The sustaining arctic blast has locked up more large water bodies, such as Sebago Lake and East Grand Lake. Anglers relishing the opportunity to fish frozen river coves are taking advantage of that opportunity as well. While small in size, the smelt option looms large as most everyone who is fishing the camps is raving about the results.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
A rare opportunity has reared its head in Southern New Hampshire as anglers take advantage of Exeter River ice and willing smelt. As for specifics, that’s easy, just look for the Bobhouses dotting the river.
Joe from Granite State Rod and Reel Repair in Nashua said that anglers are also appreciating the opportunity to fish in the three coves of the Nashua River. The hardwater hat trick is often in play there, with bass, panfish, and pickerel figuring in the catch. Prior to the snow dump, fishing was good in Potanipo, Canobie, Cobbetts and Beaver. Some shop sharpies are taking the trip to Winnisquam and targeting that lake’s noteworthy white perch. For crappie, the local pick is Mill Pond, where you may get action but probably not slabs.
All that ice fishing opportunity is making Berry’s Bait on Alton Bay one busy place. According to Lon, his customers do not have to go far from the shop as cusk, lakers, rainbows, smallies, and yellow perch are biting well in the bay. Moultonborough and Wolfeboro are proving better choices for white perch. More good news is that, thanks to the frigid temperatures The Broads are all locked up as well.
Southern Maine Fishing Report
Mike from Dag’s Bait & Sportgoods in Auburn said that the shop has in stock some of the best bait in years – robust rainbow smelt right from the salt. All indications point to a stellar year at the Maine Smelt Camps, with the spillover benefiting shops such as Dag’s, which get to offer that premium prey to their patrons. Anglers can put that salmonoid candy to good use in East Grand Lake, which purportedly has been productive for everything from salmon to togue to brook trout. Another spot to deploy fresh smelt is Sebago, which seems to be locking up further by the minute. As of Wednesday, the word was that it had skimmed over in its entirety, with anglers sticking to The Station until there’s word of solid ice elsewhere. Fortunately, forktails have been cooperating in close.
Andrew from Sebago Bait and Tackle, for obvious reasons, has more of a feel for ice conditions in Sebago than most. He’s been out with buds, and while he’s found good ice in Jordan Bay so far, the togue are ducking him. With the big lake just icing in, better information is imminent.
New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
The winter wonderlands of Winnipesaukee, Sebago, and East Grand Lake are open for exploration, with many reveling in the hunt to find the fish almost as satisfying as catching them! While opposite fisheries, Exeter River smelt and Nashua River bass are being taken advantage of for the rare opportunities they represent. Coves of the Lamprey River should be good as well, with trout, bass, and crappie all possibilities there. Should smaller ponds seem less daunting to you than consider Potanipo, Canobie, Cobbetts, and Willand.