Rhode Island Fishing Report – December 29, 2016

Cod and sea bass keep biting off Block Island, while most freshwater anglers are opting for trout, pike, perch and crappie in the rivers over the limited ice options

Rhode Island Fishing Report

The The Frances Fleet in Narragansett got out right before and after the Christmas holiday and things remain steady on the cod grounds. Last Friday saw consistent cod action with high-hook taking home 8 fish. The pool fish came in at 12 pounds, and double-digit cod were not hard to come by. Limits of sea bass were easily attainable, and that bite doesn’t seem to be slowing at all. On Monday, a good crew came out to try out their new gear and cash in on the long weekend. The cod bite was a touch slower than Friday, but most anglers took home a good number of keepers to 10 pounds. The cod bite may have been a touch slower on Monday, but the sea bass limit remained stellar. Easy limits were managed by all on board, with a good number of fish in the 4- to 5-pound range.

Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, said that cod and sea bass reports were solid for those who got out over the weekend, and they should remain that way once we get past some of these gale-force winds. Dave has a large supply of fresh-shucked clams, which is a rarity this time of year. Dave also mentioned that the carp guys are still finding plenty of fish to bite in most of the usual hotspots. If you don’t mind the cold, there are plenty of school bass in the Providence and Seekonk rivers. They have been relatively easy to locate, especially after dark, with white and chartreuse jigs and grubs. Ice anglers don’t have much to look forward to this week, but some are still getting out for largemouth on the smaller farm ponds. Wilson’s Pond was rumored to be holding more ice than most, so it was seeing some pressure. A number of freshwater anglers are taking to the recently stocked trout ponds and streams to scratch the winter itch until things harden up.

The Saltwater Edge in Middletown reports that things have been quiet around the shop, but plenty of anglers are still looking to cash in on the remaining saltwater options. The diehards are still finding decent numbers of school bass in the salt ponds and tidal rivers. The bulk of the saltwater attention is on winter cod and sea bassing. Reports have been excellent whenever the weather has allowed. The extended forecast looks decent, with a number of mild days before the cold sets back in, so the cod fleet should continue to find success.

Connecticut Fishing Report

Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, reported that the icefishing diehards are still finding some hardwater in the northern elevations, but it is getting softer each day. Those northern lakes should survive today’s precipitation and fish through the weekend. The holdover bass crew has been enjoying the warming trend, with good reports reported from all the major tidal tributaries. With most of the ice breaking up on the river, freshwater anglers are finding some success with open water pike, perch and crappie.

Joe, at Rivers End in Old Saybrook, reports that ice reports have dwindled outside of those traveling north. Another week or two and we should be seeing better ice conditions throughout the state. Schoolie bass action has been very good, with optimal conditions over the past few days. The rain and minor snow melt brought some fish back to life in the lower Connecticut and Housatonic Rivers.

Ian, at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, reports that the local herring bite has struggled to really materialize. Fish are being jigged up behind the Maritime Center and the marina docks, but if you are expecting lights out action it hasn’t been there yet. School striped bass have been the most reliable target for those trying to bend a rod. All three of the major tidal rivers in CT are producing in the usual spots, with the Housatonic having the best action, but also the most pressure. Ice came and went pretty quickly in southwest CT, but the smaller places have held a base that will likely grow well whenever the nighttime temps start to drop again.

Torrey, at Upcountry Sportfishing in Pine Meadow, reports that it is winter trout time on the Farmington. Most of the ice in the slower pools has subsided, and outside of some morning slush, most pools in the catch and release area are fishable. On any given day, if you encounter slush or shelf ice, keep moving north towards the dam and you will eventually find some open water. Total flow in the permanent C&R is 134 cfs, and the water from the dam is running a few degrees warmer. Winter Caddis (18-24) are hatching in the mornings and early afternoons, and Midges (24-32) are hatching most afternoons. Water temps are in the 30’s but can crack the low 40’s during warmer periods of warmer days. Still, most trout have moved out of faster water and are sitting in deeper, slow to moderate current winter lies. Streamers are still catching fish, with brown trout being post-spawn and hungry. Torrey recommends slow and deep presentations due to the cooler water temps. The hot streamer rig has been a weighted streamer with a soft-hackle or nymph trailer, and that trailer fly often catches the most fish.

Rhode Island Fishing Forecast

Ice anglers should be able to find a place to soak some bait over the weekend, although options will remain limited. Rhode Island anglers should look to head to the cod grounds when weather allows, to stock up on plenty of filets for the winter, with both cod and sea bass biting well. Trout streams in both states are improving due some much needed precipitation, while open water pike, perch and crappie can keep anglers in the Connecticut River busy until things harden up.