New Hampshire and Southern Maine Fishing Report
Jason of Suds ‘N Soda in Greenland is reporting enough of a demand to warrant the carrying of seaworms thanks to the white perch run in Great Bay. While many tributaries have perch, the focal point is the Exeter/Squamscott River stretch. Alewives are coursing throughout the bay big time; don’t discount the possibility of a shad among the Lamprey River. Many years ago I witnessed an angler catch a 6- or 7-pound shad not far from the dam on the Lamprey while he was fishing for striped bass.
Groundfishing is definitely in the hit-or-miss category with some folks reporting a sizzling Scantum bite for haddock and cod and other trips having to resort to targeting redfish to salvage the outing. Timmy Moore of Suds said that those slab white perch of Winnipesauke should he spawning any day now. Pinch points will be Moultonborough and 19 Mile Bay and an indicator that the game is on is white perch bloated to where they bob in the water on their sides. All manner of small spoons will work with chrome Swedish Pimples my personal favorite. Tim has his fingers crossed that next week will herald the arrival of stripers to New Hampshire, meanwhile holdovers are increasingly stirring in Great Bay, probably energized from the appearance of so many alewives. The faithful are finding flounder off the Seabrook Pier as well as Hampton Harbor. Tim told me that soon he’ll be launching his kayak and sight fishing for them in 4 to 5 feet of water among the clear water of the bays there.
Jamie from Dover Marine said that the top of Jeffreys remains your best bet for haddock with the hardest part trying to eke out a keeper among what seems like a sea of shorts; remember the size limit is now 21 inches with a bag of 3 fish. Rocky drop-offs toward deeper water hold plenty of redfish, which willingly wallop jigs/teasers while the haddock are fond of bait The tributaries of Great Bay are awash in alewives, and we know full well what will be sniffing around looking for the herring soon! Winnipesauke remains a winner for salmon with streamers, such as the Lou Aiken getting the nod over other offerings, stick close to the shore of the bays for the best bite.
Peter from Saco Bay said that Platts has been pretty good for pollock with Tantas kind of tame. A few mackerel have made it as inshore as just off Kennebunk Point. The Saco River has no shortage of river herring with shad imminent. Salmon fishing is sizzling with best bets going to Lake Ossipee, Thompson Pond and Sebago Lake. For some brook trout action and quite possibly some natives, do a little exploring wherever you spot moving water among the Rte. 5 segment of Dayton.
New Hampshire & Maine Fishing Forecast
White perch are a winner whether you’re fishing Lake Winnipesauke or the tributaries of Great Bay. While most trips aren’t awesome in the Gulf of Maine, the top of Jeffreys Ledge is showing promise for haddock and with the drop-offs yielding redfish.