Of interest to salmon and lake trout chasers is one of the smaller species of fish in many lakes – rainbow smelt. With smelt running the shorelines and rivers anglers are finding they don’t have to go far for their quarry. The same is not true for saltwater species as of yet as haddock remain well offshore at least until inshore waters warm up a bit.
New Hampshire
Joe from the Granite State Rod and Reel Repair said that even though designated trout ponds don’t open until April 27th that’s not stopping anglers from catching trout! The Nissitissit River has been giving up a few rainbows as well as the occasional brookie. That river eventually joins up with the Nashua River where the bass bite has been good with Ned rigs working as well as jerkbaits. Potanipo has also been prime for bass as has Robinson Pond. The word from Winnipesaukee is that the salmon and lakers are chasing smelt close to the shoreline of Alton Bay as well as Silver Sands and the Merrymeeting River.
There is even a little salty news thanks to Captain Andy of Adventure and Catch Charters who told me that there has been a lot of redfish near “the Prong” with southern Jeffrey’s more consistent for haddock. Other options he mentioned were Pigeon Hill along with the NE portion of Stellwagen Bank. Another “birdie” informed me that New Scantum has good haddock with even a few limits achieved. Regardless, Captain Andy told me that at issue is the stagnation of the Gulf Stream resulting in cold inshore water that will change in time and bring in the haddock closer to shore. Always the conservationist the skipper informs me that both haddock and redfish are finished breeding so anglers can keep their limits with a clear conscious.
Maine
Zach from Saco Bay Tackle Company said that most patrons are targeting salmon and lakers in Sebago Lake. The fish are generally up top and are falling for gold DB Smelts and Super Dupers with football jigs/trailers and chatterbaits working well at Schoodic Lake, Ossipee Lake and Cobbosseecontee. More buzz about bass came from Brady from Dag’s Bait in Auburn, who said that the stump-filled northern section of Sabattus has been giving up nice smallmouth as well as pike! Because you never know what you’ll hook up with, make sure you’re using fluorocarbon leaders of at least 12 pounds. The same jerkbaits and chatterbaits which are working for bass are doing the trick for pike. Maine would not be Maine if April talk didn’t revolve around salmon and togue with Thompson Lake firing on all cylinders for both species. The shop is carrying smelt which are pure candy for both salmonoids, especially when the smelt are lively! Lake Auburn also has been productive with the hot habitat consisting of flats where the salmon and togue are pushing smelt.
Fishing Forecast
Redfish on rocky sections of Jeffrey’s Ledge have been a consistent catch while New Sanctum might be a best bet for haddock. With water temperatures still cool, look for haddock and other gadoids moving in closer once temperatures increase. Two species which don’t mind it cold are salmon and togue and both are hitting really well on Thompson Lake and Lake Auburn. Black bass are also increasing in activity with shallow stump-filled sections of ponds/lakes giving up both largemouth and smallmouth bass on jerk baits and chatter baits.