Bigger water opportunities are becoming a reality in northern New England. That’s not to suggest that ponds and smaller lakes have no merit, quite the contrary as those who appreciate them long for others to move on so they can have them all to themselves!
New Hampshire Fishing Report
Joe from Granite State Rod and Reel Repair in Nashua said that business is brisk in that anglers are taking to the ice in big numbers. A few favorites of the shop are Cobbett’s, Canobie, Mill, Rocky and Potanipo. The first two are noteworthy because they hold trout.
Ashley from The Tackle Shack in Newbury told me that the smallmouth, largemouth and perch bite has been good at Lake Todd. Sunapee Lake has even iced over in some spots with lake trout reportedly cooperating. Some anglers have also been making it out to Kezar Lake which is a multi species favorite.
Dale weighed in from The Tackle Shack in Meredith and told me that some of the bays, such as 19 Mile Bay, are solid with “pop ups” interspersed throughout the bay. There even was one spotted on Meredith Bay on Wednesday with the angler most likely targeting rainbows. In preparation for the annual ice hockey tournament, a tractor was spotted clearing snow on Winnnisquam which is a sure indication of solid ice. Winnisquam is multi species winner as well where anglers are just as likely to be catching lake trout as they are cusk, smallmouth bass and white perch.
Southern Maine Fishing Report
Brady from Dag’s Bait & Sportgoods in Auburn said that Sabattus has been giving up pike up to 14 pounds! It’s a big lake but to short circuit your search try the stump-filled northern side where the structure is known to hold more of these ambush predators. Thompson Lake is one of the more consistent togue producers in the region and looks to be well on its way to safe ice after next weeks freeze. Brook trout have been caught in the upper Range Pond while brown trout are targeted in the middle Range Pond. For those who prefer their hardwater on more of a grand scale, coves along Moosehead Lake are sporting good ice. Like much of the region it is anticipated that after next week’s chill there will be more ice fishing prospects among larger water bodies.
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New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
Smaller ponds in the Nashua area such as Potanipo and Rocky feature solid ice and a chance to catch pickerel, bass and panfish! While much of Winnipesaukee is open, some of the bays are locked in and can be identified by Bob Houses and Shanties which are continually springing up. Another big water option to consider is Winnisquam Lake where a dizzying variety of species is on hand. In Southern Maine your best odds of hauling in a big pike are Lake Sabattus as well as the Turner section of the Androscoggin River. For a grand old time in a grand setting Moosehead Lake checks off all the boxes, just give it a go one more week as the frosty forecast looks favorable to lock up Maine’s biggest lake in its entirety.
A tractor may have been spotted, I’m pretty confident that it wasn’t Winnisquam.