Northeast Fishing Report 10/16/26

Northeast Fishing Report 10/16/26

October 16, 2026 8 min read

Hello Compleat Angler Friends! We are in for a blustery weekend that might make the Sound hard to hit, especially from a boat, but trout fishing has been great throughout the state as rivers continue to be stocked. Stripers can be found from New London to Greenwich, and the key to success has been finding bait (surprise surprise). The primary bait right now seems to be a mix of silver sides, peanut bunker, and adult bunker, so carrying the necessary patterns to match the hatch will help. I have heard that bait and switch has been very effective, as stripers this time of year are always looking up. Popper flies are in business! 

As for trout, the bite has been good in rivers such as the Housy and Farmington for wild and holdover fish, especially with the cooler temperatures and sustained flows. Stocking will continue for another week or two, so there is no shortage of opportunity to hook up. 

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Northeast Fishing Report 10/9/26

Northeast Fishing Report 10/9/26

October 09, 2026 9 min read

Hello Compleat Angler Friends! Things are seeming to finally pick up in the Sound, with Bonito and Striper being found in the Western Sound. Conditions for today and tomorrow look great, with a fat glug of rain projected for Sunday. If you do get out, remember to keep moving, these bass are staying active and looking for bait. Also practice your cast! The wind has been pretty gnarly and most times you only get one shot at shallow fish before they bolt, so being prepared makes all the difference. 

Trout are still feeding heavily in the Housatonic and the Farmington, with BWOs, Caddis, Dry Droppers, and Streamers all being effective. Hopefully the rain on Sunday keeps levels up, which should help sustain the bite as the temperatures continue to drop. 

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Northeast Fishing Report 10/2/26

Northeast Fishing Report 10/2/26

October 02, 2026 7 min read

Hello Compleat Angler Friends! The nor'easter that blew through last week shook things up across fresh and saltwater fishing, but thankfully, its effects are starting to calm. Water levels in our local rivers are back down to fishable levels, however, the storm severely disrupted things in the Sound, and bass have been difficult to locate. Hard tails, which were abundant out East and starting to move into the Western Sound, are seemingly gone for the moment. There is a chance that albies and bonito have a resurgence in a week or two depending on the weather, but for now, I would wait for the saltwater bite to pick back up for striper and blues. 

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