New England - Connecticut Fishing Reports

I talked to Tyler at Fisherman's World and he said the action out in the Sound has really slowed down in a hurry. There are probably still some fish around 11B and 28C but they are thinning out fast. The same could be said for bass running the beaches, a few stragglers are probably around, but it's winding down as well. Most of the striper guys are centered around the Housy where there have been good catches from the mouth all the way up to Shelton. Larger soft plastics in the 5- to 9-inch class are catching a lot of the bigger fish. On the freshwater side of things, the Naugatuck Reservoir has been fishing well for trout, walleye and a few smallies; the best bait has been live shiners. Also the local rivers like the Mill, Norwalk and Mianus have all been stocked and are putting out good catches.

Bobby J?s said the Housy has become the main attraction locally as the winter striper stronghold is filling up with it's annual winter residents. Nighttime has been the best time to connect with some of the larger specimens, but there have been some nice fish caught in the late afternoon as well. Out in the Sound, there are still some straggler stripers around, but they are thinning out quick. Sea bass is an option, but you'll want to be looking deep for those. Freshwater guys are chasing trout and finding good success at all of the local ponds that were stocked in the fall. The shop Christmas Party will be on December 16th and there will be a storewide 15 percent off sale to celebrate.

Captain Morgan?s emailed over their report to say, ?Another cycle as we are Into December and Long Island Sound?s water temperatures are in the high 40?s. Gusty winds, fog and haze has played with visibility but most larger vessels have bedded down for the winter leaving plenty of room for the trailer army. On milder days, they have been darting in/out of the rivers and the big pond for schoolie stripers and limited catches of winter flounder in the local bays. Main patrolled tidal rivers are seeing runs of herring that are occupying some nice holdover fish. Focus is on sizes, daily limits, hooks and current fishing license. 2025 fishing and hunting licenses as well as shellfish are now available at the shop. Black sea bass ventured to the deep while most porgies have hit deeper water as well. Adios bluefish and thanks for a good run this season! It is getting near time to pick away at some of the colder water fish provided temps drop, as little doubt they will. As that happens, Atlantic herring should swing into the Sound along with bottom feeders that come in from the shelf around that time. Will there be ?hard? water for the local ice anglers this season?
The way air temperatures have fluctuated and trended lately, cautious optimism has been the guarded response many are having. Should that happen, we?ll be ready for those fishing locally and the ones heading north. Meanwhile, the switch back to sweet water from many of the mariners has been obvious as the trout and Atlantic salmon waters are being fished. Anglers are using live baits and artificials including flies with from good to varied results depending on conditions and presentations. Not to be slighted, lake and pond fishers continue to be into large/smallmouths, some catfish, a pickerel or two, perch and other panfish. The bass and trout have to top the list! Got a feeling this is going to be the norm for a while. Fly tiers and those anglers looking to replace some of those beat up or lost flies or just add a few more ?newbies? to someone?s collection , now is the time. It is also time to replenish bench materials/accessories to get set up for winter?s tying. Seasonal conditions are struggling to get into a wintry mode, but shorter daylight hours, weather systems generated from the north and a dipping jet stream are contributing to a foregone conclusion. It is a question of just how mild this winter will be in southern New England. For now, we have been fishing through the ending of some of the best marine fishing of the year and that will come until the last cast is made. Fly Fishing Clinic: Now booking for the 2024 fishing season. Holiday Gift Certificates available. Outstanding opportunity for the experienced or intermediate inland and marine fly fisher. From trout, salmon and sea-run browns to striped bass, bonefish, permit, tarpon, etc., techniques learned and skills honed will improve your fishing. Currently, live and scented freshwater baits are available including an assortment of lures and flies for all waters. If you are looking for popular productive fishing spots in the Sound and want to set up your electronics for the season?s fishing, swing by the shop and check out one of our marked and recently updated charts for sale. Captain Morgan?s (an Authorized PENN Premium and Daiwa Tournament Dealer) is fully stocked (gift certificates available) and remains open 7 days, to support the fishing community. Due to the volume of calls received, leave a message and pertinent ones will be returned as soon as possible. Pay us a visit at 21 Boston Post Road, Madison and you will see why we say, 'We don?t make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better.??

Matt from Black Hall Outfitters emailed over their report to say, ?Water temps took a nosedive out in the Sound and that has chased off most of the local striped bass. However, there are stripers that can be found up inside the coves and tributaries of the Connecticut River and, while these fisheries are dominated by schoolies, anglers hook a few big ones every year--sometimes through the ice. Many anglers are now tunring their attention to salmon and trout where we're hearing mostly positive reports."

Captain Mike Roy at Reel Cast Charters told me their season was wrapped up for the year and it was another one for the books. Captain Mike and his team want to thank all their clients for another great year of fishing and they look forward to seeing everyone again next year.

Andrew at Fishin? Factory 3 said the coves on the Connecticut River were starting to heat up for panfish and pickerel. Now is a great time to go throw small jigs or tiny countdown swimmers for white perch, yellow perch and crappie. It?s also a great time to throw jerkbaits for bass and pickerel, the chance to hook a pike or striped bass. No one seems to be fishing the Sound now that tog season is over, but the bass are moving up river or streaming west now. Trout fishing has been good in the Farmington where some really nice browns have been reported this week. The Salmon River is also putting out good numbers of fish.

Heather from the Black Hawk office said, "There's not much to report this week! Unfortunately, we ended up tied to the dock most of the week due to the windy conditions. We did get out last Sunday, and although the trip was a little slow to start, the sea bass were there once we started drifting. We had quite a few shorts to get through, but the keepers were well worth it! Most anglers got to their limit. There was a nice showing of scup mixed in as well. A couple keeper cod with a couple shorts too. After a week of being tied to the dock, on Saturday we took the ride to Coxes Ledge where the quality sea bass were ready to chew. We had some limits produced, and many anglers were close. Some nice scup, ling and jumbo bergals mixed in too. Everyone went home with a nice catch. Overall, a beautiful day weather-wise for December. We will continue to fish through December, weather permitting. Be sure to grab your tickets and join us! We look forward to seeing everyone soon!"

Over at Hillyer?s Bait and Tackle things were winding down, a few guys were trying the Thames for stripers reports were spotty. There was good news from guys fishing out of RI for tog, sea bass and cod. Other than that, it's been quiet fishing-wise, but there's been lots of activity in the shop as people are in buying gifts and stocking up for next year. The shop is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Christmas and will be just weekends after that.

Karen at AW Marina said they closed up last week with the end of tog season. She said there are still some stripers up in the Thames and even a few out in the Sound as well. A few guys had made the run south of Block where the sea bass and codfish action was good and there were some porgies in the mix as well. She wanted to thank all of their customers for another awesome season, wish everyone Happy Holidays and say that they're looking forward to seeing everyone again in April.