(Photo by Patrick Washburn)
Connecticut Fishing Report
Matt, at Black Hall Outfitters in Westbrook told me that everything got going locally with this recent warmup. The word from tautog anglers is that the bite is picking up across the Western Sound, and we should be very close to having it pick up across central and eastern parts of the state. Holdover striped bass anglers are seeing an increase in activity, and some topwater action should start popping off with the upcoming temperatures and the arriving herring. Freshwater anglers are finding largemouth bass that are willing to take slow moving wakebaits along the surface, along with jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs and some swimbaits. The trout streams are flowing nicely, and fishing well across the state as well.
Heather from Black Hawk Sportfishing told me that they had a great winter show season but are now ready to get the boat in the water and start fishing. They plan to start sailing very soon, so be sure to check out their website and/or Facebook page for spring scheduling updates.
Captain Mike Roy, at Reel Cast Charters has been getting the boat ready for his light tackle striped bass season opener this weekend. When we spoke, he was working to get the Conch ready, it now has a new motor on and he tweaked the livewell a bit. He is excited to announce that this season his team will be running three boats, the Conch 27, Pathfinder 23DV and the Jones Brother 23 so they can better accommodate clients and take on more bookings. Be sure to give Captain Mike a call soon to book your spot for the season.
Dan, at Dan’s Bait, Tackle and Charters in New London is excited to be open full time for the season. As far as fishing, anglers working the trout streams and/or the recently stocked trout ponds are being rewarded with strong catches. The trout stocking has continued in many of the lakes and ponds across the state, and that is drawing the interest of many local anglers. The DEEP also stocked lake trout in a number of lakes for an added bonus! Opening day for anglers looking to keep trout is the 8th, and the fishing should remain strong. Many of the local lakes and ponds are also garnering interest from largemouth bass anglers, as that bite seems to be slowly improving as well. The same can be said for anglers targeting crappie, as they seem to be putting on the food bag recently. The holdover striped bass action has started to fire back up nicely, with reports of steady action, along with some topwater action on the warmer days. Spring tautog opens this weekend, and Dan thinks he will start hearing some positive reports around the Thames area after this next warm-up!
Bobby J’s Bait and Tackle in Milford said that the bass fishing continues to improve throughout the area and isn’t just confined to the Housatonic. There are some river herring showing up in the Hous, so fish could be found on large swimming plugs from the mouth to the dam, which is helping with the crowding. On top of this, there are schoolies coming from some of the smaller tributaries in the area, along with some better fish being caught out front on the mud flats. Blackfish reports were quiet for the opening weekend due to some unfavorable weather, but Jason expects to start hearing some reports soon. They will be stocked with crabs and tautog gear for the remainder of the season. Freshwater anglers are finding great results in all the local trout waters, with some excellent sized fish being landed this week. Opening day is April 8th, so anglers can start keeping fish very soon!
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. Opening Day of trout season is April 8th and all of the local streams have been stocked recently. The catch and release areas have been fishing well and nothing should change after the opener. The Mianus, Saugatuck and Mill Rivers are producing consistently for anglers drifting bait or any number of artificial offerings.
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Connecticut Fishing Forecast
Following an up and down start to the spring weather-wise, the upcoming forecast should have the Spring fishing in full bloom.
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. The bigger fish are still coming after dark, and we shouldn’t be too far away from everything blowing wide open. Shad reports have been quiet, but they should also start showing up in the Connecticut River any day now. Tautog reports have been quiet, but that will undoubtedly change as the central sound temperatures warm up this week. The state is essentially opened for trout year-round, but the de facto opening day is April 8th, so anglers can keep a couple of trout very soon. The DEEP also did a big round of stocking over the past few weeks, including stocking some large Seeforellen’s, along with another round of lake trout into a few select lakes across the state, so give their website a look for more stocking information. Pike fishing should improve soon, as the fish finish up their spawning activities and will likely be hungry, while largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing has been as consistent as ever.