DEEP: About 371,000 Trout Stocked Before Opening Day

Here are area highlights from the second weekly fishing report issued by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection:

Trout Stocking

Approximately 371,000 trout were stocked before Opening Day into 100 lakes and ponds and nearly 170 rivers and streams located throughout Connecticut. DEEP’s in-season stockings are now under way with nearly 230,000 additional trout scheduled to be stocked between Opening Day and the end of May.

Trout in Rivers and Streams

Conditions should be very good for trout fishing this weekend. Flows are very fishable, although generally lower than typical spring levels. Comfortable weather is forecast, and there are plenty of recently stocked trout waiting for anglers. With temperatures warming, fishing is getting better(generally fair to good now) with reports from

Quinebaug River has had some nice action and catches include a 23 inch, 6.2 lb Rainbow. The Natchaug River is fair to good, including a 23 inch, 6.5 lb brown caught.

Farmington River

Fishing has been good to very good and conditions for the weekend should be very good. Good weather is forecast, water temperatures are in the mid 60s. West Branch flows are clear, on the low to moderate side and very comfortable for fishing.

The Pachaug River, Hop Hiver, Hockanum River (areas upstream of the TMA & downstream of the TMA),

Tankerhoosen River, Crystal Lake Brook, Salmon River (Colchester, including the TMA), Still River,

Latimer Brook and Pattaconk Brook were stocked.

Connecicut River

The river remains cool (warming slowly) and flows are currently well below typical mid-April levels. Some fish are in the river but reports for American shad are few (should pick up as water temperatures increase). Shad darts and

willow leafs generally work well. Black crappie fishing is good. Striped bass are being found in the river, mostly schoolie size and action is slow. Some Northern pike catches continue to be reported in the Middletown to Haddam Meadow section. Anglers are finding some Smallmouth bass in the mainstem.

Coventry Lake Warning

Hydrilla, a very highly invasive aquatic plant, has been found growing in Coventry Lake. All lake users should take extra care to check and clean their boats (including canoes, kayaks and rowing sculls), trailers, and fishing equipment before leaving the boat launch, or leaving the lakeshore.