With the “really big show” centered on Lake Winnipesaukee now history, it might be a good time to find crowd-free conditions as many recover from the previous weekend’s marathon. Of course, if competition is in your veins then you’ll find plenty of it this weekend at Sebago.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
Wow, is Winnipesaukee growing some fine rainbows! Tim Moore of Tim Moore Outdoors sent me a picture of a beauty of a bow that looked more steelhead than rainbow and when I asked how it placed in the derby he said that he passed on entering it, rightly deciding it wouldn’t even place this year! When a 3 1/2 pound rainbow won’t raise eyebrows then you know the fishery is hot. Tim said to look for areas that have had less foot traffic. Should you find a stretch with few auger holes and tracks than that just might be the honey hole you’re in search of. Look out for depth breaks and inside edges of contour lines where the rainbows will corral smelt/white perch fry.
For further inside information I spoke to Jim from the The Tackle Shack in Meredith which was derby center over the weekend and he recommended Center Harbor where the Mount Washington Cruise Ship is moored. Honorable mentions went to Gilford Beach and Leavitt Park.
Joe from Granite State Rod and Reel Repair in Nashua told me of an unusual ice fishing pastime that a few are enjoying – nighttime fishing for horn pout! He recommended Fort Eddy Pond for that adventure. Regulars have been jigging panfish out of Robinson’s Pond and catching largemouth bass from Potanipo!
Southern Maine Fishing Report
Sebago Bait angler-about-town Andrew recommends the lower bay of Sebago as the best bet for the derby this weekend. Anecdotes of alewives sticking out of the gullets of lakers in that area are a tip-off where the big fish might be. In anticipation of trophy togue, the shop is stocking suckers along with minnows of all sizes.
Scotty from Dag’s Bait & Sportgoods in Auburn told me that now is the time to revisit some of the smaller places that lock up first and then are largely ignored when larger water bodies catch ice. The “Ranges” are a perfect example with the few fishing it reporting good trout action! Of course, something can be said for large lakes and pike enthusiasts have been beating a trail to the Belgrade Lakes in search of trophy toothies. For cold water species, West Grand Lake and East Grand Lake are good choices. Scotty weighed in on the Sebago derby and felt the Station area was a solid choice to fish.
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New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
The downside of the incessant thaws is that even the smallest breaks in the waterproof barrier of anglers’ boots are quickly exposed. The plus side is that the snowmelt, eroded shorelines and current are more reminiscent of what you’ll find in March, the month that many view as the best time of the year to ice fish! Seek spots less accessible on Lake Winnipesaukee where anglers haven’t plunged the ice like Swiss cheese. In addition to lakers, don’t be surprised if your catch doesn’t include white perch and rainbow trout. Sebago is front and center this week for the annual derby based there. Much is being made about Moosehead Lake as well as other big water bodies in Maine which makes smaller spots such as the Range Lakes worthy of a second look!