Stripers on the Housatonic Part 1
The water’s below the Ousatonic (yes that’s with an O) Damn in Derby CT holds resident “linesiders” all year
long. The mouth of the river is approximately 12 miles to the south of the Damn. Although stripers can be found
anywhere within that 12 mile range, in the winter months there are some very definite area’s where the fish
concentrate. Up until about 6 years ago the river had a strong Herring Run. Unfortunately that is no longer the case.
There are still large numbers of fish to be caught despite the decline of Herring.
Derby Damn Area
If you’re a land or wading fisherman the two area’s you want to focus on in the winter and early spring are the
immediate Damn area, and the peninsula known as Sullivan’s Island. This area is productive all year long but is
especially a local fishing favorite between the months of January thru May. In addition to bass, numerous catches of
sea run trout and salmon previously stocked in the Naugatuck River can be found. Good public parking is available
on both “sides” of the damn. In the damn area most of the bigger fish are caught on the Shelton side of the river.
Plugs, lead head plastic, and rebels are primarily used here. Same on the Derby side too. Access to the Derby side
can be found approximately 1/3 mile from “Downtown Derby” opposite “Apollo Pizza”. Cross the canal bridge and
take a right to a public parking area adjacent to the Damn. Only a small portion of the Derby side is wadable, and
even then only at certain tides and damn flows. Look towards the end of the damn abutment, where it meets the
stone wall. If there are a few rocks visible in river, 10 to 20 feet away from the damn, there’s enough room for 2-3 fly
or spin fishermen. Best conditions for wade fishing here is when there is a narrow stream of water flowing over the
damn. Gives you a nice little current to toss your fly or lure into, sort of like a “trout run”. Get it out there and let it
swing. It is here that on one May afternoon I caught a number of American shad in the 5-7 lb range, as well as small
mouth bass, schoolie stripers, and a number of white perch.
If you’re a boater it is possible to fish the area immediately adjacent to the damn. Be very very careful here. There
are regulations with regard to fishing too close to the damn. 150 yards south of the damn is an island. The island
creates two distinct channels, one on the Derby side and one on the Shelton. Only the one on the Shelton side
holds enough water for boats larger than 14’ in length. I have never seen a boat larger than 18’ in length here.
Commodore Hall Bridge Area
This area runs from just below the island, through the Commodore Hall Bridge to the confluence of the Housatonic
and Naugatuck rivers. It is primarily an area where a boat is needed. In March and April the most successful fishing
techniques here are lead head plastic jigs and trolling tube and worm. Some areas can be accessed from shore but
it requires climbing down the heavy rip rapped banks of the Army Corp of Engineer flood walls on the Derby Side.
Most fish here are taken along the deeper channel along the Shelton Banks. Where the waters of the Housatonic
and Naugatuck meet you can almost always find fish in the winter and spring months. This area can be accessed by
boat and by wading Sullivan’s Island. Sullivan’s Island in Derby is located 1 ½ miles below the dam. H.F.F.A. member
and friend Lou Eagle has fished this area relentlessly over the years and has caught a number of sea run trout,
salmon, and countless stripers. Years ago Lou was one of only a few fishermen to fish this area. At times now, it can
get pretty crowded. Sullivan’s Island is a great early season striper hot spot.
Sullivan’s Island is accessed from Main Street Derby. There is also a small boat ramp in the Public Parking area. It is
not the best of ramps but it does the job for most smaller boats.
Directions to Sullivan’s Island and Derby Boat Ramp
In downtown Derby / Main Street take Caroline Street past Calvert Lock Smiths and the Derby Feed Company.
There will be a municipal parking lot on your left. Proceed past Calvert Locksmiths and the Parking lot to the train
tressel underpass. Go through it and up the hill to the Army Corp of Engineers Burm. Go past the pedestrian walk
way and down the "hill". There’s a parking area under the RT 8 underpass. The boat ramp is on one end of the
parking area. There are no launching fees required. On the opposite end of the parking area there’s a paved
pedestrian path way. This is also known as the Derby Greenway. Walk on the paved Greenway and about 20' down
the path there’s a gravel path that goes right. (only one there -- the paved one is a beautiful walk but you will only
end up along the Naugy) Take the gravel/cinder path all the way to the island. Sometimes there are alot of spin
fishermen there and it’s hard to find a position in the water. If that’s the case get back on Rt 34 towards New Haven.
Take a right at the light (your still on 34) and proceed about 300 yards. There's a cleaners on your right. After the
cleaners there is a vacant lot. You can park there. Be careful not to park in posted areas of the Metro North Train
Tracks. Proceed to the railroad tracks and cross them opposite the Dunkin' Donuts. You will see a path leading to
the river. There can be very good fishing there but it’s difficult to fish there at high tide. You have to fish the drop or
incoming tides here. As far as the best fishing times for shore fishermen, THE TIDES ARE NOT THE MOST
IMPORTANT FACTORE IN THE SULLIVAN’S ISLAND AREA. In recent years, especially in February through April,
the best fishing has occurred here during the last half hour of sunlight. I’ve also experienced great fishing on the
incoming and outgoing tides at various times during the day as well. Sometimes you just have to be lucky and put
your time in.
Sullivan’s Island to Sunny Side School
Unfortunately this area is only accessible by boat. During the months of late March to early May the best fishing on
the river has been found here in recent years. There are area’s where the fish have just lit up fish finders. The
hottest area is located just south of the Beard Sand & Gravel operations and just north of the Sunny Side School
boat ramp. Fish the Shelton side here opposite the historic Derby boat pilings. The ramp at Sunny Side School is in
good condition. It can accommodate some pretty good size boats. Only negative here is the ramp is somewhat
slippery. The bigger the boat the greater the need to have a 4 wheel drive on your vehicle.
Directions and info on Sunny Side School Boat Ramp
Sunny Side School is located on Rt. 110 in Shelton CT. This is also Main Street Shelton. The School is ½ mile south
of downtown. There are exits for Rt. 110 off of Rt. 8, Rt. 15 Merrit Parkway, and I-95. From the Merrit and I-95
porceed north on Rt. 110 to Sunny Side School. You do need a permit to launch at Sunny Side. (Had to look into
this, most people I know just launch there as the ramp is pretty much unattended. This is not something I advocate.)
Cost is $50 for residents, $100 for non-residents. I recently called the City and the ramp is open from March 1 to
November 1. I recommend you call the City to get the latest information on the ramps use. The biggest plus for this
ramp is that it’s just south and 2-3 minutes away from the prime boat fishing spots in late winter, early spring.