High temperatures off 70-plus degrees in early March have got things off to an early start in southern New England. Holdover striped bass are waking up in the tidal rivers, while freshwater fishing for pike, bass, trout, and perch is picking up each day.
Connecticut Fishing Report
Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, reported that anglers have plenty of pre-opening day options across Connecticut. The Connecticut River pike are setting up early to spawn this season, but the lack of rain and ice melt has made the river plenty accessible for anglers. The spawning grounds around Haddam have been hot for pike, along with some of the smaller tributaries from Middletown to Glastonbury. White perch anglers have been happy to report that the bite has picked up immensely in the lower river, and most are finding good catches right inside Hamburg Cove. Striped bass anglers are also welcoming the early spring, as holdover fishing has been picking up all over the state. The best reports remain in the Housatonic, but both the Thames and Connecticut are holding fish and are less pressured. Another option for freshwater anglers are the TMAs, which have nice quiet flows and are much cleaner than usual for early March. Many portions of the Farmington are recently stocked, and that is a great option, along with the Salmon River.
Rich, at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk reports that things have been on the quiet side for the most part, but a good deal of western Connecticut anglers are starting to get back out onto the Housatonic and are finding some quality fish. The trout management areas out west are fishing just as well as some of the bigger central Connecticut rivers, and anglers are also reporting good bass and perch fishing at Candlewood Lake.
At Connecticut Outfitters in Wethersfield, Gary reports that anglers are finding plenty of good fishing across Connecticut, despite being a month away from opening day. The trophy trout lakes that are still open are producing good catches, with strong reports coming from Highland, Crystal and Candlewood this week. The pre-spawn pike bite on the Connecticut is also heating up, and anglers are buying up big bright spinnerbaits and large live baits in great numbers.
Joe, at Rivers End in Old Saybrook, didn’t have a whole lot to report as far as fishing goes just yet. Most anglers are heading to the tidal rivers for holdover bass with decent success. The bite has not blown open just yet, but things are getting more consistent each day. The first river herring are right around the corner, and should really help things get going. The Connecticut River is also providing some good white perch fishing in the lower stretches, while the Haddam area is seeing pike activity pick up. The bigger news at Rivers End is that the annual Striper Surf Day will be next Saturday the 19th, from 10-4. Along with great lure specials and free food there will be great seminars and tutorials from Bill Wetzl, Dennis Zambrotta, Steve McKenna, Toby Lapiniski, along with others.
Torrey, at Upcountry Sportfishing in Pine Meadow, noted that his hours have now expanded to; 8-6 on weekdays and 6-5 on weekends. He was also happy to report that fishing has been about as good as it gets for early March. The river was stocked last week from the dam at Riverton down to Whittemore, and also from below the 219 bridge in New Hartford down to Canton/Collinsville. Quality stocker fish have been easy to find on olive or black Wooly Buggers, especially if you are using a nymph trailer. Larger, holdover and wild fish are a bit tougher to fool, but anglers have been reporting good catches up and down the river since the warm up. The quick warm up should kickstart the early black stone hatch, and size #12-16 imitators should be a safe bet.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
Captain Frank, of The Frances Fleet in Narragansett, reported that the fleet was only able to leave the dock once this past week, with a trip on Sunday. There were a few fish to be had, but unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate for the rest of the week. The ten-day outlook is promising, as the weather finally looks to be stabilizing a bit. Frank anticipates many more opportunities to get after cod in the next few weeks, and will continue to sail at 5 AM each day if the weather permits.
The weather also kept The Seven B’s in Narragansett sidelined last weekend, but as noted earlier things look much more stable in the coming days and this warm spell should certainly help. Weather permitting, the fleet will sail Friday through Sunday at 5 AM.
Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, reported that a lot of Rhode Island striped bass anglers have taken to the tidal rivers of eastern Connecticut, and are having decent success with striped bass to 32 inches or so. Angler Brandon Hagopian was out Tuesday night and had success fishing soft plastics on light jigheads from his kayak. Cesin Curi also found similar successful results throwing swimming plugs from the shore. The warm spring should have things going nicely in the Rhode Island tidal rivers and salt ponds very soon, but for the time being anglers can find some quality fish just over the Connecticut border. Rumors of river herring are starting to trickle in from the Cape and parts of Narragansett Bay, so be on the look out for some feeding bass in Rhode Island more sooner than later. In freshwater news, white perch reports are quickly improving from Scott Pond, Barney Pond and Turner Reservoir. The calico bite is also picking up, and they can be found in a number of fisheries across the state. Largemouth bass reports have also been solid across the state, with Oars Pond in North Attleboro putting up some of the best fish this week. Dave also mentioned to be sure to check the regulation book, because despite being well before opening day, a number of lakes, ponds and streams remain open.
Fishing Forecast
Spring is here, and while it may seem early when you look at the calendar, it won’t seem so early when you look at the thermometer. Our usual early spring patterns will continue to settle in over the next few days, which means holdover bass will start to be on the move, northern pike will be on the pre-spawn feed, the TMAs will offer plenty of freshly stocked and holdover fish, and freshwater fishing for perch, bass, and trout will be steady in all of our lakes and ponds that remain open to fishing.