Marine Fishing Report: Long Island Fishing Conditions Remain Ideal

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has released this week's marine fishing report. The following is an overview of that Aug. 2 report, which also includes information on inland waters. It is attached to this article.

This Week's Catch

STRIPED BASS fishing is good and BLUEFISH fishing is good to excellent throughout the Long Island Sound (LIS). Atlantic menhaden, also known as bunker, are thick in many of the harbors and tidal rivers. Bunker are a prime food source for both stripers and bluefish. Bunker splashing on the surface is a sure indication they are about to get munched on so be on the lookout for this kind of activity! Besides the tidal rivers and harbors, other fishing locations include the reefs off Watch Hill, the Race, Plum Gut, Pigeon Rip, Little Gull Island, outer Bartlett Reef, Black Point, Hatchett Reef, Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, Southwest Reef including outer SW Reef, Six Mile Reef, the reefs off Madison, Guilford, and Branford, Falkner Island area, Charles Island area, buoys 18 and 20 off Stratford Point, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, Penfield Reef, around the Norwalk Islands, and Cable and Anchor Reef.

SNAPPER BLUEFISH fishing remains good to excellent with fish ranging in size from 4 to 6 inches. Casting small silver spoons or willow leaf lures work well on these miniature marauders!

SUMMER FLOUNDER (fluke) fishing is slow overall. Deep water (90+ ft) fishing is the rule during the “dog days” of summer. Fluke spots include Fishers Island (Isabella Beach, Wilderness Point), off the Stonington breakwater, off Ram Island, Groton Long Point, Bluff Point, Thames River channel, Two Tree Island channel, Black Point/Niantic Bay, deeper water south of Long Sand Shoal, Westbrook-Clinton area, Falkner Island area, outer New Haven Harbor, and off the mouth off the Housatonic River.

SCUP (porgy) fishing is good to excellent on the major reefs. Shore anglers should seek out rocky outcrops, boulders or any other structure within casting distance.

BLACK SEA BASS fishing remains good over hard rocky bottom and submerged wrecks.

NORTHERN KINGFISH have been reported being caught in the New Haven and Milford area. These fish usually appear in Long Island Sound in August and are more associated with warmer waters to our south. Expect to see other southern visitors as the summer goes on!

BLUE CLAW CRABBING remains good to excellent in the tidal creeks, rivers and coves along the entire coastline.

Water Temps

Surface water temperatures in Long Island Sound remain in the lower 70’s°F.

For more detailed water temperatures and marine boating conditions visit www.mysound.uconn.edu/stationstat.html or www.ndbc.noaa.gov.

Regulations & License Information

For current Connecticut recreational fishing regulations, anglers should consult the 2012 Connecticut Anglers Guide.

Anglers can purchase their fishing licenses online at www.ct.gov/deep/fishinglicense or at participating town halls, DEEP field offices and fishing tackle vendors.

Additional information can all be accessed on the DEEP website at: www.ct.gov/deep/fishing. 

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