Rhode Island Fishing Report – April 28, 2016

Tautog action remains steady in Connecticut and is picking up steam in Rhode Island, while winter flounder action has been strong in both states. School bass are starting to inundate the area and can be found throughout a much wider range than the last few weeks.

Rhode Island Fishing Report

Captain Frank, of The Frances Fleet in Narragansett, reported slower but steady action on the cod grounds this week, with most trips seeing a decent pick of keepers. Saturday’s trip was probably the best in terms of action and size, as everyone on board boated some keepers in the mid-teens. Some larger fish were around as well, with the pool fish weighing nearly 30 pounds! Sunday’s trip was slower than Saturday, but still had a steady pick of keeper fish during the morning hours. Wednesday’s trip saw red hot action but smaller fish in the morning, with a few dozen keepers and around 40 shorts coming over the rails in the morning. The afternoon bite has not been as strong, but the mornings have been making up for it, for the most part. The fleet will sail at 5 AM on Friday through Sunday and will continue to target cod; they will however being making a switch to multi-species cod and fluke trips soon so be sure to check ahead with the office.

Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, reports that striped bass fishing continues to pick up in intensity around Rhode Island. The Providence and Seekonk Rivers are holding good numbers of small keeper bass feeding on menhaden. There also continues to be a fresh push of schoolies out front that improves by the day. Tautog fishing is starting to heat up, as anglers are reporting more and more fish inside the bay over the past few days. A decent push of squid moved into the Newport area Sunday night and the squid enthusiasts are starting to reap the benefits. It has been an excellent spring for largemouth bass fishing throughout Rhode Island, and this week was no different. Smallmouth bass have also started to join the party, with excellent reports from RI and MA this week. Scup and fluke will be opening up on May 1st, and Dave will have all the essentials for both species in stock.

A quick report from The Saltwater Edge in Middletown came in this week, and consisted of schoolie fever in the Newport area, around the west wall and also inside the bay and rivers. It also appears that a good push of tautog has started in the bay; and while fishing has been tough at times, there seems to be a decent pick of keeper fish. The shop is now open for business seven days a week after some renovations, so be sure to stop in for all of your saltwater needs.

At Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly, Mike reports that large schools of bunker are still in the Pawcatuck River and are getting easier to snag and net. Anglers fishing fresh chunks or livelining whole fish are finding bass from schoolie class to 20-pounds right near the shop. Tautog interest is picking up throughout Rhode Island as the fish start to move into the shallower water, and winter flounder fishing remains excellent in eastern CT and most of RI. No squid have been reported in the Watch Hill area, but they are in Newport so it shouldn’t be long now.

Connecticut Fishing Report

Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, reports that the Connecticut River is now loaded with school striped bass from the mouth to the MA border. Most fish remain on the small side, but some fish around the 35-inch mark have been reported over the past few days. Tautog results have been excellent over the past week or so, but unfortunately the spring season ends after Saturday. If you have an opportunity to get out before then check out the New Haven area or the Niantic area if you’re out east. Fish are starting to come from shallower water, so many of the local rockpiles should be holding them. The winter flounder season has been good thus far, and anglers are finding limits at Bluff Point and in the Niantic River.

Hillyers in Waterford also reported that the strong winter flounder season continues in Connecticut. Keepers are being caught with regularity in the Niantic River; the guys recommend fishing the incoming and chumming quite a bit to increase your chances. Millstone is loaded with a pack of small blues that are a ton of fun on light tackle, and there are some schoolies on small bait in the river. Tautog is going strong as we enter the final weekend, with fish to 10-pounds being taken from shore this week.

At Rivers End in Old Saybrook, Joe reports that schoolie fishing has been strong throughout the river, with very good success for local anglers at the DEEP docks in Old Lyme. Sandworms have been the hot bait, but fresh chunks are also working well if you can get them. The Housatonic is still holding quite a few school bass, with the Stratford area picking up over the past few days. Fresh schoolies are around the West Haven beaches, Rhode Island and Long Island, so it shouldn’t be long before some big girls arrive. Flounder reports are now strong throughout the sound; quality fish were taken in Guilford, Madison and Niantic this week. Those looking for one last tautog trip may want to head to New Haven or Niantic, where the greatest concentration of keepers seems to be.

There is quite a bit going on in the western sound, according to Fisherman’s World in Norwalk. Tautog has been on fire over the past few days, with plenty of fish up to about 7-pounds coming from 10-15 feet of water. Sandworms have been the blackfish bait of choice for most, but Asians seem to be working just as well. School striped bass are not just confined to the river anymore, as reports are coming in from all over the area. Winter flounder is just as strong out west as it is in the east, with excellent reports coming from right inside Norwalk Harbor. The fish seem to be spread throughout the sand bottom of the harbor, but the best reports have been around the dredged channel. Freshwater fishing has also been excellent out west, with the Saugatuck Reservoir coming to life this week. Anglers fishing artificials and shiners have been scoring good largemouth and smallmouth catches; while those fishing big shiners near the bottom have landed quite a few walleye. Trout fishing throughout the TMA’s and locally stocked ponds is also a safe bet.

The Farmington is currently an excellent & clear total flow of 255cfs in the permanent Catch & Release area (157cfs from the dam in Riverton, 98cfs from the Still River). Sun & clouds with a predicted high of 79 today (Monday), and averaging in the 60’s to low 70’s after that. The entire river outside the permanent C&R section has been stocked multiple times over the past 6 weeks. Also hatching in the afternoons are #18 Mahogany Duns (aka Paraleps/Blue Quills), #16-18 Blue Wing Olives (Baetis), and Black Midges #22-32. Fishing is definitely picking up again with the mild weather, Hendrickson hatch, and frequent stocking by the state. It’s been good all up & down the river, from the dam in Riverton all the way down to Unionville. Don’t limit yourself to only the more popular sections of the river, as there is literally excellent fishing all over it.

Rhode Island Fishing Forecast

For the southern New England angler, May tends to signify a time to start dusting off the saltwater gear and getting serious about striped bass fishing. With reports of fresh fish coming in from all around us, it looks like we are right on schedule. In the meantime, there are plenty of areas to target early arrivals and holdover fish in both states. Tautog is off to a blazing start in Connecticut, and if you have an opportunity to get out before the spring season closes, you should absolutely do so. It appears that the tautog are also starting to move around in Rhode Island, so anglers should look to the Ocean State for a tautog fix in May. Winter flounder is another great saltwater option, as we are in the midst of one of the better seasons in some time; while scup will open in both states on Sunday and provide another species to target. Early season fluke hunters can also capitalize on the season opener in Rhode Island at the tail end of the weekend.