Connecticut Fishing Report – March 19, 2020

At the moment, fishing is a great option for anyone looking to get some fresh air while avoiding crowds. Of course, if you have any symptoms, or have been exposed to anyone who has displayed symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19, please stay home, and definitely don’t visit your local tackle shop.

Connecticut Fishing Report

Gene at Black Hall Outfitters told me that the local lake and pond fishing is heating up with the arrival of spring. BHO team members Scott, Jack and Evan have been getting on a good largemouth bite in local lakes using everything from jerkbaits to jigs and even chatterbaits. Jigs worked slowly on the bottom have been producing big fish. For trout fishermen, the TMAs have slowed down with more fishing pressure, but fish are still hitting egg sacs and flies.
 
Moving into the striped bass fishery, we have reports of herring being found in local tidal rivers, and the big bass won’t be far behind. Holdovers are still being caught in the deep tidal rivers and fishing has picked up with warmer temperatures. Slow-roll a 5-inch Zoom Fluke or an Al Gags Whip-it Fish near the bottom to entice the bigger fish. With warmer temperatures creeping in, keep an eye out for winter flounder reports from some of the tributaries that have good southern exposure. The flatties should be making their way out of their muddy winter slumber, and the shop will be stocking sandworms starting next weekend.

Josh, at Three Belles Outfitters in Niantic, says despite all that is going on locally with the rapid spread of COVID-19, guys are still getting out and catching fish. Largemouth bass fishing has been great with the steady, warmer-than-usual string of weather we’re having. Jigs, jerkbaits, and lipless cranks are go-to presentations. Smallmouth bass are waking up, too. Bodies of water such as Candlewood and Lilly are giving up nice bass on a variety of finesse presentations. Panfish action remains steady. Crappie and white perch are chewing, but yellow perch are hit or miss as they are spawning or post spawn in certain water bodies. Pike fishing is up and down, and the majority of active pike right now will be smaller males after the spawn. They are hitting a variety of lures such as swimbaits, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits.

Holdover striped bass fishing has improved. The best fishing, still, is at night. Rhode Island is already seeing river herring, and it won’t be long before Connecticut is, too. Osprey have been spotted along the shoreline and major rivers as of a couple weeks ago.

TBO will remain open until further notice, but they ask that you do not visit the shop if you have symptoms or have been in contact with someone who has symptoms. They may switch to “by appointment only” in the coming days.

Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, told me that some anglers are using the time off to get outside and do some fishing. Pike action is heating back up on the Connecticut River, with the water starting to drop/clean-up. Some school striped bass are starting to be found throughout the river on sandworms, and some ospreys have been seen flying around the local herring runs. It shouldn’t be long now! The TMAs continue to put up some consistent trout action, while the Housatonic remains the source of the most consistent holdover bass action.

Over at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, holdover striper action continues to be top option and some scant reports of river herring have started to trickle in. The western CT TMAs also continue to fish well and are providing a good option for those looking to get out of the house. With the regional shows cancelled, the shop will run special deals all month for those who stop in, including great deals on Avet, Yeti, Accurate reels and Loomis rods.

Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain for Connecticut.

Rhode Island Fishing Report

Captain Rob Taylor, of Newport Sportfishing Charters, told me that the action around The Ocean State is starting to heat up. The freshwater action is best, with a strong largemouth bass bite on jerkbaits and lipless crankbaits all over the state. A few local pike anglers had started to talk about an increase in action at Johnsons, Wordens and Stump ponds. The fresh striped bass haven’t arrived yet, but some river herring have, and the holdover bite has been decent in the upper Taunton River.

Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain for Rhode Island.

Connecticut Fishing Forecast

The outdoors could be a great escape for those looking to get out of the house while avoiding crowds. Freshwater bass action has been strong in Rhode Island and Connecticut, while pike and trout action seem to be picking up once again. Holdover striped bass can be found in both states as well and that bite should only intensify as more and more river herring trickle in.