fish over that in 1957, while the Massa- 

 chusetts catch increased 1,461 fish. In 

 both seasons Connecticut waters accounted 

 for approximately 72 percent of the catch 

 and 68 percent of the effort. 



Tables 5 and 6 give the general sta- 

 tistics for the two seasons for each type 

 of fishing in Massachusetts, Connecticut, 

 and Connecticut River tributaries. In 

 Massachusetts, boat fishermen accounted 

 for the greater part of the catch, while 

 in Connecticut n:iost fish were taken by 

 bank fishermen. For the entire basin, 

 bank fishermen accounted for 43.9 percent 

 of the catch in 1957 and 44.2 percent in 

 1958. Boat fishermen took 35.1 percent 

 of the total catch in 1957 and 37.6 percent 

 in 1958. Bridge fishermen accounted for 

 21.0 percent of the total catch in 1957 

 and 18.2 percent in 1958. During both 

 seasons most anglers fished from bridges 

 in Massachusetts, whereas in Connecticut 

 most fished from shore. Boats were used 

 by the least number of fishermen, yet 

 fishing success was best by this group. 



The average catch of 1.7 shad per fish- 

 ernnan-day for all fishing was identical 

 for both seasons. 



Figure 2 illustrates the weekly fish- 

 ing success for the two seasons. During 

 1957 and 1958 the best catches were made 

 from the middle of May through the first 

 week of June. Peak fishing effort occurred 

 on week ends and holidays and the low 

 on Monday. Peaks of daily fishing effort 

 occurred from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 

 and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.nn. 



The water temperature increased 

 from 52° to 82 F. during the 1957 season 

 and from 46° to 81° F. in 1958, with little 

 temperature change from day to day. 

 During both seasons fishing success was 

 usually poor at water temperatures of 

 47° to 52° F. and 75° to 80° F. Success 

 was greater at water temperatures between 

 57° to 71° F., with peak success at 67° to 

 69° F., which occurred between May 11 

 and May 31 during 1957 and May 24 through 

 June 7 in 19 58. 



Ifeble 5. — Calculated shad catch, effort, and catch per unit of effort by type fishing and fishing 

 vaters, Connecticut River and tributaries, 1957- 



■Eible 6. --Calculated shad catch, effort, and catch per unit of effort by type fishing and fishing 

 ■waters, Connecticut River and tributaries, 1958. 



