While open water in more southerly locations is standard fare, some areas in Winnipesaukee are holding 20” of ice still. The same can be said for many Maine water bodies. Be cautious, buddy up and enjoy the last few weeks of Northern New England’s ice fishing season.
New Hampshire Ice Fishing Report
If you could cherry pick ice fishing conditions you’d probably select some willing fish, cap-and-light jacket weather and preferred spots all to yourself!
According to Al from AJs in Meredith your nirvana may be awaiting you at Lake Winnipesaukee! The issue after the frequent thaws is that not all shorelines are solid. Al told me that angler’s best bet for worry-free access is along the eastern shoreline of the big lake. Additionally lakers, white perch and cusk are all feeding better thanks to the elixir of snow/ice melt and moving water. Rainbows continue to hug sandy/gravelly shorelines. Angling effort has fallen off a cliff. This is most likely the result of all the open water anglers from more southerly origins are seeing. As for bait, the shop is not lacking as AJ gears up for the last few weeks of the season.
Chad from Dover Marine said that some shop fly guys are taking trout from the Lamprey, Cocheeco and Salmon Falls Rivers. Another fly fishing option is over the border in Maine at the Mousam River and Ogunquit River where sea run brown trout lurk. Soon the white perch will be running in the Exeter/Squamscott Rivers of Great Bay. During the waning days of the smelt season, anglers in the shacks began encountering a few salter perch.
Southern Maine Ice Fishing Report
Scotty from Dag’s nailed a 20-pound pike recently from the Androscoggin River, underscoring the belief that last ice is best for big northerns. As is the case everywhere at this time of the year, water with current should be crossed cautiously. To play it safe, look up Scotty, who is a Maine Registered Guide, to take you out for toothies in the Turner stretch which he knows intimately. As proof as to how aggressive pike are getting, that big pike was taken on a measly 4” shiner. Elsewhere the Thompson Lake togue bite has been good while jigging. Scottie put a charter recently onto a 6 fish outing on white Swedish pimples. They did encounter several salmon, which were quickly freed hole-side. This is a place to file away for spring salmon trolling with sewn-on smelt! Sebago purportedly still has good ice but exercise great care while accessing it.
Maine, New Hampshire And Vermont Fishing Forecast
The white perch bite along the eastern edge of Winnipesaukee is among the best New Hampshire currently has to offer, but be cautious of eroded shorelines from the current. Now might be your best bet for your personal best pike at the Androscoggin River – there’s at least one 20 pound pike still swimming around in there!