In lockstep with waxing of winter, more ice fishing options are becoming available. Big water for the most part is still a work in progress but with the plethora of smaller places all capped over, many figure that the larger water bodies can wait.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
“Slow and steady” is the best way to describe the way the ice is progressing on Winnipesaukee according to Jim from AJs Bait in Meredith. In addition to Pier 19 and Pier 20, Gilford Beach is holding ice anglers and willing rainbows. Some have been out on 4” of ice on Winter Harbor but a better bet is to wait until after this weekend when the weather forecast is more friendly towards making ice there. Newfound Lake is purported to have open water while ice reports are good at Little Squam and Winnisquam.
In the Nashua area, Joe from Granite State Rod and Reel Repair reports that anglers have been catching warm water species at a number of local ponds such as Mill Pond, Round Pond, Highland Lake and Webster Lake. At this early stage in the season just be especially careful of ice near inlets/outlets.
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Southern Maine Fishing Report
Tracey from Dag’s Bait & Sportgoods in Auburn did have some news from the Martin’s Point section of Lake Sabattus with pike proving to be hungry! The Turner Boat Ramp portion of the Androscoggin River is also living up to it’s billing as a top notch toothy producer. Still some are taking advantage of the panoply of places to catch trout such as Worthley, Tripp, Hall. Beals, Bretton and Round. Brook trout are the primary target and due to their habit of hugging the shoreline combined with their aggressive nature they are the perfect season start-up!
Zach from Saco Bay Tackle Company reminded me that the shop features a 24-7 bait dispenser which carries shiners among other baits so there’s never an excuse to pass on fishing due to a lack of access to bait. Two noteworthy spots he’s hearing of are Little Ossipee and Lake Arrowhead. Wayne from Sebago Bait said that while he wait is on for Sebago to catch, most are just reveling in being able to ice fish for trout on Little Sebago, Moose Pond, Crystal Lake, Highland Lake and Parker Pond!
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New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
With the season still in it’s infancy, smaller water bodies and warm water species are getting the most attention in Southern New Hampshire with Mill Pond and Round Pond among the favorites for pickerel and bass. Winnipesaukee options are increasing with Gilford Beach best for rainbows. Pike-filled Lake Sabattus should lock up in it’s entirety by next weekend, meanwhile Martin’s Point already has a few pike hunters. However, for some, trout are the top target in Little Sebago and Parker Pond.
Gilford Beach is not “holding anglers” as there is No Ice there. How do I know? Checked it today. The only ice in Saunders Bay was skim ice out about 100 ft in one corner by Dockham Shore Rd. There were a few Bob houses out on Alton Bay, the furthest was just beyond the Bandstand.