CTFishTalk.com: Risley Res - Connecticut Bass Fishing Reports ( CT Bass Fishing Reports ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

kjg1681 · Joined: 17 Apr 2012 Posts: 36

I didn't fish Risley Res in Vernon/Manchester last year and wanted to give it a try. I can't find anywhere online where it states if it's open to fishing or closed. I know people have posted that they do fish there but I'm not sure if it's a legal spot. I know that some places called Reseviors are closed to fishing at all times. Any advice would be great and if anyone knows any good spots around Manchester that would be appreciated too.

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

Risley Reservoir is controlled by the Manchester Water Department. Here's a link to its web page regarding Passive Recreation:

http://www.townofmanchester.org/Water/PassiveRecreation080811.cfm

In regard to fishing and boating, it states:

chud059 · Joined: 29 Mar 2011 Posts: 413 Location: Manchester

I fish quite a bit at Ris, there is absolutely nothing that states no fishing. There are signs that say no swimming. They have milk gallon jugs set up around the pond for for throwing away fishing line. It's not big, I've seen people in canoes and rafts. I know "just because people are doing it doesn't make it right" but again, there is absolutely NO signs saying no fishing. It's a nice pond to also walk around and every spring my wife goes with me because there seems to be a new geese family that sprouts there every year, she takes pics of them from little chicks (baby geese) to when they grow up. They have benches set up also on the road side. Some people swim and it can be annoying, but most people fish and walk the trails. I found last year that evening time was the best time for me to catch fish, especially around the dam and spill area, shallow cranks and top waters.

Wow, run on sentence, as far as other areas in manchester, union pond is "ok", depends where you go. It is part of the hockanum river system, so near the spill way is decent, but don't use jigs or worms on the bottom or deep diving cranks, you will get snagged. They have a nice deck you can walk and fish from but I've only caught pumpkinseeds in that area. They have a launch for canoes and kayaks... lots of cool birds hang out there to. People also target carp there.

I've caught bass there, but don't EVER EVER eat the fish there. You can access part of the pond from the park on the other side off of tolland turnpike before Bob's furniture also.

Man, my fingers getting sore. ... hockanum river is accessible behind Uhaul near the "naughty" store and over by Exit 60.. that's a TMA and I've caught some decent trout there. Up the road from Risley is Valley Falls, again, Trout park, season just closed, they stock it 3-4 times a year, but there are also bass and pickerels in there... also awesome trails to walk and some cool birds.

Even the little Saulters pond has some little bass and perch in there, lots of kids and older folks drown worms there...
The Manchester golf club on the south side of town is confusing, if you access from south main street you'll see "no trespassing" signs. If you access it from Spring park and go past the swimming pond, you'll see signs for the larger body of water saying no swimming, bathing, or dogs... I had a guy yell at me saying I'm not supposed to fish, while his dog is jumping in the water. Anyway, that has huge pickerel in it, not little pencil ones but fingertip to elbow if not bigger in there!

Long story short about Manchester (yea, I know too late..) pull up a map, look for bodies of water and google or drive to it to check it out. We are also only 10 minutes away from the bolton lakes, but fishing from shore there sucks.

That's all I got!

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

Yeap, I thought it was interesting that the Town of Manchester's Passive Recreation web page prohibited boating, "unless specifically permitted". From your experience, chud059, it appears that Manchester doesn't care to enforce its prohibitions of boating or fishing.
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kjg1681 · Joined: 17 Apr 2012 Posts: 36

Thanks for the help. I have fished Union Pond a bunch last year and never had much luck with lures. Lots of surface action in the summer mornings but the more I fished there the more I think that it's carp. I guy I work with has had good luck with shiners there over by the spillway. I'll take a spin over to Ris one morning and take a look for any signage. Thanks again!

kjg1681 · Joined: 17 Apr 2012 Posts: 36

I went by Ris before work today and found there were signs but at no point did it state no fishing. Additionally there is a large wooden sign that says "The forest wildlife wish to remain catch and release" right at the entrance to the parking area. I was always conflicted with the statements on the town's website and reports on here but it seems that, based on the signs, you are allowed to fish there. I may shoot an email to the town and see what they say directly.

Maximillion · Joined: 27 Nov 2010 Posts: 235 Location: Eastern CT

If I was you I would just go for it based on signs and what others have said here. And if someone starts giving you problems point out that you had no idea because youve seen people fish here and theres a sign saying catch and release and I doubt it would be that big of deal. And yes others will disagree with me but thats just my take its not like it says no trespassing, if you get kicked out by someone who has the authority to do so then you know not to go back
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Top 5 Favorite lures: Boo-yah Boo jig, Zoom Horny Toad, Rapala Husky Jerk, Berkley Power Worm, Senkos

SeaDog1 · Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Posts: 2629

Maximillion · Joined: 27 Nov 2010 Posts: 235 Location: Eastern CT

SeaDog has a point I was just saying if hes already been there standing on shore and saw the signs just take a few steps ahead and take a cast
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Top 5 Favorite lures: Boo-yah Boo jig, Zoom Horny Toad, Rapala Husky Jerk, Berkley Power Worm, Senkos