid from Candlewood, Lillinonah, upper Housatonic and the CT river. Pike fishing has been decent on the upper Housatonic, Lillinonah, Zoar and the CT river. A lot of small males are being caught but they’re super aggressive. Spoons, spinner baits and Rapalas have all be productive choices when chasing pike. A few decent walleye came from Squantz and Saltonstall. May should be an excellent month for the walleye bite. Catfish on the CT river have been willing to chew lately. Some good cats in the 7-10lbs range were landed on chunk bait, the stinkier the better. Quality and quantity of fish increased after dark when they feed more actively. Crappie action is still in full swing and some absolute slabs have come from Candlewood, Saltonstall, and Lillinonah. Carp season is also going strong. Many anglers find success in coves on the rivers. While others fish the big lakes in search of monster carp. A few good fish were reported from the banks of the CT, Zoar and Candlewood over the 20lb mark and some pushing 30lbs. These fish can be seen launching themselves out of the water like torpedoes. They are very active and right now is the time to pursue these giants.