The sustained thaw of February proved to be the ultimate masquerader! Historically high spring-like temperatures lulled many into adopting the mindset that ice fishing was over for the season. Just try telling that to anglers who have recently been standing on 14-18 inches of ice on Lake Winnipesaukee and 20 inches on Maine’s Androscoggin River. However, March hardwater is not for everyone, and open water and even saltwater options are there on the horizon.
New Hampshire
I called AJs in Meredith hoping for an open water Winnipesaukee primer for April and was stunned to hear that the big lake was still largely locked up and ice fishing remained in full swing! Harold said that participation dropped precipitously after the unprecedented warm spell of last month and many just lost interest. That was premature thinking to say the least since the feeling now is that the ice-out on Winnipesaukee is not expected to occur until mid April! Meanwhile those jigging up lakers near Leavitt Park are getting plenty of trout along with the occasional cusk. Harold suspects that the earliest open water options for those dying to start trolling in April will be Lake Winnisquam and Opechee Bay, both of which sport open water now. Top techniques for trolling for landlocked salmon are live or sewn-on smelt, spoons such as Mooselok Wobblers and DB smelts and streamers such as Winnie Squids and Purple Smelts. When Winnipesaukee finally does lose the ice, anglers will be perched on marina docks and by tributaries floating shiners under bobbers for rainbows and salmon. Jason of Suds ‘N Soda said that the earliest options are Cocheeco River in Dover and the Lamprey River in Newmarket. Both of these rivers were stocked with trout in the fall and thanks to catch and release tactics, there should be plenty of holdovers available. For those who would like to project beyond freshwater, May is only 6 weeks away and last year tributaries, marshes and rivers were swarming with schoolie stripers very early in May!
Maine
Not to be outdone, Scotty from Dag’s said that there was still 20 inches of ice on the Androscoggin River and as anyone who knows a thing or two about pike knows that late March is money for the breeders! In spite of the prospects of a big pike and good ice, anglers in droves have quit the ice. It’s just something which happens after a long season. By late March, fatigue sets in. Some, however are heading up north and finding good fishing for brook trout at Lake Moosehead. Scotty suggests that anglers stick their wares as close as they can safely get to inlets and other places where there is current. Trout are generally fond of flow, but especially now! Sebago is largely ice free and may be one of the better open-water possibilities in the foreseeable future. Salmon movements mirror that of their prey – rainbow smelt. In April smelt migrate into the Crooked River on the north side of Sebago to spawn and the salmon will not be far behind. Troll between Thompson’s Point and Cub Cove, which is near the Sebago State Park. For local bait check out Sebago Bait or even Jordan’s Store on Route 114. And for local tackle, it’s hard to top Kittery Trading Post. What New Englander doesn’t have fond memories of that creaking wooden floor which meant one thing: premium gear, lots of it, and value priced! What I’ve always appreciated about KTP was that the staff was knowledgeable and passionate about the great outdoors. If you need any more incentive, beginning on Thursday and lasting through Sunday, KTP is having their annual Fish ‘N Hunt sale. While you are there it wouldn’t hurt to consider some striper gear to go along with cold water species stuff. My reports from last year show that the first schoolies appeared in Southern Maine by the second week of May last year! Those 15 inches fish were part of a healthy year class which should have put on a few more inches and be back in force among the Saco River, Scarborough Marsh and the Mousam River before you know it!
Fishing Forecast
If you can’t kick the hardwater habit, you’ll love fishing for lakers off Leavitt Park on Lake Winnipesaukee. An open water trout possibility is the Lamprey River in New Market. From mid-Maine through Moosehead Lake and beyond the ice and ice fishing options are not going anywhere for a while. And if you are looking to put that new gear you picked up at Kittery Trading Post this weekend to good use soon, make plans to set up a salmon trolling spread on the North Side of Sebago Lake beginning in April!