A wide selection of gear and accessories focused specifically on the fresh and saltwater fishers, clamming and blue crabbers is available. I ended up catching six shad, before the bite died around 8:00. 8; Details; m shorty. Keep an eye on their social media pages to find newly added speakers and dates. They offer a wide variety of rods, reels, tackle and baits as well as rod and reel repair. Connecticut; Massachusetts; New Jersey Northern; New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont; New York - Long Island; You can catch a 30 pound striped bass near the mouth. . American shad are currently the most numerous migratory fish on the Connecticut River. The DEEP dock in Lyme was giving up some fish and word was more action was creeping north as water temperatures increased during last weeks warm weather. . Depending on what part you fish and when, Connecticut River fishing can be very different. local waters are stacked with rain bait and the fish are moving in on them !! fishing is as good as it gets ! Dad even won a prize in the derby one year. I always, as a former shad fisherman, enjoy your reports each year. When I talked to Andrew at Fishin Factory 3 he was selling licenses to anglers looking to get out on what is now the opening day of trout season. The rivers and bay water temps have climbed into the mid 50's. Shad fishing continues to improve throughout the Susquehanna River with lots of hickory shad and some American shad too. The summer has its doldrums, but topwater bass is still good. We've been booking lots of privat Captain Gerry from Drifter Charters said they are looking forward to another season on The Drifter and it wont be long until the boat is back in the water. Book online or call for information. Exception: Naugatuck River, Shetucket River, Housatonic River and lakes stocked by CT DEEP. The Holyoke Dam in Massachusetts is the first dam on the mainstem of the Connecticut River, and is 87 miles upstream of the Long Island Sound. reported size 30 inches. Although the Connecticut River run is at a fraction of its historical levels, it has recovered considerably during the past 50 years and is currently one of the largest runs on the East Coast. Fish big flashy streamers, spinnerbaits, or deadbaits under a float for Connecticut River pike. With a good gust (35-40 mph), we could get almost an extra 10 yds distance on the cast. We know this because we count the number of fish passing through these structures. Cape Cod Fishing Report- April 13, 2023. . Since then, Ive followed his photos, and updates on social media. All stakeholders should be involved in these discussions and the application is not complete until it includes a plan to improve fish passage. Perfect. In Connecticut, spring runs of shad occur in all major rivers (Connecticut, Housatonic, Pawcatuck and Thames), with the largest run occurring in the Connecticut River. If you are passing the Salmon River in East Haddam, check out the shadbush at the Leesville fishway, which I planted about 25 years ago. Fishing reports are still trickling in as water temperatures slowly increase. Karen at AW Marina told me they were back open this weekend and will be open weekends for the rest of the month while adding in weekdays as the eastern sound season gets going. The water was down a little from my last outing on Friday, 29th.April, clear, and at about dead high tide, the current was virtually slack. The shop sold plenty of green crabs last week to anglers looking to take advantage of the spring blackfish season. There arent as many stripers, but the mouth still produces some good numbers. The Fish and Aquatic Conservation program leads aquatic conservation efforts for the U.S. Along the Connecticut River, action with crappies in coves and marina basins has been very good while at Candlewood Lake anglers are contacting a few smallmouth bass. All reach trophy sizes there. var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? Tackle: We Use a light action rods with a fast action and a good reel with a high gear ratio to handle the fast runs of stripers. A Pictorial Guide to Freshwater Fishes of Connecticut. The Connecticut River fishing season never really ends. Here are a few thoughts on catching them. You will be directed to the following website in 5 seconds: We hope your visit was informative and enjoyable. May 09, 2020 - Connecticut River. Shad will swim farther upstream than any other herring. While the Miller . By the time I left about 6:20 pm, only 3 shad had been hooked. Saltwater Seaworms for Spring Tautog. Dont miss our complete guide to fly fishing around Connecticut. Shad migrate by the hundreds of thousands from the Atlantic Ocean up the Connecticut River each spring. A detailed fishing report for the Connecticut River will make the difference between a good fishing here and a bad one. Every year, for decades, hundreds of thousands of American shad have been successfully lifted via a fish elevator over the Holyoke dam, only to be stymied by the next obstacle upstream the Turners Falls dam. 866-347-4836. Could not have had a better time!! This is a fertile, 198 acre, coldwater pond located 4.3 miles northeast of Westfield off Route 202. Articles in Connecticut Wildlife Magazine. But theres also a ton of saltwater news, with schoolie bass making it as far as Newport, some new tog news and a growing haddock bite north of Cape Cod. This video documents the full story of American Shad (Alosa sapidissima) migration in the Connecticut River. Over time his interest in fly fishing turned from a hobby to passion to a full-blown obsession. Fly fishing the Connecticut River can be excellent no matter what part of the river you visit. Where can you park. #1830095 - 04/29/22 08:03 AM Re: SHAD! With many, many miles of good water, it can be hard to know just where to go. Fishing Media: Videos, DVDs, Books, Magazines, etc. At least the water was nice and clear, down less than 1' from Wednesday, and the current was good; 3/4 oz was weight enough. Disclaimer:IntoFlyFishing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. No trout water. Tickets will go on sale soon, so be sure to check our website. Some adult shad migrate back out to sea after spawning, but spawning stress is great and dead shad are a common sight during late spring. Needless to say, schools of menhaden is spurring the bite. The American Shad run is in full swing, and your chances of catching Trout and Salmon are still strong. Ive been going out over the last few weeks fishing near the Connecticut River and on the river itself. Another regular showed up as I was rigging up. I hope to be able to meet you this year. Please see ourPrivacy Pagefor more information. The Bellows Falls Dam fish ladder is located in Vermont, 174 miles upstream of the Long Island Sound. In the winter, ice fishing is great fun in the backwaters. Captain Mike Roy offers light tackle and fly fishing trips on the lower Connecticut River and surrounding Long Island Sound for striped bass, bluefish, and other species. In Connecticut, spring runs of shad occur in all major rivers (Connecticut, Housatonic, Pawcatuck and Thames), with the largest run occurring in the Connecticut River. The only bass news he had arrived from Candlewood Lake where fishermen are connecting with smallmouths on jerkbaits, a Megabass Vison 110 being super popular. Also, school striped bass are taking sand worms in the Middletown stretch of the Connecticut River. In the Northeast, these fish migrate from their wintering grounds in the south during the spring, moving up the coast to their spawning grounds in the Chesapeake Bay and Hudson River. Some of their River Stewards are licensed guides and can take clients out on different parts of the Connecticut River. by Jimmy Fee. Still no word of any flounder catches as of last week but they did hear about the continued blackfish bite. Top. It has both giant smallmouth and largemouth bass, and fish are quite abundant. All Rights Reserved. VTDigger publishes a wide range of stories about Vermonts educational system from early childhood education issues to public and private K-12 schools to higher education. I was told they were gizzard Shad by one of the local kayak Anglers with a lot more experience than myself in this particular location. Fish are liking that combo! The Woolly Bugger is a catch-all fly in the Connecticut River. #4.25.5. Stripers can be aggressive feeders, so don't be afraid to try different retrieves to see what they respond to best. Utilize alternate means to pass American eel if the ladders cannot adequately provide effective and timely passage. 2023 Fishidy. Every now and then and occasional 8/10/15 20 pound carp jumping out of the water. I like mono as a main line nothing heavier than 30lbs and fluorocarbon line is a good choice for leader material. Largemouth bass bite crawling wake baits, DEEP stocks lake trout in select waters, and herring ignite better striped bass fishing amid mild weather. Tidal river activity is up as linesiders are taking worms, swim baits and some topwaters. You never know what might happen on a day of Connecticut River fishing. Captain Gerry from Drifter Charters said they are looking forward to another season on The Drifter and it wont be long until the boat is back in the water. The shop is open every day from 9am to 5pm and is a certified repair center for Shimano, Avet, Penn, Accurate and Tsunami reels and also offers rod repair as well. Some of the diehards were out targeting winter flounder over the last week and they hadnt heard back at the shop if theyd been successful or not. This post covers the species, the spots, guides, and even more. Based on studies done over the past eight years, we now know that if 100 healthy adult eels begin their migration downstream, only about 40 would make it alive to the Massachusetts border. 2022 In Review: What a Year For Into Fly Fishing! Candidate Conservation Agreements (CCA & CCAA), Coastal Barrier Resources Act Project Consultation, Coastal Barrier Resources System Property Documentation, Connecticut River Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission (CRASC). Hi Ryan.. On the freshwater side of things, trout fishing continues to produce great action for many anglers taking advantage of good fishing conditions. The cod bite was good last weekend and they are sailing again this week. Not going to The Wall as planned this morning, wife has recruited me to help her spread 8 cubic yards of cedar mulch she had delivered. Give Captain Mike a call now to book your spot for the season. CT River water flow stable around a fish-able 37,000 cu ft/sec, should be nice and clear. The Connecticut River remains one of the most productive shad rivers in New England. Boaters hit the walls that also heated up as togs in varying sizes were caught and/or released. If those times won't work for you, 12:00AM to 12:00AM looks promising , as does 12:00AM to 12:00AM Remember to adjust these times based on barometric pressure, and weather changes. Use the right technique: When fishing with live bait, use a fishfinder rig or Carolina rig with a 3 to 5 oz weight. That'll put a damper on your season. Throwing big topwater plugs on spinning gear is also a fun way to catch Connecticut River stripers. late March and April will be lights out !!! It is suitable for trailer Sign in to your account to find other friends and anglers who are using Fishidy. The Westbrook location has hosted several seminars over the past two months and if youre interested in attending one, stay tuned as they plan to add more during the month of April. 3rd.May, 4:30 pm after work, at the Wall. Cheek patch deeper than wide. We cover state elections, the Vermont Legislature, the governors office, state agencies and major political parties. It works for bass, panfish, carp, trout, bowfin, and even walleye. thats been on my bucket list for some time now. I was a part owner of a ski chalet on the upper Delaware River that we used as a hunting/fishing camp. This is also the best part of the river for shad fishing. 2023 FishingBooker.com. We can't wait to get out there! On calm, late summer evenings on the Connecticut River, thousands of small, silvery juvenile shad can be observed popping out of the water in pursuit of minute insects. Eelways have been constructed at some tributary dams to improve their migratory success. Some adult shad migrate back out to sea after spawning, but spawning stress is great and dead shad are a common sight during late spring. Techniques: Vary your retrieve speed and pay attention to how the fish are reacting. Below the Holyoke Dam is where the majority of people go. Trying to take 7yr old whos never fished before. Decades of intense fishing pressure coupled with years of low reproduction and non . Small stripers arrive in New England estuaries between mid- and late April, seeking out warm water and baitfish. Folks from miles around recognize that the Connecticut River is a stellar carp river. Thanks for your frequent and detailed shad reports. The Elk Hair Caddis is an excellent dry fly for any fish species in the river that might rise for bugs. I wondered if you could give at least a general location as i would like to bring my friend to a true shad run. As always we love to teach so book a trip with us and take the knowledge back! This migration into the river depends on water temperature but often begins in April and peaks in June. Our education reporter is Tiffany Pache. The most reliable way of distinguishing an American shad from other herrings is the relative shape of the cheek patch. Could anyone tell me what is the best place? Both traditional trout lures, like small swimmers and spinners, as well as live bait including minnows, dillies, crawlers and meal worms are enticing trout to bite. } catch(err) {}
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Jasper Craven covers politics for VTDigger. Bait like sand and blood worms have continued to work well on shallow water mud flats and beaches adjacent to large estuaries, bays and harbors. Fishing: the art of casting, trolling, jigging, or spinning while freezing, sweating, swatting, or swearing. The shop sold plenty of green crabs last week to anglers looking to take advantage of the spring blackfish season. The last time these hydro facilities were licensed was 1979. . Minor runs also occur in the Quinnipiac, Hammonasset and East rivers. Blackfish and striped bass season is on target as inland fishing remains very hot. Connecticut River pike fishing is really excellent. ");
My friend and I have been shad fishing the last two years up in NH/Me but the runs here are pretty small. Everything from bait to spinners and swimmers were reportedly taking fish. Heather from the Black Hawk office reports that it's just about time!! Trout are plentiful and of nice size, and anglers can now keep their fish in accordance with statewide and site-specific creel regulations. Practice catch-and-release to help ensure the health of the population for future generations. The local shad bite had still yet to materialize, not for lack of angler effort. However, gizzard Shad are an interesting fish and a welcome sign of things to come. Hed been selling sand and bloodworms to anglers looking to tangle with their first bass of the year. Expand fishway operation to accommodate resident riverine species such as walleye and sucker that make spawning migrations. The backwaters in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont all hold big northern pike. Gray to bluish green on back when alive, silver on sides, white on belly. Most recent Connecticut River Basin Fishway Passage Counts Fishways have opened up hundreds of miles of river to migratory fish in the Connecticut River watershed! Comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by local communities, the states, and individuals are needed to ensure that the new license requires improvements for fish passage to increase the health of our river and protect our migratory species. Go for a long, lightweight spinning or fly rod in fiberglass. The Buck Pond is a natural great pond. Unlike the sea lamprey in Lake Champlain, sea lampreys in the Connecticut River are native and an important part of the river ecosystem. That bite will only continue to improve as the fish continue spread out. Reports like yours and the weather will help me decide. Here are a few hot spots. Cast out and let the bait drift with the current. The local bass are stirring and theyd heard the mouth of the Connecticut River had a few fish last week. Fish over 35 inches are fairly common, especially around the mouths of tributaries and in backwaters. It seems that JavaScript is not working in your browser. It was breezy, but not as hard or cold as yesterday. RPS | Greeley | Monday April 10th 7:24 pm I am hoping the shad get going big time next week with the warmer weather. Inland waters continue to be stocked with fresh loads of trout to meet the demand of anglers. PDF 6:45 PM As I make my first cast with a 1/16-ounce custom-painted shad dart, Mike yells from upriver, I bet you catch your first shad within four casts.. The shop is open seven days a week for the season and Andrew encourages anyone who stops in to check out the new rod room that was added to the store over the winter. Long Island Sound water temperatures touched the 50s which bode well for blackfish (tautog) as well as the striped bass bite and balls of baitfish. Carry them in a variety of colors and sizes from 2 to 4/0. Where the Connecticut River empties into Long Island Sound at Old Saybrook, CT, is a great brackish water fishery. Captain John and first mate Chris were wonderful!! Search for volunteer opportunities around the country, News about wonderful wild things and places, FWS is taking steps to mitigate climate impacts, Search employment opportunities with USFWS. This is an excellent opportunity for anglers to target these hard-fighting fish and enjoy some great fishing. The shad stack up in large numbers in May.
I have been hammering the shed in Lowell at The Falls for the last 3 days.