Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine Fishing Report 1-31-2013

Thaw puts Ice on Hold for Some
Plenty of Ice-Fishing Options to North and West

The million-dollar question among many of the frozen fraternity was whether 30 hours of Gulf of Mexico warm winds would erode a week’s worth of handiwork from the Alberta Clippers. For those who fish out west and up north, the answer is an emphatic “no!” However, folks who’d prefer sticking to the east should exercise caution and maybe wait a few more days for eroded shorelines to lock back up.

Barry’s B&T in Worcester is beginning to look like a truck depot as vehicles with out-of-state plates are arriving to pick up pike bait to fish for toothie northerns in Massachusetts. To refresh the tanks, he just received a batch of 300 pounds of big shiners and suckers. Most water bodies have retained a minimum of 6 inches of ice, and with a hardwater-friendly forecast on the horizon, it will only get better. For a varied warm-water species bite, check out Dorothy Pond and Eddy Pond. If smallies are more your target, then Jim recommends Singletary Lake, especially near the drop-offs at the three sunken islands; the forage base of alewives keeps the bass fat. Eddie of B&A said that some slab crappies and a 5½-pound largemouth bass were recently bested from East Wausahacum Pond. And trout and salmon are still being caught from Comet with action occurring in spurts.

The thaw was a quick one in the Connecticut Valley Region, according to Rod from Flagg’s in Orange, as temperatures were already plummeting again by Thursday. Lake Mattawa has slowed down a bit, but with trophy examples of both coldwater species and warmwater species present, it is always worth a try. A few regulars who prefer crappie have been making the haul out to Webster Lake; apparently the calico catch is that good. The best trout bite in the area may be taking place at Lake Moore. The Berkshire area is sporting up to 10 inches of ice, according to Paul from Granby’s. For everything from bass to pickerel to panfish, he recommends Goose Pond in Lee, or maybe Dorothy Pond as a good bet for panfish. For black bass, check out Congamond Lakes, where the alewife forage base keeps the hawgs hefty.

Give the North Shore a few more days of the expected freeze and the soggy shorelines of most water bodies should strengthen back up, suggested Pete from Fin and Feather in Essex. Pre-thaw, anglers were doing well with crappie from Chebacco Lake; this is another water body that benefits from alewives that migrate there in the spring from the Essex River. Just across the street is Beck Pond, which in some cases is a sleeper, being so close to its high-profile neighbor. For bass, give Round Pond a go, and for trout, Pleasant Pond is a perennial North Shore favorite.

Tim from Suds ‘N Soda has been busy applying panfish-catching tricks that he learned while fishing with the “grandfather” of ice fishing, Dave Genz, on such places as Turkey Pond in Concord. What he learned is that 2-pound test is essential for the delicate taps of bull bluegills and king crappies. A consistent, slight “pounding” cadence to make that jig dance is important too. The Maki soft plastic attached to a tungsten jig-head has become a veritable tsunami in ice fishing circles and most high-hooks are using them. Other spots to get your panfish fix are Bellamy Reservoir and Pawtucket Lake. For trout, try tempting one from Pleasant Lake.

Chad from Dover was talking cusk and rainbows from Lovell Lake when we spoke. Things are looking good for Winnipesauke since it largely locked up prior to the warm spell and come next week should be fine again. Meredith Bay, Alton Bay and Wolfeboro Bay were all solid and featuring fine action for cusk and lake trout. Smelt success has been lacking in Great Bay but good from the York River.

Dylan from Dag’s told me that while the ice itself is plenty solid, the watery mess on top of Taylor Pond resulted in the postponement of the highly anticipated ice fishing tournament until next weekend. This may make it prime time to ice a nice northern, or maybe a smallie this weekend since many will be gearing up for the following week. If togue are more your ticket, then test out Thompson Lake; a hot method there is to bounce the bottom with a ¾-ounce to 1-ounce Aeroplane Jig or the Downeast favorite Weeping Willow, just make sure you spice the hook with a sliver of sucker or shiner.

While I’ve heard dismal reports from most regarding the smelt camps, I received a shot of optimism from an unexpected source. My friend Russ Eastman of Monahan Marine in Weymouth spent a three-tide tour at James Eddy over the weekend and had 300 smelt to show for it. What worked for Russ was Fireline Crystal braid, which is transparent, a light 4-pound-test leader, a keel sinker tied at the bottom and a red Aberdeen hook affixed about 6 inches up off a dropper loop, which he baited with seaworm and grass shrimp. Effective smelt fishing all comes down to feel, and this combo gave him a definite edge over his shanty mates.

Fishing Forecast

East Waushacum Pond in the Central Region is a winner for warm-water species, especially big bull ‘gills. If you’re looking for trout, try South Pond in East Brookfield or, if something a bit toothier is your choice, check out nearby Quabog. Farther out west, those looking for largemouth have three winner water bodies to choose from in the Congamond Lakes. If you wait a few more days for rain-pelted shorelines on Chebacco and Beck’s to lock up, there’s good crappie fishing on the North Shore. For pretty good pan fishing, opt for 2-pond test and pound a jig/Maki tandem on the heads of perch, ‘gills and crappie from Turkey Pond in Concord, New Hampshire. For a Downeast double header of critters with some serious teeth, try for pike in Taylor Pond and togue in Thompson.