New England - New England Freshwater Fishing Reports
The Fisherman Magazine Weekend Video Forecast 6/30/2022 – New England
Trophy striped bass are being caught from Boston, down through Cape Cod Bay, over in the Monomoy Rips, out at Block Island and in the western portions of Long Island Sound. In any one of these spots, a 50-pounder is a real possibility. Fluking is picking up in Connecticut, and seems to be slowing down a bit at Nantucket Shoals. The sea bass seem to be moving a little deeper across the region, but the bite won’t quit.
On June 22 I shore-fished Lake Mattawa in Orange, Massachusetts, very close to Quabbin Reservoirs Gate 31. Every now and then I hit Mattawa, sometimes targeting trout, other times pursuing bass. This latest outing was for bass, both largemouth and smallmouth. Unfortunately, weather had been chilly for mid-Junecloudy, damp, and breezy with highs struggling to make the 60sand more of the same greeted me the morning of June 22. Because of the unseasonably cool conditions I really did not expect to do as well as I had during my first-ever shore-fishing session at Mattawa back on June 15, 2019, when a Rapala twitched on top produced 14 largies up to 14 inches and a 20-inch chain pickerel. That morning had been warm, calm, muggy, and buggyperfect for bass-fishing. The chilly weather prevailing the morning of June 22 was not nearly as promising. Around 4:30 a.m. I arrived at the lakes west end where the public launch ramp is situated and started my outing by casting an Original Floating Rapala. On my third pitch a small fish struck, but I lost it a few moments later. For the next hour or so I made many more deliveries with the Rapala but experienced just one additional hit, that from a 10-inch crappie. Shortly after the calico bit, an 11-inch smallmouth grabbed the balsa plug off the surface. That was the last bite on the Rapala. I then switched to a 5-inch, wacky-rigged Junebug Yum Dinger and added three largemouths, the longest measuring 15 inches, to the mornings score. I also tried a Bobby Garland Baby Shad on my crappie-rod outfit, but the tiny jig kept snagging on bottom rocks. I dont think I missed anything with the crappie-rod outfit, though. The only panfish I saw were microscopic bluegills, and not very many. Perhaps the most exciting moment occurred around 7:00 oclock when a big trout swam past me. It looked at least 4 pounds, but I couldnt tell if it was a rainbow, brookie, or brown. I was surprised to see such a large trout in the warm shallows a long way from deeper, colder water. I ended fishing at 7:30 a.m., but before heading home I got to talk with another angler who informed me that Lake Mattawa had received 17 big broodstock browns back in early April. Maybe the trout I observed was one of those.
CONNECTICUT
The guys at Fishermans World in Norwalk said things were about the same as last week. There are still lots of large fish in local waters, but most of them are staying out in 30 to 50 fee...
CONNECTICUT
The guys at Fishermans World in Norwalk said things were about the same as last week. There are still lots of large fish in local waters, but most of them are staying out in 30 to 50 feet. Surfcasters that target prominent shore points, gaps with increased current or areas adjacent to deep water will have an increased chance at incepting one of these monsters that might swing inshore looking for food after dark. Your best bet is going to be chumming and chunking or slinging live eels. But dont neglect swinging swimmers or darters in a rip. There are also some large bluefish in the area which could show up an any time, but casters chucking topwaters at dawn will probably have the best shot. Lastly, porgy fishing has really fired up this week from all the popular shore spots.
The crew at Bobby Js Bait and Tackle in Milford said surfcasters continue to find nice stripers on eels and plugs from the beaches of Branford and West Haven. Weakfish are also sticking around in targetable numbers and surfcasters are hooking them on paddletails, bucktails and small swimming plugs. There have been a few larger bass and some gator blues in the mouth of the Housy as well, its a slow pick, but it can be worth it. Porgy fishing remains hot around the area from all the popular shore spots or any rocky spot with a little depth.
Andrew at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown said local anglers and captains have been reporting newly-arriving stripers all covered in sea lice and many of them have been over-slot fish. Theres a really nice mix of sizes in the area and surf guys are hooking up on eels, plugs and plasticsmostly after dark. Daytime fishers are scoring a few on topwaters, worm-dunkers are catching some schoolies and slots as well. Porgy fishing has been hot from many of the rocky shore points this week as well.
Karen from AW Marina in New London said most of her reports this week came from daytime anglers who were catching porgies from Pleasure Beach, Avery Point and Fort Trumbull. There were also reports of keeper fluke at Ft. Trumbull and some bass on chunks after dark. More
Jay at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown told us that carp fishing is very good in the Connecticut River. Most carpers are using boilies or canned corn, and Harbor Park in Middletown, Haddam Meadows, a...
Jay at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown told us that carp fishing is very good in the Connecticut River. Most carpers are using boilies or canned corn, and Harbor Park in Middletown, Haddam Meadows, and Cromwell Landing have been popular carpin sites. Catfish are hitting well too with chunk eels being a top bait. Quite a few shiner fishermen have also been targeting crappies in coves along the Connecticut River. The Salmon River is still churning out stocked trout with live bait and small Husky Jerks accounting for a majority of catches. Cary ended his report by informing readers that fishermen have already begun signing up for Fishin Factory 3s annual big-time carp tournament held on the Connecticut River in the autumn. If youre interested, be sure to contact the store soon. More
Rich at Fishermans World in Norwalk heard from a few Saugatuck Reservoir regulars who told him theyre getting tons of largemouth and smallmouth bass on shiners and Keitech swimbaits with the b...
Rich at Fishermans World in Norwalk heard from a few Saugatuck Reservoir regulars who told him theyre getting tons of largemouth and smallmouth bass on shiners and Keitech swimbaits with the best action occurring in the early morning. One trout in the 3-pound range and a fair number of pickerel were caught at the reservoir last week as well. More
RHODE ISLAND
The guys at Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly, said there were bass in the breachways this week, mostly slot fish but some larger fish were reported as well. Daytime guys found blues to ...
RHODE ISLAND
The guys at Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly, said there were bass in the breachways this week, mostly slot fish but some larger fish were reported as well. Daytime guys found blues to 10 pounds and decent numbers of porgies, but they hadnt heard any shore fluke reports yet. Some anglers fishing the ponds in the evenings have been hooking up with stripers from 24 to 36 inches on small soft plastics and topwaters.
Abbie at Quonnie Bait and Tackle in Charlestown said the breachways were putting out decent striper action this week for the anglers fishing late dropping tides. There were fish from schoolies to the low 40-inch class, drifted eels accounted for some of the larger fish. Scup catches are on the rise from the breachway jetties and other rocky locales.
Over at Snug Harbor Marina in Wakefield, word was that there had been some good fishing for surfcasters fishing local rocky shores. One duo of anglers had done very well throwing smaller metal lips, under 2 ounces, they enjoyed a hot bite of stripers from 15 to 20 pounds. Another set of guys had news of some good fishing on darters this week with fish to 28 pounds. Scup fishing is picking up on the wall as well.
The crew at Crafty One Customs in Portsmouth said the surf around Aquidneck Island continues to lag behind the results the boats are having. Hardcores are scratching out a few fish to 25 pounds, but the overall action has been on the slower side. Hopefully this new moon will change that. More
This weeks report from Cole at Red Top Sporting Goods in Buzzards Bay was similar to last weeks. Largemouth bass in ponds on and just off the Cape are on or near beds. He kayak-fished Little Sandy...
This weeks report from Cole at Red Top Sporting Goods in Buzzards Bay was similar to last weeks. Largemouth bass in ponds on and just off the Cape are on or near beds. He kayak-fished Little Sandy Pond in Plymouth one day and logged nine largemouths ranging 1 to 3 pounds by casting Senkos, Kreature Baits, and jigs to visible nests along the shoreline. He also scored a couple of decent pickerel. Reports from other bass anglers indicate that largemouths are also attacking fake frogs in lily pads, and that smallmouths are hitting well too. Ponds that have been steadily producing bass include Peters Pond in Sandwich, Big Sandy Pond in Plymouth, and Little Sandy Pond. More
Cary at Goose Hummock Shop in Orleans said that freshwater bass fishing is very good in Cape Cod particularly at Crystal Lake and Baker Pond, both in Orleans, and the ponds inside Nickerson State Park...
Cary at Goose Hummock Shop in Orleans said that freshwater bass fishing is very good in Cape Cod particularly at Crystal Lake and Baker Pond, both in Orleans, and the ponds inside Nickerson State Park in Brewster. Topwater lures are working very nicely, early and late in the day. Faux frogs worked in lily pads are fooling lots of largies too. More
South Shore Massachusetts to Maine Fishing Reports
From Roger Aziz, Jr., in Methuen we heard that the very best bass fishing at this time is in New Hampshire. Lake Winnipesaukee continues to kick out both largemouths and smallmouths while Jenness Pond...
From Roger Aziz, Jr., in Methuen we heard that the very best bass fishing at this time is in New Hampshire. Lake Winnipesaukee continues to kick out both largemouths and smallmouths while Jenness Pond and Northwood Lake, both in Northwood, and Milton Three Ponds in Milton are surrendering lots of largemouths. The bass are hitting a wide variety of lures with jigs and plastic worms high on the list. Closer to home in the Northeast Wildlife District, some shad and school stripers remain in the Merrimack River below the dam in Lawrence. More
Rick in Milford let everyone know that fishing is good in Central Wildlife District waters. A kayaker named Rob has been catching bass and trout at Hopkinton Reservoir while an angler named John has b...
Rick in Milford let everyone know that fishing is good in Central Wildlife District waters. A kayaker named Rob has been catching bass and trout at Hopkinton Reservoir while an angler named John has been bagging largemouth bass to 3 pounds on shiners at North Pond. Another fellow reported doing well with largemouths and big pickerel on a Beetle Spin at Dudley Pond, and guys fishing for bass at Whitehall Lake have been pulling in bullheads on shiners at dusk. More
For the second consecutive week Skip at Saunders Boat Livery, Inc. in Southwick won Thursday evenings big-bass contest at Congamond Lakes with a largemouth just under 4 pounds. This one took a Texas...
For the second consecutive week Skip at Saunders Boat Livery, Inc. in Southwick won Thursday evenings big-bass contest at Congamond Lakes with a largemouth just under 4 pounds. This one took a Texas-rigged Senko in Middle Pond. Two days later while practicing for a Sunday tournament, he logged a 6-pound, 1-ouncer. Unfortunately, during the tourney he couldnt contact anything but smaller bass, all of them in North Pond. The winner did much better, putting together a five-fish total weighing 18 pounds. Skip pointed out that bass fishing at Congamond Lakes has been very good and that trout are still cruising about too. During Sundays tourney he caught one rainbow in North Pond and had another follow his lure in Middle Pond. Weeds at Congamond are becoming a mess. More