Catch of the Day—Marine Fishing Report for Long Island Sound

Going fishing this weekend? Here's this week's Marine Fishing Report from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

BLUEFISH fishing remains consistent throughout LIS with most choppers weighing between 4 – 8 lbs. Fishing spots include the reefs between Watch Hill and Fishers Island eastern point, Ram Island Reef in Fishers Island Sound, Thames River, the Race, Pigeon Rip, Plum Gut, Bartlett Reef, Black Point, Long Sand Shoal, Sixmile Reef, Southwest Reef, Falkner Island area, the reefs off Madison to Branford, New Haven Harbor, Charles Island area, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, Bridgeport Harbor, Penfield Reef, and around the Norwalk Islands. Snapper fishing remains good in the tidal rivers. Snappers are about 6 inches in length.

STRIPED BASS fishing is prime time around dawn and dusk. Live bait is the ticket for a “cow” bass. Live lining bunker (menhaden), eels, scup, and even snapper blues will entice any striper to eat. Fishing spots include the Watch Hill reefs, Ram Island Reef in Fishers Island Sound, the Race, Sluiceway, Plum Gut, Bartlett Reef, Black Point, Hatchett Reef, Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, Sixmile Reef, outer Southwest Reef, the reefs off Madison to Branford, New Haven Harbor, Charles Island/Milford area, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, Bridgeport Harbor, Penfield Reef, and around the Norwalk Islands.

SUMMER FLOUNDER fishing is fair to good but some doormats can still be taken in 80+ feet of water. Fluke weighing in the double digits have been caught over this past week! Fluke spots include the south side of Fishers Island, off the Stonington breakwater, around Seaflower Reef, mouth of the Thames River, Bloody Grounds off Black Point, humps off Hatchett Reef, south side of Long Sand Shoal, Falkner Island area, south off New Haven Harbor breakwaters, and off the Norwalk Islands.

SCUP (porgy) fishing is good to excellent throughout LIS with “hub caps” measuring up to 19 inches in length being reported! Any of the rocky reefs, submerged pilings and rocky shore areas will harbor these spunky fighters!

BLACK SEA BASS fishing remains good over hard bottom, rocky reefs and wrecks. Slack tide is prime time to fish on the reefs for black sea bass especially in deep water.

BLACKFISH fishing season closes from September 1st through October 9th inclusive (reopens October 10th). BLUE CRABBING is about “prime time” in the tidal rivers and creeks. The time to go is now!

For Current Connecticut Recreational Fishing Regulations: Anglers should consult the 2013 Connecticut Anglers Guide which is now available at most Town Clerks Offices, DEEP offices and at tackle stores selling fishing licenses. Current regulations, electronic versions of the Angler’s Guide and additional information can all be accessed on the DEEP website at: www.ct.gov/deep/fishing.