With little snow and just enough ice, it’s been hard to find fault with the season so far. There have been a few glaring exceptions however, but with Sebago locking up and solid reports coming from the smelt camps, you’d have to dig hard to gripe!
New Hampshire Fishing Report
Harold from AJs in Meredith said that on Monday, authorities “declared” that Winnipesaukee was open to ice fishing! While anglers have been out for weeks already in the Bays, the entire massive Winnipesaukee, including the Broads, has finally caught! AJ’s perch jigs have been killing most everything which swims there at Center Harbor. When asked what’s was so special about AJ’s handmade jigs, Harold told me he’d send me a picture but the shop was all sold out. These fish-catching machines are even shipped out of state so call up and reserve yours now. If you want a break from ice fishing, Meredith Harbor has been cleared for skating.
Joe from Granite State Rod and Reel Repair said that Cobbett’s Pond and Canobie Lake, which are two of southern New Hampshire’s better trout ponds, have had good reports. Local warm water species spots such as Mill Pond and Potanipo Pond are getting a lot of love too.
Jason of Suds ‘N Soda said that with next week’s single digits, the feeling is that Great Bay will lock up. Not long after, Bob Houses should start sprouting up throughout the Exeter and Squamscott Rivers for the smelt run. Already patrons of the shop have been limiting out on smelt in as little as three hours from some of the camps in Maine such as James Eddy!
Suds regulars have been catching crappie and black bass out of the Lamprey River, Bellamy Reservoir and Pawtuckaway Lake. For pickerel, Taylor River is a nice and convenient choice.
Southern Maine Fishing Report
Wayne from Sebago Bait said that anglers are finally out on Sebago ice fishing! Best reports for lakers so far are from Sebago Station in Standish where ice is said to be 4 inches plus. He said that the liberalizing of the lake trout bag limits has resulted in better fishing for bigger lakers. In response, the shop will be carrying suckers soon.
Scotty from Dag’s Bait in Auburn also reported good news from Sebago. He also said that some are making the trip to West Grand Lake for salmon, lake trout and whitefish. Whitefish reports have also been promising from Moosehead Lake. For a tip regarding the big sprawling West Grand, Scotty suggested anglers target the islands which tend to transition quickly towards deeper water; find the shelfs and you will often find the forage and the fish! Many of the Southern Maine smelt camps are open and as is usually the case early in the season before the main mass of fish move upstream to spawn, the catching is superb!
Fishing Forecast for Maine and New Hampshire
With the official word that Winnipesaukee has “caught,” it’s hard to top exploring this massive, multi-species gem. While Great Bay has yet to freeze up solidly for the smelt faithful, the Kennebec River/Merrymeeting Bay section of Southern Maine is on fire right now at the smelt camps. More big news from Maine is that Sebago is a go and the lake trout bite is off to a solid start at the Sebago Station.