It is one of 2 ( at least in my opinion) bodies of water in CT that have the potential for truly trophy sized trout, fish commonly exceeding 5lbs, my personal best being 10lbs 6oz and several fish close to 10lbs. The unique structure south of the Saugatuck and Holland area is an excellent Lake Trout fishery. You will find boating, kayaking, camping, hiking and fishing on and around this lake. From the shores of the reservoir in 2011, Tony Urbanowicz broke a 31-year-old record with a beast of a brown weighing 18.34 pounds. Connecticut’s best-kept freshwater fishing secret shines in fall. Along with the Saugatuck’s raw beauty and breathtaking views, it’s what lurks below the surface that compels anglers year after year to purchase a permit from Aquarion Water Company, owner of the reservoir, and try their luck along this oasis. So, the fact that they do consistently produce large holdover fish is why we continue to manage them in our hatchery system.”. ^_!j!_! It is considered quite scenic and … BoatUS News. If you need to contact us please fill out the form at the bottom of this page. I fish almost exclusively in a reservoir here in CT called the Saugatuck, its shore fishing only from 6am to 9pm. At the Saugatuck Reservoir, you will usually run into three types of anglers: those who strictly use bait, those who only use lures, and those who employ a combination of both methods. Boating The Saugatuck-Douglas area is a favorite docking spot for boaters who travel the Kalamazoo River to Lake Michigan. Slip bobbers come in all shapes and sizes and can be rigged up in a variety of ways. This knot will stop the sliding bobber at the desired position and will ensure it goes under the surface like any other when a fish takes your offering. Freedom Boat Club of Michiana can get you on the water in beautiful Saugatuck, Michigan. A bounty of freshwater fish species call this reservoir home and, with a strong forage base and special regulations in place, many are given the opportunity to reach trophy size. Mostly my fault b/c I was all over the place. Thankfully, Aquarion acknowledges the importance of their vast watershed lands to outdoor enthusiasts and allows controlled fishing, hunting and hiking on some of their properties. Spoons like Krocodiles and Kastmasters have superior casting ability and the flash they put off closely imitates the reservoir’s main forage. The most popular sizes when casting metal, however, are between 3/4 and 1.5 ounces, and the classic gold or silver patterns are king. Your email address will not be published. Permits can be obtained at several bait-and-tackle shops in southwestern Connecticut, including Candlewood Bait & Tackle Co. in Danbury, Fisherman’s World in East Norwalk, Poster Hardware in Fairfield, Marine Sports Center in Bridgeport, Fisherman’s Paradise in Milford and Orbit Marine in Bridgeport. The Saugatuck is the largest of the eight reservoirs that make up Aquarion’s greater Bridgeport water system. As for bait, the use of alewives, alive or dead, is prohibited, but fishing with live shiners from local bait shops is arguably the next best thing. Three Aquarion reservoirs are open for fishing by permit The Saugatuck, in Redding and Weston. Night is losing ground to day as I step over a stone wall and onto a path I’ve taken many times before. Unlike slip bobbers, there is no need for guessing or setting depths when fishing bottom. Our 20′ Cruiser Pontoons can be rented for a low hourly rate. Select a tab below to view pricing based on party size. The West Pequonnock, in Monroe. Date: 9/1/2020. Hooded mergansers, loons and pileated woodpeckers are not uncommon sights, and a fishing partner and I were once treated to a spectacular display of two bald eagles, talons locked, free-falling through the air. Claim the property you deserve within the most opulent community on the Northshore of Saugatuck. This is a list of state parks and reserves in the Connecticut state park system, shown in four tables. And third, many of the bigger predatory fish go on a feeding binge in the fall to pack on some fat for the long winter season.”. Sign up for our FREE Fishing Reports Today! and Potts/Big Horn Brewery - Highlands Ranch: NE Road: IPA - New England All Rights Reserved. “Seeforellen brown trout are supposed to be a long-lived, late-spawning strain that grow to large size and that’s basically been our experience here in Connecticut,” Barry said. During the Saugatuck’s open season, anglers target a variety of species including smallmouth bass, crappie and yellow perch, but two fish garner most of the attention: brown trout and walleye. It was 32.5 inches long and sported a girth of 21 inches! Whether for trout cruising under the surface or walleye hanging close to bottom, the use of shiners under a slip bobber plays a big role in putting fish on the banks of the Saugatuck each fall. Click Here to Request a Charter Trip or Call Capt Mike at . No wading? If your heart is set on trout, try suspending a shiner 5, 10 or 15 feet below the surface. Don’t be afraid to go heavy either—his lure choice that fateful morning was a 2-ounce Yo-Zuri L-Jack jig. While braided lines will give an edge in casting distance, be aware that they may be vulnerable to freezing on very cold mornings. Hey all, Thanks for all the advice so far. Our 20′ Bentley Cruisers are sure to put a smile on everyone’s face as they watch the beauty of Saugatuck glide by. On many fall outings, I have deployed live shiner rigs on bottom or under a slip bobber, then fan-casted the area with lures while waiting for my bait to get eaten. The Far Mill, in Shelton. Call ahead for food to-go on our boats or relax with a drink & a meal on the river Locate Sea Ray boat dealers and find your boat at Boat Trader! It’s October and I’m finally home. Results from electro-fishing surveys over the years have actually shown that the grass is greener on the other side. Accidentally running aground, dead batteries and dead engines were the chief culprits…, BoatUS Foundation and Berkley Recast & Recycle Contest, Aims to increase fishing line and soft bait recycling by tapping the public for ideas The reservoir is large and deep by Connecticut standards, and with fishing only allowed from its western shore, this leaves the vast majority of the Saugatuck unreachable by rod and reel. Oftentimes, bottom-lurking browns will strike the lure within the first few cranks of the reel handle. And since walleye do the bulk of their feeding in the lower rung of the water column, it makes sense to put a juicy offering right in their kitchen. Sergeant Marina thanks you all for a great Season. That’s exactly how Tony Urbanowicz enticed the current state record brown trout. “It has a very good landlocked alewife population, so there is plenty of forage there for both brown trout and walleye,” Barry said. Concerned citizens fought back, but in the end Valley Forge residents were forced to sell and move. One of the most productive spots on the whole reservoir is also the easiest to get to—the wheelchair-accessible fishing dock near the dam is the deepest part of the Saugatuck and just a few feet from where you park. The Saugatuck Reservoir is a reservoir in Fairfield County Connecticut, USA, that straddles the border between the towns of Redding and Weston. In a rare move, the Brewers Association has given fans an early preview of the 2019 Great American Beer Festival Pour List. My slip-bobber rigging is always changing in the quest to find the perfect system, but regardless of what setup I end up with, they are all designed to perform in the same way. BoatUS News. This body of water covers approximately 830 acres of surface area and has a maximum depth over 100 feet with an average depth of 45 feet. Location and Fishing Information: Saugatuck Reservoir is located in Fairfield County, Connecticut. 650 Water Street /Saugatuck, MI 49453 / (616) 292-4812. One of the best ways to enjoy your time in the Saugatuck / Douglas area. About 2,500 6- to 9-inch yearling seeforellens are stocked into the Saugatuck each year. To purchase a permit for the Saugatuck, you will need a valid Connecticut fishing license, non-residents included. They often get much larger than that, like the impressive 30-inch specimen that was sampled there during a CT DEEP electro-fishing survey in 2012. Scouting during low water can also be good for pinpointing fish-holding structure like rocky points and steep drop-offs. The first table lists state parks and reserves, the second lists state park trails, the third list state forests, and the fourth lists other state-owned, recreation-related areas. The potential is there, each and every trip, to come tight with a fish of a lifetime, and that’s partly why I keep going back. Come out and enjoy some of the best Lake Trout, Steelhead, and King Salmon fishing Lake Michigan has to offer. Whether it's an entertaining and informative boat tour or a relaxing sunset dinner cruise, these are the best Saugatuck cruises around. But, the same reasons that make it a challenging fishery also make it so rewarding when that slip bobber goes under the surface or when your lure gets clobbered mid-retrieve. Find your serenity in this waterfront home with private access to a world-class basin marina. Find Sea Ray 370 Sundancer boats for sale near you, including boat prices, photos, and more. While we have no evidence that they are actually doing so in Saugatuck, they still go on the prowl, especially along the shoreline, looking for suitable sites to attempt to spawn. At this reservoir we offer a fishing dock accessible to wheelchair users, located in Weston at the intersection of Valley Forge and Davis Hill Roads. For 2020 Mooring Information or Boat/Trailer/RV Storage, please call (269) 501-5393. While bait fishing can be effective, it can also anchor anglers to one specific area. Thankfully, that all changed with my adoption of the slip bobber. Check out our list of must-do water activities in Saugatuck. Public docking locations include Tower Marine on the south shore of Lake Kalamazoo and Sergeant Marina and Coral Gables on the northern shore of Lake Kalamazoo. You will find boating, kayaking, camping, hiking and … Many of the brown trout stocked into the reservoir each year by Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) are “seeforellens,” a strain native to Germany that thrives in deep, cool lakes like the Saugatuck. Anglers targeting walleye with lures will often get down deep using soft-plastic baits like Gulp Alive mounted on jigheads. Our 20′ Bentley Cruisers are sure to put a smile on everyone’s face as they watch the beauty of Saugatuck glide by. Saugatuck Boat Rentals Makin’ Waves is the place to rent clean, comfortable and luxurious pontoon boats and jet skis in Saugatuck! Freedom Boat Club of Michiana can get you on the water in beautiful Saugatuck, Michigan. Other locations require a bit more hiking over rocky topography, but that is where you can get away from the crowds. saugatuck yacht club & syc sailing program 15 Park Street /Saugatuck, MI 49453 / 269-857-8665 The Saugatuck Yacht Club was formed in 1934 for the purpose of sharing an interest in water recreation, social gatherings and supporting sailing educa… Instead, this 827-acre manmade angler’s paradise sits just a stone’s throw away from the I-95 corridor in Fairfield County. A bait-feeder-style reel complements this type of fishing well, allowing fish to run with the bait without feeling any tension. ANNAPOLIS, Md., August 24, 2020 – Have you ever wondered how old, discarded fishing line is recycled and reused? This body of water covers approximately 830 acres of surface area and has a maximum depth over 100 feet with an average depth of 45 feet. Makes me thankful New Hampshire does not allow privatization of waterbody’s. While that feeling has never left me, my float fishing has grown a little more sophisticated over the years. See reviews and photos of boat tours & water sports in Saugatuck on Tripadvisor. ]!_ Fishing By Permit Only ( 0 . It is created by a dam of the Saugatuck River, and provides water to several of the surrounding towns. Saugatuck Reservoir is an outdoor person's wonderland with great fishing, wonderful hiking, a unique landscape and a plethora of woodland and marsh birds and animals. Looking for something more adventurous? Bring a good pair of hiking boots and don’t be afraid to explore—but you are prohibited from wading in the water. If targeting walleye, try to estimate the depth of the area you’re fishing and set the bobber so your bait is dangling a foot or two off bottom. The fishing maps app include HD lake depth contours, along with advanced features found in Fish Finder / Gps Chart Plotter systems, turning your device into a … At the Saugatuck Reservoir, anglers can purchase a $25 season pass, in addition to their standard state fishing license, and ply its western shoreline daily between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. from the third Saturday in April to December 31 (or until ice sets in). At first glance, one may be hard-pressed to believe the Saugatuck Reservoir and the lush forest surrounding it are not nestled in the Adirondacks. In the lakes where we have limited access like the Saugatuck Reservoir, whether it’s a closed season or limiting the amount of fishing effort by restricting the use of boats, it appears to us that these are the types of lakes that clearly shine as far as producing, year in and year out, trophy holdover fish.”. By 1942, a concrete dam 700 feet long and 100 feet thick was built to flood the valley, which now holds 12 billion gallons of water and supplies 300,000 Connecticut residents. Whether it's an entertaining and informative boat tour or a relaxing sunset dinner cruise, these are the best Saugatuck cruises around. When Valley Forge was flooded to create the Saugatuck Reservoir in the late 1930s, new roads were built to navigate around it. While the Saugatuck is home to plenty of trout and walleye that would look good over the mantle, it hardly means they are easy to catch. It borders the Devil's Den Preserve in the southwest. Our members enjoy concierge boating service along with 2018 up-scale boats. Labor Day Boating Safety Tips for an End-of-Summer Ritual. 6 ... !j F! There is no boating, camping or development around or near the reservoir. With stone walls, foundations and erratic boulders crisscrossing the bottom, its craggy depths take more than their fair share of sacrificial offerings every season. The Saugatuck, in Redding and Weston. The schoolhouse was closed, homes and mills were burned or razed, and bodies exhumed from the local cemetery. And for many anglers, that challenge is an integral part of why we keep going back. 616 836-0439 The Saugatuck Reservoir is a reservoir in Fairfield County Connecticut, USA, that straddles the border between the towns of Redding and Weston. I havent had much luck this year. Oater Boat: IPA - Imperial / Double New England with Citra, Lemon Drop and El Dorado hops plus lactose: Burning Barrel Brewing Company: Wake and Cake: Dessert-Inspired Imperial Sour infused with Pineapple, Coconut, Passion Fruit, Vanilla and Marshmallows: C.B. I always bring a pair of binoculars with me as the birding around the reservoir is top notch. Over time, Fairfield County’s population grew and booming cities like Bridgeport needed more water. [Video] See How Easily You Can ‘Clean, Drain, Dry” Your Wakeboat, SPRINGFIELD, Va., September 2, 2020 – A new video from Wildlife Forever, funded in part by a BoatUS Foundation Grassroots Grant shows watersport boat owners how to easily follow “Clean, Drain, Dry” at the boat ramp to help prevent the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). And onto a path I ’ m finally home you all for a great season areas of the best trout! Bait and predatory fish move inshore accompanied by an adult permit holder s why, when sets! 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