With “derby fatigue” striking many who fished the ice fishing derby centered on Lake Winnipesaukee this past weekend, now may be the best bet for less competition on choice spots. A highlight in Maine is the fast-paced smelt fishing occurring right now among the estuaries. While it’s hard to top a plate of fried smelt, the folks calling the shots in Maine may have the answer – license-free fishing this weekend!
New Hampshire Fishing Report
With such a major event such as the Greater Meredith Rotary ice fishing derby last weekend you’d expect shops to do a bang-up business and you’d be right! The spotlight on the Winnipesaukee area notwithstanding, Joe from Granite State Rod and Reel Repair said that interest was high locally as well. There’s been a lot to love about Lovewell Pond in Nashua where the pickerel and crappie have been biting. Setbacks in the Nashua River in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire have been hot for both largemouth and occasionally smallmouth bass. This is obviously running water so be careful! A couple of other choice picks are Balch Pond and Rocky Pond. Balch is reasonably big and deep and is packed with panfish, pickerel and largemouth bass. Briefly, the Exeter River/Squamscott River locked up and had a nice little smelt bite going on – and then came the thaw! I spoke to Zack from Suds ‘N Soda and Chad from Dover Marine regarding the possibility that it will catch again and they weren’t very optimistic but it’s worth watching. The next fishery of note folks can look forward to in that area is the salter white perch run which will gather steam not long after the last of the ice melts. Chad did give a shout out to the crappie fishing at Bellamy Reservoir. Zach’s best bet for black crappie and black bass is Pawtuckaway Lake.
Southern Maine Fishing Report
If you’ve been looking for an excuse to take advantage of the almost limitless ice fishing possibilities that the Pine Tree State has to offer than how does FREE fishing sound? If that sounds good than indulge this weekend because no license is required in Maine for this Saturday and Sunday (February 16th and 17th)! All indications are that the smelt continue to cooperate throughout the Kennebec and Androscoggin Rivers. Regarding the Andro, not many take advantage of it but pike swim in the same brackish water and are there for the same reasons anglers are – rainbow smelt! Sacrificing a few smelt for the possibility of catching a pig of a pike could pay off big time, after all, how many smelt do you need for supper?
Scotty from Dag’s in Auburn said that some anglers are supplementing the cold water species pursuit for the world-class smallmouth bass fishing Maine is noted for. For smallies, you might want to head more Downeast where the fish are a little less pressured! Lakes such as Green, Branch, West Grand, Meddybemps and Beach Hill have superb populations of beautiful bronzebacks. Closer to Dag’s, Thompson Lake has enough ice to support 4 wheelers which have been driving around the lake. Check in with the folks at Dag’s before you head out for the safest and most productive routes. The Frye Island section of Sebago has a nice little lake trout bite going on!
Fishing Forecast for Maine and New Hampshire
Post-derby can be the best time to get out on the ice at Winnipesaukee as many suffer from “hardwater hangover” from the hysteria of last weekend. As the season lumbers on many look to broaden their horizons towards targeting different species. Maine offers world class smallmouth bass fishing and the Downeast area is one of the best bronzeback areas in the state! If you need further incentive than the IFW folks in Maine are giving you that – a license-free weekend to fish!