Fishing is providing a badly needed distraction during this pandemic. Reports from appreciative anglers is that a landlocked salmon on the line is just the tonic for the current woes.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
Jim from AJs Bait in Meredith told me that in spite of the complications of COVID-19, the shop still is providing bait and other services for its patrons. Call first, since business is being conducted outside of the shop – (603) 279-3152. As we spoke, Jim was ready to take delivery of a fresh order of smelt underscoring the effectiveness of this vital forage when fishing many of the water bodies in the Winnipesaukee area. Currently the salmon are biting well and, in addition to smelt, the fish are falling for blue/chrome Guide Special spoons as well as streamers in Fire Smelt, Gray Ghost and Pink Lady patterns. While most are scoring the salmon on top, one angler was finding them on the feed 30 feet down. Smelt are oozing eggs, so if they haven’t spawned yet, that event is imminent. Anglers have been finding that first light has been best with Meredith Bay, the Center Harbor docks, Long Island Bridge and Saunders Bay all holding fish.
Chad from Dover Marine has been eschewing all things trout and salmon and having a ball with bass. Jerkbaits have been his weapon of choice and he’s been having luck at Willand Pond while patrons/friends have been catching bass at Wentworth, Pleasant and Bellamy. Salts have been gearing up for haddock, now that the Gulf of Maine season opened on Wednesday. I don’t have any reports yet, but I know in Massachusetts a reduction in commercial effort has resulted in more and bigger haddock inshore, in some cases as close as 3 miles out.
Southern Maine Fishing Report
Brady from Dag’s in Auburn said that this week, fishing for landlocked salmon took a big leap forward. The smelt that Brady tirelessly dip nets for the shop is coming in handy as anglers put them to good use in Lake Auburn and Thompson Lake. Those who are trolling spoons over irregular bottom and humps in the Big Bay region of Sebago Lake are finding plenty of togue. Bass are stirring and can be caught on chatterbaits and jigs worked next to weedlines. Brady’s bass pick of the week is Cobboseecontee which he swears is easier to fish than spell! Steer clear of the rivers, they are high and roiled.
Brandy from Webhannet River Bait and Tackle said that while the boatyard is open, the bait and tackle shop is only doing business by phone requests. Scott Lee is chomping at the bit to try and tempt some haddock. The shop has also heard scuttlebutt about less commercial fishing and are readying the launch of their “big boat’ so next week they should have some intel on haddock and other groundfish. The other salty option is the sea run brown trout fishery in the Mousam River, especially by the Rogers Pond Park area. This place is often a fly fishers domain with anglers looking to dupe those stealthy salter browns with scud and shrimp patterns. It is the antithesis of a put-and-take truck trout fishery which rewards patience and perseverance yet is tremendously rewarding when a fish is landed.
Fishing Forecast
Right now it is prime time for fishing what many New Englanders consider the most regal fish which swims – the landlocked salmon! Trolling a smelt on top at Lake Winnipesaukee among tributaries and inlets where smelt are running is a best bet. In Maine, Thompson Lake and Lake Auburn get the nod while Sebago is more consistent for togue, but you’ll have to drop your wares down to about 30 feet to tempt them there. Saltwater options remain limited with haddock on Jeffreys Ledge far and away the best choice.