Good groundfishing is making for a nice prelude to the arrival of striped bass which should enliven northern New England by the middle of next month. However, with willing salmon and trout you’re not likely to find anyone knocking freshwater.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
Many view the patrician landlocked salmon as the high water mark of all that swims in freshwater New England. That’s doubly so among the pristine water which is their usual habitat. While they are fun to catch most anytime, when they are on top as they are right now hooking one is the ultimate hoot. According to New Hampshire Registered Guide Tim Moore of TimMooreOutdoors, Winnipesaukee salmon are in close and up top! With ideal water temperatures and smelt in their sites, boaters, kayak anglers and even shore casters are catching off marina docks and near river mouths. Mooselock Wobblers, DB Smelts, streamers and especially smelt will all catch them. With water temperatures from 42-47 degrees look for warmer water in bays to hold both predator and prey. Other types of structure to consider are points, drop-offs and humps.
Captain Bob Weathersby of Seacoast NH Sportfishing said that it’s an offshore game right now with “softer” bottom yielding lots of haddock to 5 pounds. When shifting to hard bottom on Jeffrey’s Ledge the quarry turns to cusk and haddock. What’s very encouraging is the volume of halibut that are being caught. When targeting these mammoth flounder, opt for fish strips, chunks as opposed to the more typical clam/squid bait most deploy. While there are no dogs just yet there are plenty of porbeagles.
The feeling among Charter Captains in the area is that stripers will be there by mid-May!
Captain Andy of Adventure and Catch Charters had a ceremonious first trip Thursday which included big redfish, some haddock (only one short) and lots of cusk. A 168’ drift on Jeffrey’s was the sweet spot.
Maine Fishing Report
Andrew who ordinarily helps out at Sebago Bait when there’s ice told me that Sebago Lake has been fishing well for lakers and cusk. Many are jigging up both species. Smaller water bodies such as Little Sebago as well as the Otter Ponds are springing to life with pre-spawn bass moving into shoal water to prey on smelt, panfish fry and killifish.
Peter from Sebago Bait and Tackle told me that Tantas Ledge has been giving up a few haddock but mainly cusk and redfish. He also heard of a few halibut off Jeffrey’s Ledge!
The feeling is that the first stripers will arrive in about three weeks time. There’s no word on mackerel just yet.
As for freshwater, Trickey Pond has been productive for togue while Kennebunk Pond gets the nod for brown trout and brook trout. China Lake is another water body worthy of a look if brown trout are your choice.
New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
Target muddy regions of Northern and Southern Jeffrey’s Ledge if haddock are your preference while on top of the ledge expect redfish and cusk. Many are anxiously awaiting the arrival of mackerel and striped bass with the bet that both will be here by mid-May. Meanwhile trolling for salmon in Winnipesaukee as well as jigging for lakers and cusk in Sebago are occupying the time of many!