Connecticut anglers are blessed with both ice fishing and open water this week. Lakes and ponds remain locked up with ice up north, but the rivers have had some snow melt which has water moving faster and kept water temperatures low. As the rivers continue to thaw, trout fishing will pick up and become the hot bite into Spring fishing season. But trout are not the only fish that can be targeted in the rivers; white perch and yellow perch will be feeding more heavily in the coming weeks with spring on the horizon.
From the Shops
From Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, Rich reported that trout fishing should be the number one option right now. Safe ice is holding further upstate, but smaller ponds and lakes around Norwalk are questionable. Rich said in rivers, trout magnet and craw imitators have produced fish for their customers. The rivers are being stocked and holdover fish from the Fall stockings are likely biting as well, providing the opportunity for some larger fish to be caught. The word is that trout season may not close this year, which will provide solid, steady fishing opportunities through the duration of spring.
On mild days, Rich says the Housatonic remains a popular destination for striped bass fishermen. Jigheads from 3/8-ounce to 3/4-ounce paired with 4-to 6-inch soft plastics have been the key to success. There’s been open water north of the Merritt Parkway to access this bite.
For those fishing the rivers, late winter trout stockings have already begun. With the water moving well, Matt Stone from Black Hall Outfitters wasted no time grabbing his trout gear.
Matt attributes the trout bite to a few factors: slowly warming air temperatures have fish more actively searching for food, and the increased water levels from snowmelt allow trout to move more freely between different portions of the rivers. On top of that, Matt believes that the trout stocking trucks have been starting to make the rounds.
Brookies typically tend to be more aggressive than other trout, and according to Matt, that held true on Monday. He found that brook trout were hitting just about anything, while rainbows were difficult to deceive. Brown trout are willing to play, but the presentation has to be right or they won’t take the bait. Matt caught 2 browns and a handful of brookies using pink and orange Berkley trout worms on light jigheads, and small inline spinners. Although he said the brookies were not on the feed, they were still willing to take the bait. If you plan on releasing your catches, try to avoid using treble hooks on these delicate trout when possible, and be sure you have a net for proper handling. Keep ’em wet!
Connecticut Fishing Forecast
Fishing will remain good through the remainder of winter and into the spring, especially with trout season remaining open. As the early trout stocking begins, keep an eye on your local river or honey hole for a visit from the hatchery trucks. The ice fishing bite in northern CT should continue over the next week before it becomes questionable for safety. Striped bass will become more active in places like the Housatonic, and the bite will continue to pick up with stretches of consecutive warm days.