It seems almost counterintuitive to want to fish a lake which hosted a few thousand folks the previous weekend, but now that things have quieted down a bit Lake Winnipesaukee should be primed for continued hot fishing. Farther north in Maine some anglers are content at putting in a full day for just one flag, knowing that at the end of that line there may be an 18-pound pike.
New Hampshire Ice Fishing Report
All indications are that the Great Meredith Rotary Ice Fishing Derby which is centered on Lake Winnipesaukee was a smashing success. Al from AJs theorized that the stellar fishing was directly attributable to better ice this year. The warm winters of the previous two years prevented anglers from spreading out throughout this sprawling lake. Not so this year as anglers were (and still are!) able to tap into fish which have had little if any exposure to fishing. Such spots as The Broads, Long Island, Diamond Island, and Welch Island were especially productive for lake trout, rainbow trout and white perch.
Tim Moore of TimMooreOutdoors continues to find the white perch cooperative in 30’ of water provided that a blue/silver Clam Pinhead Jigging Minnow is on the line. In spite of last weekends harsh spotlight, Winnipesaukee is still a best bet because of the ideal ice fishing conditions which allow heretofore areas to be fished.
Joe from Granite State Rod and Reel Repair reported that regulars are on Robinson Pond and catching smallmouth and largemouth bass on 10” of ice.
Chad from Dover Marine chimed in that the crappie catching has been contagious on Pawtuckaway Lake in Nottingham. Willand Pond still has a few rainbow trout swimming around in spite of angling attention, while Bow Lake is a best bet for a bronzeback and rainbow combo.
Zach from Suds ‘N Soda said that Great Bay has survived the warm stretch and still sports about 12” of ice. As of last check, there were still about a dozen shanties targeting smelt on the Squamscott River.
Southern Maine Ice Fishing Report
Dylan of Dag’s told me that an 18-pound pike was recently taken from the Androscoggin River on a sucker. Typical of fishing for toothies, the angler had but one flag all day. For an interesting combination check out Beals Pond in Turner. This pond is a regular stop for broodstock brook trout from the IFW. The problem is that illegal stocking of pike has occurred, and as is often the case when pike are first discovered, the specimens are big.
Kenny from Saco Bay Tackle said that some shop regulars were reporting good fishing for smelt among the smelt camps. This is among the most unpredictable of fisheries but when a school moves under your shack the action can be furious. There have been good reports regarding trout from Kennebunk Pond as well as Little Ossipee.
If you are looking for a field trip, one to consider is Sebec Lake in Willimantic. An acquaintance of mine who works in a New Hampshire bait shop took a togue trip up there and couldn’t stop talking about the awesome lake trout fishing. What was most surprising is that the biggest togue they caught was found in just 8’ of water. Obviously, lakers are deepwater fish but if the forage is shallow than that’s where you’ll find them!
Maine, New Hampshire And Vermont Fishing Forecast
Just because the derby is over doesn’t mean you should discount Winnipesaukee! Take advantage of the freedom which comes with being able to fish areas such as Diamond Island and Welch Island which did not have safe ice the past few seasons and have great fishing because of the lack of pressure. If something with teeth is more to your liking than give Beals Pond in Turner Maine a shot for pike. And for togue, Sebec Lake in the Piscataguis Region seems to have all the lakers one could reasonably ask for.