Fishing Reports News

DEP ANNOUNCES WINTER TROUT STOCKING

In anticipation of this winter’s freeze, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has completed its annual winter stocking of surplus broodstock brown trout. The DEP stocked approximately 1,100 surplus Seeforellen-strain broodstock, brown trout into fifteen lakes and ponds scattered throughout the State during the last two weeks of 2007. The fish released this winter were raised at the Kensington State Fish Hatchery and weigh between 1 and 15 pounds each. “These trout are spawned at the hatchery in the late fall and are then stocked out in the winter to provide additional opportunities for ice anglers to catch a large trout,” said Ed Parker, Chief of DEP’s Bureau of Natural Resources.

. In western Connecticut, a total of 545 broodstock were released into the following waters: Tyler Lake (Goshen) (150 fish), West Hill Pond (New Hartford/Barkhamsted) (150 fish), Stillwater Pond (Torrington) (30 fish), Mohawk Pond (Cornwall/Goshen) (60 fish), Mt. Tom Pond (Morris/Litchfield/Washington) (95 fish) and Westside Pond (Goshen) (60 fish).

In eastern Connecticut, Black Pond (Middlefield/Meriden), Black Pond (Woodstock), Crystal Lake (Ellington), Mashapaug Lake (Union) and Quonnipaug Lake (Guilford) each received 50 fish, and Amos Lake (Preston), Bashan Lake (East Haddam), Cedar Lake (Chester) and Long Pond (North Stonington) were stocked with 75 fish each

DEP reminds winter anglers that SAFETY COMES FIRST. Although it may look and feel like winter is upon the state, be aware that ice thickness varies on all water bodies due to a number of environmental factors including in-lake water circulatory patterns, snow cover and the type and amounts of recent precipitation. Please check the ice carefully before venturing out and check repeatedly to make sure that ice thickness is sufficient.

Anglers are reminded that the 2008 fishing and hunting licenses are now available and can be purchased at town halls, bait and tackle shops and many stores that sell outdoor sporting equipment. Anglers will soon be able to purchase their licenses online. The DEP advises anglers to check fishing regulations in their new 2008 Connecticut Angler’s Guide. Guides are available from Town Clerks, many bait and tackle stores and by contacting the DEP Inland Fisheries Division (860-424-FISH) or can be accessed on the DEP web site at: www.ct.gov/dep/fishing.

Rivers & streams - Colder water, frigid air temperatures and poor weather has stopped most some anglers from scoring while fishing for trout in the Housatonic, Farmington and Naugatuck rivers this week. A few bait dunkers had fair luck in both rivers. Broodstock Atlantic salmon fishing for salmon in the Naugatuck River and Shetucket River fishing has been slow.

Lakes & Ponds – Many smaller ponds and small lake coves had ice cover. Small ponds in northwest section of the state usually have the first safe ice. Several inches of snow on top of thin ice is a dangerous situation for on-ice sports. Conditions can change from day-to-day. It’s best to proceed with caution.

ICE FISHING REPORT

TROUT - For trout fishing try the following locations: Tyler Lake, Lake Waramaug, Highland Lake, Mohawk Pond, Mt. Tom Pond, West Side Pond, Black Pond (Middlefield) and West Hill Pond. Some good catches also reported from the West Branch Farmington River TMA, Naugatuck River and Pequonnock River. A 12-pound plus brown trout (28 5/8″) was caught and released from an unspecified location by a lucky angler (rumors would indicate Mt Tom Pond). Congratulations on a fine catch.

NORTHERN PIKE - Fishing for these monsters has been excellent with many fish being caught. Best reports are from Bantam Lake (catches up to 35″), Winchester Lake (including a 32″ pike), Pachaug Pond, and at Wethersfield Cove and White Oaks Cove along the Connecticut River.

PANFISH - Panfish are being caught in good numbers between the hours of 6:00 am-9:00 am for the early riser looking for cooperative quarry. Jigging with grubs on your favorite lure and moving from place to place is the way to go for these delicious fish. Locations to try include Tyler Lake (37 fish for one angler), Bantam Lake (100 fish for one group), Black Pond (Middlefield), Winchester Lake, West Hill Pond and West Side Pond.

CHAIN PICKEREL – The traditional favorite of ice fishermen, excellent pickerel fishing is reported at Tyler Lake, Lake Waramaug and Winchester Lake. LARGEMOUTH BASS - Bass are being found at Tyler Lake, Mashapaug Lake, Bantam Lake, Lake Waramaug, West Side Pond, Burr Pond, Mt. Tom Pond and Mohawk Pond.

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