Ordinarily, come March we anxiously await the lion to soften into the lamb, but this year the cat is more like a sabretooth tiger that shows no desire to go anywhere. Hardwater junkies who would like nothing better than to be setting traps into April are griping that the fast late-ice fishing still hasn’t turned on because of the lack of any semblance of a thaw – yet. The good news is that because of the unusual conditions, we may soon have another quarry available to ice fishermen – stocked trout!

Massachusetts Fishing Report

The state hatcheries are bubbling with rainbows, brookies, brown and tiger trout, and the culturists would like nothing better than to clear the tanks to make room for the next brood. Masswildife should begin checking water bodies soon to check to see if pH and oxygen levels are sufficient to accommodate scads of trout. The months-long ice/snow cap across the Commonwealth has had a smothering effect, and water bodies may become deficient in life-sustaining elements. Soon the biologists will get the go ahead and when the hatcheries get their approval that ponds and lakes can accommodate hundreds if not thousands of trout, the stocking will begin. I’ll try to keep you apprised when that most likely will happen. For those whose best ice-fishing friend is a jigging stick, fast action with pound-plus trout from an auger hole is an absolute blast!

While it sure doesn’t feel like March, perch are beginning to behave as if it is, according to Rod from Arlington Bait and Tackle who said that perch pulled from Spy Pond in Arlington are bursting with eggs. Patrons are putting in the time at Horn Pond in Woburn in the hopes that they will ice a salmon but the going has been slow. Should we get that trout stocking, look for that to be just the thing to wake the salmon out of their slumber. A good bass and pickerel bite has been taking place at Ponkapoag Pond while the bows have been hitting pretty good at Baddacook.

Eric from Lunkers in Ashland told me that the pike are cruising closer to shore ice now and the catch rate has been improving. One of the shop’s patrons took a decent 30-inch toothie from Fairhaven Bay. Now might be the right time to revisit thus far dormant northern water, such as the Waltham coves in the Charles River, Heard Pond and even Lake Cochituate. Dug Pond has been delivering largemouth bass to the folks putting in the hours.

Laura from Ippis in Lynn has customers who are embarking on a new hardwater pursuit – carp through the ice. Proven open-water methods should work, such as chumming with corn and then filling up a hook with a few kernels. However, it probably wouldn’t be a good idea to set up your panfish traps for these beasts. One local pond that has carp is Flax. Laura is hearing good things about Spring Pond in Peabody where they have been catching impressive bass, pickerel and perch. While the wait is on for stocked trout, some are still scoring rainbows from Sluice Pond by suspending worms, grubs or small shiners 15 feet down. A good artificial alternative is the Gulp! and Power Bait ersatz versions.

Jim from Barrys in Worcester had a typical weekend in that he ran out of bait. So he decided to go fishing. The north end of Quinsigamond was on fire with 1- to 2-pound bass biting furiously in 15 to 20 feet of water. Another party was getting amazing action on pickerel close to the shoreline. According to Jim about every 45 minutes the pickerel posse would swarm their bait and the flags would start flying, all within view of Route 290! After the icing of that mammoth pike a few weeks ago, Quinsigamond has been getting a lot of attention and when the thaw eventually kicks in the nastiest northerns in here will become aggressive. Some big smallies are stirring in Singletary Pond as well as Webster Lake.

Rod from Flaggs Fly and Tackle in Orange suggests that anglers looking for a change target trout water for trophy warm-water species. The mob at Mattawa are all seeking one of the 20 salmon which were stocked there recently BUT this place has slob smallies, big bucketmouths and pretty respectable white and yellow perch. However, few fish for these species there! Lake Moore is another option although you may be sidetracked here by willing trout. For intended species check out the crappie at North and South Spectacle Ponds as well as Tully Lake.

Jim from JCB Bait in Cheshire told me that the tournament of last week – R.O.P.E.S. – was a worthwhile event, even if a little unattended, since it paid out $300.00 to a police promoted program to help kids. Speaking of kids, no sooner did Jim’s sons drag their shanty closer to shore in anticipation of the inshore pike migration than they go and get a 10-pounder from Cheshire Reservoir. If you’re preparing to give the Berkshires a go you had better bring an auger extension since reports of ice from North and Plainfield Ponds has it at the three foot mark!

New Hampshire and Southern Maine Fishing Report

Astonishingly there is a smelt report, albeit the take was about 20 fish! Jason from Suds ‘N Soda told me that some diehards did catch a few smelt recently from the Squamscott River. The shop owner isn’t exactly expecting a stampede to the smelt grounds because of this news so he is not carrying seaworms in anticipation but if you really feel the need! A better bet is the crappie fishing in Bellamy Reservoir which in spite of the buzz is still strong. There’s also some pretty solid bluegill, bass and perch fishing there. For trout Jason suggests as well as the Taylor River which doubles as a pretty fair black bass body of water.

Joe from Granite State Rod and Reel Repair’s tip of the week is Cobbett’s Pond. This place has the capability of growing brown trout, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass big because it has a forage base of landlocked alewives! Joe tested the conditions the other day at Mill Pond which is close to the shop in Nashua and caught a few pickerel. A better bet may be Robinson Pond in Hudson which has some solid “calicoes” swimming in it. A couple other warm water species favorites are Greens Pond and Horseshoe Pond.

Dylan of Dag’s in Auburn said that the toothy bite is a bit behind schedule because March has yet to behave as March should. What is needed is some snowmelt to clear the white ice and snow and allow the rays of the sun to penetrate and reawaken fish which have been in a stupor for months. One example of how slow it is, is the lack of big shiners for bait. Ordinarily suppliers are jigging up pond shiners, but the fish have lockjaw and are near-dormant. Once that changes look for the Androscoggin River to kick into high gear and the pike to feed ravenously. Sabattus will be worthy of another shot by then as will the Belgrade Lakes.

Ken from Saco Bay Tackle said that Sebago is still producing a torrid togue bite. Try jigging the bottom in 75-100 feet of water about a ¼ mile from The Station. For something different try for splake. I’ve caught these brook trout/lake trout hybrids (speckled trout + lake trout = splake) and they are one of the hardest fighting freshwater fish that swims! Splake are stocked in Trickey Pond in Naples, Shagg Pond in Woodstock, Indian Lake and Norway Lake among others. They’ll wallop shiners or smelt. For rainbows check out Little Sebago as well as Lilly Pond.

Best Bets for the Weekend

With 40 degrees plus predicted in the immediate future, look for pike to feed with a vengeance among setbacks of the Charles River, Sudbury, Concord and Connecticut Rivers. Quinsigamond harbors pike along with varied quarry such as pickerel, bass and just maybe a salmon or two. Trout water such as Long Pond in Plymouth, Walden Pond, Lake Mattawa and Baddacook often have underappreciated warm-water species trophies ranging from perch to smallmouth bass. In New Hampshire, check out Cobbett’s for one of those big brownies chasing down alewives. Sebago is still special for togue action and for something different seek out the splake at Shagg Pond and Trickey Pond.