Rhode Island Fishing Report – April 14, 2016

Trout fishing stole the show this week, as quality catches across both states are a testament to how hard our fisheries employees have been working to prepare for opening day. Temperatures approaching 70 should result in more striped bass, flounder and the first tautog reports of the season.

Rhode Island Fishing Report

Captain Frank, of The Frances Fleet in Narragansett, made quite an effort to capitalize on the strong local cod bite, but mother nature had different plans for most of the week. Winds were strong and steady most of the week but the trips that were made were good ones. Wednesday’s trips saw a good pile of fat market cod and plenty of throwbacks to keep the action steady. Saturday’s trip involved some large schools of bait and cod, but the fish seemed to suffer from a case of lock jaw. Trips will continue to sail on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5 AM, and Frank reminds anglers to check in with the office the night before to make sure everything is on.

Captain Russ, of The Seven B’s in Narragansett, reported similar results this week, with an excellent mid-week trip and a slower weekend trip after the big seas set in. Large schools of bait and cod were observed on both trips, so things should pick right back up this weekend as the weather settles. The fleet will sail Friday through Sunday at 5 AM if the weather permits.

Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, was happy to report that the first striped bass of the season were caught at the West Wall in Galilee over the past few days, which is an annual passage into spring and summer fishing for Rhode Island anglers. This is likely the first push of small migratory fish and with the weather climbing close to the 70’s next week, we should be seeing more each day. Small tins and plugs have done the trick, but small flies presented with a casting egg have been a top producer. Even better schoolie bass action has been going on in the east bay, where anglers are reporting good numbers of small holdovers with the occasional keeper in the mix. White perch anglers have been cleaning up in the Palmer River on small jigs and trout worms, while largemouth bass fishing remains very strong. Largemouth to 5-pounds were once again reported this week and most anglers have mentioned that fish are starting to move into the shallows. The trout opener was a strong one across the state, and the weather this weekend will be perfect to head to the streams while they are still full of fish. Dave also mentioned that he is fully stocked for the tautog opener on Friday, and is now open from 5 AM to 8 PM daily.

Mike, at Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly, had anglers across western Rhode Island reporting great catches of trout on opening weekend. Local anglers are also spending some time in the Pawcatuck River, where small school bass are getting more plentiful by the day. Winter flounder catches have been relatively quiet in Rhode Island, but Connecticut waters continue to produce some great fish to 15 inches.

Connecticut Fishing Report

Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, is coming off another great opening day BBQ and tournament, which saw a number of anglers come in with some hefty trout for the scale. Trout fishing was strong throughout the state, but the largest fish have been coming from the TMA sections of the Salmon and Farmington Rivers. The schoolie bite in the Connecticut slowed a bit for anglers tossing plugs, but those dunking worms are still getting fish from the mouth to Hartford. The Housatonic continues to put up the most bass in the state, but also still has the most pressure by a long shot. Haddam Meadows is producing solid pike for boat and shore anglers, and there are plenty of perch to be had around Hamburg.

Hillyers in Waterford reports that things quieted down a bit last week with the colder temperatures, but the steady flounder hunters are finding better local catches by the day. It is continuing to look like it has the makings of one of the stronger flounder years in recent memory, so capitalize on the quality weather this weekend while they are still plentiful. The Millstone outflow is still holding some schoolies, as is the Thames River; while tautog reports have not yet come in from local waters.

At Rivers End in Old Saybrook, Joe reports that the schoolie action in the Connecticut River slowed down a bit with the colder temperatures last week, but expects things to start to improve with the quick warm-up we are going to have. The same can be said about the Housatonic, as highs close to 70 should really kick start the big herring push many have been waiting for. The yellow and white perch bite has remained relatively steady in Hamburg Cove, while trout anglers reported good opening week results at Chatfield Hollow and Rogers Lake.

Rich, at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk reported that early indications from local trout anglers are that the local rivers were well-stocked with quality fish; namely the Saugatuck and Norwalk Rivers which have put out a good number of heavy fish. Saltwater fishing has quieted down a bit, as flounder and tautog anglers in the area haven’t had much to speak of just yet. The Housatonic remains steady if you’re looking for holdover action, and that should drastically improve with the warming water of the next few days. 

Torrey, at Upcountry Sportfishing in Pine Meadow, reports that the Hendrickson hatch is finally starting in the permanent catch and release area around New Hartford. Anglers have been taking advantage of the recent hatch and stocking, as a number of hefty trout were landed over the past few days. Torrey himself managed a freshly stocked monster 26” rainbow last weekend that was a blast on a #16 nymph and 5x tippet. The Farmington is at an ideal flow rate with excellent clarity throughout, and should see a lot more activity in terms of hatches and fish rising as the temperatures climb close to 70.

Rhode Island Fishing Forecast

Opening day was a resounding success in Rhode Island and our rivers and streams will remain full of fish for the upcoming weekend. Mother nature appears to be blessing us with some tremendous early spring weather over the next few days, which will undoubtedly fire up most of our local fisheries. The first migratory striped bass will be around to play in Rhode Island this weekend, while the herring run should greatly accelerate in both states. Winter flounder got off to a solid start in Connecticut and with the quick warm-up I anticipate more flounder reports, along with the first keeper tautog reports of the season.