About Fly Fishing In The North CountryThis page is dedicated to fly fishing in Pittsburg and surrounding locations. I will attempt to provide you with up to date fishing information. Where the fish are and what to use to catch them. I will also keep you current on the local weather, river flows for the upper Connecticut River and other useful information. Please remember that johnsnhweather.com is not affiliated with the town of Pittsburg, NH or any business in the area. The information provided is my opinion not that of anyone else, unless noted.
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Live Connecticut River Flow at 2nd Ct Lake Dam, Pittsburg NH Live Connecticut River Flow at 1st CT Lake Dam, Pittsburg NH
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The map below was swiped from Lopstick's web page, thanks Lopstick, this is a nice map of the trophy section.
You will usually find me fishing at the Bridge Pool, however, any spot from the Dam Pool to the Step Pools can be great fishing and I have fished them all.
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Weekly Fishing Report and NH Fish and Game Information
Scroll down for more info.
REMINDER: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR NORTH COUNTRY SALMON FRY STOCKING
LANCASTER, N.H. -- More than half a million salmon fry will be stocked in northern New Hampshire this spring. If you can volunteer to help with efforts to stock fry in the Upper Connecticut River watershed, contact Andrew Schafermeyer, N.H. Fish and Game Fisheries Biologist, at (603) 788-3164 or email andrew.schafermeyer@wildlife.nh.gov for meeting times and places. There will be opportunities for six days of volunteer stocking (including one Saturday) in the Upper Connecticut River watershed during the first two weeks of May. The upper part of the Ammonoosuc River from Bretton Woods down to Littleton will be stocked with salmon fry on Friday, May 2 (meet at Foster's Crossroads Store in Twin Mountain at 10:00 a.m.). The second day of stocking will be Saturday, May 3 (meet at the Wal-Mart parking lot in Littleton at 9:30 a.m. and proceed downriver). The Mohawk River will be stocked on Tuesday, May 6 (meeting 10:30 am at NHFG Region 1 office in Lancaster). On Wednesday, May 7, salmon fry will be stocked in the Gale River, Israel River and the Little River (meeting at Foster’s Crossroads Store at 10:00 a.m.). On Thursday, May 8, the Wild Ammonoosuc River will be stocked (meet at the Wildwood Picnic Area on Route 112 in Easton at 9:30 a.m.). On Monday, May 12, Nash Stream will be stocked (meet at the N.H. Fish and Game regional office in Lancaster at 10:30 a.m.). The stocking plays a vital role in restoring runs of salmon to New Hampshire’s waterways. Fry released in these river systems and their tributaries stay in the rivers for about two years before migrating to the ocean. When the salmon are about four years old, they will try to return to these rivers to spawn.
CONTACT: Andy Schafermeyer: (603) 788-3164 - ### -
TAKE YOUR BIRDFEEDERS DOWN -- OR RISK LETTING BEARS DO IT FOR YOU
DESIGNATED TROUT AND FLY-FISHING-ONLY PONDS OPEN APRIL 26
CONCORD, N.H. -- Fishing in New Hampshire's designated trout ponds and fly-fishing-only ponds opens this year on April 26 (the fourth Saturday in April), offering anglers the chance to experience exciting fishing in some of the Granite State's most scenic surroundings. These ponds are managed specifically for trout, and fishing is allowed through October 15. "These trout ponds are often the best waters in a given area for a variety of reasons," said New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Fisheries Biologist Don Miller. "Excellent habitat, low species competition and the fact that these ponds are closed to ice-fishing allow these waters to be managed for the trout fishing enthusiast." Ponds managed for trout may be stocked with one or more species, including brook, rainbow and/or brown trout, with age classes ranging from "yearlings" (8-12 inches), 2-year olds (12-15 inches), and 3+ year olds. "Trout are prized by anglers because they can be challenging and elusive, and fishing for them is one of the traditional rites of spring," Miller said. "Whether your passion is a multi-colored brook trout, a leaping rainbow or the determined fight of a brown, there's a New Hampshire trout pond within reasonable driving distance for you." Hot Hole Pond and Clough Pond in Loudon, French Pond in Henniker, Mount William Pond in Weare, Dublin Lake in Dublin, and Lucas Pond in Northwood are a few of the generously stocked early season hotspots where opening day trout are taken. "It gets no better than this for taking the youngsters along with a simple "garden hackle" (worm) under a bobber, or floating PowerBait fished just off the bottom," said Miller. As the ice recedes from the more northerly locales and higher altitudes, some of the most popular ponds in the Lakes Region (central), White Mountains, and North Country become accessible (keep in mind some may still be ice-covered on this year's opener!), such as Echo Lake in Franconia, Russell Pond in Woodstock, Conner Pond and Duncan Lake in Ossipee, White Lake in Tamworth, Perch Pond in Campton, Saltmarsh Pond in Gilford, Spectacle Pond in Groton, Back Lake in Pittsburg, Fish Pond in Columbia and Little Diamond Pond in Stewartstown. For those looking for a true wilderness experience, check out one of the approximately 50 remote trout ponds Fish and Game annually stocks with fingerling brook trout via helicopter (listed at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/trout_remote.htm). Flat Mountain Pond in Sandwich, Cole Pond in Enfield (fly fishing only), Butterfield Pond in Wilmot, Peaked Hill Pond in Thornton, Black Pond and Lonesome Lake in Lincoln are just a sampling of these delightful ponds, where fingerling brook trout often grow to 8-10 inches by their second growing season, and it's not unusual to pull in brookies 15 inches or more. Trophy remote pond brook trout three or more years old, some in excess of 17-18 inches, can be caught. Archery Pond in Allenstown (with a handicap accessible casting platform) and Stonehouse Pond in Barrington are two popular fly-fishing-only ponds that are typically ice-free and well stocked for the opener. Following the receding "glacier" north, Upper Hall Pond in Sandwich, Sky Pond in New Hampton, Profile Lake in Franconia, White Lake in Ossipee and Coon Brook Bog in Pittsburg all offer excellent opportunities to "match the hatch" throughout spring and early summer. For a list of trout ponds and fly-fishing-only ponds in New Hampshire, as well as a description of special rules that apply to certain ponds, consult the 2008 New Hampshire Freshwater Fishing Digest, available online at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fishing.htm or from any Fish and Game license agent when you buy your license.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- April 10, 2008
In today's report, Fish and Game hatcheries supervisor Robert Fawcett presents the annual plan for growing and stocking trout throughout the state, along with an account of installing the new water supply pipeline at Powder Mill Hatchery - quite a production! Also, fisheries biologist Matt Carpenter updates on bonus brood stock Atlantic salmon stocking. Cool conditions continue to delay most stocking activity. Last week, there were a total of 5 stocking events, all of them on the Sugar River and North and South branches of the Sugar River in Croydon, Goshen, Newport and Sunapee. We'll have lots more in the weeks to come. Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Annual NH resident fishing licenses are $35. Resident one-day licenses are just $10. Annual nonresident fishing licenses are $53. One-, three- and seven-day nonresident licenses are also available. Why not bring a new fishing buddy on your next trip! Don't forget -- kids under 16 fish free in N.H. For past fishing reports and all your NH fishing info, visit Fish and Game's fishing page at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fishing.htm. If you know someone who might like to sign up for the Fishing Report, send them to http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Inside_FandG/join_mail_list.htm. Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
><> ><> ><>
WE HAVE WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR: QUALITY HATCHERY-RAISED TROUT By Robert Fawcett, Supervisor of Hatcheries
New Hampshire Fish and Game's Fish Culturists and Conservation Officers are releasing over 200 tons of hatchery-raised trout this spring. Whether you fish for trout in waters open to fishing year-round or trout ponds that open the traditional fourth Saturday in April (April 26 this year), Inland Fisheries Division Management will provide excellent angling opportunities. Stocking is delayed at least two weeks by wintry weather again this year. Things are still locked up tight. It will be a crunch to get all the trout ponds stocked by opening day. As of this writing there were still piles of snow blocking access, and ice on lakes. THE PLAN FOR 2008 STOCKING CALLS FOR: 438,470 Eastern brook trout yearlings: 58.1% to streams, 41.9% to lakes and ponds; 14,515 two-year-olds: 39.4% to streams, 60.6% to lakes and ponds; and 1,685 "three-year-pluses" (surplus brood fish): 37.4% to streams, 62.6% to lakes and ponds. Also: * 277,925 rainbow trout (RT) yearlings: about 26.5% to streams, 73.5% to lakes and ponds. * 132,120 brown trout (BT) yearlings: 58.3% to streams, 41.7% to lakes and ponds. * 5,000 tiger trout (TT). Tigers are a cross between a brook trout male and a brown trout female, and have the potential to keep growing to a trophy size if not hooked and cooked at a younger age. They are up to size and being stocked in the spring this year. This year's trout yearlings are more than ready to go. The fingerlings are outgrowing their raceways and need space in the larger pools, currently occupied by the ones normally distributed by this time. There will be the usual nice big rainbow trout surprises in the southern part of the state. The Fish Culturist's mission is "to produce fish of the right species, size, and timing to fill the gaps in the natural eco-cycle, to contribute to management goals for a wide variety of users, and restoration of self-sustaining native fish populations." Check out the number, age and species of fish to be produced at New Hampshire's state fish hatcheries in 2008-2009 in a chart available in the online version of this report: http://wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/Fishing_Reports/Fishing_Reports_2008/fishing_report_041008.htm.
><> FISH CULTURE 101 If a waterbody has plenty of natural habitat capacity to meet all phases of a fish species' life cycle, then fish populations are self-sustaining and don't need to be supplemented with hatchery-reared fish. But where there are gaps in that natural habitat capacity, hatchery resources are used to provide a fishery that would otherwise not occur for some reason -- for example, lack of adequate habitat for spawning or juvenile rearing, but plenty of habitat for grow out. "Room and board" provided by a hatchery stand in for natural habitat and food organisms. Fish culturists nurture fish eggs through the fry and fingerling stages, until they're large enough to be released and survive in lakes, ponds and rivers. This helps the cycle complete itself, and allows New Hampshire's trout and salmon fisheries to remain productive. ><> HATCHERY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT CONTINUES The new water supply pipeline for Powder Mill Hatchery was placed into Merrymeeting Lake bottom last summer. The standard lengths of the ID 20-inch high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe were maneuvered by cranes, butt-welded together on land into three long sections. The OD was 36 inches, making a 6-inch thickness to the walls and but welds. Concrete anchors were attached, and the long sections of essentially one continuous piece of pipe were floated out into the lake, and bolted together at flanged connections using a barge with a crane on it to lift and maneuver the pipe into position to reach out to the correct depth location for the water intake. The pipe was sunk into position by letting the air out of the end. It was quite a show, but few witnessed the spectacle. Check out some photos of the process in the online version of this report at http://wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fishing_reports.htm. Fish Culturists face challenges every year, and this next year will be no exception, having to manage around pipe consolidation projects, and installation of 24-hour composite sampler vaults, valves, and buildings at Warren, and Twin Mountain hatcheries for treatment and monitoring of discharge water. Composite sampling methods must begin after the extended date of November 30, 2008. There have been delays in designing treatment systems that will work. Too little slope causes tail water conditions when pipes are consolidated, and too much slope requires energy dissipation, or surge protection to reduce the area required to handle volume. Environmental regulations limit the use of chemical treatments. All of these projects are necessary for future trout production. Your local hatchery workers do a fantastic job of producing and distributing the large put-and-take trout you will have the opportunity to catch this spring. There's a lot going on behind the scenes to keep New Hampshire's fisheries healthy -- and anglers happy. Have a good year of fishing and enjoying wild New Hampshire.
><> ><> ><>
BONUS BROOD STOCK! By Matt Carpenter, Andromous Fisheries
This will be an exciting spring for Atlantic salmon brood stock anglers. Due to some extra production at the US Fish & Wildlife Nashua Fish Hatchery, we have more than doubled the usual number of salmon available for stocking. Up to 1,700 fish will be stocked in the Merrimack and lower Pemigewasset rivers at the end of April and in early May. The most striking thing about this group of salmon is their variety. Anglers will have a shot at catching fish that weigh anywhere from 2 to 18 pounds! Exact stocking days will depend on flow and staff availability, but our intent is to have fish in the river for the best spring weather of May and June. With so many fish available, we will try to spread the fish out this season so that anglers can spend less time driving and more time fishing. Potential stocking sites include the Pemigewasset River in Bristol (below Ayers Island Dam), the Merrimack River below Franklin Falls, Sewalls Falls Recreation Area in Concord, below the Hooksett Dam, and below Amoskeag Falls in Manchester. A detailed map of river access for fishing is available on the Fish and Game website (http://wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/atlantic_salmon.htm) or in the Atlantic Salmon Brood Stock Fishery brochure. If you have never tried fishing for Atlantic salmon in New Hampshire, this is a great year to buy a permit. Your chances this spring have never been better. For all those faithful veterans of the brood stock program, enjoy the extra fish and good luck in your quest for that 18-pounder!
-- Copyright 2008 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.m.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.
Scroll down for more info.
REMINDER: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR NORTH COUNTRY SALMON FRY STOCKING
LANCASTER, N.H. -- More than half a million salmon fry will be stocked in northern New Hampshire this spring. If you can volunteer to help with efforts to stock fry in the Upper Connecticut River watershed, contact Andrew Schafermeyer, N.H. Fish and Game Fisheries Biologist, at (603) 788-3164 or email andrew.schafermeyer@wildlife.nh.gov for meeting times and places. There will be opportunities for six days of volunteer stocking (including one Saturday) in the Upper Connecticut River watershed during the first two weeks of May. The upper part of the Ammonoosuc River from Bretton Woods down to Littleton will be stocked with salmon fry on Friday, May 2 (meet at Foster's Crossroads Store in Twin Mountain at 10:00 a.m.). The second day of stocking will be Saturday, May 3 (meet at the Wal-Mart parking lot in Littleton at 9:30 a.m. and proceed downriver). The Mohawk River will be stocked on Tuesday, May 6 (meeting 10:30 am at NHFG Region 1 office in Lancaster). On Wednesday, May 7, salmon fry will be stocked in the Gale River, Israel River and the Little River (meeting at Foster’s Crossroads Store at 10:00 a.m.). On Thursday, May 8, the Wild Ammonoosuc River will be stocked (meet at the Wildwood Picnic Area on Route 112 in Easton at 9:30 a.m.). On Monday, May 12, Nash Stream will be stocked (meet at the N.H. Fish and Game regional office in Lancaster at 10:30 a.m.). The stocking plays a vital role in restoring runs of salmon to New Hampshire’s waterways. Fry released in these river systems and their tributaries stay in the rivers for about two years before migrating to the ocean. When the salmon are about four years old, they will try to return to these rivers to spawn.
CONTACT: Andy Schafermeyer: (603) 788-3164 - ### -
TAKE YOUR BIRDFEEDERS DOWN -- OR RISK LETTING BEARS DO IT FOR YOU
DESIGNATED TROUT AND FLY-FISHING-ONLY PONDS OPEN APRIL 26
CONCORD, N.H. -- Fishing in New Hampshire's designated trout ponds and fly-fishing-only ponds opens this year on April 26 (the fourth Saturday in April), offering anglers the chance to experience exciting fishing in some of the Granite State's most scenic surroundings. These ponds are managed specifically for trout, and fishing is allowed through October 15. "These trout ponds are often the best waters in a given area for a variety of reasons," said New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Fisheries Biologist Don Miller. "Excellent habitat, low species competition and the fact that these ponds are closed to ice-fishing allow these waters to be managed for the trout fishing enthusiast." Ponds managed for trout may be stocked with one or more species, including brook, rainbow and/or brown trout, with age classes ranging from "yearlings" (8-12 inches), 2-year olds (12-15 inches), and 3+ year olds. "Trout are prized by anglers because they can be challenging and elusive, and fishing for them is one of the traditional rites of spring," Miller said. "Whether your passion is a multi-colored brook trout, a leaping rainbow or the determined fight of a brown, there's a New Hampshire trout pond within reasonable driving distance for you." Hot Hole Pond and Clough Pond in Loudon, French Pond in Henniker, Mount William Pond in Weare, Dublin Lake in Dublin, and Lucas Pond in Northwood are a few of the generously stocked early season hotspots where opening day trout are taken. "It gets no better than this for taking the youngsters along with a simple "garden hackle" (worm) under a bobber, or floating PowerBait fished just off the bottom," said Miller. As the ice recedes from the more northerly locales and higher altitudes, some of the most popular ponds in the Lakes Region (central), White Mountains, and North Country become accessible (keep in mind some may still be ice-covered on this year's opener!), such as Echo Lake in Franconia, Russell Pond in Woodstock, Conner Pond and Duncan Lake in Ossipee, White Lake in Tamworth, Perch Pond in Campton, Saltmarsh Pond in Gilford, Spectacle Pond in Groton, Back Lake in Pittsburg, Fish Pond in Columbia and Little Diamond Pond in Stewartstown. For those looking for a true wilderness experience, check out one of the approximately 50 remote trout ponds Fish and Game annually stocks with fingerling brook trout via helicopter (listed at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/trout_remote.htm). Flat Mountain Pond in Sandwich, Cole Pond in Enfield (fly fishing only), Butterfield Pond in Wilmot, Peaked Hill Pond in Thornton, Black Pond and Lonesome Lake in Lincoln are just a sampling of these delightful ponds, where fingerling brook trout often grow to 8-10 inches by their second growing season, and it's not unusual to pull in brookies 15 inches or more. Trophy remote pond brook trout three or more years old, some in excess of 17-18 inches, can be caught. Archery Pond in Allenstown (with a handicap accessible casting platform) and Stonehouse Pond in Barrington are two popular fly-fishing-only ponds that are typically ice-free and well stocked for the opener. Following the receding "glacier" north, Upper Hall Pond in Sandwich, Sky Pond in New Hampton, Profile Lake in Franconia, White Lake in Ossipee and Coon Brook Bog in Pittsburg all offer excellent opportunities to "match the hatch" throughout spring and early summer. For a list of trout ponds and fly-fishing-only ponds in New Hampshire, as well as a description of special rules that apply to certain ponds, consult the 2008 New Hampshire Freshwater Fishing Digest, available online at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fishing.htm or from any Fish and Game license agent when you buy your license.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- April 10, 2008
In today's report, Fish and Game hatcheries supervisor Robert Fawcett presents the annual plan for growing and stocking trout throughout the state, along with an account of installing the new water supply pipeline at Powder Mill Hatchery - quite a production! Also, fisheries biologist Matt Carpenter updates on bonus brood stock Atlantic salmon stocking. Cool conditions continue to delay most stocking activity. Last week, there were a total of 5 stocking events, all of them on the Sugar River and North and South branches of the Sugar River in Croydon, Goshen, Newport and Sunapee. We'll have lots more in the weeks to come. Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Annual NH resident fishing licenses are $35. Resident one-day licenses are just $10. Annual nonresident fishing licenses are $53. One-, three- and seven-day nonresident licenses are also available. Why not bring a new fishing buddy on your next trip! Don't forget -- kids under 16 fish free in N.H. For past fishing reports and all your NH fishing info, visit Fish and Game's fishing page at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fishing.htm. If you know someone who might like to sign up for the Fishing Report, send them to http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Inside_FandG/join_mail_list.htm. Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
><> ><> ><>
WE HAVE WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR: QUALITY HATCHERY-RAISED TROUT By Robert Fawcett, Supervisor of Hatcheries
New Hampshire Fish and Game's Fish Culturists and Conservation Officers are releasing over 200 tons of hatchery-raised trout this spring. Whether you fish for trout in waters open to fishing year-round or trout ponds that open the traditional fourth Saturday in April (April 26 this year), Inland Fisheries Division Management will provide excellent angling opportunities. Stocking is delayed at least two weeks by wintry weather again this year. Things are still locked up tight. It will be a crunch to get all the trout ponds stocked by opening day. As of this writing there were still piles of snow blocking access, and ice on lakes. THE PLAN FOR 2008 STOCKING CALLS FOR: 438,470 Eastern brook trout yearlings: 58.1% to streams, 41.9% to lakes and ponds; 14,515 two-year-olds: 39.4% to streams, 60.6% to lakes and ponds; and 1,685 "three-year-pluses" (surplus brood fish): 37.4% to streams, 62.6% to lakes and ponds. Also: * 277,925 rainbow trout (RT) yearlings: about 26.5% to streams, 73.5% to lakes and ponds. * 132,120 brown trout (BT) yearlings: 58.3% to streams, 41.7% to lakes and ponds. * 5,000 tiger trout (TT). Tigers are a cross between a brook trout male and a brown trout female, and have the potential to keep growing to a trophy size if not hooked and cooked at a younger age. They are up to size and being stocked in the spring this year. This year's trout yearlings are more than ready to go. The fingerlings are outgrowing their raceways and need space in the larger pools, currently occupied by the ones normally distributed by this time. There will be the usual nice big rainbow trout surprises in the southern part of the state. The Fish Culturist's mission is "to produce fish of the right species, size, and timing to fill the gaps in the natural eco-cycle, to contribute to management goals for a wide variety of users, and restoration of self-sustaining native fish populations." Check out the number, age and species of fish to be produced at New Hampshire's state fish hatcheries in 2008-2009 in a chart available in the online version of this report: http://wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/Fishing_Reports/Fishing_Reports_2008/fishing_report_041008.htm.
><> FISH CULTURE 101 If a waterbody has plenty of natural habitat capacity to meet all phases of a fish species' life cycle, then fish populations are self-sustaining and don't need to be supplemented with hatchery-reared fish. But where there are gaps in that natural habitat capacity, hatchery resources are used to provide a fishery that would otherwise not occur for some reason -- for example, lack of adequate habitat for spawning or juvenile rearing, but plenty of habitat for grow out. "Room and board" provided by a hatchery stand in for natural habitat and food organisms. Fish culturists nurture fish eggs through the fry and fingerling stages, until they're large enough to be released and survive in lakes, ponds and rivers. This helps the cycle complete itself, and allows New Hampshire's trout and salmon fisheries to remain productive. ><> HATCHERY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT CONTINUES The new water supply pipeline for Powder Mill Hatchery was placed into Merrymeeting Lake bottom last summer. The standard lengths of the ID 20-inch high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe were maneuvered by cranes, butt-welded together on land into three long sections. The OD was 36 inches, making a 6-inch thickness to the walls and but welds. Concrete anchors were attached, and the long sections of essentially one continuous piece of pipe were floated out into the lake, and bolted together at flanged connections using a barge with a crane on it to lift and maneuver the pipe into position to reach out to the correct depth location for the water intake. The pipe was sunk into position by letting the air out of the end. It was quite a show, but few witnessed the spectacle. Check out some photos of the process in the online version of this report at http://wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fishing_reports.htm. Fish Culturists face challenges every year, and this next year will be no exception, having to manage around pipe consolidation projects, and installation of 24-hour composite sampler vaults, valves, and buildings at Warren, and Twin Mountain hatcheries for treatment and monitoring of discharge water. Composite sampling methods must begin after the extended date of November 30, 2008. There have been delays in designing treatment systems that will work. Too little slope causes tail water conditions when pipes are consolidated, and too much slope requires energy dissipation, or surge protection to reduce the area required to handle volume. Environmental regulations limit the use of chemical treatments. All of these projects are necessary for future trout production. Your local hatchery workers do a fantastic job of producing and distributing the large put-and-take trout you will have the opportunity to catch this spring. There's a lot going on behind the scenes to keep New Hampshire's fisheries healthy -- and anglers happy. Have a good year of fishing and enjoying wild New Hampshire.
><> ><> ><>
BONUS BROOD STOCK! By Matt Carpenter, Andromous Fisheries
This will be an exciting spring for Atlantic salmon brood stock anglers. Due to some extra production at the US Fish & Wildlife Nashua Fish Hatchery, we have more than doubled the usual number of salmon available for stocking. Up to 1,700 fish will be stocked in the Merrimack and lower Pemigewasset rivers at the end of April and in early May. The most striking thing about this group of salmon is their variety. Anglers will have a shot at catching fish that weigh anywhere from 2 to 18 pounds! Exact stocking days will depend on flow and staff availability, but our intent is to have fish in the river for the best spring weather of May and June. With so many fish available, we will try to spread the fish out this season so that anglers can spend less time driving and more time fishing. Potential stocking sites include the Pemigewasset River in Bristol (below Ayers Island Dam), the Merrimack River below Franklin Falls, Sewalls Falls Recreation Area in Concord, below the Hooksett Dam, and below Amoskeag Falls in Manchester. A detailed map of river access for fishing is available on the Fish and Game website (http://wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/atlantic_salmon.htm) or in the Atlantic Salmon Brood Stock Fishery brochure. If you have never tried fishing for Atlantic salmon in New Hampshire, this is a great year to buy a permit. Your chances this spring have never been better. For all those faithful veterans of the brood stock program, enjoy the extra fish and good luck in your quest for that 18-pounder!
-- Copyright 2008 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.m.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.