Photo by Mike Bleech.

To search for spring bass in Connecticut, start by placing your finger on any spot on a state map. Chances are, your finger will land close to a very good body of water that holds bass including largemouths, smallmouths and calicos. The state is dotted with ponds and lakes with bass-angling opportunities, ranging from lots of small-pond action to lunker bass in larger bodies of water.

The state’s Bass Management Lake program is designed to sustain fishing, increase the size of caught fish and offer a wide range of fishing experiences.

Bob Jacobs, Connecticut Department of Environmental Conservation district supervisor of fisheries, said the results of the state’s bass management program’s tactics -- such as creel limits, size limits and catch-and-release regulations -- would be reviewed after 10 years.

The program is only a few years old. Anglers should remember that bass are slow to grow and have a long life compared to other species, so a jump in size and weight so early in the program is not likely.

However, Jacobs did mention that the trend in bass so far is bigger fish. As temperatures increase, bass begin to move onto spawning beds, so anglers should target the shoreline shallows early in the season.

Here’s a look at the state’s top-producing waters for largemouth spots and smallmouth in 2008:

LARGEMOUTH BASS
Quaddick Reservoir
Quaddick Reservoir is in the town of Thompson in the northeastern part of the state. Quaddick, covering 408 acres of water, is known for its largemouths and pike fishing.

To get there, take Route 395 north to Exit 99 and Route 200. Follow Quaddick Road east and look for signs to Quaddick State Forest. There is a boat launch on the eastern shore.

Pachaug Pond
At the opposite end of the state in the southeast corner are two great bass ponds near the city of Norwich: Pachaug Pond in the town of Griswold and Amos Lake in Preston.

Pachaug Pond is managed as a northern pike lake but has a good population of largemouths. Its 841 acres may be accessed via the boat launch off Route 138. From the city of Norwich take Route 165 east to Route 201 north and Route 138 west. The launch is at Pachaug’s northernmost tip.

Amos Lake is a Trophy Trout Lake as well as a Bass Management Lake. Pickerel also cruise the depths in good numbers. From Norwich, take Route 165 east and turn south onto Route 164. Motorized boats are allowed and may be launched from secondary roads.