Pictured above: David Nava of Charlestown Mass took this nice trout on a PK Minnow from a lake near the White Mountains.
What a difference a year makes! Last year’s weather was none to kind to the ice fisherman but with water bodies big and small locking up as you read this, Mother Nature looks as if she’s making up for it.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
Although it’s early, according to Al from AJs Bait in Meredith, this season is looking to be markedly different than the disastrous ice fishing season on Lake Winnipesaukee last year. In fact areas of Meredith, Winter Harbor and Center Harbor are already sporting ice. With one eye on the weather forecast the bet is that the big lake will be a go by the first of the year!
Meanwhile anglers are having a crappie time among 4” plus of ice on Waukewan. Action has been good also for a nice mixture of warm and coldwater species at Winona. Black bass have a hit at Spectacle. According to Joe from Granite State Rod and Reel Repair in Nashua a 7 pound Largemouth Bass was already iced from Mill Pond!
For crappie, perch and pickerel the luck has been good at Lovewell Pond while for smallies check out Rocky Pond. The departure of summer residents has made this a quite place. “Two-tier” trout ponds which are looking good are Pleasant Pond, Cobbetts’ and Canobie.
Jason of Suds ‘N Soda is hoping for a good year on Great Bay where the target will be smelt. It’s been a few years since the bay was dotted with Bob Houses. Some of the rivers such as Taylor and the Lamprey already have anglers on the ice and catching! One angler reported 4” of black ice on the “moat” section of the Lamprey. Reports of 4” to 5’ of ice and biting bass from Bellamy Reservoir are promising.
Southern Maine Fishing Report
Scotty from Dag’s in Auburn had a terrific day recently for double-digit pike on the Androscoggin River. There’s no substitute for effort however, since it took repeated attempts to track down the toothies! A tip to consider is to fish during the falling pressure at the beginning of a snow storm. Perennial pike favorite Lake Sabattus has ice and should catch completely next week.
Those who are partial to trout can check out the “Ranges” as well as Bretton Pond. While the wait is on for Sebago Lake to lock up, more surefire bets for the coming week are Stanley Pond, Norway Lake and Little Sebago for rainbow trout. If brook trout are your preference than Otter Pond, Littlefield Pond, Baker Pond and Knights Pond are better choices. I spoke to a few smelt camps and they are optimistic that by the first of the year, they will be a go, I’ll have more information on that next week!
Fishing Forecast for New Hampshire and Maine
Ice fishermen must have rated high on Santa’s list because there are options now and plenty more on the way! In the Nashua area of New Hampshire, check out Mill Pond for bass while the Woodstock stretch is a winner for trout. While the wait is on for Winnipesaukee, Sebago as well as the smelt camps of Southern Maine, trout from Little Sebago and pike from Lake Sabbattus make for a pretty good consolation prize!
Remember there are lots of Invasive species to be caught, however some Are Tastier than others, In Maine the Fisheries Wardens want You to, even Insist that you remove and Kill the Pike. Don’t worry there are plenty. If you fish Sabattus in Winter, a large cold water Pike will make a fine fish fry. Throw the rest on the ice, there are plenty of Vultures, Eagles, Coyotes, Fox and Bear in the area, the leftovers won’t last long. For Tasty treats, the White perch and Crappie can be had in the 2 pound range, and they are plenty also. Build a cooking fire and bring Tartar sauce, See You there !