It’s more than three feet, Johnny Cash, and it might not yet be done rising. This is especially true at Lake Francis boat launch, where it is rare for the water level to be so high. The Connecticut Lakes are nearly totally full or overflowing, meaning that the river flows are correspondingly high below the lakes, and there’s still some snowmelt coming in from the northern part of town too. In other words, we’re not out of the woods yet.
To give some context, the flow at Second Lake Dam is at 600 CFS (anywhere from 200 – 400 CFS is desirable for fishing this section during the spring salmon run), the flow at First Lake Dam is 300 CFS (high, but not out of control) and the release at Murphy Dam at Lake Francis is a whopping 800 CFS today. We prefer 300 – 600 CFS as a flow for fishing and wading below Murphy Dam.
Those flows will change considerably as we progress in May, so anglers should plan on checking flow schedules often to make their fishing plans. In short, bring watercraft (boat, canoe, kayak, etc.) if you’re coming up this weekend to fish some stillwater, as the river will be a challenge to wade. In regards to stillwater fishing in Pittsburg and other northern towns, there are not many ponds or lakes that have yet had ice out. The only pond that I know of in Pittsburg to have iced out is Middle Pond, and Clarksville Pond over in neighboring Clarksville has also iced out.
All of the other lakes and ponds remain either totally iced in, or have partial ice floes still open them. That should change as the weekend approaches, as both Back Lake and Lake Francis look like they will be open for fishing and boats this weekend. Reports are that there is still a fair amount of ice on the other Connecticut Lakes, and outer brook trout ponds as well (Round Pond and Moose Pond). The logging roads aren’t yet open to many of the outer brook trout ponds (Coon Brook Bog, Big Brook Bog, East Inlet, Scott Bog, Terrell Dam, etc.) and they won’t be on the table for a little while.
Things should improve next week if flows drop a bit and the outer pond fishing could get going as N.H. Fish & Game’s trout stocking efforts get underway.
Keep checking in as to what’s going on. The season is nearly here and we’re happy it is!
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By: bs
Tom Caron dispenses advice, wisdom, and bs in the pursuit of trout and salmon daily for Tall Timber guests.
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See You at the Show!
Salmon Serenade
Upper Connecticut River Fishing Report: 8/25
Connecticut River Flow Update: 8/12
A Glimmer of Hope
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Phil
May 8, 2019 — 12:50 am
Hi
Thank you for all the info. I’m planning to Come down from Montreal for the salmon run at megalaway, can you update me on the conditions and what date you figure it will be good?
Thank you very much
bs
May 8, 2019 — 1:02 am
That’s hard to predict Phil. The salmon run traditionally coincides with Mother’s Day weekend and continues on for a week to ten days, depending on river flows. I expect much the same this year, but perhaps with higher flows. Wade carefully and keep checking on the flows.
Anonymous
May 8, 2019 — 4:45 pm
Is the Pittsburg Angling Association Stocking that is planned for Sunday 5/12 still scheduled? Do you expect this to be moved to 5/20? Thanks!
bs
May 8, 2019 — 5:29 pm
The P.A.A. will be stocking on Sunday, May 19. The river flow in the Trophy Stretch is high right now and could go higher next week, so they have decided to wait until next week.