Shad fishing season ct

Cod fishing has not been consistent this season, but you never know. The time when shad come in from the ocean to the rivers each spring is called the shad run. State symbols shad and connecticut native americans shad and the connecticut colony shad in connecticut streams shad and industrialization commercial connecticut shad fishing shad boning shad and connecticut native americans the spring shad runs in the connecticut river were an important source of food for native connecticut tribes. Weekly fishing reports for connecticut new england the. We fish the area mostly from the massachusetts border to windsor, connecticut and in massachusetts from the holyoke dam downstream stripers and shad. The wachusettsudburywest waushacum fishing season normally opens the first saturday in april and closes november 30, but the dcrdwsp may alter those dates depending on ice conditions. While that was making me feel kind of bad i got home to an email from the folks in ct and it seems they are having it worse than us. A friendly reminder to fishermen that daff is around no longer ezemvelo kzn wildlife and, with shad season due to close soon, reports are they have been rather strict. Spring striper fishing on the connecticut river grab your lighttackle gear and head upriver, where hungry bass are hot on the tails of herring and shad.

Their supply of food from the last growing season was almost gone. Best shore fishing locations on the tidal housatonic river. One of the beauties of shad fishing is its inherent simplicity. The key is to be able to locate shad holding water. With luck, itll cross the path of a school of shad. There is always someone worse off then you ive heard it. Jun 25, 2019 volunteers helping to restore haddams shad shack, relic of towns fishing past. For legal purposes, the regulations of connecticut state agencies must be consulted. Three methods were used for commercial fishing seine nets, traps and gill nets.

The arrival of shad, and shad roe, is a traditional harbinger of spring in this part of the world. A wachusett and sudbury reservoir fishing guide is. For shad lovers, the art of catching the wave of shad has created a culture around shad fishing and eating timed with the height of the harvest in may and early june. By the 1860s, shad fishing yielded low returns and the organized fishing. A crew of four is required to pull the net in and sort and count fish to the species level. On the water, fillets must meet minimum length or be accompanied by a legal sized rack carcass see portal. Shad numbers are high enough, year to year, to allow for a dizzy spring season of shad related community events, such as the annual shad derby in windsor, connecticut, and planked shad dinners, at which cooks nail shad to large buttered boards suspended near coals. An entire fishing industry came to life each spring along the connecticut river, with fishermen dragging their nets through the river after dark to ensnare spawning shad. Although i havent fished for shad in many years, that was always my favorite spring fishing. Connecticut river including tributaries open yearround open yearround. Delaware river shad fishing reports public group facebook. Connecticut recreational fisheries regulations for 2019. The american shad is not closely related to the other north american shads.

May 21, 2016 shad fishing in connecticut river, part 1 cole dobratz. Shad finally return to the connecticut river hartford courant. Held on two weekends in may, the derby offers both adult and youth fisherman the opportunity to win prizes as they enjoy the recreational benefits of the connecticut river. Statewide regulations for seasons, legal methods, and limits inland district statewide species regulations apply unless a sitespecific regulation is listed for a waterbody. They are an anadromous fish, which means they are initially born in freshwater but will. This is a good time to have your reels serviced and rods repaired.

Shad finally return to the connecticut river hartford. The statewide open seasons listed do not apply in areas closed to all fishing during a period of the year if a waterbody has a closed season, all fishing there is prohibited, regardless of the statewide season for a particular fish species. With the ct waters temps rising by the day, it wont be long until these light tackle drag screamers migrate their way up into western ma. New england fishing season 2 episode 7 housatonic river. To find out more about fishing in connecticut through deep. American shad return to the connecticut river usually starting sometime in.

Shad has been described as the fish that fed the nations founders, as it was a highly popular dish in colonial times. For the year they have a total catch at all locations of 33 american shad. Fishing is an intense sport that requires patience, a good sense of humor, and of course, the right location. Connecticut offers a number of places for a good catch, not to mention the awesome sunrise and sunset views youll get coming up over the trees. A tale of shad, the state fish connecticut history a. These fish were eliminated from their natural habitat in the entire watershed upstream of the greeneville dam.

The american shad alosa sapidissima is a species of anadromous clupeid fish naturally distributed on the north american coast of the north atlantic, from newfoundland to florida, and as an introduced species on the north pacific coast. American shad fishing in the connecticut river duration. One person who loves to talk about shad fishing is joe zaienty, the proprietor of the haddam shad museum. For 60 years, the rotary club of essex, connecticut, has been putting on a highly unusual and entertaining annual event. Shad are the aquatic equal of robins in their ability to herald spring. Shad fishing season begins on the connecticut river in. This video documents the full story of american shad alosa sapidissima migration in the connecticut river.

Recreational saltwater fishing regulations nys dept. The haddam shad museum is a small, privately operated museum dedicated to preserving the history of shad fishing in connecticut. Forhire bonus september 1 december 31, 7fish bag limit, 15. Designated rivers and streams with no closed season. Dams built across the shetucket river and its tributaries in the 1800s harnessed water power for manufacturing but blocked the spawning runs of shad, alewife, and other androgynous species. In the 1700s and 1800s dried shad was one of connecticuts main products. At enhanced opportunity shore fishing access sites see appendix a on enhanced fishing opportunities 17. The shad run up the connecticut is blocked by the windsor dam just north of hartford. At wachusett reservoir, shoreline fishing only is allowed from gate 6 on route 70 to gate 36 on route 110. Juvenile american shad are collected weekly at seven stations from massachusetts down to essex, ct from july through october. Slim shad point, holyoke, ma this spot is located right along the main funneling point of which american shad traveling upstream to spawn must pass. Rather, it seems to form a lineage that diverged from a. This technique is believed to have originated with native tribes.

We always started the season behind barts and eventually ended up at enfield dam. Fishing season is open now ct fisheries division covid19 updates wild brook trout occurrence in stream surveys deep announces precautionary closures of some public spaces. Families can also hike the parks trails, swim and enjoy an outside picnic. Andrew at fishin factory 3 in middletown let readers know that fishing for a variety of species is very good. In 2003 the american shad became the official connecticut state fish. The following lakes and ponds are available for public fishing through the courtesy of the owners or state ownership. The annual shad bake in essex, connecticut new england today. Its time to start a thread for the shad fishing fanatics like me to post our thoughts, tips, pics, and reports. Thought id start a thread for the shad fishing fanatics like me to post our thoughts, tips, pics, and reports.

Some credit anglers in the connecticut river as having developed the practice of angling. Fishing for big shad, walleye and smallmouth on the connecticut river. Determining fishing regulations is a simple twostep process. The best way to fish shad is to cast upstream and let your line float downstream a bit with the current. The ultra slow cooking method seems like they way to go, as you dont even have to deal with the bones. Holyoke it is officially shad fishing season on the connecticut river as fisherman line the banks for the springs annual rite of passage. Fresh schoolies and small keepers continue to feed out front of and in the river mouths, while larger bass continue to work the herring runs. These 10 amazing spots in connecticut are perfect to go fishing.

Popular with anglers looking for shad fishing charters in cape town kalk bay is the oldest working harbor in cape town with a long colorful history that always focused on fishing families and friendly people. The haddam shad museum in higganum is dedicated to telling the story of american shad. The evergreen state offers a vast array of fisheries, from puget sound to rivers and lakes on both sides of the cascades. Since im pretty much on lockdown and havent been able to get down there, anyone know how the run is right now. Slim shad point, holyoke, ma the fisherman magazine. Each station is fished with a 60 foot beach seine set offshore with a boat and hauled in with 100 foot seine ropes.

Connecticut river american shad sustainable fishing. Commercial shad fishing in connecticut peaked in the mid 1800s. Shadfishing area in enfield declines the new york times. Members of the herring family, shad populate the entire east coast. Fishing rules and regulations the fisherman magazine. Volunteers helping to restore haddams shad shack, relic of. Enfield dam striped bass, ct situated some 50plus miles from the mouth of the connecticut river, the enfield dam marks the first major obstruction for shad and herring as they return to their spawning grounds.

Marine recreational fishing regulations connecticut fishing. On my second cast, i add a new species to my listthe american shad. George says shad, the official state fish of connecticut since 2003, is one of the besteating fish in the sea, or at least in the connecticut river. Good news is that the estuaries are warming up and so is the fishing activity, especially at impenjati and southbroom. Before heading out, make sure you have the appropriate recreational fishing license and be sure to take the following steps download and read the annual fishing pamphlet, which details rules and regulations statewide check for any emergency rule. It usually makes the journey from midapril to midjune, swimming upriver in groups without stopping to eat. According to the connecticut river coordinators office. The season is nearing the end and the fish are usually getting pretty beat up when the cottonwood snow starts to fall. The farmington river, from below goodwin dam hartland, ct to its confluence with the connecticut river windsor, ct, contains a diversity of habitat, fish species, and fisheries. Anglers on the island are still looking for the first shad of the season, but nothing to report to date. The connecticut river is also the only river in the state in which recreational. Apr 04, 2019 shad numbers are high enough, year to year, to allow for a dizzy spring season of shadrelated community events, such as the annual shad derby in windsor, connecticut, and planked shad dinners, at which cooks nail shad to large buttered boards suspended near coals.

This chapter establishes a moratorium on the harvest of american shad and provides for a limited bycatch of american shad during the 20 through 2017 fishing seasons. I think it had to be this big channel cat caught by john hempele. It is open every year during shad season, midapril to midjune, on sundays only, from 10. Harvest of american shad allowed only in the connecticut river system. Bottom fishing remains very strong, with plenty of big sea bass and scup, along with an uptick in fluke and cod action. Angling for american shad is the only legal method of recreational take and may occur during the open season from april 1 through june 30. The department of energy and environmental protection deep also opened its 117 boat launches across the state for fishing season.

At burr pond state park, anglers typically catch perch, largemouth bass and more. May 15, 2019 fishing for big shad, walleye and smallmouth on the connecticut river. Licensed to youtube by sme on behalf of mer musikk. Shad run ongoing in connecticut river connecticut post. I can see shad rising like trout all over the river. Your lead should lightly flick the bottom, but it shouldnt sink so far it gets stuck.

You can catch plenty of fish from shore and all you really need is a light rod, a handful of jigs andor darts and some desire. I know at the shad festival in ct they usually have a guy demo how to fillet shad. Apr 01, 2011 the haddamskillingworth, ct shad fishing has been going on in haddam since its settlement. The essex shad bake, held in late spring in the charming connecticut river town of essex this years festival takes place on june 2, 2018, celebrates the locally famous fish with a full day of food, drink, live music, and educational presentations. It is here that the fishing can get pretty hectic as boats.

Trout upper section, bass, shad lower section season. Shad shack museum opens for shad season the haddams, ct patch. Every year, a generation of these anadromous fish begins the reproductive phase of their life cycle when, veterans of the atlantic ocean, they return to their fresh water origins where they will spawn. Try fishing chunked bunker, mackerel or shad on the outgoing tide here. Fishing season is open now ct fisheries division covid19 updates. Shad spend their autumns and winters in the ocean, so the best time to fish them is during the spring and summer, when they return to the rivers for much easier access.

Essentially any open spot along this shoreline produces fish, but every angler has his or her preferred casting perch. Quabbin reservoir and its tributary streams within the quabbin reservation are closed to all fishing except during the open season as set by dcr. Fishing for big shad, walleye and smallmouth on the. Black sea bass are measured from the tip of the snout or. The enthusiasts who catch american shad along the connecticut river every year are the biggest tribute to the fishs legacy.

These two actions, combined with over fishing, greatly reduced the shad populations, and led to the extinction of the salmon. Connecticut fishing report april 2, 2020 on the water. Ferry landing state park, old lyme fishing access handicapped accessible consists of a fenced bulkhead area and a fishing crabbing boardwalk. Discovering the connecticut river shad run on the water. May 11, 2020 home fishing reports weekly fishing reports. Bluefish, striped bass, summer flounder, hickory shad, scup, tautog, winter flounder and weakfish. The connecticut river provides excellent fishing for both smallmouth and largemouth bass, spring striped bass some quite large, northern pike and shad. They will be extending store hours as soon as they are given the all clear by the state.

Whats the best way to catch shad connecticut fishing surftalk. Shad shack museum opens for shad season the haddams, ct. Spring striper fishing on the connecticut river on the water. May 19 december 31, 5fish bag limit, 15inch minimum. The haddamskillingworth, ct shad fishing has been going on in haddam since its settlement. I found the best results were fishing red head white body white tail, chartreuse head and yellow body yellow tail, or red head and yellow body yellow tail 18 ounce shad darts from the western shore just downstream from the. Connecticut river american shad sustainability plan update. Connecticuts fishing season starts ahead of schedule.

The quabbin reservoir fishing season generally opens on the third saturday of april and runs through the third saturday in october, but these dates may be adjusted due to weather and other factors. American shad, sea lamprey, atlantic salmon and other. Deep announces precautionary closures of some public spaces. Regulations were last changed on may 08, 2020, and are subject to change at any time. To most freshwater anglers, the striped bass is a very important game fish is relatively new. Shad are now hitting well in the connecticut river, the local hot spot being the brownstone wall in cromwell. Weekly fishing reports new england south shore mass. Im starting to solder up my spoons for the coming shad season and was thinking about the largest non shad fish caught last season on one of my spoons. Sport fishing for american shad also has a long history in connecticut. Mar 28, 1982 figures show that the average yearly catch was more than 6,500, with the best year being 1964, when 16,675 shad were caught in the season that runs from april 1 to late may, and peaks around may 1. Currently there is a commercial drift gill net fishery that occurs south of river kilometer rkm 64 to the mouth of the ct river. Enfield dam striped bass, ct the fisherman magazine. The fish migrate in waves, or runs, that experts say are hard to predict. Marine recreational fishing regulations connecticut.