Ice/snow melt has been a catalyst for an uptick in catch rates among many water bodies. That same bright sunshine is also making for a rare combination – ice fishing without having to be bundled to the teeth!
New Hampshire Fishing Report
Joe from Granite State Rod and Reel Repair said that he’s doling out shiners at a record rate as hordes of anglers take to Beaver Lake, Canobie Lake, Cobbetts Pond. These water bodies are a two-story hat trick as they all hold both warm water species and trout! Anglers had been out on the coves of the Nashua River catching bass but Joe’s not sure about conditions now that there’s a sustained thaw. Silver Lake has been productive for pickerel, perch, bass and he’s been hearing good things regarding white perch from the Merrimack.
Regarding white perch, Jim from The Tackle Shack in Meredith said that some of the Winnipesaukee faithful are flipping from lakers and white perch to crappie! The shop has been moving a lot of panfish jigs along with grubs and fishermen with one of the hot spots being the Melvin Village area. Coves in the Moultonborough and Wolfeboro Bays have been good also. White perch will always be one of the main draws on Winnipesaukee but you Jim also recommends Wentworth Lake and Half Moon Lake for white perch scores.
• Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain for New Hampshire
Southern Maine Fishing Report
Renee from Sebago Bait and Tackle said that while the bet is that the Big Bay will not catch this year that’s not stopping Sebago Lake fans from having fun! Catching lakers are no problem for those jigging or fishing live bait by The Station as well as Raymond Beach. While so many are focused on Sebago, Moosehead and other large lakes, some anglers are finding less pressure on some smaller spots such as Little Sebago, Thomas Pond and Collins Pond.
Tracey from Dag’s Bait & Sportgoods in Auburn said that snow/ice melt is triggering terrific toothy action on Sabbattus, The “Andro” and the Belgrade Lakes such as Messalonskee. While pike are the big prize among the Belgrade Lakes, crappie are an unsung hero there. Jigging up a mess is just the thing to help pass the time while waiting for one of those heavyweights to hit.
Zach from Saco Bay Tackle Company said that for all practical purposes the smelt camp season is over as the thaw is making ice unsafe in that estuarial environment. It was a short and not-so-sweet year for those outfitters. The shop has been selling shiners who have been doing well on brown trout, lakers and black bass on Maranacook Lake. Kennebunk Pond is a multi-species winner also where anglers have a shot at a rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout and black bass!
• Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain for Maine!
New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
Melvin Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee and the thriving crappie population is just the thing for hardcore hardwater fans who want to shake it up. Canobie and Cobbetts remain southern trout and warm water species options. If you haven’t caught that trophy toothy yet this year than consider Sabattus and the Androscoggin River again, ice melt has been the catalyst to better fishing.
