Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine Fishing Report 2-21-2013

NH Trophy Pike Iced

Ice Season Rolls On

Through all the weather fluctuations, which have been extreme even for New England standards, the one constant is that ice-capped water bodies are continuing to make ice. And because of that, anglers from Singletary Lake in Massachusetts to Sebago Lake in Maine continue to make memories!

Eddie of B&A Bait and Tackle in West Boylston was fresh from a getaway to Clearwater Lake in Farmington, Maine when we spoke, and he had tales of a good togue and perch bite over last weekend. What was most effective was a 1/5-ounce copper-colored Swedish Pimple. A lot closer to his home, anglers are still picking away at broodstock salmon at Comet with trout figuring into the mix also. They are also baiting and jigging up rainbow trout from Fort Pond. For a winning outing for warm-water species, Eddie suggests Peter Carr Pond.

Jim from Barry’s said that the feeling among those with a hardwater obsession is that this Saturday, just before the storm hits, the fishing should be hot! Previously quiet water bodies may kick into gear as the pressure drops. Those who defied the weather forecasters (and maybe flirted with their freedom for being on the road as the blizzard began bearing down two weeks ago) caught plenty, and they are anticipating a repeat!

Try tempting a toothy from previously quiet Lake Chauncy just as the flakes fly and see if they don’t turn on. The largemouth bass don’t seem to need low pressure induced incentive in Lake Ripple as numerous 4- to 5-pounders have been taken by those suspending large shiners well of the bottom. These results are in spite of conventional logic, which suggests placing the shiner so that its pelvic fins are practically touching the bottom. If you’ve set your sights on a smallie through the ice, check out Lake Singletary. Jim suggests that you focus on the “weeded” section by the restaurant and drop down a Kastmaster tipped with a mealworm for best results for bronzebacks.

Walleye talk in these parts is brief at best, so I was pleased to hear of some ‘eye action from Barton Cove. A patron of Flagg’s Fly and Tackle targets this area of the Connecticut River after work and fishes for these nocturnal hunters at night when they are most active. A half-ounce copper Swedish Pimple tipped with a sliver of shiner or a shiner head should catch them. According to Rod, there was a derby on Lake Ellis over the weekend and nearly everyone was talking about the blistering bite as countless crappie, bass and pickerel were taken. In fact the action was so intense, participants sent a few young ladies on bait sorties to Flagg’s because they were tearing through so many shiners. Now that the spotlight is off Lake Ellis this weekend may be prime time to fish it as angling attention may be minimal. Rod’s pike patron has been putting in some serious time for some serious toothies up to 19 pounds from Quabog Pond.

Jim from J.C.B. Bait in Cheshire told me of 6-year-old Nate Lucyzinkski who took a trophy, 6-pound 1-ounce brown bullhead out of Cheshire Lake. This huge hornpout was only 3 ounces shy of the state record and all but makes Nate a shoe-in for the gold pin in the Masswildlife awards program. The big catfish hit a medium shiner. If the bullhead didn’t hit that shiner, the odds are good it would not have lasted very long in these pike-infested waters; it seems that not a week passes when one of Jim’s sons or patrons does not catch a double-digit pike. Other recommended pike spots are Woods Pond and any waterbody that is influenced by the Housatonic River. Jim is putting finishing touches on a kids tournament that will take place on March 3rd. As with most things Jim does, the priority is the youngsters and the event is being partnered with local police departments. Check in on the shop for details.

Speaking of tournaments, Don from Merrimack Sports said that the Lake Attitash derby this past weekend was a hoot with a 6-pound 1-ounce bass taking the winning spot. What may have been most noteworthy was the volume of 3-pound-plus pickerel, led by a 3-pound 15-ounce fish that garnered the final spot in the standings. A slab 2½-pound crappie was pulled out of Artichoke Reservoir while a 7-pound largemouth out of Round Pond was the best bass of the week. While Plugs Pond is a favorite for salmonids, there have been some big pickerel taken there recently, including one over 5 pounds!

If you pay attention to pike postings in the blogosphere, you’ve doubtless heard of the unofficial new New Hampshire state record northern. The very impressive 44-inch, 26-pound, 11-ounce beast was bested by Kevin Phelps and was caught from Moore Reservoir. I spoke to Sue from That Dam Pit Stop Store in Monroe, which was the first place to put a weight on the trophy, and she filled me in on what makes this place so “pike perfect.” As is the case with many stellar pike spots, there is a river system that reloads the population of pike and forage—in this case it’s the Connecticut River. Additionally, Moore is massive and deep and features a varied bait base, which for a pike of this magnitude consists of most anything that swims or paddles there. When nudged for alternatives to Moore, Sue mentioned nearby Partridge Lake and Dodge Pond. While that northern may be gone, yours may be waiting for you this weekend. If you’re looking for gear and bait in the Granite State check out this website: http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/bait_dealers.htm.

Granite State’s own panfish aficionado, Tim from Suds ‘N Soda, told me of a terrific ‘gill and crappie bite on Pawtuckaway Lake. Tim has his own guide service – Seacoast Guides – and he can finesse-jig panfish with the best from Minnesota. He recommends 2-pound line, the Dave Genz signature series rods for sensitivity, and tiny tungsten jigs with either waxworms or soft plastics. If you don’t have sonar, then you’re fishing with a handicap, and a consistent cadence is the key to jigging up educated bluegills and calicos. For a crack at the pugilist of the panfish family, try whipping a 2-pound white perch from Winnipesauke. Check out Moultonborough Bay, 19 Mile Bay and Melvin Bay for those mighty whities! If bass are more to your liking, give Greenwood Pond a go.

Ken from Saco Bay Tackle Company told me that the recent thaw melted much of the snow cover and has made life much more bearable for ice fishermen. The timing is good since the trout are on a tear at Barker Pond, Bunganut Lake and Kennebunk Pond. For largemouth bass, Ken suggests Lake Ossipee and especially Little Ossipee while Barker gets the nod for bronzebacks. More of Sebago has locked up and the togue are hitting aeroplane jigs tipped with sucker strips. Be careful on this mammoth, windswept lake much of the middle is unsafe. As always, no matter the time, you can count on the Saco Bay outdoor bait tank to be topped off with shiners with payment predicated on an honor system.

Dylan from Dag’s was stoked about the impending conditions when we spoke. He felt lunar phases were favorable and with snow predicted Sunday morning, it looks as if that will be the best time. Two potential hot pike spots are Long Lake and Big Lake in the Belgrade Lakes Region. Sample testing for toothies recently in these lakes allegedly turned up at least one toothy that a biologist found too big to lift up by himself! And its progeny may be prowling there. For largemouth bass, try soaking a big shiner under a trap from Tripp Pond. While ice is hardly uniform in Sebago, Jordan Bay has good ice and togue taking jigging spoons in 30 feet of water.

Fishing Forecast
If you missed your shot at a pre-storm feeding frenzy the last two weekends, you have another shot this weekend! In the Bay State the rainbow trout bite is worth trying at Fort Pond or Windsor Pond, or maybe try for a toothy from Cheshire Lake or Woods Pond. Closer to the coast, there’s slab crappie in Artichoke Reservoir and bigger still bass in Round Pond. Across the border, there are pike big enough to do some serious damage in Moore Reservoir, Dodge Pond and Partridge Lake. While in Maine, try a tug-of-war with a togue from Jordan Bay in Sebago.