October 05, 2026 - 10:51:07
Word from Ollie at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk is that fishing for a variety of species at Saugatuck Reservoir is getting better as water cools. Walleyes, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappies, trout—all are hitting. Ollie continues to catch most of his fish on 3- and 4-inch soft plastic swimbaits retrieved either close to bottom or about halfway down the water column if fish are suspended. Both largies and smallies are in shallow water, making them more accessible. Brown trout too have moved closer to shore and are searching for suitable spawning sites. The browns can be quite aggressive, and Ollie recommends using spoons when targeting them.
October 05, 2026 - 10:50:56
Rich at Fisherman’s World said angler activity has rebounded to some degree since the storm and for the most part, they haven’t heard of many changes to the local scene. Fishing for striped bass and scup is still good, black sea bass fishing has ticked up and there are some rogue schools of bonito around. Striper fishing is mostly unchanged. Wherever you found them before the storm is where you’re likely to find them now as they haven’t yet seen a push of new migratory fish into the region. He said that’s a different story at the mouth of the Housatonic River where they are hearing of some larger bass being caught. Locally, there are fish to be caught on the reefs and inside the islands and the harbor. Diamond jigs, trolling and big plastic eels are all working on the deep structure with swimming and topwater plugs working in closer to shore. There are some blues around but not in any concentration of larger fish. Scup fishing is fantastic from both boat and shore. Boats chumming clams over hard bottom in 20- to 30-feet of water are catching big porgies as are anglers fishing from Sherwood Island and Calf Pasture Beach. Sea bass fishing seems to have gotten a bit better with customers reporting good action on the deep wrecks in the region. Schools of bonito have been reported from the area, mostly out in deep water in the middle of the sound. The shop is ready for the upcoming tog season and is all stocked up with gear to get you fishing if you’re looking to head out on the opener on Saturday the 10th. The shop is open seven days a week.
September 28, 2026 - 10:45:04
From Rich at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk we heard that Saugatuck Reservoir has been kicking out walleyes, smallmouth bass, and a few small trout, live shiners being the hottest bait. With water level high and temperature dropping, fish are spreading throughout the impoundment. Stocking of trout in local rivers including the Saugatuck, Norwalk, Mianus, and Mill in Fairfield should happen any time now that water in those flowages is cooling.
September 28, 2026 - 10:44:52
Jesse at Fisherman’s World said despite the storm, they were talking to some hardy customers who had ventured out and were able to find some good action. Striped bass kicked into gear and because boats were stuck at the docks or safe harbors, local shore reports soared over the weekend. Bass fishing was good in the local back bays and over around the mouth of the Housatonic River where the linesides were fired up in the foul weather. Other customers reported catching scup from the local jetties and piers though that bite seemed to be slowed a bit by the rough conditions. Before the big blow fishing had been best for stripers, scup and weakfish with bluefish of any size larger than snappers being fairly scarce. Hardtails too had yet to make an appearance though this gale could rightly change that. Freshwater reports also increased in number over the weekend as local anglers looked to make the most of their opportunities. The Saugatuck Reservoir was producing some trout and bass both large and smallmouth and the smallmouth fishing in the Naugatuck River was also reportedly good. The shop is eager to see what the local bites look like when this storm is all wrapped up and most folks they’ve talked to are optimistic for a solid fall run. The shop is open seven days a week.
