New England - New England Freshwater Fishing Reports

Word from Ollie at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk is that fishing for a variety of species—largemouths, smallmouths, walleyes, brown trout, and crappies—remains steady at Saugatuck Reservoir. Many are nice-size specimens especially the walleyes (running 24 inches and up) and brown trout (“high-quality”). Shiners are still the best bait, either slip-bobbered or free-lined with a couple of small split shots above. Regarding crappies, Ollie revealed that they can now be found (1) on rocks and weed edges on flats; (2) around the bridge in the north end where the Saugatuck River enters; (3) at the dam in the impoundment’s south end; and (4) suspended off laydowns extending out over deep drop-offs. Many customers are eagerly awaiting fall trout and broodstock Atlantic salmon stocking. The leapers could start going into selected rivers in the next week or so.

Spoke with Colin at Fishin’ Factory 3 in Middletown who has been selling loads of shiners to anglers targeting largemouth bass in local ponds and lakes. A few fellows pursuing crappies in coves along the Connecticut River have also been doing well using minnows as well as tiny jigs. A week ago, they were fishing at night, but last week they switched to daytime. Colin also relayed a report from a couple of fishermen who have been catching catfish on shiners at Cedar Lake in Chester. Trouters are “definitely getting anxious” and looking forward to fall trout stockings.

Jeff Sullivan in Bristol told us that many of the largemouth bass in the ponds he has been fishing are exhibiting early-autumn behavior, and in response he has switched to fall-fishing mode too. Last week he shore-fished Johnsons Pond in Coventry, and rather than focus on shallow cover and structure, he probed drop-offs bordering deep spots. Using a 6-inch nickel flutter spoon, he picked up largies in the 3- and 4-pound range. Bigger bass—5, 6, 7 pounds and heavier—should begin showing in the same places as water continues to cool.

Crazy Chris at Red Top Sporting Goods in Buzzards Bay heard from numerous customers who are doing well with largemouth bass up to 5 pounds in ponds on and just off the Cape. Most of these anglers are tight-lipped about exact locations and techniques, so Chris could not provide those details. Customers are also reporting excellent pickerel and panfishing. Asked about holdover trout, Chris answered that surviving stockies are always available in deep holes in Cape Cod trout ponds, and that big browns are now cruising shallow water at dusk and during the night. Further, autumn trout stocking should commence soon, perhaps this week.

Rick in Milford said at least 100 kids came into the shop over the weekend to get shiners which they then used to catch largemouths, pickerel, bullheads, and panfish at several venues including Hopedale Pond and Choate Park. Also, a fellow who took five youngsters fishing reported they used four dozen minnows, catching all kinds of fish at a local pond, the name of which Rick forgot. Another fisherman named Timmy told Rick he witnessed a boat angler catch a tiger trout that looked like a 4-pounder at Ashland Reservoir. Rick also had reports of good action with largemouths and pickerel at Lake Whitehall and Uncas Pond along with news from New York’s Salmon River where one customer hooked and lost 26 salmon, and another angler named Mike caught king salmon and brown trout.

Roger Aziz, Jr., in Methuen said not much was happening at the Merrimack River. Of the few anglers still plying the river, most are launching at the Methuen ramp and catching some pike but not as many as before. As has been the case for many weeks, waters in New Hampshire including Lake Winnipesaukee, Winnisquam Lake, Newfound Lake, Northwood Lake, Jenness Pond, Canobie Lake, and Great East Lake are churning out big smallmouth and largemouth bass.

According to Skip at Saunders Boat Livery, Inc. in Southwick the bass bite in Congamond Lakes stayed cool last week although Thursday evening’s big-bass event produced decent results. Mario captured best-three honors with 10+ pounds while a 4+-pound smallmouth won the big-bass category. Skip caught a few small fish during the contest, nothing worth mentioning. Many different lures and applications have been working. As usual, Skip’s been relying on drop-shotted finesse baits and Texas-rigged Senkos. On the day we spoke, he had just started fishing Congamond and already had boated a couple of big pickerel and missed a hit.