Trout is the primary talk of the town in the Granite State thanks to the combination of busy hatchery trucks and the opening of designated trout water bodies. If you’d like to tangle with a salmon give the Meredith Bay side of Winnipesauke a shot. The other New Hampshire possibility is pike from the Connecticut River as well as Moore Reservoir where the bite will only get better the closer temperatures get to 50 degrees.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
With the hatchery trucks finished with their appointed rounds and designated trout water now open, it’s hard to top trout fishing. Rick from Suds ‘N Soda recommends the Exeter Reservoir. For something saltier, he’s pointing patrons to the Exeter River and for that matter its “sister,” the Squamscott River, where the white perch run is on. The shop is carrying seaworms for perch pursuers and those who are trying for that first flounder of the year from the harbors of Rye, Hampton and Wentworth.
Chad from Dover Marine said that the salmon bite is hottest on the Meredith side of Winnipesaukee, although anglers are getting them also at Alton Bay. Folks are catching with all manner of spoons and live bait but from my perspective you can’t beat a Gray Ghost, Winnie Squid or any smelt-imitator steamer. Stick to 30’ of 6 pound fluorocarbon leader and swath a liberal dose of BioEdge Smelt Wand on the feathers and stick to the top 10’ of the water column. When water temps are still chilly a little scent on your offering goes along way. Pre-spawn largemouth are shaking free from their lethargy and crashing crankbaits in gold/red. Chad lost a huge hawg at Willand which engulfed a 10” pickerel that he had almost to the shoreline. When asked for an estimate on the size of that Larry, he simply said “monstrous”!
Joe from Granite State Rod and Reel Repair said that the trout fishing has been very good at Canobie Lake as well as Cobbett’s. Rivers are running hot also such as the Nissitissit as well as Skowhegan where they are catching all three species of trout. Joe carries a variety of single hook spinners and other wares for water with special regulations. Hot lures have been Rooster Tails and Panther Martins.
Tim Moore from Tim Moore Outdoors has been putting clients into a toothier quarry, namely pike from Moore Reservoir. If you want to tackle this sort of fishing your timing is perfect as water temperatures are nearing 50 degrees and the northerns are turning on. Look for even more activity as weeds begin to green. You could do a lot worse than enlist the guide services of Tim who offers the option of a kayak or boat trip. His tip for toothies is to slowly retrieve a Big Tooth Tackle Strand Wire Spinner next to emerging flora, timber or depth edges.
Southern Maine Fishing Report
Unfortunately the grapevine in Maine has not sprouted yet. Kenny from Saco Bait turned the tables on me and asked about shad and stripers in Massachusetts! I’m predicting for you folks an early season for bass because schoolies have been present in Greater Boston estuaries for a week now and last I checked they were moving into the North Shore! Shad are in the Merrimack in solid numbers so the Saco River should be getting a slug of these hyper-herring soon! Sebago Bait did tell me of a good landlocked salmon bite in the Songo River! Meanwhile most in Maine are awaiting water temperatures to cross the 50 degree line to bring on the bite.
New Hampshire, Maine & Vermont Fishing Forecast
Fittingly cold water species are the most cooperative as temperatures all around remain chilly. Canobie and Cobbetts are southern options especially for those tossing spinners. Winnipesauke is a good choice for those who revel in hooking a leaping landlocked salmon. If you’d like to tangle with a toothy, expect pike to go on a tear soon as temperatures are poised to reach 50 degrees in the Connecticut River and Moore Reservoir. There’s not a lot of participation in most parts of Maine but expect that to change any day as shad in the Saco River begin their spawning run.