Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine Fishing Report 2-14-2013

Ice Fishermen: Head to Western Massachusetts,

North to Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont

Bay State frozen water fanatics who hail from the coast and are tiring of transient local ice conditions are heeding their own “Manifest Destiny” and heading out west. And they appreciate the double-digit results they are finding, from 14 inches of ice to 14-pound pike. In New Hampshire, Great Bay has been less so, but the bite from the ponds and lakes has been mitigating the sting of a lack of smelt. Fortunately, recent results from the Smelt Camps in Maine are far more optimistic as 100-fish tides are being tallied.

Desperately seeking an alternative source of ice-intel for parts west of Worcester, I rang up Jim from J.C.B. Bait in Cheshire, and it ended up being a very fortuitous move. Fourteen inches of ice and talk of trophy toothies and brown trout are making me think that it just might be hardwater nirvana out there. Jim goes to great lengths to ensure that he has a plethora of mixed sizes of baitfish for everyone from patrons to his three sons who are inclined to pull all-nighters on prime water bodies. Jim recommends nearby Cheshire Reservoir where one of his sons recently caught a 12-pound pike; however there are other best bets, such as Onota Lake, where a 25-pounder was taken this past winter. And to think that the biggest of the bunch will begin pre-spawn stirring soon!

Onota and Pontoosuc are regularly stocked with brown trout and both hold-over fish. For those sweet on sweet-eating panfish, these places have plenty of perch, crappie and ‘gills and they just might be under the radar of most who are targeting more “glamorous” species!

It seems that there’s hardly a meteorologist who doesn’t list Orange when discussing the coldest temperatures in the state, so it’s not surprising when Rod from Flagg’s says that there is plenty of ice. Some of the prime spots are seeing less angling pressure due to the combination of snowfall and duration of the season; after all, water bodies in the Connecticut Valley Region have had good ice for about 6 weeks! For a real mixed bag, Rod recommends Laurel Lake where there is the possibility of catching a quality trout, big bass or pail-full of panfish. Another versatile water body is Barton Cove/Turner Falls area, which is constantly reloaded from the Connecticut River. In addition to the usual suspects, you may even catch a walleye there!

Don from Merrimac Sports told me that there’s been good ice in the Merrimack Valley Region. There’s a derby that the shop is sponsoring on Lake Attitash this Sunday, and in addition to enjoying some good, clean cold-water camaraderie, you might fetch yourself a cool $1,000 cash if you catch the biggest fish. There are 10 winning places in total. Sometimes it’s a bass that takes first but there are pike present in Attitash. There are good panfish opportunities in this lake as well as nearby Tewksbury Pond. For salmonids Don suggests Plugs Pond in Haverhill.

Fred from Suds ‘N Soda told me of an “Aha!” water body that many of you have passed while heading north on Rte. 95 and probably wondered what swims in there. Taylor River in Hampton is hopelessly weed-choked throughout much of the open water season and is generally shunned by anglers because of this malady. But the chill kills back much of the growth and opens up pockets from which to fish a shiner through the ice. So what does swim there? How about 5- to 6- pound pickerel! I iced a 5-12 pickerel years ago and when you catch a pick of that size, you’ll never forget it. Fred said that the New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game has been known to stock broodstock brown trout in Pleasant Lake in Northwood. For a mixture of warm water species, give the Lamprey River upstream of the falls a try.

Dylan from Dag’s suggests that all those who venture to Maine this coming week take along a sled to help navigate through the snow obstacle course. And there’s plenty of reason to do just that since freshwater fishing licenses are not required for February 16^th and 17^th as part of Maine’s IFW department’s Free Family Fishing Days program. And if you need further incentive to point your vehicle north there is a dizzying amount of derbies, some of which are expressly for kids;   http://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/derbies_tournaments/derbies.htm

The derbies aside, Dylan recommends Pleasant Pond for a warm water species bite and Canton Lake for brown trout and bronzebacks. Another solid smallie spot is Tripp Pond.

Ken from Saco Bay Tackle Shop had just topped off the shops outdoor shiner tank when we spoke; this continual bait source is open 24-7 and operates on an honor system off-hours. While Ken could not speak for all of Sebago Lake, he saw plenty of shanties out off the Rte. 302 area. Also there seems to be a smelt surge among the Kennebec River/Merrymeeting Bay camps so if you can book a shanty this weekend your timing may be perfect. Reports from patrons who have been fishing such camps as Riverbend are reveling in 100-plus fish outings.

Fishing Forecast

If you’re tiring of iffy ice and pressured ponds, set a course for the western part of Massachusetts where there have been impressive northern pike and brown trout catches. Check out Cheshire Lake, Onota or Pontoosuc. The Connecticut Valley Region has plenty of ice and some impressive fishing, for warm-water species as well as trout, from Laurel Lake. Barton Cove is a best bet for pike or even a walleye. Northeast anglers should check out the derby this weekend on Attitash or head over the border to give Taylor River a try for a trophy pickerel. For those wanting to take ice fishing to the next level, the smelt bite is on from “shantytown” in Maine, where you’ll also find no lack of derbies for the wanting. But if you still want more, you may settle for less, such as less expense because for February 16^th and 17^th you can fish for free in Maine since the license requirement is waived!