It is starting. Having gone 0 for 2 the last 2 weekends on the Blackfish/Striper trips. Are there shad in the Connecticut River? Its a good way to catch many of the species of fish that swim these waters. Fishways have opened up hundreds of miles of river to migratory fish in the Connecticut River watershed! Half-Day trips for Blues & Bass will start Friday, May 19th and Fluke trips start Wednesday, May 10th. The cod bite was good last weekend and they are sailing again this week. 2010 CTF Game Dinner & Swap Meet: Feb. 13. Benais Saez Jr. Aug, 09, 2020 - Connecticut River. } catch(err) {} In the Northeast, these fish migrate from their wintering grounds in the south during the spring, moving up the coast to their spawning grounds in the Chesapeake Bay and Hudson River. Thanks for your frequent and detailed shad reports. I'll give you three guesses what I did after work today, and the first two don't count No Fish, to be more specific, the Chalet was in Masthope which is just above the junction of the Delaware River and the Lackawaxen River in Lackawaxen Pa. Long Island Sound water temperatures touched the 50s which bode well for blackfish (tautog) as we Captain TJ Karbowksi at Rock and Roll Charters told me hed been working on the boat daily and was looking forward to the coming season. Pike and panfish are both in play, and trophy fish are possible on jigs and bait. Connecticut River trout fishing is really good. American shad has been an important food fish in the Connecticut River since colonial days and has become our State fish in recognition of that fact. Depth averages 12 feet with a maximum of 35 feet. I always, as a former shad fisherman, enjoy your reports each year. Fish were taking more top-water plugs this week but swimmers and gliders continue to be hot baits. Captain Mike at Tartan II said hes pulling the boat and starting on a new paint job next week. Gray to bluish green on back when alive, silver on sides, white on belly. Eelways have been constructed at some tributary dams to improve their migratory success. Striped bass run up the Connecticut River all the way to the dam in Holyoke. You can catch a 30 pound striped bass near the mouth. Some of the diehards were out targeting winter flounder over the last week and they hadnt heard back at the shop if theyd been successful or not. . I wondered if you could give at least a general location as i would like to bring my friend to a true shad run. Hope for sufficient recovery by mid April to be able to take out the boat or maybe fish from a chair at The Wall in Cromwell. Karen said she is looking forward to seeing everyone soon and has high hopes for another great year. I hope to be able to meet you this year. While the attempt to restore Atlantic salmon failed, we still have a chance to support the restoration of American shad, sea lamprey, blueback herring and American eel populations in the river, as well as the resident species, by advocating for more effective fish passage through these facilities. Theres excellent trout fishing in the upper reaches. This year we have an opportunity to provide them a better chance to thrive. He can be reached at mpolhamus@vtdigger.org. Only 2 folx working the rock pile, and no shad. Bridges, jetties, and rocky shorelines are all good places to start your search. Both traditional trout lures, like small swimmers and spinners, as well as live bait including minnows, dillies, crawlers and meal worms are enticing trout to bite. Dont miss our complete guide to fly fishing around Connecticut. We need to push for changes to fish ladders at all of these facilities to support the restoration of these species by increasing fish passage effectiveness, accommodating their migration timing, and improving safety. The best part is that your money will be going towards a good cause. Most popular among his customers are the Salmon River and Coginchaug River (both could use some rain to raise flow levels), but Andrews also been hearing nothing but good reports from Chatfield Hollow Trout Park and Day Pond Trout Park, both being great places to bring the family for a day of trout fishing. It indicates that it will hold discussions with resource agencies, but in the meantime, there is little information in the application for the public to comment on. Connecticut, United States. data-event-category="Navigation header guest". There are also quite a few Striped Bass swimming around. Fishing below Holyoke, you can catch dozens of shad on a good day. Cheek patch deeper than wide. Look for areas with good water flow, structure, and baitfish. we are having a very uncommon winter here i nthe north east , temps are well above normal and it's getting the spring run started !!! Cars are lined up, fishermen are coming and going, and it feels more like Ive arrived at the Cape Cod Canal than the Connecticut River. The most reliable way of distinguishing an American shad from other herrings is the relative shape of the cheek patch. Kathy Urffer: Fish should have safe, easy passage at Connecticut River dams. In the Connecticut River, shad have migrated as far north as Bellows Falls, Vermont (272 miles from Long Island Sound), navigating three dams along the way via fishways. We are humbled to once again be nominated for the "Best of the Best" in The Day's contest. We've been booking lots of privat Captain Gerry from Drifter Charters said they are looking forward to another season on The Drifter and it wont be long until the boat is back in the water. The tailwater stretches near Pittsburgh, New Hampshire, are the best for trout fishing the Connecticut River. Dry flies in the spring and summer and nymphs or streamers year round can land a trout of lifetime here. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Access is from Mountain Road off Route 202. Anglers have been scoring in the Farmington and Connecticut Rivers for about a week now. Anglers targeting shallow water rockpiles with clams and sandworms reported good togging with several limits reported back to the shop. She can be reached at ehewitt@vtdigger.org. The Fisherman Unlike the sea lamprey in Lake Champlain, sea. Approx. Trout fishing has been as consistent as ever, and anglers targeting panfish are finding good results on small jigs. Bait like sand and blood worms have continued to work well on shallow water mud flats and beaches adjacent to large estuaries, bays and harbors. Having to make their way downstream, many of them go through the turbines in the hydro-facilities. Hed been selling sand and bloodworms to anglers looking to tangle with their first bass of the year. I used a hammered silver, in white w/4 red dots to catch him. Went 6 for 11 on a small short shank spoon. The shop is open seven days a week for the season and Andrew encourages anyone who stops in to check out the new rod room that was added to the store over the winter. I will be getting out there for sure this weekend to experience it first hand. Much like the bass fishing this time of year, those reporting success when targeting tog usually head to western LIS. // -->. The last seven miles of the river is a striper and bluefish haven, thanks to the abundance of bait in this large estuary. One nice roe the rest bucks. Comments. Saltwater Seaworms for Spring Tautog. Fish big flashy streamers, spinnerbaits, or deadbaits under a float for Connecticut River pike. Not too hot and not too cold. The American shad is a fish native to Connecticut. 866-347-4836. by Jimmy Fee. Connecticut River Fishing Reports Recently shared catches and fishing spots. "https://ssl." Some of the features on CT.gov will not function properly with out javascript enabled. 2 lb. American shad is an economically and ecologically important migratory fish species that once supported a robust fishery in the Hudson River. Theyre also lining up a bunch of new tackle including many new rods as they prepare for the coming se Karen at AW Marina told me they were back open this weekend and will be open weekends for the rest of the month while adding in weekdays as the eastern sound season gets going. There has been a variety of bait in the area, likely none more important to spring stripers than herring. The summer has its doldrums, but topwater bass is still good. All Rights Reserved. The fishing is great in each state along the way, with hot spots spread throughout. Theyll be prepping the boats and gear over the next few weeks. Give Captain TJ a call now to save your spot today before the season starts. If we dont act now to help sustain this fishery for our children, the next opportunity wont come until they are our age. This commentary is by Kathy Urffer of Brattleboro, and a river steward for the Connecticut River Conservancy in Vermont and New Hampshire. Everything from bait to spinners and swimmers were reportedly taking fish. As the water begins to warm up, stripers, also known as rockfish or striped bass, become more active and start to move into shallow waters to feed. Could not have had a better time!! But theres also a ton of saltwater news, with schoolie bass making it as far as Newport, some new tog news and a growing haddock bite north of Cape Cod. Jigs and soft plastics fished near the bottom can also be effective. If you want to learn more about fly fishing, be sure to subscribe to our email newsletter for updates on the best fishing destinations, the newest fly gear, useful casting techniques and much more. 866-347-4836. Our first trip will be the weekend of May 6 & 7 for Peconic Bay Porgies. Seems the shad were bigger back then. As Early Bird said many fond memories of fishing the Enfield Dam with my dad. The low flow may increase the warming of the water and allow migrating fish, such as river herring and American shad, to get upstream more quickly and easily. Our full schedule is available online at www.sunbeamfleet.com Private Charters are available for up to 80 passengers. Please see ourPrivacy Pagefor more information. 2023 HG&E Shad Derby Dates: May 13, 14, 20, 21 Time: 9 am - 5 pm* 3rd.May, 4:30 pm after work, at the Wall. late March and April will be lights out !!! Ive even seen catfish and walleye rising! If mild weather and conditions on the Sound remain status quo or improves and winds/seas do not kick up, the last week and one-half will be fruitful. This river system has more species of fish than most fly fishers will catch in a lifetime! A few years back my bro and I did good trolling the Farmy from Barts to the mouth of the Ct River. When I talked to Andrew at Fishin Factory 3 told me the striper bite in the river started to pick up this week. Although shad cease feeding during their spawning runs (they feed on zooplankton when at sea), they will strike small jigs and spinners during this time. Bass, pike, stripers, carp, troutit all happens. Not going to The Wall as planned this morning, wife has recruited me to help her spread 8 cubic yards of cedar mulch she had delivered. Easy in and out marina, fish accessible almost immediately = more fish in the boat and less time cruising from location to location. Catching them is like the lottery you have to be in it to win it. Carrying many different sizes, colors, and weights is a good idea for the different scenarios and species you could encounter. Our first trip will be the weekend of May 6 & 7 for Peconic Bay Captain Mike at Tartan II said hes pulling the boat and starting on a new paint job next week. And the shad are exhausted. Trips will begin mid-May and some of the weekends are already booked for the season. I am thinking another week or two unless somebody connects big time. Report Connecticut Fishing Report - April 6, 2023. Since then, I've followed his photos, and updates on social media. These hard-fighting fish can be caught in a variety of ways, making them a favorite among both fly and conventional anglers. Note the additional rodholders for creating a "rattling" spread . 6:42 PM Ven hooks up, and I grow anxious to get into the action. The shad migrating into the Connecticut River, on average, spawn only once or twice when they should be able to spawn for three years in a row. This is quite a bit north (upstream) from the Bethlehem area. Please! Fishing reports are st New England Video Fishing Forecast April 13, 2023, New England Video Fishing Forecast April 6, 2023, May 1 November 30. Here are a few thoughts on catching them. While Great River Hydro, the owner of the Wilder, Bellows Falls and Vernon dams, has proposed significant positive operational changes in its revised application, it has offered little other detail to address migratory fish passage. We look forward to seeing everyone soon! 2010 CTF Game Dinner & Swap Meet: Feb. 13. Anglers dropping Asian crabs, mostly on jigs are picking away at spring limits of keeper blackfish. Shallow water flats, estuaries, bays and harbors are still the best bet for locating hungry bass. Anyone with hot spots for me? A Pictorial Guide to Freshwater Fishes of Connecticut. Up to 5 pounds every fourth or fifth cast. Lets fix this now so we dont pass this problem on to the next generation. 6:45 PM As I make my first cast with a 1/16-ounce custom-painted shad dart, Mike yells from upriver, I bet you catch your first shad within four casts.. Weekend trips tend to book fast so give Captain Gerry a call now to grab your spot. Tickets will go on sale soon, so be sure to check our website. RPS | Greeley | Monday April 10th 7:24 pm This will be my first time..thanks, What are good spots from shore in CT for shad? They are fully stocked with trout lures, artificials baits, minnows, dillies, crawlers and meal worms along with plenty of terminal tackle, line as well as rods and reels. The best action right now is still mostly a bait bite but those looking for stripers chasing newly arriving herring reported getting into fish on lures. They went fairly far up the Delaware even from us, some all the way to Hancock. Disclaimer:IntoFlyFishing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Trout season will open in Rhode Island this Saturday, April 8th at 6 a.m. and at that very same moment, Connecticut's harvest season for trout will also begin. The shop is open seven days a week for the season and Andrew encourages anyone who stops in to check out the new rod room that was added to the store over the winter. Every year, for decades, hundreds of thousands of American shad have been successfully lifted via a fish elevator over the Holyoke dam, only to be stymied by the next obstacle upstream the Turners Falls dam. Hed been selling sand and bloodworms to anglers looking to tangle with their first Heather from the Black Hawk office reports that it's just about time!! Search for volunteer opportunities around the country, News about wonderful wild things and places, FWS is taking steps to mitigate climate impacts, Search employment opportunities with USFWS. Long Island Sound water temperatures touched the 50s which bode well for blackfish (tautog) as well as the striped bass bite and balls of baitfish. Booking a trip with Lopstick is a good way to get to know the upper Connecticut River. He knows how to find and catch fish, too. Here are some tips for a successful spring striper fishing trip: Good fight. The decisions that result from this relicensing will affect our river and these fish until we revisit this license in 2060 or so. A little while later, another shadaholic C&R a very small roe. Born , raised and still living in Holyoke. +45 Fresh Fishing Reports from Connecticut Spring 2023 Striper Run However, gizzard Shad are an interesting fish and a welcome sign of things to come. Exception: Naugatuck River, Shetucket River, Housatonic River and lakes stocked by CT DEEP. American shad spend their adult lives at sea and usually return to the river of their birth to spawn. The local shad bite had still yet to materialize, not for lack of angler effort. Bass fishing was good again and fish continue to spread out as the water warms. Bob Popovicss Hollow Fleye is a great pattern for large predator fish in the Connecticut River. Largemouth bass bite crawling wake baits, DEEP stocks lake trout in select waters, and herring ignite better striped bass fishing amid mild weather. On the freshwater side of things, trout fishing continues to produce great action for many anglers taking advantage of good fishing conditions. Casting sinking flies along the beaches, in bays and by mouths of tidal rivers is gaining steam. SeeCT DEEP Fish Community Datafor updated distributions. All Outdoors: Camping, Hiking, Photography, Mushroom Hunting, etc. Depending on its shape, a sinker might be best-suited for keeping a tog rig still, bringing the teasers to life in a popcorn rig, or drifting in a straight line when dropping 500 feet or more for tilefish, so explore our guide to the most common sinker styles, and their best uses for bottom fishing. 238 East Main St Middletown, CT 06457phone: 860-344-9139. We can't wait to get out there! The last time these hydro facilities were licensed was 1979. I was not aware that gizzard Shad came in in the abundance that they evidently do, as I had assumed that it was a species that did not have a very large presence in this state. Andrew said he wouldnt be surprised if he hears about the first local shad caught this week considering the forecasted warm temperatures. Paul, I'm sorry to hear about the MCL tear. Erin Mansfield is VTDiggers health care reporter. On my second cast, I add a new species to my listthe American shad. Fish are liking that combo! Although some of the popular spots m Captain Morgans emailed over their report to say, We definitely had a week of Summer come early. It can be too long before the Shad show up in numbers. The water was down a little from my last outing on Friday, 29th.April, clear, and at about dead high tide, the current was virtually slack. Savoring the shad run in the Delaware River with shad darts and flutter spoons. The Fish and Aquatic Conservation program leads aquatic conservation efforts for the U.S. } catch(err) {} Tickets will go on sale soon, so be sure to check our website. Seeing red tail hawks, Eagle, great blue heron, Cormorans, ducks, and last but not least turkey buzzards. You can learn how to get involved at www.ctriver.org/hydropower. River flows spiked early last week before dropping and moderating. April 10, 2023 by Dave Anderson. font size, Department of Energy & Environmental Protection. document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); Fish and Wildlife Service. Fish and Wildlife Service. Ive been going out over the last few weeks fishing near the Connecticut River and on the river itself. But, stripers aren't the only migratory fish of the season. They feed on shad and herring. A quick round-up of our 2022 year of fly fishing including all the destinations we fished, as well as a bit about what's in store for 2023. When I talked to Andrew at Fishin Factory 3 told me the striper bite in the river started to pick up this week. We are committed to tackling the nations highest priority aquatic conservation and recreational challenges to conserve, restore, and enhance fisheries for future generations. Dad even won a prize in the derby one year. While the Miller . That'll put a damper on your season. Connecticut River fishing is amazing. By the time I left about 6:20 pm, only 3 shad had been hooked. Shad, I notice are slimy, like pickerel. Wills & Dellinger-Pate: Menthol and flavors are the lures that hook kids to tobacco. Time your trip: Timing is everything when it comes to striped bass fishing. Where can you park. This is also the best part of the river for shad fishing. 2016 CT.gov | Connecticut's Official State Website, regular info@thefisherman.com Stripers continued to spread out in pursuit of various schools of bait throughout the region. VTDigger covers criminal justice issues including Vermont legal issues, Vermont courts and the Vermont Department of Corrections. The American Shad run is in full swing, and your chances of catching Trout and Salmon are still strong. The Partnership is a national investment strategy to maximize the impact of conservation dollars on the ground. Lopstick Lodge in Pittsburgh, New Hampshire provides a great guide service. For those with kids who are off for vacation next week, Massachusetts is running a series of trout stocking presentations all over the state next week and your kids will have the opportunity to personally release trout, you can find that info at www.mass.gov/news/school-is-out-help-stock-trout. Blue cats and channel cats are still being caught throughout the bay, and . The shad migrating into the Connecticut River, on average, spawn only once or twice when they should be able to spawn for three years in a row. Some shad have also been reported. The Elk Hair Caddis is an excellent dry fly for any fish species in the river that might rise for bugs. Lower jaw does not rise steeply within mouth. Just a great time for Shad fishing! When they are on, it can be lots of fun. You are trying to access a feature that requires a Fishidy account. We would fish from boats that were anchored upstream from a major compression point that would funnel the shad to us as they moved upstream. Small stripers arrive in New England estuaries between mid- and late April, seeking out warm water and baitfish. I was told they were gizzard Shad by one of the local kayak Anglers with a lot more experience than myself in this particular location. Sinai, NY 11766 The ice fishing for perch and other panfish was quite good. Free Fishing Talk: Questions, Answers & Fishing Discussion, https://www.thefisherman.com/article/2020-shad-forecast-dreaming-of-the-delaware/, https://www.gameandfishmag.com/editorial/fishing_crappies-panfish-fishing_pa_0309_01/194679, Free Fishing Talk: Questions, Answers & Fishing Discussion, Fishing Reports - Only start new topics in these forums if you've gone fishing, CTF Member ONE Lure Most Fish Species Caught Challenge Tourney, Boats, Motors, Electronics, Trailers, Launches & Marinas. Could anyone tell me what is the best place? The Salmon River joins the Connecticut River 18 miles upstream of the Long Island Sound. All Rights Reserved, Discovering the Connecticut River Shad Run. "https://ssl."