New Hampshire And Maine Fishing Report – January 25, 2018

Pictured above: Shawn Hennessy caught and released this nice southern Maine pike.

Far from a hinderer, the thaw has been an enabler as it reduced or outright cleared snow pack. Access is now vastly improved, and sonar users are reveling in being able to hop and sound from spot to spot with little fanfare.

New Hampshire Ice Fishing Report

Last Saturday New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game sponsored a “free” day of fishing and you folks responded in huge numbers! The goodwill applied to the fishing as well as lakers up to 15 pounds and cusk up to 8 pounds were caught according to Al from AJs in Meredith. Newfound Lake has been good as has Winnipesaukee’s Center Harbor. While crappie are generally not first among targeted species in this salmonoid gem, the ones that swim here grow big thanks to ample smelt numbers. Exhibit one is the 2 ½-pounder weighed recently at AJs, which was just shy of the state record. For “calicos” check out the coves on the northeast side of the big lake. For cusk, try jigging the bottom with a sliver of sucker skin or set your traps right on the bottom, especially during low light conditions.

Chad from Dover Marine has heard glowing reports from patrons putting in the time at Alton Bay, Ellacoya and Meredith Harbor. The rainbows have been very aggressive, giving anglers fits with all the hits-and-misses. Sharpen those hooks and slow your jig cadence to help mitigate the misses. Nice white perch are still coming out of Willand and there have even been reports of rainbows to 20 inches.

It appears to be a better smelt season than in recent years in the Great Bay area according to Jason of Suds ‘N Soda. Limits have been no problem off River Road in Stratham. Access as well as action are drawing a lot of attention to this spot, but Jason’s convinced the catching is every bit as good elsewhere in the bay, it’s just that few are trying.

Joe from Granite State Rod and Reel Repair said that pre-thaw the setbacks on the Nashua River were hot for smallies as well as largemouth bass. The hope is that the current freeze will lock the area up before Saturday. Meanwhile there’s plenty of safe ice and willing warm water species on Mill Pond and Potanipo, while Canobie and Cobbetts had no shortage of anglers last Saturday taking advantage of the free-fishing day.

Southern Maine Ice Fishing Report

Ice breaking vessels have been employed throughout the Kennebec River to help alleviate dangerous conditions from ice flows due to the thaw/rain. This has resulted in many camps having to pull their shacks for at least two weeks! I did however find two camps which are off the main river that are still open – Jim’s and River Bend, both of which are in Bowdoinham and are outside of the main river. The fishing can best be described as “typical”, one tide it’s great and during the other, not so much. Should you catch some smelt, save some for Sabbattus and the Andro where anglers who are putting in the time are finding pike.

Reports of good ice throughout the Station to Jordan Bay section of Sebago have been coming in. It is rare for this area to lock up so early. Nice fish in the slot limit have been the rule. The frigid temperatures earlier in the year have resulted in less pressure in some favorites such as the Otter Ponds in Standish which have brook trout and rainbows. For a chance at a Central through Midcoast salmon try Maranacook and Echo Lake where 5-pound salmon are a strong possibility. For trout, try Pinkham Pond, Levenseller Pond, Sewall Pond and Charles Pond.

Maine, New Hampshire And Vermont Fishing Forecast

Lace up those creepers, fire up your portable fish finders and enjoy near perfect ice fishing conditions with access aplenty and little if any snow to slow progress. In addition to Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire’s Newfound Lake gets the nod for big lake trout with double-digit trophies already being iced. The brutal ice-making temperatures earlier in the year locked up water bodies throughout Maine and kept many away. Now that temperatures have moderated consider “put-and-take” places such as the Otter Ponds and Pinkham Pond which were not as pressured as usual because of the earlier big chill. The early “catch” of ice at the Station to Jordan Bay area is another attractive option. It certainly is a far cry from last year at this time!