In spite of a historically warm winter, may areas are actually adding ice! With that has come more opportunity for trout, togue and cusk.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
Jim from The Tackle Shack in Meredith told me that anglers have been able to get out on 3″ to 4” of ice on Meredith Bay. The area that anglers are talking about is by the church and hotel. When asked what is usually swimming there Jim replied “rainbows, lakers as well as the occasional cusk”. That latter cousin of the cod has been sadly remiss from this report so it’s good to hear of them. Fun all around is to be had on the northern end of Waukewan Lake where in addition to trout and warm water species outdoors types are playing organized hockey! The baseline ice depth before they allow play is 12” which says a lot about the integrity of the ice.
Chris from The Tackle Shack in Newbury told me that while ice on Sunapee is sketchy, other water bodies are doing just fine! Todd Lake, Perkins Pond and Kezar Lake are all good especially the latter which was described as very interesting for a variety of trout and both species of black bass.
Southern Maine Fishing Report
It’s good to hear of Brady from Dag’s Bait & Sportgoods in Auburn talking about togue and trout from Moosehead Lake. He’s partial to the Rockwood area and his tip for brook trout is to stick close to the shoreline while togue are partial to 30’ depths minimum. In that section of Moosehead you won’t have to walk far before sounding 30’! Thompson Lake is tops for togue locally with multiple fish outings not unusual. Pike and crappie are still for the offing in the Androscoggin River as well as the Belgrade Lakes.
Zach from Saco Bay Tackle Company said that he and Peter have been involved in an inadvertent remodeling of the shop thanks to frozen pipes and water damage. As for anglers doing damage, Hinkley Pond and Kennebunk Pond have been patrons’ picks for both coldwater species and warm water species.
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New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
The peripatetic winter of 2023 continues with some areas adding ice and others losing it. Anglers on Meredith Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee for the first time this season are ice fishing finally and the bet is that after the freeze there will be even more opportunity. The same cannot be said about Lake Sunapee which had good ice two weeks ago – as well as big laker catches – but is problematic now. Fortunately Todd Lake and Kezar Lake are taking up the slack. Moosehead Lake is one of Maine’s best bets for brookies and togue!