Connecticut Fishing Report
Matt, at Black Hall Outfitters in Westbrook told me that there are still plenty of striped bass around for anglers who are working the salt, and the brackish tributaries. All of the usual late fall/winter over haunts are holding fish of mixed sizes. Saltwater anglers that are still pounding the bottom are finding some decent sea bass in 100+ feet of water. Freshwater anglers are reporting good results for cold water bass, pickerel, pike, trout and crappie. Hair jigs and small soft plastics have been working well for crappie, while inline spinnerbaits have been getting the job done for trout and bass. The bass have been chewing all over the state, while the best trout reports have been coming from the Salmon and Farmington Rivers. Pike fishing has been good throughout the CT River for anglers working slow moving jerkbaits or floating live/dead shiners.
Heather from Black Hawk Sportfishing reports excellent fishing when they were able to get out last week. Limits of sea bass, huge porgies, cod, and pollock have all been in the mix on the bottom fishing trips. The trips continue to be completely based on the weather, but they will get out whenever possible, so be sure to check in before you book your trip. As they move into winter fishing they further limit the capacity on each trip, so be sure to book asap!
Captain Mike Roy at Reel Cast Charters reported that they have wrapped up their season, but they were still finding plenty of striped bass that were eager to chew in the lower CT river last week. Anglers looking to get out for some light tackle striped bass action should find no shortage of fish. Mike wanted to thank all of his customers for another great season and wish everyone Happy Holidays!
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Tyler, at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk said that there are still bass on some of the local beaches and out in the sound. There have been good numbers of mackerel and herring in the area, which has contributed to keeping a decent number of striped bass around. Surfcasters are also reporting solid striped bass results around the outflows at Sherwood Island. The Housatonic has hit its early winter stride, with nearly every known hotspot from the mouth all the way to Shelton holding fish. Anglers targeting sea bass are still finding them in 50+ feet of water around Middleground and 28C. On the freshwater side of things, the Saugatuck Reservoir has been producing well for those targeting smallies, walleye and trout. The water is still pretty low, so access is easy. A few local rivers have also been stocked, so there are lots of great options.
Connecticut Fishing Forecast
Connecticut anglers can continue to take advantage of an abundance of striped bass. The Western Sound reefs, many of the beaches across the state, and of course the large tidal rivers are holding good numbers of striped bass. The tautog season has ended in CT, so bottom fishermen are looking to Rhode Island for tautog action or hitting the deeper structure across the sound for big sea bass. Freshwater anglers are still taking the advantage of the Atlantic Salmon in the Shetucket and Naugatuck Rivers, along with some recent fall trout stocking. Anglers fishing many of the state’s lakes and ponds are finding a strong pre-ice bite for smallmouth, largemouth and crappie.