If there’s such a thing as the wintertime version of the dog days of summer, then we’re in it. A morass of snow, slush and slop have turned the treks of last month into a trudge. The upside of this has been a sharp drop-off of participation. Or as one shop owner put it, “Can’t say if many are fishing—there aren’t any tracks in the snow”!

Massachusetts Fishing Report

Rod from Arlington Bait and Tackle said it was just another week on Spy Pond and another big pike, in this case a 36” fish. On the heels of the 33” fish taken last week there, it is obvious that the “bucket biologists” have been awfully busy here. For more expected northern fare, you might want to check out where patrons of Eddie from B and A in West Boylston have been catching pike, such as the setbacks of the Concord and Sudbury rivers. While Quinsigamond had been hot, there’s no more new northern pike news that I’m aware of this week. Customers of B&A aren’t reluctant to travel however, and they’re still finding bragging-sized fish from afar such as Tyler Houghton’s 1-pound 3-ounce white perch and 3-pound 8-ounce pickerel, all junior category “pin” fish, bested from Bournedale’s Great Herring Pond.

Flaggs in Orange had news to pass along about the recently stocked broodstock salmon from Lake Mattawa. The final 20 salmon, which are averaging about 5 pounds, have made the trip from the federal hatchery in Nashua, New Hampshire and are now swimming in Lake Mattawa. If you’re wondering why these fish aren’t the double-digit dynamos of lore, that’s because those extra-big broodstock came from the state hatchery in Palmer that is now focusing on the rearing of landlocked salmon and quite possibly broodstock brook trout. When asked about Lake Rohunta, Rodney Flagg said that this favored bass water has seen little foot traffic because of the snow/slush combo. Guys are still out and about at Barton Cove, where there’s always a possibility of a pike or walleye. When questioned about panfish, Rod offered up Queen Lake in Phillipston as good for yellow perch, crappie as well as the occasional northern pike surprise.

I’ve mentioned this before but it bears repeating: the smelt bite is hot at Lake Onota! Anyone who has tried for smelt this year whether from open water in Winthrop Massachusetts to the camps of Southern Maine knows full well the dire straits of the saltwater stock. According to Jimmy from JCB Bait in Cheshire you can get your fix at Onota and they are even hitting during the day time! Sabiki rigs work as long as you cover the hooks with spikes. Kids that are doing this are then setting the smelt from traps for the pike and occasional trophy brown trout that swim here. They are also finding plenty of perch action while they are pursuing smelt. In cooperation with local police departments along with Basswater Grill, Jim is putting on a derby at Cheshire Reservoir this weekend where the proceeds go toward a weeklong day camp called R.O.P.E.S. during the summer, which is intended to teach kids respect and help them appreciate the outdoors, themselves and others. Sign up at JCB and Basswater Grill for this charitable event.

Dave from Merrimack told me of a trophy broodstock salmon, all of 10 pounds, which was recently pulled out of Plug’s Pond in Haverhill. Lake Attitash in Amesbury had a recent derby which proved that this place grows respectable largemouth as no fewer than five over 5 pounds were caught. With the spotlight on this lake, the nearby Tewksbury Pond may be primed to be a sleeper.

New Hampshire and Maine Fishing Report

Tim from Tim Moore Outdoors, Clam and Suds ‘N Soda continues to treat customers to world class white perch fishing at Lake Winnipesauke. In spite of all those affiliations he still finds time to pound 16”, 2-pound slabs in such areas as Spindle Point in Meredith. The lure of choice has been Clam’s green epoxy drop crammed with spikes. He has also found a load of smallies hanging around underwater points in 20 to 30 feet of water. Crushed ice Swedish Pimples have been the tool to fool the smallies. Despite the profile and pressure on Winnipesauke, this place remains a gem because of the healthy smelt forage base.

Another promising panfish place is Kingston Lake, which has no shortage of white perch, crappie and ‘gills. Joe from Granite State Rod and Reel Repair noted a definite drop-off in ice fishing due the sloppy conditions. If you’re showing stick-to-itiveness you are going to have a lot of water all to yourself now. This week Joe gives the nod to Robinson Lake which has some pretty fair crappie and pickerel.

My buddy John D. Silva, who is a frequent contributor to OTW, had a solid outing last weekend in Maine for largemouth bass and pickerel. Attempts to tangle with a pike from Sabbattus were thwarted due to the one-two combo of snow/high winds but the fat 3-pound black bass they pulled from Highland Lake made for a nice consolation prize. The shots he took of a young bald eagle were proof that it is always worth a trip up there.

Brady from Dag’s in Auburn said that the “Andro” was slow but this will be temporary as soon big pike will binge in preparation of the spawn. The Belgrade Lakes have filled the void nicely for those looking for pike activity, especially Great Pond. The tip of the week from Brady is to plan your excursions for Esox lucius for pre-storm—the dropping barometric pressure often brings out the best in pike. While we’re on the subject of big, it took a 22-pound togue to take first place last weekend in the highly-participated Sebago Lake derby. A 14-pound-plus togue was also caught from Moosehead Lake. A best bet for Moosehead is the Mount Kineo area. For togue, plumb the depths between 30 to 100 feet with a jig or spoon with a sucker strip, while those trophy brookies that this great lake is famous for (up to 5 pounds!) are more often caught courtesy of a live smelt or shiner in skinny water right against the shoreline.

Nick from Saco Bay Tackle said that the smelt camp year continues to be considered a calamity as the stock for this New England cold-water staple appears to be in seriously bad shape. Ironically, we had one of our better years only three years ago and it has been that quick that this fish has gone away – it is very sad. For a better shot at something to tug on the line check out Kennebunk Pond. Stick to the shoreline for brookies and bows, while the deepwater gets the nod for brownies and bronzebacks.

Best Bets for the Weekend

If the slush under your boots has you waffling about hardwater, then remind yourself that the same taxing conditions will put much of the crowd on the couch. Out west, the smelt bite is among the best in New England in Lake Onota. And while you’re at it, try suspending a few under your traps for a toothy or trophy brown. In the Connecticut Valley Region that largemouth bass favorite, Lake Rohunta, has the enviable combination of few anglers and lunker “Larrys” swimming below. Consider Queen Lake for crappie and perch. Closer to the coast Lake Attitash has given up some awesome bass and if you find a solid setback off the Merrimack or Concord River chances are there’s a big pike not far away. Lake Winnipesauke is a winner when it comes to white perch off Spindle Point and Robinson Lake should be a consideration if you’re partial to panfish. The big water of Sebago and Moosehead have given up double-digit togue recently and it’s a safe bet that there are bigger still, pike that is, prowling among the Belgrade Lakes.