CTFishTalk.com: Navigatingth CT River - Connecticut River Reports ( CT River Reports ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

LMBullie · Joined: 12 Jun 2011 Posts: 6

Hey all,

I recently have gotten into fishing the CT River and I was wondering if anyone had any insight on navigating it. I typically launch down b Salmon River but also have been up by Hartford. Does anyone know of areas to stay away from our any maps of the river that show depths at low tide. I have an 18 ft Nitro and would hate to run it into something because i don't know the area. I typically hit up Candlewood and Lillinonha so i dont know the river very well.

Thanks in advance.

pikePERSUADER1 · Joined: 07 Dec 2010 Posts: 521

watch out for wing dams and dikes and sandbars, they are all over the place, but if you stay in the main channel you should be good, theres a bunch of timber coming down the river right now, if you really want to learn exactly where all the hazards are you should go with someone familiar with the river! If something doesn't look right to you stay the hell away!!! the dikes and wingdams will shear off your lower unit in a hurry!

Tmac · Joined: 20 Dec 2008 Posts: 254 Location: Meriden

I fish the River at least 3 times a week,Greatest place to fish in CT,You must be very careful but its not that bad,If you have Gps youll be fine when running stay in the whiteline that represents the channell,stay out of certain coves during dropping tides,Chapmans,whiteoaks,wrights,and sometimes keeney cove,you will get stuck in there.Stay out of Enfield all together,very shallow and Rocky,Floating debris is a issue at all times but especially during times of high water spring mostly.hope this helps.
Tim

SmOoTh OpErAtOr !!! · Joined: 03 May 2012 Posts: 108

Just Blew my bottom end about a min from the Salmon river boat launch. Heading to the old power plant water outlet! I was 300 yards from shore. It was a moon tide. I'm almost positive it was a tree didn't see anything fish finder said we where in 5 ft of water the whole time !!! just make Shur your props safety feature is working and will spin Free instead of twisting the main shaft like mine! Killing the bottom end ! Go slow till your in the channel and use electric to get into coves! Just got a little 3.5 hp just in case it happens again! took 3 1/2 hours to get back from hamburg cove with the trolling motor going 2 mph the whole way back
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Tmac · Joined: 20 Dec 2008 Posts: 254 Location: Meriden

Yah driving big engine in 5ft or less is a big risk,I travel the channel when I get to my spots I troll into them.

rmflint · Joined: 16 Mar 2012 Posts: 360 Location: Wallingford

You think that's bad with your trolling motor. Try being 14 miles off shore and getting a check engine light that said there's moisture in the gas go on that beeps every two minutes and made us drive back at idle speed. HELLLLLL. Sorry for getting off topic though.
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Passinthru Outdoors · Joined: 22 Feb 2011 Posts: 142

if I'm not mistaken CT outfitters in Wethersfield carries a CT River Map. My buddy has it and it is a great waterproof folding map. Can't remember who produces it but give them a ring and ask about it.
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Redneckangler · Joined: 05 May 2012 Posts: 851 Location: Meriden, CT

sailvector (dot com - wont let me post URL as I am new to site) Free navigational charts of the entire US, including the CT River to Hartford.
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