Winnipesaukee and Sebago, are showcasing salmon on top as well as lake trout and rainbows a tad deeper. Smaller water bodies should not be ignored as both crappie and black bass are binging.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
Captain Bob Weathersby of Seacoast NH Sportfishing said that haddock fishing is impressive on Jeffrey’s Ledge with 4+pound fish being reported. Redfish are hanging in rocky sections and with no dogfish yet anglers are reveling in being able to use bait/cod flies for the groundfish.
Joe from Granite State Rod and Reel Repair in Nashua told me that trout is the word most commonly on anglers lips as designated trout ponds open for business as of this Saturday! Meanwhile anglers have already been doing well with trout in rivers such as Beaver River as well as Souhegan. Some anglers are making the trip to Massachussetts to fish Forest Lake in Methuen for brown trout and tiger trout. Winnipesuakee has been hot for salmon and rainbows with smelt accounting for quite a few fish within the top ten feet of water in Alton Bay. Crappie are cooperating in many of the smaller ponds.
Southern Maine Fishing Report
Captain Lou Tirado of Diamond Pass Outfitters is readying the old casting arm in preparation of the first wave of stripers which should hit the Casco Bay Maine coastline by the second week in May! Meanwhile anglers are targeting pike in the Androscoggin River as well as the Songo River. Fly fishers are focusing on pike with large baitfish patterns in shallow water. His recommendation is to look for weedlines, blowdowns and other types of structure from which a wily pike can launch a strike. Sebago has been the place for togue between the surface and 30 feet deep. Salmon and lakers have also been caught in the Sticky River.
Brady from Dag’s Bait & Sportgoods in Auburn said that he’s having to double down on his efforts for smelt because of increased demand and because many schools are finished with spawning and are moving off into deeper water. Regardless those smelt are candy for lakers and salmon in Thompson Lake, Lake Auburn and Sebago Lake. Sabattus has been solid for smalllies, largemouth and pike. Cobbesseecontee has been kicking if for crappie and largemouth.
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New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
While angling effort continues to be focused on freshwater, big haddock moving onto Jeffrey’s Ledge make for an alluring saltwater alternative. If you can find smelt than they are the ticket to salmon and rainbow trout in the Alton Bay section of Winnipesukee as well as Thompson Lake and Sebago. As for the salt the only game in town is ground fish with the haddock haul reported to be heavenly if for no other reason than there are no dogfish yet!