They’re back! From the Merrimack River through Merrymeeting Bay, schoolie striped bass have invaded New England! Of course, the reality is that the striper fishing will only get better but sweetwater on the other hand in many aspects is at its peak!
New Hampshire Fishing Report
Chad from Dover Marine told me that reports of 12-15 inch stripers along with a few 22-25 inch fish can now be found in the Merrimack River, Spruce Creek, Little Bay and the Saco River. Odds are that by the time you are out again you’ll find fresh fish in most every river/estuary/marsh you care to fish up to Southern Maine. The fish are more than willing to hit a jighead/soft plastic with topwaters producing best on cloudy days.
The salmon and lake trout fishing is at its peak in Winnisquam, Squam Lake and Lake Winnipesaukee with fish still relatively close to the surface.
Regarding groundfish, haddock are hot on New Scantum and Old Scantum with flounder starting to stir in the harbors of Rye, Hampton and Wentworth.
Joe from Granite State Rod and Reel Repair said that largemouth bass fishing is really coming into its own with bass on beds being reported. The Nashua River has been good, just make sure you take it slow and maintain headway speed only if you’re a boater.
Brook trout can still be found in Beaver Brook, the Nissitissit River and the Souhegan River.
Unfortunately, the brookies aren’t the only thing biting in the woods, it’s shaping up as a horrible tick season so make sure you dose yourself liberally with bug dope!
Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain for New Hampshire
Southern Maine Fishng Report
Peter from Saco Bay said that a slug of stripers have swarmed the Southern Maine coast with good reports coming from the Saco River and Scarborough Marsh. The bite has been best on bucktail jigs as well as jigs/soft plastics. Al Gag’s Whip-it-Fish has been hot as has Savage Sand Eels. The bait brigade is also catching fish up to 25” with bloodworms working the best.
Haddock are relatively close at Tantas Ledge along with redfish in tight to structure. However, for a quicker cooler consider making the haul out to Jeffrey’s Ledge.
Brady from Dag’s Bait & Sportgoods in Auburn in Auburn said that now that he is done procuring smelt for the shop, he’s been spending a lot of time chasing “Larrys”. There are some big bass in Lake Sabattus as well as Cobbosseecontee Lake and they are often under-fished. The Turner section of the Androscoggin River is good as well, especially by the blowdowns. Bump a hair jig or jig/soft plastic off of that wood to see if a bass is home. Brightly colored Rattle Traps are working well also.
While Dag’s no longer carries live smelt they do have frozen and pickled smelt and word has it that the salmon and lakers in Sebago aren’t complaining. Thompson Lake has been terrific as well.
Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain for Maine!
New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
Odds are that more than a few of you have waited for the return of Morone Saxatilis for quite a while and they have arrived not a minute too soon! The Merrimack River and Saco River are two of the most prolific at the moment. If you’re looking for an early-season “herring-eater” than target the tributaries of Great Bay at low light. Blue ribbon coldwater species water bodies such as Winnisquam, Winnipesaukee and Sebago are peaking with salmon falling for a DB Smelt spoon within the first 20 feet of the water column while the lakers are lurking between 30 and 40 feet.
Ty very much.
Thanx for the update!!
Just say Piscataqua estuaries and the bays next time please …. Some areas are closed which will push people to venture to other areas which will become overly crowded.. Just some food for thought.
Fished upper Casco with jig 7:30 am, no luck yet.
Looking for large mouth on Highland Lake tomorrow, top water and Rattle Trap. Martin in Freeport.
Aye Martin not trying to be nosey but highland lake in Andover by chance???