Connecticut Fishing Report
Matt, at Black Hall Outfitters in Westbrook told me that he was finding some success fishing for the recently stocked Atlantic Salmon prior to the rains. He has managed most of his fish on inline spinners, but the centerpin and spoons can work as well. Now that the rain has come through and the temperatures started to drop a bit, the bite may change, but the fish will certainly still be around. Ice fishermen had a quick tease on some of the smaller lakes and ponds across the state, but the ice will be taking another hiatus, so look to the open Connecticut River coves to find some open water pike or panfish action. The holdover striped bass fishing has been quieter than usual in the Eastern Connecticut creeks and tributaries, but the Housatonic is supposedly still fishing well, and will only improve as the water continues to clean up.
Heather from Black Hawk Sportfishing reported that they ended their season on a high note, with a few good trips around the holidays. They had a good showing of sea bass before the season ended, along with some cod, pollock, and ling. They are now done for the season, as they are pulling the boat to get some maintenance done. Be sure to keep an eye on their Facebook page and/or websites for updates on the spring sailing schedule!
Dan, at Dan’s Bait, Tackle and Charters in New London told me that anglers have started to take advantage of the recent warm up, with some decent holdover bass catches throughout the Thames and Connecticut River estuaries. The recent rains have mucked things up a bit, but it’s cleaning up quickly. Most are reporting the best success with soft paddletail plastics on a jighead from 1-3 ounces. A few of the fish will still take a swimming plug, especially on the warmer/sunnier days. Saltwater anglers heading out toward Rhode Island for cod had a solid week, as the weather has finally started to cooperate a bit.
Bobby J’s Bait and Tackle in Milford reports that the fishing in the Housatonic was going strong before the rains, and should be settling down just fine by the weekend. Anglers fishing the deeper holes during the day are finding huge numbers of school bass, while anglers fishing from shore or boat after dark are finding some bigger fish. Slowing down your presentation is the ticket this time of year, but don’t be afraid to throw some larger profile baits after dark, to help cull out the smaller fish. All the safe ice we had in the area is now gone, but freshwater anglers are still finding good trout catches in the TMAs.
Fisherman’s World in Norwalk reports that the Housatonic River is drawing the most interest of most local fishermen. The recent rains have made it a bit dirty, but the flows are now receding, and it should be settled nicely by the weekend. Soft plastics from 5-10 inches on light jigheads remains the ticket for winter holdover fishing. The central portions of the river are now producing the best bites, which is usually the case as winter sets in. We lost any safe ice that we had in the area after Christmas, but freshwater anglers who pivoted to trout fishing are reporting good results in most of the local trout streams.
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Connecticut Fishing Forecast
Another mild January is upon us, much to the chagrin of ice fishermen. On the positive side, it is providing some better than usual open water opportunities for anglers across the area.
Connecticut anglers may have lost their chance at ice fishing in the immediate future, but they can continue to take advantage of an abundance of striped bass and should see an increase in activity as we get further away from the recent rain events. The Connecticut holdover bite has been a steady producer for years, and this year seems to be no different. Reports from the Housatonic were as steady as expected before the rain, and not much should change as the flows drop. If you’re not looking to head to the Housatonic, there has been good enough schoolie action in the lower Connecticut River, Thames River, and most of the small Eastern Sound estuaries to make it worth not driving west. Freshwater anglers can take advantage of another round of Atlantic Salmon stocking in the Shetucket and Naugatuck Rivers, along with some recent fall trout stocking. The Connecticut River is still a bit dirty from the rain, but it is dropping fast and no longer has ice issues. Freshwater anglers should find ample open water opportunities for pike, perch, and crappie throughout the river before everything locks up again.