New Hampshire & Maine Fishing Report - April 16, 2015

Smelt are the fuel to salmonid success, and they are shoaling close to tributaries and rivers and bringing cold water species with them. If you listen closely, you’re liable to hear the rumble of stocking trucks throughout the southern portions of both New Hampshire and Maine. Elsewhere largemouth and smallmouth are stirring and with a clement weekend forecasted there’s no excuse not to get out.

New Hampshire

Possibly in response to the building new moon, smelt have begun shoaling close to shore among many New Hampshire water bodies, according to AJ of AJs. Not surprisingly, the switch has been flipped for a host of cold water species and the fishing is great. The mouths of the brooks of Winnipesauke, Squam, Manning as well as most any water body which hosts smelt are hot. Live smelt is a give-me, but they’re taking them on DB Smelt, Mooselook Wobblers, streamers and other artificials. Alton Bay appears to be one of the hottest at the moment.

Joe from Granite State Rod and Reel Repair took in a little recon and found Canobie and Cobbett’s ice free. He suspects Potanipo has put ice cover in the rear view mirror also. A recent outing of his at Mill Pond resulted in a 4 pound pickerel along with a mixed bag of bass, perch and crappie! They’re fishing and catching bass from both the Mass side and New Hampshire side of the Nashua River. With opening day looming for New Hampshire designated trout water bodies, Joe expects stocking too take place full force into next week. He gives the nod to the Nissitissit River as a trout best bet and the Shawsheen River in the Bay State.

Jason from Suds ‘N Soda is betting that the stocking of trout will have begun this week. Look for the Lamprey River to have stockies by this weekend as well as at the Cocheco River. For artificials he recommends Rooster Tails along with Super Dupers. Increasingly he is getting requests for seaworms which he hopes to carry soon for those looking for flounder at Rye Harbor, Wentworth Harbor and Hampton Harbor.

Chad from Dover Marine told me that holdover trout are still hitting in Willand. Crankbaits are just starting to catch a few largemouth here and at Swains. Chad recommends a slow retrieve with long pauses since the water is so cold. For crappie which are schooling up and moving close to brush and blowdowns, check out Bellamy Reservoir and Pawtuckaway Lake. For trout, try the Isinglass River.

Southern Maine

Dylan from Dag’s in Auburn said that “conduit fishing” is the most popular fishing at the moment. Thompson Lake and Lake Auburn have been two of the better bets to catch a salmon this way. He’s hearing of smelt on the move with salmon on their tails by the boat ramps at both Jordan Bay and Lower Bay. One of the most consistent spots is the Songo Locks on the Crooked River. The brooks are running too cold still but look for the stocking of brook trout to take place soon. Two of the better are the Little Androscoggin River and Stetson Brook. While the Androscoggin River has developed a solid reputation for pike, it is also prime smallmouth habitat. Go low and slow with a jerkbait or crawl a jig and pig across the bottom for bronzebacks.

Kenny from Saco Bay said that slowly but surely things are beginning. Upstream of the Saco River Dam, smallies are stirring. He recommends a steadily retrieved Swedish pimple with a piece of worm. Try this also at Bunganut Lake, Horn Pond and Lake Ossipee. The desire to fish for brook trout is building and folks are figuring they’ll stock Deep Brook, Cascade Falls and the Nonesuch River soon.

Fishing Forecast

Whether by boat or by boot, Alton Bay in Winnipesauke is a cold water species best bet! Alternatives are numerous as long as there are smelt, trout/salmon and you have access to a bridge, pier or marina you’re likely to find action. The new moon appears to be the catalyst for activity. For water smaller in stature and fish but every bit as big in fun, check out the Lamprey and Cocheco Rivers in New Hampshire and the Little Androscoggin and Nonesuch in Maine for a brookie blast!