A big dip in temperatures is expected to lock up the last of the big water options in Northern New England. But before you set your sights on the Broads portion of Winnipesaukee or Sebago, take advantage of smaller water which in some ways is a case of “less is more”!
New Hampshire Fishing Report
Chad from Dover Marine joined in on the Winnipesaukee opening week hysteria and found rainbows in tight to the shore of Alton Bay and willing to hit crappie tube baits. Ice throughout much of the bay was 8 inches, but be wary of significant pressure ridges which this year seem especially prevalent because of the unusual temperature swings.
Zach from Suds ‘N Soda also had news of Winnipesaukee as patrons were putting in a lot of time in at 19 Mile Bay with good catches of white perch and lakers to show for their efforts. For lakers, Zach suggests smelt while an epoxy drop jig/mealworm combination should do the trick for white perch. The catching has also been good for several species at Center Harbor.
For a real window into the goings-and-comings at Winnipesaukee, I consulted Harold of AJs in Meredith. In addition to the usual coldwater species fare, the Mount Washington Park section of Center Harbor was giving up jumbo yellow perch and some slab crappie! If you’re pining to get out on Meredith Bay, your wait may not be long since it appears to be catching and with a favorable weather forecast it may soon be a go!
Southern Maine Fishing Report
Many are used to spending long hours with little action when the quarry is pike through the ice. And then there’s Lake Sabattus!
Scotty of Dag’s Bait in Auburn recently guided a group at the northern end of the lake and were treated to non-stop flying flags as the crew tallied nearly 70 pike! No that’s not a typo! While most fish were small, there was one 11-pounder taken and a much bigger which broke off. Increase your odds of a bigger pike by opting for suckers as opposed to the far-smaller shiners! The Androscoggin River is also still producing pike despite pressure since early December. Scotty suggests you experiment and find a lower profile spot outside of the popular Turner boat launch locations and fishing pre-snow storm and into the first few hours helps.
Good news continues to trickle in regarding big brookies from Moosehead Lake! The wait is on for the popular Thompson Lake to lock up and it is hoped that the predicted freeze will do just that. Sebago is still open still but according to Renee, from Sebago Bait, Raymond Beach had skim ice on Thursday morning! With a week of freezing temperatures to “look forward to” ice fishing on Sebago just might be in the foreseeable forecast. Meanwhile it’s hard to fault with Little Sebago as anglers report good action with brown trout and there are shanties out on Long Lake as well. What’s not to like about Long? It’s big at over 4000 acres and has a nice mixture of coldwater species, including salmon as well as warmwater species. Sebago Bait is just the place to fill up with all your ice fishing needs before you carve up that ice.
Fishing Forecast for Maine and New Hampshire
Hardwater anglers are hoping that this week’s temperatures open more hardwater options to the runny nose brigade, including Sebago Lake and maybe the Broads section of Winnipesaukee. Meanwhile indulge in the grab bag of species which are hitting among alternative water bodies such as the bays of Winnipesaukee and Long Lake in Maine.