DEP Fishing Report

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection has released the following information on fishing in waters off southeastern Connecticut:

Striped Bass

The department recommends live lining Atlantic menhaden (bunker), eels, or fresh cut chunk baits on fish finder or three-way rigs for the best luck with striped bass. In addition to the reef areas of Long Island Sound, stripers can be found in the Thames River between Norwich and Groton, the Millstone outflow, and the Niantic River.

The department is giving out bonus vouchers for these fish, allowing anglers to keep one extra fish caught on the Connecticut River between the I-95 bridge and the Massachusetts border. Each applicant can get a maximum of two vouchers per day. These are available at participating retail tackle shops, including , and those interested are asked to call ahead to check on availability.

Bluefish

Though still on the early side for the bluefish season, the department recommends the Millstone outflow and Sandy Point area of Stonington as potential fishing sites.

Scup

The season for these "porgy" fish, found around reefs and rock piles, is now open. Regulations limit the number of fish to 10 per person per day, with a minimum size of 10.5 inches.

Summer Flounder

Weather conditions are making summer flounder (fluke) fishing more difficult. The department says these fish can be found on the north side of Long Island, in the breakwaters of Fishers Island Sound as well as the mouth of the Mystic River, Niantic Bay, and Black Point.

Winter Flounder

The season for these "flatties" ends on Memorial Day.

Long Island Sound

The surface temperature in Long Island Sound are in the mid-50s. Check the following websites for up-to-date information on Sound temperatures:

http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/stationstat.html

http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov

http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/AN/330.html