March 22nd

Well, spring is officially here and if you haven’t already been fishing this year then it’s time to start. After another banner ice fishing season here in Connecticut, the early season anglers have already been testing the local waters and there is plenty of good information to report on.

Rivers & Streams – The Connecticut River is currently experiencing the first wave of the spring high water season. Waters are running well above normal making access to boat launches difficult. But, there are areas to launch small, car top boats and there is also plenty of shoreline access to find if you look in the right places. Northern pike fishing has been productive with a number of fish in the high thirty inch range being reported as well as numbers of smaller fish. Bass fishing will continue to improve as the water temps warm of the coming weeks. Herring will begin making an appearance in the weeks to come with large striped bass nipping at their heels. There have already been confirmed reports of two larger sized stripers being caught in Wethersfield Cove on one of the new Reaction Strike Revolution Shad swim baits! American shad will arrive shortly as well so there is plenty to look forward to in the near future.

Lakes & Ponds – Largemouth reports have been quite good for this time of year. Many reports have been coming in from all over the state of five pound fish being caught at various locations such as Lake Congamond, Moodus Reservoir, Silver Lake and some other smaller ponds. Water temps are in the mid 40 – 50 degree range depending on the body of water. Small, shallow, mud bottom ponds will warm quicker than large, deep lakes so find a small body of water to fish and you will likely find some active bass. Productive lures for this time of year are jerk baits, rattle baits, spinner baits and jigs. Smallmouth bass reports have been very good at Candlewood Lake with 1-3lb fish being common. These fish are moving around a bit throughout the day as the water warms with a few fish being found shallow but many are still deeper and can be caught on small jigs crawled slowly across the bottom.

Marine District – Reports of striped bass beginning to show in the lower portions of the major rivers are just beginning. Winter flounder season will begin in April and although we are all hoping for a more productive season than last year, the news has been made official that this years creel limit will be two fish per angler. The season will run from April 1 thru May 30. Your best bet for success will be to fish the entrances and lower portions of rivers such as the Connecticut River, Thames River and Niantic River. Sandworms impaled on a flounder rig will provide the best results.