Connecticut
Connecticut Fishing Report- April 25, 2024 – On The Water
Connecticut Fishing Report
Matt at Black Hall Outfitters in Westbrook told me that he had a slight, but noticeable, uptick in tautog action in the central sound this week, including some relatively easy limits in 15 to 25 feet of water. Small orange jig tipped with a crab was the ticket, and as the water temperatures slowly tick up, it should only improve for the last few days of the season. School to just over slot-class bass are around in better numbers, especially around the tidal creeks and herring runs. If you’re out there on a full sun day, with a decent surface temperature, you’re apt to find some fairly reliable topwater action. If they’re not biting topwater, you should be able to fool them on Fin-S fish or GT paddletails. The herring numbers seem to have increased quite a bit, find the ospreys and you should find the herring and bass. Matt hasn’t spent as much time in the sweetwater this week, but reports are good for big largemouth on swimbaits and jigs, while trout action is as steady as ever.
Heather from the Blackhawk in Niantic reports, “It’s almost time!! We can’t wait to start fishing! Our season will start on Friday, May 3. Tickets will be posted online on Monday night at 8 p.m., just like in past years. Be sure to check out our calendar so you see what’s coming up! We continue to book private charters, so be sure to email the office to get your date on the calendar. We are humbled to once again be in the running for the best charter boat in the “Best of the Best” contest. We would be honored if you’d vote for us! We look forward to seeing everyone soon!”
Captain Mike Roy at Reel Cast Charters said that the fishing took another turn for the better this week. The stripers are responding well to smaller-sized soft plastics fished on jigheads, but a few more are willing to take topwater offerings each day. Mike is still targeting resident fish, as they wait for fresh fish to really show themselves along the local river mouths. Most of the bass are school class up to 30 inches with the occasional 15-pound class fish mixed in. They also did a bit of togging this week to keep things interesting and were able to get their limits for the table. Captain Mike and his team have openings over the next two weeks, which should be primetime. Give him a call today to book your spot.
Captain Chris of Elser Guide Service told me that he started to put more time into fishing the Housatonic this week and fishing continues to improve in select locations. Herring are evident, but not obvious, so it’s key to hone in on their location to find quality fish in the 30-inch-plus range. On the freshwater scene, the Hendrickson hatch has kicked off, so the dry-fly enthusiasts are thrilled! Chris likes to experiment with different patterns and find what will produce, when a traditional dry fly doesn’t. Lately, this method has worked well with large parachute patterns. He also added that if you’re a wild trout enthusiast, they may be picky during this hatch, but it is your best chance to get a big fish on a dry fly!
Tyler at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk reports that they’ve heard of their first reports of early migratory striped bass in the far western sound this week. Boats that headed west found fresh fish on the troll between Greenwich and Execution Rock. This first big wave of fish in the Sound will slowly bleed into local waters over the course of the next few weeks and it won’t be long until the local reefs and rockpiles are covered in larger stripers. For those who don’t want to wait any longer, there are plenty of resident bass in the local rivers, coves, and harbors. Small soft plastics and swimming plugs are doing the most damage, especially in the rivers, but sandworms and even mackerel chunks are taking their share of fish too. The blackfish bite has been good enough for April but is a tad inconsistent. Many anglers are reporting a good bite one day, followed by a skunking the following day. Staying mobile and actively searching for where they are is the key to success, and it definitely seems good enough to give it a shot before the season closes out. Trout fishing in the local streams is improving as the flows improve, while the Saugatuck Reservoir is starting to wake up, with some better walleye and smallmouth reports this week.
Connecticut Fishing Forecast
With a slight uptick in temperature combined with one of the driest weeks we’ve had in months, it feels like we’re finally approaching the precipice of the winter leaving us and the spring run taking off.
A few more warm days this week equaled some more encouraging tautog reports from the Western Sound and Central Sound. There isn’t much consistency in the tautog bite, with reports varying from day to day, but it seems that if you get out before the close of the season, you should be rewarded. This is especially the case for the anglers that are willing to be mobile and bounce around. As these tautog make their way into our territory, they’re moving around constantly, so anglers need to be willing to do the same.
Holdover striped bass action has been excellent across the state all season, and another good push of river herring has brought some of the bigger fish out and kicked up activity levels. Bass can be found throughout the river runs and are also being caught in good numbers on the beaches along the mouth of the tidal rivers, so basically anywhere a bass could intercept a river herring, you’re likely to find one. We’re still a few weeks away from the true peak “spring run”, but there are certainly fish to be had at the moment. The Connecticut River is still a bit cold and dirty, but I think we’re only a few days away from some awesome bass fishing up and down said river. This is especially the case when you consider the shad fishing. Reports from the last few days have gone from nothing to steady action in all the usual hotspots, so shad anglers should be busy this weekend, and striper anglers should take this as a sign that the bass bite is ready to blow up. The trout streams have settled nicely and that fishery is as consistent as it gets at the moment.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Connecticut Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.
Those who want to play in Connecticut can enter the CT Lotto, Lucky for Life and Cash 5 games as well as play the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. There are also two drawings a day for the Play 3 with Wild Ball and Play 4 with Wild Ball games.
Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule. Here’s a look at Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
18-21-40-53-60, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
01-02-28-30-43, Lucky Ball: 07
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 5 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
12-13-16-20-32
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play3 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
Day: 5-3-3, WB: 7
Night: 1-8-1, WB: 9
Check Play3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play4 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
Day: 3-5-9-4, WB: 4
Night: 7-0-2-6, WB: 4
Check Play4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Connecticut Lottery prizes up to $599 can be easily claimed at any authorized CT Lottery Retailer without additional forms or documentation or by mail. For prizes between $600 and $5,000, winners have the option to claim by mail or in person at any CT Lottery High-Tier Claim Center or CT Lottery Headquarters. For prizes between $5,001 and $49,999, winnings must be claimed in person at the Connecticut Lottery headquarters or by mail. All prizes over $50,000 must be claimed in person at CT Lottery Headquarters. Winners are required to bring a government-issued photo ID and their Social Security card.
CT Lottery Claims Dept.
15 Sterling Drive
Wallingford, CT 06492
For additional details, including locations of High-Tier Claim Centers, visit the Connecticut Lottery’s claim information page.
When are the Connecticut Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 10:38 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
- Cash 5: 10:29 p.m. daily.
- Play3 Day: 1:57 p.m. daily.
- Play3 Night: 10:29 p.m. daily.
- Play4 Day: 1:57 p.m. daily.
- Play4 Night: 10:29 p.m. daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Connecticut editor. You can send feedback using this form.
CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — The United States military carried out “large scale” strike inside Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday morning, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, according to President Donald Trump.
Leaders in Connecticut are responding to the military action.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) shared the following statement.
“If we’re starting another endless war, with no clear national security strategy or need, count me out. Maduro is a cruel criminal dictator, but President Trump has never sought approval from Congress for war as the Constitution requires – and our military deserves. We’ve seen several Administrations lead us into conflicts without objectives or timelines and with disastrous consequences. President Trump has also articulated no clear end game to prevent further chaos, violence, and bloodshed in Venezuela. The American people deserve—and Congress should demand—facts and clarity.”
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) called the strike the start of an “illegal war” between the U.S. and Venezuela.
“President Trump thinks he is above the law. He steals from taxpayers. He thumbs his nose at the law. And now, he is starting an illegal war with Venezuela that Americans didn’t ask for and has nothing to do with our security. How does going to war in South America help regular Americans who are struggling? How does this do anything about drugs entering the U.S. when Venezuela produces no fentanyl? What is the actual security threat to the United States? And what happens next in Venezuela? He cannot answer these questions – and that’s why there was no briefing to Congress to explain this action, and no briefing scheduled. And Maduro’s illegitimate election does not give the president the power to invade without congressional approval, nor does it create a national security justification. That contention is laughable. This is about satisfying Trump’s vanity, making good on the long standing neocon grudge against Maduro, enriching Trump’s oil industry backers, and distracting voters from Epstein and rising costs.”
Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) said the Trump administration acted without congressional approval.
“Maduro is an illegitimate ruler, but I have seen no evidence that his presidency poses a threat that would justify military action without Congressional authorization, nor have I heard a strategy for the day after and how we will prevent Venezuela from descending into chaos. Secretary Rubio repeatedly denied to Congress that the Administration intended to force regime change in Venezuela. The Administration must immediately brief Congress on its plan to ensure stability in the region and its legal justification for this decision.”
State Senate Republican Leader Stephen Harding (R-Conn.) shared that he hopes Maduro is brought to justice, calling him an “integral culprit” in the “narcotic ring” in the United States.
“President Maduro has been an integral culprit in fostering the narcotic ring in our country which has killed far too many Americans. I hope he is brought to justice and we can continue to address the substance abuse crisis that our state and country continues to face.
The Chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party Ben Proto shared the following statement.
“President Trump promised to stop the flow of drugs into the US that have been killing millions of Americans. Nicolas Maduro, who declared himself President, while getting about 30% of the vote in the last so called free election in Venezuela, was given multiple warnings to stop the flow of drugs from his country into America, was offered help by the Trump administration in stopping the flow, but he continued to, not only allow the flow of drugs, but condone it and profit from it. Presidents have long used their constitutional authority to intervene in other countries when those countries posed a danger to America and Americans. President Trump did just that. Unfortunately Democrats, particularly Jim Himes, Chris Murphy and Dick Blumenthal are more interested in playing politics than in protecting Americans. Nearly 1,000 Connecticut residents died from drug overdoses in 2024 and we have seen an increase in overdoses in 2025. If only Democrats cared as much about Americans as they do about a drug lord running another country who profits from the death of Americans.“
Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) demanded that Congress must be briefed before further action.
“As information about U.S military strikes in Venezuela unfold, I have more questions than answers. Nicolas Maduro is a brutal dictator who caused so much harm to his people. However, as Americans we must seriously weigh the consequences of attacking a sovereign nation and committing to “run Venezuela.” Congress must be briefed immediately, before this situation continues to escalate. I will comment further as credible information becomes available to Members of Congress.“
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) shared the following statement, claiming that there could be “severe repercussions for American interests.”
“President Trump’s unilateral decision to attempt a regime change operation in Venezuela by using military force to capture Nicolas Maduro and declaring, ‘we will run the country’, threatens global order and is a fundamental violation of the Constitution, which gives Congress the responsibility of authorizing major military actions that could have severe repercussions for American interests.
“America’s unprecedented global strength and prosperity was built on this principle of restraining military force through democratic bodies like Congress. President Trump has shredded this principle, and along with it has destroyed American credibility and emboldened our adversaries to act with similar aggression. This new foreign policy that President Trump and his advisors have used to justify this act of war, including invoking the 200-year-old Monroe Doctrine as a justification for America to do whatever it pleases in the Western Hemisphere, is the exact same reasoning that China would use to justify invading Taiwan, and which Russia has used to assault Ukraine.
“President Trump has also now threatened Cuba with similar language, and is preparing a giant corrupt giveaway to oil companies by claiming that the United States will acquire Venezuela’s oil. This is corruption of the highest order. Maduro was an authoritarian who stayed in power despite the will of the people, but that does not justify the United States in starting a war to benefit some of the world’s wealthiest corporations.
“President Trump did all of this without the consent of Congress, and without providing any details or day-after plans. The full consequences of this act of war will not be known for some time, and they may require putting American boots on the ground in Venezuela, as the President has said he was prepared to do. The American people do not want to be dragged into another endless conflict distracting from the rising cost of living and the affordability crisis. Whatever happens next, the responsibility will be squarely with President Trump and his contempt for the Constitution and for Congress.”
Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) echoed the statements of his fellow Democrats.
“This is yet another authoritarian power grab by Donald Trump. As he indicated in his address, it’s clear it’s about the oil!!! And securing that oil!!! And securing it with the use of our brave men and women in the United States military!!! The Constitution entrusts Congress, not the President, with the power to declare war for a reason. It’s Congress’s responsibility to decide whether the nation goes to war or not! That’s why I’m joining with others in calling on the President to immediately brief Congress—and for Congress to assert its authority under the Constitution and the War Powers Act—to let this President know he does not have the authority to unilaterally commit our country to yet another endless war.“
This is a developing story. Stay with News 8 for updates.
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