Pictured above: A nice weekend brown trout caught by a client of Derrick Kirkpatrick of CT Fishguides.
Rhode Island cod fishing started to fire back up with the winds/weather finally settling down, while striped bass, perch and pike are all getting moving in our larger rivers.
Connecticut Fishing Report
At Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, Andrew reports that things are heating up in the lower Connecticut River tributaries. There are good numbers of school striped bass, and if you can dial in their location you can be rewarded with some excellent fishing. The cod bite off Block Island seems to be slowing down a bit, but there are still fish to be caught. With temperatures in the 60’s this weekend, it would be a good time to make one last trip to fill the freezer. As we approach March with the temperatures climbing, we should have some really good freshwater fishing getting going in the Connecticut River. The white perch bite is just starting to take off in the lower river, and around the Hamburg Cove area. Early March usually provides some good numbers of big perch that will eat just about anything from small plastics on jigs, small rapalas and worms. March is also the best time to target big pike on the river. These fish will start to stage up to spawn around the small feeder streams and swamps, and these areas will all be devoid of ice this season.
At Rivers End in Old Saybrook, Joe reports that anglers are starting to take to the river for white perch and pike, and results have been mixed. Catches of both species are being reported, but the numbers should really start to get better in a week or two. A couple warm days in a row has the Housatonic anglers back out on the river, and the fish seem to be waking up from a quick mid-winter lull. The same can be said for the Connecticut River tributaries, where reports seem to be getting better each day. The shop will hold its annual Surf Day on March 25th, so be sure to mark the calendar.
Jeremy, at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, reports that the Housatonic River fishery is once again starting to fire up with the recent change in weather. Good numbers of school bass are being taken during the daylight hours, and some bigger fish are once again showing up after dark. The first trickle of river herring should be showing up very soon, and many more big bass will be emerging at the same time. Some birds were seen working not too far from Norwalk in the western sound, and one can only wonder if they located that first push of herring. The local TMA’s are starting to get more attention, and the trout numbers have been decent. Water levels are starting to come up in the reservoir and the walleye bite seems to be getting moving once again.
Torrey, at Upcountry Sportfishing in Pine Meadow, reports that things were busy this past weekend, with the thermometer nearing 60 on Sunday. The much warmer temps had the Tiny Winter Black (Capnia) Stoneflies active Sunday, although the trout didn’t seem too excited about them. There is still quite a bit of snowmelt in the area, so the best reports were mostly in the mornings before the snow melt lowers the water temperatures. As has been the case the past few weeks, Midge Larva/Pupa in sz 18-20 fished deep seemed to be the best fish catchers (try black, red, or olive). Expect water temps mostly in the 30’s, but later this week when the snow is gone, it could easily get into the low/mid 40s on warm/sunny afternoons, which could fire up both the trout and insects. Hatches include Winter Caddis sz 18-24 (mornings primarily, but sometimes into the afternoon), Midges sz 22-32 (typically afternoons, but can start earlier), and Tiny Winter Black Stoneflies (Capnia) sz 18-24 (afternoons). Nymphing remains the most consistent producer of trout, but streamers are catching too at moments (just remember to fish them slow & deep first, and if that doesn’t work, strip them in faster, but make sure to get them down in the water column).
Rhode Island Fishing Report
The Frances Fleet in Narragansett got beat up pretty bad by the weather last week, but things took a turn for the better last weekend. The weather finally started to settle on Saturday and Captain Mike reported vastly improved fishing. High-hook took home five thick keepers, and just about everyone on board went home with two to four apiece. The springlike weather on Sunday brought about the best results of the past week, when Mike was able to locate a big, tight pile of fish. High-hook went home with 7 keepers, 3-4 fish per angler were common, and the pool fish climbed into the mid-teens. Trips on Monday and Tuesday were a bit less successful than the weekend, but results were still good with 2-4 fish per angler and pool fish to 8 pounds. It seems that the warmer days have been the best for finding a nice glut of fish and the weather over the next week looks outstanding. Trips will continue to sail daily at 5 AM, and the ticket booth will be open at 4 AM each day.
Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, reports that the warming trend has brought out anglers targeting schoolie striped bass. The schoolie bite is generally much better on these warm days, and fish are being reported in the Providence River and Pawcatuck River. Carp anglers are also taking advantage of the nice weather, and the bite is said to be very good in the Blackstone River. Trout are still biting good in most of the TMA’s, and the open trout lakes/ponds should all be free of ice. The most exciting news of the week was a few sightings of river herring moving up the coast, with some being spotted as close as Ohio Ledge. We are getting close to their annual arrival time, and with prolonged periods of 50-65 degree weather, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them in their runs even earlier than usual.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
It appears that our mild winter may be nearing an end, bringing about an early spring. Holdover striped bass are active in just about all of our large tidal rivers, and it will be no surprise if the river herring arrive a bit ahead of schedule as well. I don’t anticipate seeing them in the runs this week, but it would be no surprise if a few of the early arrivals are here the first week of March. Freshwater fishing for pike and perch in the Connecticut River should hit its peak in early March, and the early spring is only going to make it easier to target them. Trout will be active in all of our TMAs, and the last few weeks of strong cod fishing will require much less warm clothing than usual.