CTFishTalk.com: Monroe mom looking for ideas - Connecticut New Member Section ( CT New Member Section ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

attw3 · Joined: 30 Jul 2011 Posts: 4

Hi,

I live in Monroe and I'm trying to find somewhere "good" to take my kids fishing. We don't have a boat. Myself and my older kids (young adults) would like somewhere we can catch large mouth bass, but my 8 year old would be happy catching some little sun fish He'd be fishing with worms. Over the years we've tried many local fishing spots, like Great Hollow Lake, but it seems that the sunfish have been over-fished. Is there somewhere in upper Fairfield County, or lower New Haven county that anyone could recommend? Any ponds or lakes? I want to try Lake Zoar, but can't figure out how to get to the shoreline. Thank you, and I look forward to looking around your forum. Very Happy

steven1smith · Joined: 05 Apr 2010 Posts: 206 Location: South Windsor

You're reasonably close to Saugatuck Reservoir, which I heard can be really good. Most of the western shoreline is open to fishing, but I think you need to buy a permit first. Hopefully someone who fishes the reservoir can give you a little more information.
_________________
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A 4lb bass is not going to grow to 8lbs on your wall.

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attw3 · Joined: 30 Jul 2011 Posts: 4

Thank you! We fished it once, but it was SO crowded. We had to keep driving round and round to find an unoccupied spot on the shoreline. We didn't have any luck, either. Maybe it was just a bad day.

Michael · Joined: 28 Jan 2012 Posts: 3823 Location: Bridgeport

Nell's Rock Reservoir would be a place to check out

hila2006 · Joined: 22 Jul 2011 Posts: 582 Location: Ellington

If you're looking to go to Zoar, I'd think the state park would be the place to go for shore fishing. Just go to the DEP website for the address, there's a lot of shore line there. I believe it's open year round to. Good luck.

Wanna Fish · Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Posts: 662 Location: Earth I Think

There is nothing worth trying for unless you fish trout opening day in Nells Rock Resivoir. I grew up there! They stock it with trout opening day.

Farm Mill Reservoir Isinglass Rd, Shelton will better suit your needs but you'll have to purchase a permit from the Water Company.

Below the Shepaug Dam above Zoar has a really nice picnic area and the Small Mouth Bass fishing is excellent from shore. Just don't go past the No Fishing Signs near the dam. The fines are hefty.

Michael · Joined: 28 Jan 2012 Posts: 3823 Location: Bridgeport

I have caught largemouths and sunnies in Nell's Rock

Wanna Fish · Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Posts: 662 Location: Earth I Think

I've caught Largemouths there the size of Sunnies. I grew up a mile away! It's to bad they won't open Trap Falls Res like they did with Maltby. There are State Record Bass in there.

Michael · Joined: 28 Jan 2012 Posts: 3823 Location: Bridgeport

I've heard stories about Trap Falls and it's too bad they won't open it to fishing

BigEd · Joined: 22 Feb 2012 Posts: 103 Location: Monroe

Great Hollow does see quite a bit of fishing pressure but I have pulled some nice bass from there. It is a state trout park and they stock it several times a year. Last year my daughters and I happened to hit a good day and we were catching small trout on almost every cast, then other days we got nothing using the same bait and technique for hours. Try it in the spring. I always do well with orange colored Berkley power bait and a small size 12 hook about 10-14 below a bobber. We fish over by the bridge instead of the boat launch where it can get crowded. Directly across from the launch there are some shallow weedy areas and we have gotten quite a few sunfish in that area.
We also did well with sunfish on a couple of trips to Twin Brooks in Trumbull. And while it is often overlooked there is a good little pond in Stratford where Wooster Jr High is. I know people who fish there for carp and have pulled out some monsters. It has always been a good place for sunfish though, and you can access all shorelines. Zoar would be tough unless you fish from one of the parks or have access elsewhere. I don't think Monroe or Newtown allow fishing from any of their facilities.
Pecks Mill Pond and Brewsters Pond in Stratford were always good standbys for me growing up there.

JimiChanga · Joined: 04 Mar 2012 Posts: 195 Location: Meriden

attw3
The Suagatuck Res. is not too crowded a few weeks after opening day and well worth trying. First you need a permit to fish there, I usually get mine at Newtown bait & tackle. Secondly the res can be very slow, but when you have a good day there you get QUALITY FISH!!!

I'd like to go there more often but the $$$ gas prices have pretty much changed that for me, coming all the way from Meriden.
So keep trying there & good luck.

P.S. Some real nice fish in there. I've seen them in person.