There’s just something about Northern New England hardwater that attracts the truly hardcore. One testament to how good you folks have it comes courtesy of a Bay State pike pursuer I know well who puts in a tide’s worth of catching smelt among the Southern Maine smelt camps – and then “really” goes fishing!
Southern Maine Fishing Report
Most find a plate full of fried smelt too scrumptious to pass up. But for “Woody” Dumais of Massachusetts, he’d rather serve up those smelt to pike! The pike bite of Lake Sabattus, the Androscoggin River, the Belgrade Lakes region and other toothy hots spots in Maine often outlasts the local big bait supply. So what’s an angler going to do, when he knows that a big fish usually needs a substantial meal to satisfy it’s hunger. In the case of this particular Bay State trophy toothy hunter, he’s found that a jack smelt on the line is a treat that pike simply can’t pass up. It’s work to “pre-fish” before you actually go fishing but when the goal is a 20 pound northern, shortcuts just won’t do! Regarding smelt, most of the smelt camps are reporting a brisk bite with limits par for the course!
Scotty from Dag’s in Auburn said that with “bigger water” such as Sebago now calling ice fishermen to explore what is in some cases freshly frozen habitat, many of the smaller ponds have slipped below the radar of most. However, some are giving them a second look and finding it worth their while! One theory is that the cold snap scared most anglers away and mitigated the pounding which usually occurs just after the New Year which for many water bodies is opening day. With moderate temperatures and bigger lakes which have now caught, these smaller, more intimate water bodies in a lot of cases still have plenty of Fall-stocked trout. Three prime examples of this are the Lower, Middle and Upper Range Ponds in Poland. Recent reports are that the brook trout are cooperating and that there’s not much angling pressure. Scotty of Dag’s best local bet is Thompson Lake which is a varied cold water species fish bowl with togue being a specialty.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
For a report as fresh as a flopping white perch, I consulted Al from AJs in Meredith who told me on Wednesday an angler tallied fifteen 3 to 4-pound lake trout! The scene was Lake Winnipesaukee, the bait – an AJs bucktail – and the particulars was over a 35-foot hump in the Broads! Center Harbor has been the spot for Winnipesaukee’s big white perch while the rainbow fishing has been best in tight among sandy beaches.
When asked if there was a fleeting smelt bite on Great Bay before the thaw/torrential rains struck, Jason of Suds ‘N Soda said that he knew of one guy who caught some at downtown Exeter. But of course, like much of yesterday’s snow, that reality is gone! A more reliable opportunity awaits you at Lucas Pond for trout (*Lucas Pond is a designated trout pond closed to ice fishing) Bellamy Reservoir for warm water species and Bow Lake for smallmouth bass.
Chad from Dover Marine said that in spite of months-long fishing pressure, Willand Pond is still giving up some 16” rainbows! For a personal take on Winnipesaukee, he has been drilling through the 14” of ice he’s found in Alton Bay to catch rainbow trout on salmon eggs and small tubes.
New Hampshire And Maine Fishing Forecast
Caution should always be first on the mind of any ice fisherman, but post thaw/rain it is especially important. Watch for eroded, slopping shorelines especially by boat ramps, inlets and auger holes which have no doubt grown exponentially. Buddy up, have at your disposal a pair of ice picks and if in doubt wait a few days before the Northern New England chill catches safe ice again!
Lucas pond is a trout pond is it not?
It’s not good to list “A more reliable opportunity awaits you at Lucas Pond” in New Hampshire. Lucas Pond is a designated trout pond and is closed to ice fishing. Please update your site – unless you know something that we don’t. Thank you.
Thank you for pointing that out Joe!