Water bodies throughout northern New England are just startling to catch, with the “catching” part also including trout in New Hampshire as well as pike in Maine. While awaiting the Androscoggin to lock back up again post-thaw, Sabattus is making for an impressive honorable mention.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
The phone is starting to ring off the all according to Joe from Granite State Rod and Reel Repair, which is a sure indication that New Hampshire and Massachusetts anglers are just itching to go ice fishing. Just prior to the weekend thaw anglers were out on Mill Pond, Rocky Pond, and Round Pond. Some are expecting that the current multiple-day freeze will lock them up again. For a safer bet Joe recommends the smattering of water bodies in the Henniker area such as Pleasant Pond and Dudley Pond.
Chad form Dover Marine has had patrons putting in productive ice time at White Pond for brook trout. The neat thing about targeting trout around first ice is that the fish are in close which helps anglers play it safe and successful. The shop has also had customers at Conway Lake chasing rainbows.
Jason from Suds ‘N Soda in Greenland said that air temperatures were perfect for making ice in Great Bay, now all they needed was the wind to lay down. The game in Great Bay is smelt with the Exeter River/Squamscott River sections fishing best in recent years. The shop should be carrying bait and gear for ice fishing by this weekend. Suds “scouts” are reporting decent ice from the Ossipee area of New Hampshire. In the past patrons of the shop have done well at Silver Lake in that area.
• Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain for New Hampshire
Southern Maine Fishng Report
The thaw of the weekend made ice fishing interesting to put it mildly at the Androscoggin River in Maine. Several reports had big chunks of ice breaking off and free-flowing downstream. This was all the more alarming because in some cases ice fishing traps were stuck in the wayward ice flows!
Brian of Dag’s in Auburn said that the recent single digit temperatures should tighten everything back up again. The timing of that is good since reports of pike up to 18 pounds were trickling in. The crappie jigging has been awesome there as well. Anglers have been finding 6 to 7 inches of ice on Sabattus with willing pike to boot.
Renee from Sebago Bait had some encouraging reports when we spoke of good trout fishing from Otter Pond. Pettengill Pond had shown promise and Worthley Lake was also mentioned as a typically early winner for trout. As the name belies, Sebago Bait is Sebago Lake central when that massive lake locks up.
• Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain for New Hampshire
New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
While waiting for coastal and more southern ice to strengthen, take advantage of more northern environs such as White Lake and Silver Lake for trout. For a more toothier target, the pike fishing has been pretty impressive at Sabattus Lake as well as the Androscoggin River. Play it as safe as you can on any ice you fish, especially a river. Stick to the coves and stay out of the main current where the fishing is usually poorer anyways.
Nice to have an up-to-date fishing report & forecast for NH after a month or so…
WOW THANKS FOR THE REPORT