Although Mother Nature has begun taking her Zamboni machine to many water bodies, the predicted bump in temperatures is causing most ice fishermen to do as the Patriots this weekend – take a bye. With an eye on sub-freezing forecasted temperatures for next week, it should be a whole different reality come next weekend in many parts of the Bay State. It’s a much different world however in New Hampshire and especially Maine, where hardwater junkies are already out there and catching pike up to 19 pounds!
Odds are that by the time next week’s report rolls around, there will be adequate conditions for ice-fishing opportunities in Massachusetts, at least out west as well as higher elevations. But why wait? Brady from Dag’s Bait in Auburn, Maine told me of a terrific pike bite for fish up to 19 pounds within minutes of the shop at the Androscoggin River. A quick GPS computation showed that this is less than 2 ½ hours from Boston! The shop tanks are bubbling over with pike-sized shiners and, in addition to the Andro, the north end of Sabattus is locking up nicely also. The pike-aplenty Winthrop Lakes Region should be good to go also. The Brady bunch has also been sampling the brook trout fishing in Halls, Hobbs and the Lower Range. There are even rumblings of the possibility of some smelt camps dragging their shacks out onto the Merrymeeting Bay/Kennebec River area sometime towards the end of next week. I’ll be sure to let you know.
The word from Sebago Bait is that while ice is beginning to form on this monstrous waterbody, game is already on at nearby Otter Pond, Crystal Lake and Parker Pond. As befitting the name, Sebago Bait is a one stop shop for your ice fishing bait needs in the Sebago area.
If you’ve ever fished Lake Winnipesauke, then you know about AJs in Meredith; it’s a local institution. While it’ll be a while before the big lake freezes over, folks are already having frozen fun on a plethora of “W”s such as Wicwas, Winona, Waukewan and the upper end of Winnisquam!
If you’re looking for motivation as well as dose of education, check out Tim Moore of Tim Moore Outdoors as he is scheduled to put on a series of ice fishing seminars at Rockingham Mall in New Hampshire this weekend as well as at the New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game Headquarters on January 20th and 27th. Tim lives, eats and breathes this stuff and is a wealth of information. Tim’s recon trips around Winnipesauke have revealed ice forming in Alton Bay and Tim suspects by next weekend Sandy Beach may have safe ice. I’ll be sure to pass on an update before next weekend from AJs. Pemigewasset also looks promising for possibly next weekend.
Joe from Granite State Rod & Reel Repair is a bit more southerly in Nashua but he has a hunch that by next weekend Mill Pond and Rocky Pond as well as small Massabesic will be ready.
Fishing Forecast
Meanwhile in Massachusetts, the little amount of skim ice which has formed over many water bodies is just enough to hinder open-water fishing but not enough to support ice fishing. However, if the current weather forecast is accurate than next week looks to be an ice-building machine. Just like the Patriots – enjoy the bye, you’ll be needing your “A” game soon enough!