The combination of the recent thaw followed by a freeze has made for picture-perfect ice-fishing conditions. And the “pictures” should hardly end there as those who wait all season to fish for pike through the ice are setting up shallow in hopes of the biggest bad boys of the winter. Smallmouth bass and crappie are beginning to stir also as typically happens as we transition into March.

Massachusetts Fishing Report

It’s a regular derby-fest out there! Laura from Ippi’s in Lynn recently had a well-attended and well-intentioned one at Sluice Pond where prizes were allotted for pickerel, trout and bass. Bass are hitting shiners at Flax Pond, Buchanan Pond and Brown’s Pond. For crappie check out Pillings Pond as well as Chebacco Lake where the forage base of alewives grows mostly everything that swims there large.

Not to be outdone, Lunkers in Ashland had a tournament at Farm Pond last weekend and no less than four 5-pound-plus largemouth were weighed in with the top fish a slamming 7-pounder! Ashland Reservoir has been slow but anglers keep at it knowing that nearly every species of trout the state hatcheries raise are stocked in here. Little Chauncy has been consistent for bass and customers continue to fish the A-1 Site. And smallies should be on the feed at Walden Pond about now.

Rod from Flagg’s told me that casual ice anglers have hit the proverbial wall after the long season and participation has fallen off significantly. However, the four anglers who have taken 5- to 6-pound salmon on shiners from Lake Mattawa so far aren’t complaining about the lack of company. A best bet for rainbow trout is Moores Pond while Lake Rohunta gets the nod if bass are the target. Barton Cove on the Connecticut River continues to draw interest due to its reputation as a producer of walleye and pike. If crappie are on your catch-list check out Tully Lake.

Years at the game have taught Paul from Granby’s that NOW is the time to target water bodies that are affected by rivers! Thaws bring flow, feed and oxygenated water which is often the catalyst for fantastic ice fishing. For a real mixed bag Paul from Granby’s recommends The Oxbow. Because it’s a setback of the Connecticut River it gets infused steadily from this multi-species fish bowl. Walleye, pike and most every warm water species that we have in these parts swims there with surprises such as bowfin and even mudpuppies figuring in the mix. Unexpectedly the last two seem to be experiencing a surge in number and bowfin are known to put on quite the battle. Paul said that Big Alum in Sturbridge deserves honorable mention for panfish of all sorts.

Jim from JCB B&T in Cheshire re-scheduled the planned Ropes derby of last weekend to this Sunday. March 2^nd. The slush of last weekend has turned to rock solid ice so the going will be a lot more enjoyable. Timing could be good because those targeting toothies are already pulling their shacks closer to shore as pike migrate from the main channel to weed beds in as little as 2 to 4 feet of water. The derby notwithstanding it might be time to revisit all known pike places such as Woods Pond and Quaboag as these fish become more active.

New Hampshire and Maine Fishing Report

Tim Moore of Suds ‘N Soda continues to put patrons onto wicked white perch fishing on Lake Winnipesaukee. Some of the jumbo whiteys are topping 2 pounds! While he touts light tackle, be careful if you’re fishing around Moultonborough Bay because old bronzeback has gotten mighty active and 2-pound line doesn’t mix well with a 3 ½ pound smallie! Lakers are active around Winter Harbor with bucktail jigs and Swedish Pimples tipped with Gulp! Minnows and Minnow heads doing the trick. Willand Pond, Massabesic Lake, Canobie Lake as well as Cobbett’s Pond deserve special mention as southern New Hampshire alternatives for trout.

Joe from Granite State Rod and Reel Repair recommends Robinson’s Pond for crappie and perch. Green’s Pond is worth a go for panfish also as is Horseshoe Pond for the gamut of warm water species. Mill Pond deserves mention for largemouth bass and Joe could not resist repeating Canobie Lake and Cobbett’s Pond for trout.

Dylan of Dag’s told me that the Sebago Lake derby-winning togue of last week, all 39 inches and 22 pounds of it, took a 12-inch sucker from a trap! The big bait/big fish manta sure has weight. Now here’s a water body with an enviable combination: smelt, brook trout, brown trout and smallmouth. I’ve just described Canton Lake where Dylan swears 7-pound plus smallies swim! The “Ranges” are solid smallmouth/salmonid water bodies as well. As of February 15^th, landlocked salmon can be kept from Moosehead Lake where a 20” silver leaper doesn’t even get a rise. Dylan recommends fishing smelt just below the ice at first light and then “following the smelt” to deeper water as the sun penetrates. Caribou Lake in Aroostook is an out of the way pristine alternative for landlockeds.

Some of the best ice fishing of the season is taking place right now in the Saco area according to Kenny from Saco Bay! Almost any no-name water body around seems to have action provided you are sending a lively shiner to the depths. One option is Lake Ossipee which has some mighty fine bass and brown trout. Kennebunk Pond continues to kick it in the brown trout category and then there’s Bunganut Lake which makes up for the strange name with sweet salmonid fishing. Certainly Sebago has been getting plenty of attention after the beast of last weekend but according to Kenny it is the overall size of Sebago togue which is most impressive this year. Try bouncing a 1 or ¾ ounce green bucktail or airplane jig gently off the bottom with a small shiner or minnow head for best luck.

Best Bets for the Weekend

Temperatures may be chilly but the increasing strength of the sun is causing species across the board to pick up their energy levels. For bass close to the coast, give Buchannan or Browns Pond a shot with a big shiner. Broodstock salmon cruise among a host of water bodies such as Long Pond, Horn Pond, Lake Cochituate as well as Lake Mattawa and are arguably the most challenging hardwater quarry to land in the Bay State. Smallmouth bass should be on the bite from Walden Pond, Lake Webster and Singletary Lake. Just across the border in New Hampshire, trout continue to be caught from Lake Canobie, Cobbett’s Pond and Lake Massabesic. For a shot at a big smallie, try Winter Harbor in Lake Winnipesauke as well as Canton Lake in Maine, where a healthy smelt forage base keeps bronzeback, brown trout and brookies well-fed.