With the past week’s weather making ice faster than a Zamboni machine, about all we could realistically ask for is comfortable weather just in time for the weekend. And if all goes as predicted, in some cases gloves may be optional. This is a good thing if you tangle with a toothy, like the 23-pound pike which was iced from a central Massachusetts lake during the past week.
Massachusetts Fishing Report
Understandably there has been a lot of buzz about the 23-pound pike taken from Lake Quinsigamond, which was weighed in at Barrys of Worcester recently. In response, anglers have developed a rapacious appetite for big bait, which has resulted in Jim ordering 415 pounds of pike bait for this weekend! In addition to Quinsig waking up from the solstice slumber are Lake Chauncy as well as the A-1 Site. On the heels of the big bite last week it looks as if its time to double down efforts on most any water body where the water wolves swim.
Rod from Flaggs in Orange told me that he can barely keep big bait in stock due to the Lions Club tournament centered at Quaboag Pond this Saturday, February 1st. The Connecticut Valley Region of Masswildlife could be renamed “Crappie Valley Region” considering all the interest in this bug-eyed member of the sunfish family lately. Customers of Flagg’s are crushing those “calicos” from Lake Tully, North Spectacle Pond and South Spectacle Pond. For a leg up on this frenzy, I enlisted the opinion of one of New England’s panfish gurus, Clam’s Tim Moore, for a tip or two. Above all, 2-pound-test line is essential for the best bite. If you’re squeamish to downsize to this “gossamer thread” as I am, Tim has proven that quality 2-pound copolymer line is tougher than garden variety 4-pound monofilament. His favorite is P-Line Fluorocarbon ice. Also think in terms of micro-tiny as in Clam’s tungsten “drop” series of jigs, especially those that glow. And sweetening those jigs with a grub or Maki soft plastic makes a huge difference. Lake Moore has been hot for impressive 18-inch rainbows and even Lake Mattawa has woken up in the trout department with those partial to perch doing well also.
Rod from Arlington Bait and Tackle brought into his shop some outsize pike shiners last week which caused a virtual bidding war once word got out with patrons looking to by the entire lot for some serious cash. Interest in such big bait must mean that things are hot for northern pike somewhere around the Charles River coves in Waltham, Fairhaven Bay off the Sudbury River, or maybe Heard Pond in Wayland. Eric from Lunkers in Ashland told me that a buddy of his had a total of 23 flags at Kauffman’s Cove at Lake Cochituate the other day. And 15 of those flags were the result of largemouth bass!
Donny of Merrimac Sports said that there was some terrific largemouth bass fishing of Chadwick Pond last weekend during a derby with the biggest bass topping 5-pounds. For panfish Donny recommends Artichoke Reservoir and New Hampshire’s Great Island Pond. For pike the best bets remain the Concord River and just maybe Lake Attitash.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
All the rage in New Hampshire seems to be centered about the lake which in Abenaki translates to “Smile of the Great Spirit” – Lake Winnipesauke. With bays all tightened up it has become a winter wonderland out there and the variety of species cooperating is impressive. Jamie from Dover Marine has been enjoying productive outings for yellow perch as well as lake trout from Alton Bay as well as Winter Harbor. The hot offering has been the PK Flutter Fish in gold. The action has been centered in 20 to 30 feet of water. Crappie continue to please at Willand Pond as well as the Bellamy Reservoir. Black bass good bets are Long Pond and Ayers Lake.
Tim from Suds N Soda wished he had good thing to say about smelt from Great Bay but for the most part it has been a disappointment. Following a heartbreaking fall in Massachusetts and coupled with a poor showing so far in Southern Maine one has to be concerned about saltwater smelt stocks in New England! The good news is that the white perch fishing has been insane at Lake Winnipesauke. Tim Moore runs a guide service fishing for all manner of panfish throughout the Granite State and he has been putting patrons on such good fishing that they end up booking the next trip before the current outing is over. White perch are predaceous buggers which love meat! So Tim recommends tipping your Clam epoxy drops with grubs or even a sliver of fish. Stellar white perch places have been Spindle Point and Suissevale and the fish have been hovering between 27 and 35 feet of water. For crappie, check out Turkey Pond and look for suspended slabs.
Joe from Granite State Rod and Reel Repair said that the PK Minnow as well as jigs topped with Gulp! minnow heads as well as smelt have been the trick for trout from Canobie Lake and Cobbetts Pond. For warm-water species, spend some time among the “setbacks” of the Nashua River. For pike, put some time in Lake Massabessic.
Maine Fishing Report
Ken from Saco Bay Tackle reminded me of the shop’s 24-7 honor-system bait tank that the shop keeps at the ready if ever you’re in need of an after-hour baitfish fix. In addition to shiners, the shop keeps smelt at the ready. You can put that bait to good use at Lake Sabattus this weekend as one of the biggest derbies in the state takes place on Saturday. The Fish for a Cure derby’s proceeds will go towards the American Cancer Society and you may pocket $2000. What is almost guaranteed is that you’ll see more northern pike landed in one day than in your lifetime. If you don’t have toothies on the brain, but still are interested in something big, then how about the big water of Sebago Lake? Jeff from Jordan’s Store, which has been a Sebago institution for decades, told me that they are tugging in togue from Jordan’s Bay and the Lower Bay which along with shorelines are locked up nicely. Steer clear of Great Bay which has remained open due to the incessant wind.
Dags in Auburn is a sponsor of the Fish for a Cure Derby, and the resident fish fanatic Dylan suggests you set up near the timber-laden southern portion of the Sabattus to hedge your bets for a big pike. Southern Maine has not been immune to crappie fever as more and more anglers are taken to targeting these terrific panfish. New spots where these fish continue to take hold pop up seemingly every day. A recent crappie “find” is Norway Lake; often the first wave in a newly populated water body produces the largest slabs because of lack of competition.
Best Bets for the Weekend
Pike pandemonium continues with trophy toothies popping up most everywhere they roam. It may be a good move to scan Masswildlife’s website and look for spots that haven’t been mentioned. Conversely, consistent pike places are Cheshire Reservoir, Lake Quinsigamond, The Oxbow and Quaboag Pond. In New Hampshire, northerns can be found among the setbacks of the Connecticut River. In Maine, while the spotlight is on Sabattus, now might be good time to give the Androscoggin River a try. Two big iconic water bodies of New England – Winnipesauke and Sebago – deserve special attention, particularly for white and yellow perch for the former and togue for the latter.