Rhode Island Fishing Report – March 22, 2018

Freshwater anglers are passing the time until spring with great carp, pike and bass catches; while the holdover striper fisheries continue to produce consistently, as we all wait patiently for the river herring to arrive.

Rhode Island Fishing Report

Captain Frank, of The Frances Fleet in Narragansett, continues to wait for the calm “after” the storm, as we continue to get slammed with nor’easters that have kept the boats at the dock. The fleet has been spending their time getting the boats in prime shape for the spring season, and we should be getting a break in the weather soon enough. The temperatures on the cod grounds are still above normal, and Frank hopes that will help spark the spring bite when the weather clears. Be sure to check with the office as we approach the weekend, and see what the sailing schedule looks like.

Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, told me that the white perch fishing in the area took the next step, and is heating up for the spring. The perch are hitting jigs, meal worms and trout worms in spots such as Turner Reservoir and the Palmer River. The schoolie action is steadily improving in the Providence and Narrow Rivers; while carp fishing has been strong throughout the state, with some particularly good reports from the Merrimack River.

Connecticut Fishing Report

Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, told me that the spring fishing has been pretty consistent in the Connecticut River. White and yellow perch, crappie and pike are all cooperating, with the latter taking dead baits and slowly worked artificials around most of the small tributary mouths. The calico bite has been good in most of the coves, with good catches coming from Wethersfield and White Oaks. White perch can be found around Hamburg Cove, and Andrew expects the reports from the Baldwin Bridge area to start picking up soon. The river has settled down nicely and the carp anglers are starting to cash in on the spring bite. Andrew and Mike spent some time this week re-stocking the carp display for the season, and he has all the gear, baits and accessories you would need to get out there. The Housatonic River continues to produce good catches of holdover striped bass, and the arrival of our spring visitors (alewifes), should be right around the corner. Once the bait starts running up the river we should see the bigger bass in better concentrations.

Joe, at Rivers End in Old Saybrook, reports that, overall things have been quiet, but the holdover anglers are still scoring plenty of fish in the Housatonic, and a few are finding good bites in the lower CT River tribs. White and yellow perch action is starting to heat up on the coves, and should really hit its stride locally in the next week or so. The guys in the shop have been spending most the week getting ready for their annual Striper Surf Day, which will be held this Saturday. As always, admission is free, and they will have plenty of food, raffles and tackle sales; along with some great seminars and how-to’s!
Fisherman’s World in Norwalk reports that the bite continues to be strong on the Housatonic, and the bigger bass are still feeding after dark. The best catches have been coming from the shallow drop-offs, with SP Minnows being a mainstay in the tackle bag of most Housatonic anglers. The herring should be right around the corner, and the fishing will undoubtedly take off once they arrive.

Torrey, at Upcountry Sportfishing in New Hartford reports that anglers have been getting out on the river in good numbers despite the colder temps and wind earlier this week, and they have been rewarded with some nice holdovers and wilds; specifically in the permanent Catch and Release/TMA. The upper river in Riverton, from Whittemore up to the dam, was stocked on 3/6, and the fishing has been predictably strong in that stretch. The area below the permanent C&R should be stocked any day now, and the whole stretch from Goodwin/Hogsback Dam is currently opening right up through opening day. As mentioned earlier, a trout stamp is now required, and can be purchased at the shop. Flow through the permanent C&R is medium and clear, making it plenty fishable. Streamers are very good for targeting better fish when the water is up, especially in black or white; while nymphs remain an excellent choice as well. While nymphs and streamers are your safest bet, you can also look for rising fish on Midges and Winter Caddis. Torrey also mentioned that he has been seeing more and more Winter/Early Stones hatching lately, which is always a good sign.

Rhode Island Fishing Report

The long range forecast has me thinking that this last bit of wintery weather may be our last. Spring finally appears to be right around the corner, and I expect the fishing to heat up quick. Spring regulars such as white perch, pike and carp are all going strong, and should only get better as the weather improves. The holdover bass bite in the rivers has been consistent all winter, and should get a nice spring kick start in the next week or two when the river herring arrive. Opening day of trout fishing is right around the corner as well, but in the interim the TMA’s in CT are providing some nice, steady trout action. For CT anglers looking to get in gear for the spring, take a trip down to River’s End this weekend for Striper Surf Day, which never disappoints.