For some the snow is stifling, while for others it is just the thing to keep casual ice creepers close to their trucks, making for less harried hardwater for those who don’t mind a trek through the deep stuff. From panfish to pike to bass and trout, there is no shortage of reasons to lace up the boots and forge a path to a frozen honey hole.

Massachusetts Fishing Report

Rod from Arlington B&T aced the “how did that get there” category with a report of a 30-inch northern iced from Spy Pond. Back when there was such a thing as a tiger muskie stocking program, Spy was the destination for many who were looking to add a trophy tiger to their list, but as far as I know, there has been no stocking of pike by proper authorities. For more normal fare, the bass bite has been pretty good there also. Another good bet for bass is the Upper Mystic Lake where patrons of Rod’s have taken largemouth bass up to 6 ½ pounds on shiners. For a better shot at a pike, have a go at Heard Pond in Wayland, which is occasionally infused with a new crop of northern pike from the Sudbury River. The Charles River has been under the radar of most, but the coves near Brandeis University in Waltham are known to harbor pike.

When Laura from Ippi’s in Lynn is not busy sharpening auger blades, she’s sponsoring ice fishing derbies. Over the weekend she held one at Flax Pond where the top prize, a cool $340, went to Bob Seeley who slid a 5.75-pounder onto the ice courtesy of a shiner. Next up is a Sluice Pond Derby, which will be more multi-species since a variety of salmonids swim in Sluice. While the 26-inch, 5-pound, 2-ounce pickerel that Bob Gagnon caught out of Spring Pond did not win any loot, it did qualify Bob for a state pin! Just try to call that prized pickerel a “slime dart.”

Eddie of B&A in West Boylston told me that they are still picking away at a smorgasbord of salmonids, including a few survivor salmon, from Comet. Another terrific trout spot worth giving a try is Fort Pond where the rainbow trout action has been good. For bass Eddie recommends South Meadow Pond in Clinton.

Jim from Barry’s in Worcester told me of a terrific trophy toothy that was recently taken from East Brimfield Reservoir. The big pike was over 23 pounds and Jim suspects it was taken on a fresh dead “split” sucker: this offering is becoming standard issue among experienced Esox hunters. Respectable 8 to 10 pounders have been caught from Chauncy recently. A buddy of Jim’s logs impressive numbers of bronzebacks from Lake Webster by eschewing noisy gas augers and employing the stealthy approach with hand augers. This guy fish’s weekdays only and pounds the smallies with bladebaits in 23-plus feet of water—and his impressive record of 3 to 5 pounders shows he knows what he’s doing. For panfish, especially calicoes, find suspended fish with a tiny jig/grub at Flint Pond.

Jim from JCB B&T dug deep to find something new for the forecast and he found it – smelt! The bite is on at Lake Onota, which could be just the antidote for anglers suffering from the lack of saltwater smelt blues. While smelt are scrumptious, I couldn’t help but ask Jim where those smelt would make fine bait. Jim steered me to Sherman Reservoir in Vermont where lake trout as well as a mixture of more typical trout swim. Cheshire Reservoir remains terrific for toothies but some of the better action is courtesy of the chain pickerel: the steady action is often just the ticket to hook inattentive/young fishermen.

New Hampshire & Maine Fishing Report

Jason from Suds ‘N Soda said that there was a slight uptick in smelt catches from both Great Bay and the Squamscott River with tallies of a couple dozen reported by a select few but just as often anglers caught next to nothing. A better prospect is Bellamy Reservoir, which, in spite of incessant reporting, continues to be consistent for crappie. For bull ‘gills consider Pleasant Lake and a mixture of panfish try Deerfield Pond.

Jamie from Dover Marine is hatching plans to spend the weekend on Winnipesauke with a few thousand friends at the annual Great Meredith Rotary Ice Fishing Derby. This tournament takes place on big water, with big participation and has big prizes. A little pre-fishing has proved to Jamie that there’s no shortage of white perch, lake trout or rainbow trout among 19 Mile Bay. While the masses descend on Winnipesauke, it might be a good time to sneak out on Bow Lake which has solid smallmouth bass action and is a best local bet for rainbow trout. Look for smallies in 30 to 40 feet of water, while rainbows will be shallow and only a few feet below the ice.

Ken from Saco Bay Tackle said that smelt fishing among the camps of the southern Maine estuaries has been generally slow, with a minority reporting good catches. The Sabattus pike derby was sizzling hot last weekend with a 20-plus pounder pulling in first prize. Odds are that many will be spent from the red-hot glare of competition and the place may lack pressure this weekend. The lack of auger snarl may make for a more peaceful outing and less weary water wolves. Sebago Lake remains on a togue tear with lime-green ¾-1 ounce jigs slowly thumped along the bottom accounting for much of the action. For warm water species from bass to perch, check out Cobbossecontee Lake and Lake Arrowhead. Dylan from Dag’s told me of a 14-8 pound togue taken out of Moosehead Lake recently which is being called the Moosehead Monster.

Best Bets for the Weekend

Pike has got to be a best bet with even some of the quieter water bodies giving up toothies. Places to consider are A-1, Chauncy, the Charles, Fairhaven Bay, the Concord River as well as the multitude of spots to try out west. Try your luck for trout at Fort Pond, Comet Pond or take a trip across the border to Vermont for a smorgasbord of salmonids from Sherman Reservoir. The calico bite remains hot at Bellamy Reservoir but if you really want to take in some cold weather camaraderie, there’s a little old ice fishing derby taking place this weekend on Winnipesauke. Southern Maine has been slow at the smelt camps but a better bite can be had at immense Sebago Lake where a green jig bounced on the bottom is more often resulting in the tug of a togue.