DEEP Stocks Trout And Gives The Marine Fishing Report For This Week

From the DEEP's weekly fishing report.

DEEP’s fall trout stockings began last week. From now through mid October, DEEP is releasing 29,000 trophy and adult sized trout into selected waters throughout the state. Approximately 12,800 are trophy size brown trout (all greater than 12 inches in length) and the remaining 16,200 adults are standard size (9‐10 inch) rainbow trout. This past week, DEEP stocked over 10,000 trout (7,250 brown trout and 3,200 rainbow trout).

Rivers and streams stocked last week: The Salmon River (1,000 brown trout in the TMA, 300 brown trout below the TMA), Moosup River TMA (300 brown trout), Yantic River TMA (350 brown trout), Natchaug River (1,000 brown trout) and Willimantic River TMA (300 brown trout) in eastern CT; and the Mill River TMA (200 brown trout), Saugatuck River TMA (250 brown trout), Mianus River TMA (300 brown trout) and the Sleeping Giant TMA (Mill River‐Hamden, 200 brown trout) in western CT.

Lakes and ponds stocked last week: Crystal Lake (500 brown trout) in eastern CT and Mount Tom Pond (300 brown trout), Stillwater Pond (200 brown trout), Tyler Pond (250 brown trout), West Side Pond (150 brown trout) and Mohawk Pond (150 brown trout) in western CT. 

Trout Parks stocked last week: The Valley Falls (400 rainbow trout), Natchaug River (400 rainbow trout), Mohegan Park Pond (400 rainbow trout), Chatfield Hollow (400 rainbow trout) and Day Pond (400 rainbow trout) Trout Parks in eastern CT, and the Wolfe Park (Great Hollow Pond, 500 brown trout & 400 rainbow trout), Black Rock Pond (500 brown trout), Wharton Brook Pond (500 brown trout & 400 rainbow trout) and Black Rock Pond (400 rainbow trout) Trout Parks in western CT. 

You'll find trout stocking maps, plus access points, on the DEEP's web site. 

Marine Fishing Report

BLUEFISH fishing is rated good with some “choppers” hitting the scales at 14+ lbs. The Race, Pigeon Rip, Plum Gut, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, and Cable and Anchor Reef have been consistent fishing areas. Other bluefish spots include the reefs between Watch Hill and Fishers Island eastern point, Ram Island Reef in Fishers Island Sound, Thames River, Bartlett Reef, Black Point, Connecticut River, Long Sand Shoal, Sixmile Reef, Southwest Reef, Falkner Island area, the reefs off Madison to Branford, New Haven Harbor, Charles Island area, Housatonic River, Bridgeport Harbor, Penfield Reef, and around the Norwalk Islands.

STRIPED BASS fishing is good especially during early morning, evening and on overcast days. The usual striper 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, around the Norwalk Islands, and Cable and Anchor Reef. Live bunker or eels and fresh cut chunk baits are the ticket!

SUMMER FLOUNDER fishing is waning as water temperatures drop. However, deep water (90+ft) will still hold a doormat or two. The south side of Fishers Island, Bloody Grounds off Black Point, Falkner Island area, and south off the New Haven Harbor breakwaters are spots worth trying.

SCUP (porgy) fishing is in high gear! Any of the major rocky reefs will be stacked up with scup!

BLACK SEA BASS fishing is also approaching “prime time” with good to excellent fishing over gnarly hard bottom areas.

HICKORY SHAD can be found in the lower Connecticut River and tributaries.

ATLANTIC BONITO and LITTLE TUNNY (false albacore) are hit or miss as usual for these wide ranging speedsters. Fishing spots include Watch Hill area, Pine Island area to the Race including Little Gull Island, Bartlett Reef, Hatchett Reef, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, Penfield Reef, around the Norwalk Islands, and Cable and Anchor Reef.

BLUE CRABBING days are dwindling down but the crab quality is excellent with hard shelled jimmies packed full with meat!

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.