Connecticut Fishing Report
Matt, at Black Hall Outfitters in Westbrook told me that everything got going locally as the water temps continue to slowly climb. Freshwater anglers are finding a strong largemouth bass bite on a number of presentations. Matt has even started to see some topwater largemouth action for the first time this season. Pickerel are crazy active, along with smallmouth bass and crappie, and they have all been willing to hit a variety of jerkbaits and spinnerbaits. The water has cleaned up in most bodies of water, so natural colored jerkbaits and soft plastics have also been working well. Trout fishing has been as consistent as ever, and anglers targeting panfish are finding good results on small jigs. Saltwater anglers are still seeing plenty of holdover striped bass action in the larger river systems. The fish are still responded to slowly worked soft plastics, but some larger herring imitating plugs have been working as well. Anglers dunking sandworms throughout the rivers and along the adjacent beaches/flats are reporting better striper action this week as well. Tautog reports were good, especially during the warmer days last week, but most anglers are finding keepers on structure from 10 to 60 feet.
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Heather from Black Hawk Sportfishing reports that it’s almost time to go fishing! They will start to have tickets available for upcoming trips soon, so keep an eye on their website. They are humbled to announce that they are once again nominated for the “Best of the Best” in The Day’s contest. If you have a minute, please check it out and send them a vote! Also, be sure to check their website for updates on the upcoming season’s schedule.
Captain Mike Roy, at Reel Cast Charters was happy to report that they have started sailing for the season, and have continued to find some quality holdover fish in the local rivers. They have found a steady pick of small bass feeding on small bait and freshly arriving herring. Fin-S fish and Sluggos have been productive, and they have started to find some fish that are willing to take small topwater plugs. He is excited to announce that his team will be running 3 boats this season, so they will be able to take on more bookings. Be sure to contact Captain Mike as soon as possible to book a spot for this season!
Dan, at Dan’s Bait, Tackle and Charters in New London reports that anglers took advantage of the warm weather and the holiday weekend by dusting off their gear and finding some great spring fishing. Freshwater anglers are finding strong trout fishing, especially at the recently stocked lakes and ponds. Anglers are reporting their best results on orange powerbait and/or red trout worms. Crappie and bluegill fishing has also been very strong for anglers fishing microjigs tipped with plastic tails around the grassbeds. Largemouth bass activity has been consistent, and we should start to see the pre-spawn bite materializing as the temps climb. Saltwater anglers found a few keeper tautog from shore this week, with crabs starting to outfish the softer bait. There are still some stripers to be had throughout the tidal rivers, especially if you can locate some herring, and we shouldn’t be too far away from fresh arrivals throughout the sound.
Bobby J’s Bait and Tackle in Milford reports that the local tautog fishing really started to pick up last week, especially after Thursday and Fridays warm weather. Anglers fishing Asian crabs on light jigs have been picking up limits pretty easily. Some of the popular spots may get picked over, but as the water warms, anglers should be able to find them in more locations. Striper fishing remains consistent, and the better fish remain around the river herring. Fish are spread out throughout the river and are starting to hit topwater offerings, along with gliders and big swimming plugs. Anglers dunking sandworms are also reporting good catches on the shallow mud flats and in the beaches, bays, and harbors.
Fisherman’s World in Norwalk reports that some rising temperatures have perked things up locally over the last week. The holdover striped bass seem to be spreading out, and anglers are having success in the rivers as well as along the shallow mud flats around the rivers. Worms are producing very well, along with the usual go to artificials; soft plastics on jigheads and small swimming plugs. Anglers working the upper stretches of the Housatonic are finding some better holdover fish hot on the tail of the river herring, and they could be fooled with some larger offerings. Flounder reports remained quiet this week, but the tautog fishing is starting to get going on the shallow rockpiles in the area. Local trout fishing is still going strong in most of the local streams, and the Saugatuck Reservoir is now open and is garnering some interest from anglers searching for trout, smallmouth, and walleye.
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Connecticut Fishing Forecast
As temperatures normalize, Spring fishing is slowly but surely improving for anglers working both the freshwater and saltwater across Southern New England.
Connecticut anglers continue to see improved holdover striped bass fishing as more herring enter the rivers, and the shallow flats are warming up and drawing the attention of some hungry bass. Anglers are starting to catch on sandworms, with the bigger fish still coming after dark. We shouldn’t be too far away from everything blowing wide open, especially with the rivers starting to clean up. Shad reports are starting to come in from the Connecticut River and that bite will likely improve this week as the river continues to clean. Striped bass reports aren’t the only ones improving, as the recent warmer weather really helped to kick the tautog fishing into gear. If you have a chance get out there and find some tautog before the spring season closes. Trout fishing has been great, with most of our rivers and streams being at ideal flow levels. Pike fishing should improve soon, as the fish finish up their spawning activities and will likely be hungry, while the largemouth should be entering their pre-spawn mode.