CTDEEP

2013

FISHINGREPORTNUMBER24
10/3/2013
YOUCANFINDUSDIRECTLYONFACEBOOK.Thispagefeaturesa varietyofinformationonfishing,hunting,andwildlifewatchingin Connecticut.Theaddressiswww.facebook.com/CTFishandWildlife. rainbowtrout(Oncorhynchusmykiss)

INLANDREPORT

ATLANTICSALMONStocking Update DEEPstockedanother600Atlanticsalmonthisweek.Thesefish

werereleasedintotheShetucketRiver(300salmon)andtheupper(150salmon)andlower(150salmon) sectionsoftheNaugatuckRiver.Thesestockingsbringthetotalnumberofsalmonstockedsofarthisfallto approximately1,200fishwithCrystalLake(100salmon)MountTomPond(100salmon),theupperNaugatuck River(250salmon),lowerNaugatuckRiver(250salmon)andShetucketRiver(500salmon)allstockedatleast once. ThegroupofAtlanticsalmonbeingreleasedthisweekforthefisheryrangeinweightfrom26poundseach. Followingspawninglaterthisfall,DEEPexpectsseveralhundredadditionalsalmonfromtheKensington HatcherywillbeavailableforstockinginNovember.Thesefishwillrangeinweightfrom3to15poundseach. ForasummaryofAtlanticsalmonfishingregulationsseepage4.

TROUT
DEEPSFALLTROUTSTOCKINGSARENEARINGCOMPLETION.Thisfall,DEEPisreleasingatotalof29,000 trophyandadultsizedtroutintoselectedwatersthroughoutthestate.Approximately12,800aretrophysize browntrout(allgreaterthan12inchesinlength)andtheremaining16,200adultsarestandardsize(910inch) rainbowtrout.InwesternCT,stockingsofthetrophyandadultsizedtroutwerecompletedlastweekwithover 8,100browntrout(includingthepreLaborDaystockingsoftheWestbranchFarmingtonandFarmington rivers)and8,700rainbowstocked.IneasternCT,stockingswillresumeinmidOctober.Sofar4,800brown troutand2,000rainbowtrouthavebeenstocked.DEEPexpectstostockanadditional5,500 rainbowtroutintoatotalof15lakesandpondsduringmidOctober. RIVERS&STREAMSFallanglershavebeen enjoyingsomeexcellentearlyautumn weatherandtroutfishingisinfullswing withmanyfishbeingcaughtfromrecently stockedareas.Conditionsthisweekend shouldbemostlygoodwithsomegrayskies andflowsthataregenerallyquitefishable, butaredroppingbelowearlyfalllevelsina numberofareas(seestreamflowgraphicon page4).Troutanglerswerereportingfishing successlastweekintheHousatonicRiver, FarmingtonRiverTMA,ShetucketRiver, HammonassetRiver,WillimanticRiver,
CTDEEPWeeklyFishingReport

FINDTROUTSTOCKINGMAPSONOUR WEBSITE Mapsofallofthestatestroutstreamsand riversshowingthemanystockingand accesspointsareavailableonlineat www.ct.gov/deep/troutstockingmaps

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2013CTDEEPWeeklyFishingReportNo.24,10/3/2013

NatchaugRiver,YanticRiver,MoosupRiver,NaugatuckRiver,NorwalkRiver,PomperaugRiverandSalmon River. AnglerswillfindthatstreamerswillplayanimportantpartinfishingforConnecticutfalltrout.Forstreamers trywhite,yellow&browncolors.PatternstotryincludeWhiteWoolyBuggers,Muddlers,MickeyFinnand GreyorBlackGhosts(#410).AlsotrybottombouncingnymphswithCaddispupa(#1416),Serendipity(#14 16),PheasantTail(#1220),Prince(#618)andHaresear(#820). FarmingtonRiverTroutfishingremainsgoodandconditionsshouldbegoodfortheweekend.WestBranch flowsareclearandveryfishable(currently143cfsatRivertonwiththeStillRiveraddinganother35cfs)and watertemperaturesareinthelow60sF. Hatches/patternsincludeIsonychiabicolor(majorhatch,#1214,fastwater,afternoon/evening),BlueWing Olives(Drunella&Baetissps.,#18,2224,midlateafternoon),Caddis(tan#1618,allday;green#2226, evening;summerpupa#1820morning),Midges(#2024,morning),BlackAnts(#1420,middayinfastwater), BlackBeetles(#1618,midday),FlyingAnts(#1826,midday,whenwindy/humid)andStoneHopper(#1012, midday).RustySpinners(#1826)willproduceintheevening. HousatonicRiverFishinghasbeenverygoodwithanumberofbiggerfishbeingcaught.Conditionsshouldbe goodfortheupcomingweekend.Flowsareclearandfishable,buthavedropbelowtypicalearlyfalllevels (currently287cfsatFallsVillageand447cfsatGaylordsville)andmorningwatertemperaturesareinthemid toupper50sF. Hatches/patternsatthistimeoftheyearshouldincludeBlueWingOlive(#1826,earlymorning;spinnerfallin evening),LeadwingCoachman(#1014midafternoontoevening),Cahills/Summer(#1214,evenings), SummerSulfurs(evenings)andBlackcaddis(#1618,earlymorning&evening).TrySulfurs(#1618),Black Beetles(#1418,midday),StoneHopper(#810,midday)andFlyingAnts(#1618,midday,when windy/humid).Nymphingthepockets,deeperrifflesandpoolheadsshouldbeproductive.

LAKES&PONDSAnglersarefindingsomefairtogoodearlyfalltroutactionatWestHillPond,BeachPond,
CrystalLake(Ellington,tryneartheoutlet),EastTwinLake,HighlandLake(nearinlets),MountTomPond, StillwaterPondandMohawkPond.

TROUTPARKSGoodreportsfromtheWhartonBrookMoheganParkPond,ChatfieldHollow,WolfePark
(GreatHollowPond)andBlackRockPondTroutParks.

LARGEMOUTHBASSfishingisgenerallyreportedasfairtogood.AreastotryincludeLakeSaltonstall,
BantamLake,HighlandLake,CandlewoodLake,BallPond,CongamondLakes,WononskopomucLake, MamanascoLake,TylerLake,WoodcreekPond,MansfieldHollowReservoir,HatchPond,EastTwinLake, GardnerLake,QuaddickReservoir,WestHillPond,MudgePond,LowerBoltonLake,LakeLillinonah,Squantz Pond,LakeofIsles,StillwaterPond,BattersonParkPond,LakeWaramaug,LakeZoar,BishopSwamp,Rogers Lake(accessforbiggerboatsdifficultduetodrawdown),CedarLake,MoreyPond,MonoPond,Moodus Reservoir,RedCedarLakeandBillingsLake.TournamentanglerreportsarefromMansfieldHollowReservoir (fairtogood,witha3.63lblunker),LakeZoar(fair,witha5.64lblunker),CandlewoodLake(fair,with5.20, 5.06and4.58lunkers),GardnerLake(fairatbest,nothingover1.5lbs),andAmosLake(fairtogood,witha5.6 lblunker).

SMALLMOUTHBASSactionreportedatCandlewoodLake,GardnerLake,LakeLillinonah,SquantzPondand
CoventryLake.GoodreportsforriversmalliesfromtheupperHousatonicRiver,WillimanticRiverand NaugatuckRiver.TournamentanglerreportsarefromLakeZoar(fairfishing),CandlewoodLake(fairhaveto workforthem),GardnerLake(tough)andBantamLake(some,withseveral2lbplussmallmouth). ATLANTICSALMONarereportedasbeingcaughtatMountTomPondandCrystalLake.

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2013CTDEEPWeeklyFishingReportNo.24,10/3/2013

BLACKCRAPPIEcatchesareverygoodatLakeZoar,LakeSaltonstall,CongamondLakes,ParkPondand WoodcreekPond. BigCHAINPICKERELwerereportedfromWononskopomucLakeandBallPond.WoodcreekPondandthe PequonockRiverareproducingsmallerpickerel. KOKANEESALMONarestillbeingcaughtatWestHillPond. NORTHERNPIKEcatcheshavebeenreportedinWinchesterLake,PachaugPond,MansfieldHollowReservoir, LakeZoar(a40inchmonstaamongthecatches)andBantamLake(includinga10lbplusfish). WHITEPERCHareproducinggoodactioninLakeLillinonah. PANFISHareprovidinggoodfallactionthroughoutthestate.Useworms,grubs,jigsorsmallpoppersforthem. AreastotryincludeLakeSaltonstall,BallPond,CongamondLakes,MamanascoLake,WoodcreekPond,Lake Zoar,BlackPond(Meriden),GriggsPond,RoselandLake,WinchesterLake,WestTwinLake,SilverLake (Meriden),BillingsLake,PachaugPond,GardnerLake,CoventryLake,RedCedarLake,BishopSwampand BattersonParkPond.

CONNECTICUTRIVER
FlowscontinuetobeattypicalearlyOctoberlevels,andverycomfortableforfishing.NORTHERNPIKEfishing isgoodinthecovesupanddowntheriver.FishhavebeenfoundinWethersfieldCove,theMiddletownand HaddamMeadowsareas.CHANNELCATFISHcontinuetobecaughtintheriveratnightliveliningsunfish. LARGEMOUTHBASSintheHaddamareaaregivinganglerssomegoodaction.SMALLMOUTHBASScontinue tobeactiveintheupperpartoftheriver.TheEnfieldtoWindsor/Hartfordhasbeenproductivewithfishinthe midteensbeingcaught.BLACKCRAPPIEareproducingsomegoodcatchesintherivercoves.Wethersfield Covecontinuestobeaverygoodareatotarget.Useasmalljigtippedwith2shinersforsomeaction.One anglerreportedgoodcatcheson1/16oztubejigs.

NOTES&NOTICES:
BESECKLAKEA13footdrawdowntofacilitatedamrepairsisscheduledtobeginOctober4. CONNECTICUTRIVERHaddam.TheConnecticutYankeeHaddamNeckPowerPlantdischargecanalhasbeen closedtopublicaccessduetosecurityconcerns. CONNECTICUTRIVER(Hartford).RiverfrontRecapturewillbeholdingtheHeadoftheRiverfrontrowing regattaonSunday,October6(8am4pm)andSunday,August18(8am4pm)ontheCTRiverinHartford fromRiversideParktojustupstreamoftheentrancetoWethersfieldCove.Boattravelthroughthecourse areawillbedifficultduringtheraceevents,useextracautionoravoidthearea. LAKELILLINONAH(boatlaunch).TheLakeLillinonahstateboatlaunch(Route133,alsoreferredtoasthe SteelBridgelaunch)isclosedforrenovations.ThisclosureiscurrentlyexpectedtolastthroughDecember 31,2013.Anglers/boaterscancontinuetoaccessthelakeusingthePondBrookstateboatlaunch. ROGERSLAKE.Thelakeiscurrently(asof10/1)drawndownapproximately15inchestofacilitatedam repairs.Thelaunchingoftraileredboatsmaybedifficultatthislevelofdrawdownandthelaunchmaybe unusablebylargerboatsorthosewithdeeperdraft.Notethatrefillhasbegunbutmaybeslow,therateof refillisdependentonrainfallamountsinthewatershed. WESTBRANCHRESERVOIR(HogbackReservoir).TheWestBranchReservoirisbeingdrawndown70feetto facilitateaninspectionofColebrookRiverLakeoutflowstructures(asof10/2,downapproximately25feet).

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2013CTDEEPWeeklyFishingReportNo.24,10/3/2013

Atlanticsalmonfishingregulationsandareassummary
RegulationsforAtlanticsalmonontheShetucketandNaugatuckRivers.IntheNaugatuck,HousatonicandShetucket Rivers,thedailycreellimitforAtlanticsalmonisonefishperdaythroughSeptember30,2013.FromOctober1 throughNovember30,anglingforAtlanticsalmonisrestrictedtocatchandreleaseonly.FromDecember1,2013, throughMarch31,2014,thedailycreellimitforAtlanticsalmonwillbeone.Duringtheopenseasonintherivers, thelegalmethodfortakingAtlanticsalmonislimitedtoanglingusingasinglefly,oranartificiallurewithasingle freeswinginghookandnoadditionalweightcanbeaddedtothelineabovetheflyorlure.Also,fromOctober1st throughMarch31st,fishingforotherspeciesinthedesignatedAtlanticSalmonBroodstockAreasisrestrictedto thegearlegalforAtlanticsalmon. OntheShetucketRiver,anglerscanfishforsalmondownstreamfromtheScotlandDam(Windham)totheWater StreetBridgeinNorwich(thefirstbridgeupstreamofNorwichHarbor).Thesalmonarestockedintoonedesignated AtlanticSalmonBroodstockArea,fromtheScotlandDamtotheOccumDam. AnglersareallowedtofishforsalmonintheNaugatuckRiverfromtheconfluenceoftheEastandWestBranches (Torrington)downstreamtotheHousatonicRiver(Derby).AnglersmayalsofishforAtlanticsalmonintheHousatonic RiverdownstreamofDerbyDam.ThesalmonaretypicallystockedintotwodesignatedAtlanticSalmonBroodstock AreasontheNaugatuckRiver,theCampvilleSectionoftheupperNaugatuckRiverfromRoute118downstreamto theThomastonFloodControlDam(LitchfieldThomaston)andtheBeaconFallsSectionofthelowerNaugatuck,from st ProspectStreet(Naugatuck)downstreamtoPinesBridgeRoad(Route42bridge,BeaconFalls).FromOctober1 st throughMarch31 ,fishingforotherspeciesinthesedesignatedAtlanticSalmonBroodstockAreasisrestrictedtothe gearlegalforAtlanticsalmon. TheregulationsforAtlanticsalmonreleasedintolakesandpondsaredifferentfromtheregulationsforsalmononthe NaugatuckandShetucketRivers.Ineachlake,theregulationsformethods,seasonsandminimumlengthsforsalmon willbethesameasfortroutinthatspecificwaterbodybutthedailycreellimitwillbeonesalmonperday.(Please refertothe2013CTAnglersGuidefortroutregulations).

Streamflowconditionsasof10/3/2013 Datainthestategraphictotheleftare generatedbytheUnitedStatesGeologic Survey(USGS)andareavailableonlineat: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ct/nwis/rt Apercentileisavalueonascaleofone hundredthatindicatesthepercentofdata inthedatasetequaltoorbelowit.For examplestreamflowgreaterthanthe75th percentilemeansonlyofthestreamflow valueswereabovethevalueandthus wouldbeconsideredabovenormal. Streamflowbetweenthe25thand50thare consideredtobenormalflowsandthose 25thorlessareconsideredtobebelow normal.

TheConnecticutDepartmentofEnergyandEnvironmentalProtectionisanAffirmativeAction/EqualOpportunityEmployerthatiscommittedto complyingwiththerequirementsoftheAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct.Pleasecontactusat(860)4185910ordeep.accommodations@ct.govifyou haveadisabilityandneedacommunicationaidorservice;havelimitedproficiencyinEnglishandmayneedinformationinanotherlanguage;orif youwishtofileanADAorTitleVIdiscriminationcomplaint.

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2013CTDEEPWeeklyFishingReportNo.24,10/3/2013

MARINEFISHINGREPORT
SurfacewatertemperaturesinLongIslandSound(LIS)remaininthemidtohigh60sF.Checkoutthefollowingweb sitesformoredetailedwatertemperaturesandmarineboatingconditions: http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/stationstat.html http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1 http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/ http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/AN/330.html BLUEFISHfishingremainsgoodtoexcellentasthefallmigrationkicksin!Somebigalligatorsweighingmore than16lbsweretakenoverthispastweek!BluefishspotsincludethereefsoffWatchHill,RamIslandReefin FishersIslandSound,theRace,PigeonRip,PlumGut,ThamesRiver,BartlettReef,BlackPoint,Connecticut River,LongSandShoal,SixmileReef,SouthwestReef,FalknerIslandarea,thereefsoffMadisontoBranford, NewHavenHarbor,CharlesIslandarea,HousatonicRiver,BridgeportHarbor,StratfordShoal/Middle Ground,PenfieldReef,aroundtheNorwalkIslands,andCableandAnchorReef.Also,snappersarestill aroundinthetidalriversandcreeks. STRIPEDBASSfishingremainsgood.Theonlyproblemisgettingbythosebigalligatorbluefish!Theusual striperspotsincludetheWatchHillreefs,RamIslandReefinFishersIslandSound,theRace,Sluiceway,Plum Gut,BartlettReef,BlackPoint,HatchettReef,LongSandShoal,CornfieldPoint,SixmileReef,outer SouthwestReef,thereefsoffMadisontoBranford,NewHavenHarbor,CharlesIsland/Milfordarea,Stratford Shoal/MiddleGround,BridgeportHarbor,PenfieldReef,aroundtheNorwalkIslands,andCableandAnchor Reef. SUMMERFLOUNDERfishinghassloweddown.FlukespotsworthtryingincludethesouthsideofFishers Island,BloodyGroundsoffBlackPointandtheFalknerIslandarea. SCUP(porgy)fishingisgoodtoexcellentatanyofthemajorrockyreefs. BLACKSEABASSfishingisalsogoodtoexcellentontherockyreefs,wrecksandareaswithgnarlyhardbottom. HICKORYSHADfishingisgoodtoexcellentandsnapperbluesaremixedinwiththeminthelowerConnecticut River(DEEPMarineHeadquartersfishingpier). ATLANTICBONITOandLITTLETUNNY(falsealbacore)arehitormissofftheWatchHillarea,PineIslandarea totheRaceincludingLittleGullIsland,BartlettReef,HatchettReef,StratfordShoal/MiddleGround,Penfield Reef,aroundtheNorwalkIslands,andCableandAnchorReef. BLUECRABBINGisslowingdownaswatertemperaturesdrop. SPECIALNOTE:Thisisagoodtimeofyeartocheckoutourcoastalstateparksforsomefinesurfcasting. Bluefishandstripedbassarewithineasycastastheyputonthefeedbagbeforeheadingsouth!

ForCurrentConnecticutRecreationalFishingRegulations:Anglersshouldconsultthe2013Connecticut AnglersGuidewhichisnowavailableatmostTownClerksOffices,DEEPofficesandattacklestoresselling fishinglicenses.Currentregulations,electronicversionsoftheAnglersGuideandadditionalinformationcan allbeaccessedontheDEEPwebsiteat:www.ct.gov/deep/fishing.

DEEP WEEKLY Fishing Report Connecticut Department of ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106 www.ct.gov/deep

Stripedbassimage courtesyDuaneRaver/USFWS.

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