Fort Trumbull pier

Fort Trumbull, New London.

The old fort and surrounding grounds draw picnickers, tourists, school groups and fishermen. Part of the restoration included two piers that extend into the Thames River. The longer northern pier is not open to fishing, but the southern one is proving to be an excellent location to fish. The 512-foot long fishing pier is well lit, has built-in-rod holders, running water and has convenient rest rooms. Anglers have free access to the pier 24 hours per day all year long and would be hard pressed to find a better fishing station anywhere.

As far as the fishing, the Thames River, like the Connecticut, is a nursery and collecting point for a variety of baitfish and important invertebrates. These various baits are like magnets to predators such as bluefish, striped bass, blackfish and flounder. Situated at the seaward end of New London Harbor, the pier is positioned at an ideal location to intercept the stripers and bluefish that run up and down the river. The water depth ranges from 10 to 15 feet at the mid point of the pier and over 20 feet near the end. Angler fishing from the end can actually cast their baits and lures into 40 feet of water.

Fishing from the pier can be excellent. Although the main channel meanders closer to the Groton side of the river, there are several other small channels and drop-offs that act as fish highways for stripers and bluefish. When stripers or bluefish are moving up or downriver they will follow the edges of the channels and often end up passing under the pier among the pilings. The Thames supports a large population of wintering over stripers that stay in the lower part of the river until late fall when they move up river for the winter. In the spring when the water temperature reaches 50 degrees they start to move downriver into the shallows. The pier gives fishermen a great shot at these fish as they move throughout the river system.

In addition to blues and stripers the pier is a good place to catch porgy. The close proximity to deep water and the holding structure created by the pilings holds fish during the summer months. The pier is an ideal spot to take youngsters as the fishing can be fast and furious for these saltwater panfish. With the muscles and barnacles that adorn the pilings, it’s a good bet that blackfish will be in the area too. Winter flounder can also be caught from the pier. Even though the population is way down as compared to the 1960’s, the fish do spawn in the lower river every spring. The pier may be one of the better spots for the non-boating angler to hook a few in the latter part of March and April.

The pier at Fort Trumbull is still relatively undiscovered. It is about as fishermen friendly a location as can be found with its great facilities, beautiful setting and excellent potential to produce noteworthy catches. [org pub NB Herald, by Bob Salerno]