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.
News from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
Phone: (603) 271-3211 Email: info@wildlife.nh.gov
For information and online licenses, visit http://www.wildnh.com
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CONTACT: Lt. Robert Bryant: (603) 271-3127 Jane Vachon: (603) 271-3211 January 15, 2010
USE EXTREME CAUTION ON THE ICE
CONCORD, N.H. – Winter recreational activities are in full swing, but anglers, skiers and snowmobilers are being urged to use extreme caution when going out onto ice-covered waterbodies, New Hampshire Fish and Game officials warned today. Windy conditions at the outset of the season’s cold weather, and uneven temperatures since, may have affected ice formation and has left open water in some areas typically frozen over by this point in the winter. “Parts of the big lakes aren’t completely frozen yet, and we’re seeing some waterbodies with areas of open water where people might not expect to find it,” said Col. Martin Garabedian. “The bottom line is that people need to use extreme caution on the ice, and be highly aware of local conditions before snowmobiling -- especially at night -- or doing any winter sports on the ice.” One example of the unusual and potentially dangerous ice conditions is Webster Lake in Franklin, which still has open water near the Sucker Brook inlet and spans quite a distance out into the middle of the lake. These unusual conditions haven’t been seen on the lake in at least twenty years at this point in the season. It is believed that the current of the brook and the high amount of wind are the reasons the water remains open. Even after the lake does freeze, that particular area will need to be used with extreme caution. Be sure to assess ice safety before you go out by using an ice chisel or axe to chop a hole in the ice to determine its thickness and condition. Continue to do this as you get further out on to the ice, because the thickness of the ice will not be uniform all over the waterbody. Though all ice is potentially dangerous, the Cold Region Research Laboratory in Hanover, N.H., offers a "rule of thumb" on ice thickness: There should be a minimum of six inches of hard ice before individual foot travel, and eight to ten inches of hard ice for snow machine or ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) travel. Keep in mind that it is possible for ice to be thick, but not strong, because of varying weather conditions. Weak ice is formed when warming trends break down ice, then the slushy surface re-freezes. Be especially careful of areas with current, such as inlets, outlets and spring holes, where the ice can be dangerously thin.
Tips for staying safe on the ice include:
* Stay off the ice along the shoreline if it is cracked or squishy. Don’t go on the ice during thaws.
* Watch out for thin, clear or honeycombed ice. Dark snow and ice may also indicate weak spots.
* Small bodies of water tend to freeze thicker. Rivers and lakes are more prone to wind, currents and wave action that weaken ice.
* Don’t gather in large groups on the ice.
* Don’t drive large vehicles onto the ice.
* If you do break through the ice, don’t panic. Move or swim back to where you fell in, where you know the ice was solid. Lay both arms on the unbroken ice and kick hard. This will help lift your body onto the ice. A set of ice picks can aid you in a self-rescue (wear them around your neck or put them in an easily accessible pocket). Once out of the water, roll away from the hole until you reach solid ice. Ice safety should be paramount for anyone recreating on New Hampshire’s lakes and ponds. Don't assume ice is safe just because it's there.
To download a brochure from Fish and Game called "Safety on Ice," visit http://www.wildnh.com.
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-- Copyright 2010 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.
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N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- September 24, 2009
This is it, folks, our last NH fishing report of the season. Thanks for reading - we hope you had a great time on the water this spring and summer. There's more great fishing to come, as reported by three of our contributing anglers below....
Last chance: The Kids Fishing Photo Contest, co-sponsored by Fish and Game and Kidz Rule USA magazine, ends September 30. Info: http://www.fishnh.com/Newsroom/News_2009/News_2009_Q2/kids_photo_contest_2009.html And - don't forget to join us for the National Hunting and Fishing Day Expo & NH Tour, this Saturday, September 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit http://www.wildnh.com/expotour for Expo exhibitor details and a map of Tour locations! Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Kids under 16 fish free in New Hampshire!
For past fishing reports and all your NH fishing info, visit Fish and Game's fishing page at http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fishing.htm.
Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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FROM MARK BEAUCHESNE: Pick your day to go pike fishing in the next month. This is when the big ones eat. They are fattening up for winter. Ideally, you want two days of stable weather, then fish the third day -- no need to get an early start. Your best fishing is from 10:00 to 3:00.
Stick to the main river, and focus on outside turns in the river. (I'm talking about the Connecticut, but pike are found in many waterbodies in NH.) Grass and weeds beds tend to be more productive in the fall. The mouths of coves and setbacks are great ambush spots for pike. I like to make several passes at these areas. The first time by may have caught their interest... the second time by, they'll eat. Keep your eyes focused on the area of your lure or fly; pike are notorious for following your offering. If you have time and space, change your retrieve, try to take the lure away from the fish. If the fish misses, cast right back to the miss. That fish is still looking to eat. Try floating minnow baits in perch colors and flies of the same hue.
Fall pike fishing holds out into early November. That is, as long as you can stand the boat ride when the air temperature starts to dive!
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FROM GABE GRIES: Fall fishing to me means taking advantage of one of our state's greatest fishery resources: the Connecticut River. Whether you are interested in panfish, perch, bass, northern pike or walleye, the river is the place to go. There are several locations you will want to key in on, regardless of what section of the river you are fishing this fall. I start by using my depth finder to find areas with 5 to 8-foot deep flats that have deeper water around them. These are classic locations in the fall to catch smallmouth bass and walleye. Last fall was no exception, as I boated numerous smallmouth bass, walleye, and even a couple small pike on jerkbaits. Pike are generally more prevalent in the setbacks and coves as the water starts to cool. As the water continues to cool and vegetation in the setbacks and coves starts to die, try fishing where these areas and the main river meet, and also any adjacent flats. The dying vegetation will cause baitfish, which had been living in the vegetation, to move to the main river, creating an incredible feeding opportunity for bigger fish. Jerkbaits, tubes, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits will all get the job done. As the water starts to approach the low 50s, concentrate on deep, large holes. Smallmouth bass and walleye will often congregate in these areas and you can have some 20+ fish days if you find the right spot. Drop-shot rigs, tubes, and grubs are your best bet here.
Hope to see you on the river this fall!
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FROM BEN NUGENT: Time is winding down to fish most of the rivers and streams in southeastern New Hampshire. Aside from some select rivers (sections of the Cocheco, Isinglass, Lamprey, Merrimack, and Suncook rivers), the season for angling on rivers and streams ends on October 15. Anglers should take advantage of the remaining season. Recent electrofishing surveys have indicated that stocked trout are likely still present in streams at fishable levels. The cooler summer with above-average rainfalls appear to have made these traditionally warmer waters more conducive to summertime survival of stocked trout. Anglers should target deeper pools and rapids with faster water in locations that aren't necessarily close to roads. Anglers should also take note of the fall Atlantic salmon brood stock season (http://www.wildnh.com/Fishing/atlantic_salmon.htm). More than 700 additional brood stock salmon will soon be released for the catch and release season beginning on October 1.
The majority of these fish are planned to be stocked in the Bristol/Franklin area.
In New Hampshire's lakes and ponds, it was a good summer to be a fish. The above-average rainfall likely decreased angling pressure while adding additional forage for fish to feed on. Several fish species (both warmwater and coldwater) that receded into deeper water during warmer periods are slowly able to revert to shallow waters as temperatures slowly decline. These movement patterns should increase opportunities for shoreline anglers to once again catch fish. Water temperatures are close to the mid to upper 60s now, and any stretch of cold nights will quickly reduce temperatures even more.
Although designated trout ponds close to angling on October 15, several lakes and ponds in southeastern New Hampshire remain open for fishing. Results from pond surveys in 2008 indicate that some ponds, despite receiving heavy angling pressure, still have a great deal of trout after the traditional end of the open-water fishing season. These trout that still remain are likely larger but well acclimated to the ecosystem. The challenge to catch these fish is increased but those who put their time in, have the potential to be rewarded by the catch of a trophy fish. To view a list of these waterbodies, go to: http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/year_round_trout_ponds.htm. Some select waterbodies are managed with a fall stocking season, but other more popular lakes and ponds not routinely stocked in the fall often receive trout this time of year, after they are utilized for hatchery production. The intent of these fish is to enhance late open water and ice fishing seasons.
One great fishing season may be nearing its finale, but Fish and Game is working to provide you with an exciting fall and winter of fishing adventure ahead. Enjoy it, and watch your in-box for more fishing reports in April of 2010.
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Copyright 2009 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.
POSSIBLE MOUNTAIN LION SIGHTING IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
CONCORD, N.H. -- The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department today reported that one of its staff members, following up on a routine report of a mountain lion sighting, saw what is believed to be a mountain lion in a rural area of Barnstead, N.H.
Mountain lions are known to exist in the wild in states no closer than Iowa and Florida, so it is not thought to be a dispersing wild animal, but rather is most likely an illegally released pet.
"Survival of this type of animal is typically extremely low as they normally do not have the developed abilities to catch prey on a consistent basis, and/or may have been de-clawed," said Fish and Game Wildlife Division Chief Steve Weber. "If the animal does survive, we would expect to collect hard evidence of its existence in the form of a picture, tracks, scat and/or DNA evidence." Mountain lions were extirpated from their range in the Eastern United States by the late 1800s, with the exception of the endangered Florida panther. According to the nonprofit research organization cougarnet.org, there have been four confirmed reports of mountain lions in the Northeastern U.S. since 1938.
"The Fish and Game Department receives numerous reports of mountain lions every year," said Weber. "We still have no documentation to confirm their presence. While we do not believe this is a harbinger of a recovering population of mountain lions in New Hampshire, it does add one more credible report to several others we have received over the years."
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-- Copyright 2009 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- September 17, 2009
This week, fish culture operations supervisor Bob Fawcett reveals this fall's trout stocking locations. Also, Matt Carpenter, fisheries biologist with the Anadromous Fisheries Restoration Program, gives us a preview of exciting fall action fishing for brood stock Atlantic salmon.
Mark your calendars for the National Hunting and Fishing Day Expo and NH Tour coming Saturday, September 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit http://www.wildnh.com/expotour for Expo exhibitor details and a map of Tour locations!
Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Kids under 16 fish free in New Hampshire!
For past fishing reports and all your NH fishing info, visit Fish and Game's fishing page at http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fishing.htm.
Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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TROUT STOCKED FOR WINTER ANGLERS
By Robert Fawcett, Fish Culture Operations Supervisor
Winter anglers in New Hampshire will have some trout stocked especially for them once again this fall. New Hampshire Fish and Game stocks trout every year during the fall months, mostly to bolster the winter ice fishery, which should translate into some exciting action for winter anglers this year.
Anglers going after trout can find lists of waters that remain open to the taking of trout year round on the Fish and Game website:
* Lakes and ponds - http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/year_round_trout_ponds.htm * Rivers and streams - http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/year_round_trout_streams.htm
Rules for waterbodies with special regulations are listed in the N.H. Freshwater Fishing Digest, available from license agents or on the Fish and Game website.
During the fall of 2009, Fish and Game will stock trout into a total of 24 New Hampshire lakes and ponds managed for trout with no closed season -- putting in more than 11,230 rainbow trout, 6,000 eastern brook trout yearlings and 2,950 brown trout.
Following is a list of New Hampshire lakes and ponds that will be stocked during the fall of 2009 (please note that the list below is the plan for 2009. There are many more N.H. waterbodies open for year-round fishing than are included on this list):
Beaver Lake, Derry Massabesic Lake, Manchester Opechee Lake, Laconia Waukewan Lake, Meredith Winona Lake, Center Harbor Chocorua Lake, Tamworth Wentworth Lake, Wolfeboro Crystal Lake, Gilmanton Akers Pond, Errol Cedar Pond, Milan Martin Meadow Pond, Lancaster Sunapee Lake (Little), New London Stinson Lake, Rumney Pearl Lake, Lisbon Laurel Lake, Fitzwilliam Silver Lake, Madison
Fish Culturists inventory their fish as they set up for winter, and make adjustments as they head into fall, having inventoried what they have and having calculated the number needed to meet the target for stocking next spring, based on past performance data. They let it be known, and the regional fisheries biologists plan a surplus-stocking schedule for the fish declared surplus, and they are distributed and released.
Fish and Game has also issued permits for private release of trout into select waters managed for trout with no closed season (in the Isinglass, Cocheco, Lamprey, and Exeter rivers). The fly anglers are purchasing fish and stocking them for recreational fishing enjoyment.
Berry Brook is stocked in fall and spring with sea-run brown trout. Open season is from August 16 through March 1 from the Bracket Road bridge to the beginning of the prominent large rock area upstream, restricted to single-hook artificial lures and flies. Note: This brook is closed year round to all fishing from the prominent large rock area to Sagamore Rd. There may be returning true salters, plus the surplus brood stock will be stocked out after egg taking, to recruit into a winter fishery.
Happy Fishing!
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BROOD STOCK ATLANTIC SALMON OFFER EXCITING FALL FISHING By Matt Carpenter, Fisheries Biologist, Anadromous Fisheries Restoration Program
Anglers looking for some challenging catch-and-release sport fishing while they're enjoying the fall foliage should head to the Merrimack and Pemigewasset rivers to hook the "King of Fish." October and November are prime months for fall Atlantic salmon fishing in New Hampshire. Expect some great salmon fishing by the first week in October.
This fall the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department will stock the Merrimack basin with about 800 brood stock Atlantic salmon, averaging about 2 to 3 pounds. The two-year-old fish, which we stock in the fall, are smaller than the 3- and 4-year-olds, which we put out in the spring -- but the tradeoff is that fishing conditions are usually better in the fall. Salmon are in no hurry to leave the river as the water temperature cools and lower average flows provide better access for anglers.
Fisheries statistics suggest that the success rate for catching salmon is higher in the fall than in the spring season. The brood stock Atlantic salmon season runs year-round, but all salmon caught from October 1 through March 31 must be released immediately. Brood stock salmon will be stocked this fall at two sites -- below the Eastman Falls Dam in Franklin and the Ayers Island Dam in Bristol. The first good spots to try for the brood stock salmon are below the Ayers Island Dam in Bristol along the Coolidge Woods Road, the Profile Falls Recreation Area (the access site near the Smith River confluence), below the Eastman Falls Dam in Franklin and the public boat launch behind the Franklin High School on the Winnipesauke River. Because the fish are migratory, anglers should also try fishing downstream as the season progresses, near Boscawen (in the Stirrup Iron Brook area), Penacook (at the mouth of the Contoocook River), at the Sewall's Falls Recreational Park in Concord and below the Garvins Falls Dam (Bow) and the Hooksett Dam. Find more information and an access map at http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/atlantic_salmon.htm. Best bets for anglers are traditional salmon flies or trout streamers such as Grey Ghosts, Mickey Finns or any patterns that imitate small baitfish. Fishing with spinning gear is allowed in the section of the river below the Garvins Falls Dam in Bow. Anglers should review the special regulations for brood stock salmon at the Fish and Game website. To fish for brood stock salmon, anglers need a current New Hampshire fishing license and an $11 brood stock salmon permit; both are available at http://www.fishnh.com or from license agents statewide. All proceeds from salmon stamp permits support the Merrimack River Anadromous Fish Restoration Program, created in 1993 by Fish and Game, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to help restore migratory fish populations to the Merrimack River watershed. Brood stock salmon anglers can help the program by reporting their catch to Fish and Game. Please call me (Matt Carpenter) at 603-271-2612 with any questions, comments, or just to share your fishing experience. We are always interested in your feedback on the brood stock program.
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Copyright 2009 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- August 27, 2009
This week, marine biologist Kevin Sullivan reports on seacoast catches -- including a longstanding record broken twice this summer!
Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Kids under 16 fish free in N.H.!
FISH STOCKING: Stocking is complete for the season. Check the stocking page (http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm) for sites stocked in 2009.
Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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1 FISH, 2 FISH, RED FISH, BLUEFISH.......BLACKFISH??
By Kevin Sullivan, Biologist II, Marine Fisheries Division/Durham
That's right, this summer in New Hampshire a rarely caught fish by recreational saltwater anglers has been making its presence known. Although quite common in the waters of our southern neighbors such as Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the tautog (called by a common name of "blackfish") is not a very abundantly caught species in New Hampshire's Atlantic coastal waters. However, last month, a new state record was set not only once, but TWICE! The previous state record tautog was landed in June of 1999, and weighed in at 3 lbs., 12.48 oz and 18 1/4 inches long. Because of their scarcity this far north, that record had stood for 10 years and one month to the day; that is, until Graham Oakes of Derry, NH came along... Graham was fishing on July 16 from the jetty situated along the inlet to Hampton Harbor that is accessible from the Hampton State Park. He fished what he referred to as "the bed" near the end of the jetty and was able to win a game of outsmarting a 4-lb., 3.8 oz, 19 1/4" tautog, which won him the title of New Hampshire state record holder. When asked about his experience seeking out these less common fish, Graham told me he likes "'tog", he "knows where they hang out," and he catches 3 or 4 each year in New Hampshire. To all of you wondering how he does it, Graham let me in on his secret and said I could share it, so he's up for the competition. Graham's approach that has proven successful was cut strips of clam that he rigs in a popular freshwater setup known as the Carolina Rig. The story doesn't end there and Graham's competition came quicker than anyone would have guessed. Only four days later, Roland Groux of Hampton, NH, landed an 8-lb., 10.8-oz. tautog that was measured at 21 3/4 inches. This prize fish was also caught in Hampton, but was landed within the confines of the Hampton Harbor. Roland now currently holds the new state record, which is a considerable jump from the previous weights. There are still a few months of prime saltwater fishing left here in New Hampshire, so if enough anglers begin setting their sights on tautog, there's a chance at a bigger one. Just ask Graham and Roland! For those anglers that are still focusing attention on striped bass and bluefish, this season has been a learning experience. Much like last year, the numbers of both fish have been more dispersed and have put our fishing knowledge to the test. Most bluefish caught in recent weeks have been landed in the waters of Hampton and Rye, but the striped bass catches have been seen at most heavily used fishing access sites. In the summer months of June, July and August, the warming waters tend to slow down the voracious feeding behavior of striped bass, and push them into a holding pattern where they hang tight to rocks and ledges waiting for the food to come to them. During these months, stripers landed tend to lower in number but increase in size. A great approach for these stripers is to use whole live fish (Atlantic mackerel, pollock, menhaden) or frozen bait on an unweighted or lightly weighted leader. Fishing from shore or in a boat, try to get near the rocky edges of one of the points along the coast, such as Rye Ledge, Odiorne Point, or Great Boars Head. Move in fairly close to the shoreline, toss the bait into the waters near the large rocks and back the boat away from the shore as you let our your line to keep the bait from being pulled away from the rocks as you move away. If there is a cow striper hiding in the crashing surf between some of these rocks, they'll take the bait as it swims or drifts down. Experienced striped bass anglers in New Hampshire also can tell you that the months of September and October bring about more opportunities to land striped bass. In these months, the striped bass that came up this far north in large groups and then spread out into our rivers, harbors, and bays are now trying to 'carpool' back to the warmer southern waters for the winter. How does this benefit us as anglers? Well, as all of the stripers begin to congregate at locations such as the mouth of the Piscataqua River, they begin to move as a large school down the shoreline of New Hampshire, no doubt feeding along the way. To take advantage of their behavior, try using live eels as bait from a sandy beach such as North Hampton State Beach, Wallis Sands, or Hampton North Beach after sunset. For those anglers that are used to landing fish by hauling them over the side of a boat, it is a whole new experience when you wade out knee-deep in the surf and land a 40-inch striper like you might expect a fly-fisherman to land a 12-inch brook trout in a raging river. Remember, if the fish aren't biting every trip, it doesn't mean that they aren't there, it means that now is the time to challenge yourself to reach for a different lure, or mark a new spot on your map that may produce the trophy fish like Graham and Roland caught already this year.
Good luck and tight lines!
P.S.: The New Hampshire legal size for haddock in 2009 has been reduced from 19 inches to 18 inches, so get busy offshore and fill your coolers.
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Copyright 2009 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- August 6, 2009
This week, fisheries biologist Gabe Gries tells the story of Forest Lake in Winchester, where anglers came together to solve an access problem, and are today once again able to enjoy a fantastic fishery.
Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Kids under 16 fish free in N.H.!
FISH STOCKING: Stocking is complete for the season. Check the stocking page (http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm) for sites stocked in 2009.
Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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Community Action Brings Back Public Access at Forest Lake in Winchester By Gabe Gries, Fisheries Biologist, Region 4/Keene
Forest Lake in Winchester is a beautiful 87-acre waterbody located in Southwestern NH, 7 miles from the Massachusetts border and 12 miles south of Keene. The lake has always been a very popular fishing location for local and out-of-state anglers and for anglers that stay at the Forest Lake Campground. A privately-owned boat launch allowed boaters access to the lake for decades until it was closed in 2004. Prior to the boat ramp closure, the lake offered a wonderful two-story (cold and warmwater) fishery which was made up of largemouth bass, chain pickerel, brown trout and rainbow trout. With the boat ramp closure in 2004, trout stocking was discontinued, as the general public no longer had reasonable access to Forest Lake. The closure was followed by a huge outcry from local anglers, now unable to access one of their favorite trout and bass waters. In an effort to regain public boat access to Forest Lake, the NH Fish and Game Department made attempts in 2005 to purchase a small parcel of land containing the existing boat ramp. Unfortunately, the purchase was never finalized and it looked as if public boat access to Forest Lake would remain a memory. That all changed in 2009! Sue LaPoint, a local sportswoman, and President of the Mt. Pisgah Sportsmen's Club in Winchester, decided that local anglers had waited long enough. She began talking with the landowner, town officials, local businesses, and area residents in an attempt to have the Sportsmen's Club purchase the property surrounding the boat ramp. Sue worked tirelessly on this endeavor and was met with support and positive feedback from all she contacted. After months of meetings, discussions and planning, the sub-division needed in order to purchase the property was approved by the NH Department of Environmental Services and the town of Winchester. Effective July 17, 2009, the Mt. Pisgah Sportsmen's Club became the proud new owners of the "Phillips/Conant Public Boat Ramp" on Forest Lake. Financial assistance with the purchase was also provided by a number of area businesses and individuals within the community. "We couldn't have done this without the support of the community, the previous landowner (Margaret Conant), and various donors," said LaPoint. On July 22, brown and rainbow trout were stocked again in the lake for the first time in five years! The NH Fish and Game Department will continue to offer the Club suggestions on parking location strategies and any advice they might need on boat ramp maintenance. The Forest Lake Improvement Association and the Winchester Conservation Commission are offering their support as well. Area anglers are excited to once again be able to wet a line in Forest Lake. Sean Graves, a bass angler from Chesterfield, stopped by the office this week to make sure that the ramp had been re-opened. "I am thrilled that the Mt. Pisgah Sportsmen's Club is so supportive of local anglers. I can't wait to take my son fishing there," said Graves. The Sportsmen's Club members, of which there are 70, hold fundraisers throughout the year in order to provide support to local youth and community organizations. Among other community activities, they host a "Christmas in the Park" event, an Easter Egg hunt, two youth fishing derbies, and a "learn to fly-fish" event each year. When I talked with Sue LaPoint a few days ago, she was thrilled with the purchase. "We received overwhelming assistance, both financial and otherwise, to make this happen. This community always seems to come together to support projects like this," LaPoint said. "Happy fishing and safe boating," she added. We hope you enjoy fishing this year in the Monadnock/Upper Valley Region and don't forget to take a kid fishing anytime you can. We are always happy to talk to you about fish and fishing so please contact us at Region 4 (603-352-9669; reg4@wildlife.nh.gov) if you have any questions. For a list of popular water bodies to fish for by species, please consult the Suggested Fishing Locations for the Monadnock Region/Southwest N.H, which can be found at http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fishing_forecast/Locations_Southwest.htm.
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Copyright 2009 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- July 30, 2009
This week, coldwater fisheries project leader Dianne Timmins returns to her post with a fresh outlook on fishing, reflecting on her childhood experiences and planning some fishing adventures for her family as her new baby gets older.
Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Kids under 16 fish free in N.H.!
FISH STOCKING: Stocking is complete for the season. Check the stocking page (http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm) for sites stocked in 2009.
Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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A NEW PERSPECTIVE:
It's never too soon to plan a child's first fishing adventure
By Dianne Timmins, Fisheries Biologist, Region 1/Lancaster
I remember my mom taking me fishing on Powwow Pond (Kingston) with my brothers. We'd purchase worms and head out for a morning or afternoon of targeting perch, with the bonus being a hefty smallmouth or largemouth bass. I remember my brother Kurt's interest fading the fastest and brother Jay was not big into worms, but I could have stayed all day or night long. If it wasn't for the biplane-sized mosquitoes, I think we would have. We'd also do some fishing on Kingston Lake (Great Pond) and catch sunfish. It has been a long time since I have angled those waterbodies, but rumor has it they still provide good warmwater fisheries. Now it's my turn to pass on the tradition: I'm a new mom with a fourteen-week-old daughter. In recent months, adult conversation and thoughts of fisheries were not a part of my immediate world. Two weeks ago, I returned to my work as a fisheries biologist and Coldwater Project Leader for NH Fish and Game. Now that I am back, I see things in a whole new way... At home in the evening, when I stare down into my daughter's eyes and she flashes her full-hearted smile, I can't help but think of what it will be like to take her fishing. I will start out as my mom did, with warmwater areas like Burns Lake and Forest Lake, both in Whitefield. There's nothing like sweet success to get a child hooked on fishing. Start by targeting sunfish and then moving into more challenging gamefish like bass, pickerel and pike. Another area to try is Partridge Lake in Littleton, where Fish and Game's most recent netting results indicated populations of both smallmouth and largemouth bass, above-average sized brown bullheads (catfish/horned pout), pickerel, pike and, of course, sunfish. Then, I'll get my little girl into brook trout fishing, starting with small streams and moving into larger rivers. We can head out to the Ellis River in Jackson -- or any small headwater stream, for that matter. Electrofishing surveys show that Ellis River contains only brook trout in its headwaters. We might start there, where the stream channel is narrow, and target pool habitats. I'll explain to her the importance of various types of habitats and how each one plays a critical role in a fish's life cycle. She will most likely call me a biology nerd or something, but I will still enjoy explaining what I do for work. As my daughter gets older, I'll call on my husband to assist in teaching her how to fly-fish. He is the one who taught me, and I am still learning new bits and pieces each time I go. We can then take family trips to the Connecticut River or the Androscoggin. Perhaps we'll head south to the Pemigewasset. The East Branch parallels the Kancamagus Highway. It will be fun to show her all our favorite parts of New Hampshire as she gets older, exploring each lake, river and mountain trail in turn. All of a sudden, a coo and squeak break my concentration. I look down to a little chubba with eyes full of glee. "Hi there!" I exclaim. "I was just thinking of you."
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Copyright 2009 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- July 16, 2009
This week, Marine Division staffer Becky Heuss revs up for the arrival of bluefish along New Hampshire's coast.
FISH STOCKING: Stocking is complete for the season. Last week, the Pemigewasset River was stocked in Lincoln, Thornton and Woodstock, and Russell Pond was stocked. Check the stocking page (http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm) for sites stocked over the course of the season.
Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Kids under 16 fish free in N.H.!
Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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GO FOR BLUEFISH, AND CATCH SOME EXCITEMENT! By Becky Heuss, Biological Technician
Some of my fondest memories are of the Atlantic coast and bluefish during the summertime. Anglers line the rocky shoreline, shouting, "The blues are running!" Schools of bluefish chase baitfish like Atlantic menhaden or "pogies" into the shallows, and the water erupts with excitement. Each cast brings about another struggle between man and fish. I remember this scene well, but what sticks out in my mind the most is the smell, days afterward, when "pogies" still baked in the sun, having beached themselves during the feeding frenzy. I have not experienced a bluefish "run" since my youth, but I am still able to recapture the excitement each summer aboard the party boats in New Hampshire. Toward the middle of July, we feel the anticipation of another bluefish season. Well, guess what? They're here! Bluefish, like stripers, will follow baitfish up into the coastal rivers, so they may be caught anywhere from off of the Hampton coast to up in the river by Dover Point, and even in Great Bay at times. Many qualities make bluefish a popular saltwater target. They are a voracious predator and the excitement of a feeding frenzy is hard to match. They are a schooling fish, so where there is one, there are likely to be many more. Blues also put up a good fight -- when you reel them in, watch out for their sharp teeth! Bluefish have long gotten a bad rap by picky eaters, because they really are tastiest when fresh. After you catch them, eat them within 24 hours; they are an oily fish and can taste "fishy" if left for too long. Try marinating them in milk -- I've been told this is a good way to draw out the oils. There are some that insist the best way to eat a blue is grilled fresh with lemon juice, skin side down to let the oil drip off. They are also good poached, broiled or smoked.
Want to catch some of the excitement but don't have a boat? There are many locations along New Hampshire's coast that are prime real-estate for bluefishing. Check out the new "Take Me Fishing! Seashore Fishing Guide" at http://www.wildnh.com/marine/marine_PDFs/seacoast_TMF_guide.pdf for some great fishing spots where you can catch bluefish, stripers and other saltwater fish from shore. If you are looking for a day on the water or want some help for your first time bluefishing, join one of the many party boat companies along New Hampshire's coast. They will supply you with bait and bring you right to the blues. (Party boat info: http://www.maineharbors.com/nh/nhlnk.htm and http://www.portsmouthnh.com/port/boats.cfm.)
There is no better way to shake off those rainy day blues than a day out fishing. Get out and make some lasting memories with your kids this summer.
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For more about fishing the New Hampshire coast, don't miss the July-August N.H. Wildlife Journal magazine -- Fish and Game's annual coastal issue -- with articles on striped bass, harvesting Great Bay, and more. Read sample articles and subscribe at http://www.wildnh.com/Wildlife_Journal/WJ_mag.htm.
And while you're on the shore, don't miss our Great Bay programs for children and families at the Discovery Center on Depot Road in Greenland/Stratham - http://www.wildnh.com/Newsroom/News_2009/News_2009_Q2/GB_Summer_Programs_062609.html.
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Copyright 2009 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- July 9, 2009
This week, fisheries biologist Don Miller offers his thoughts on the season in the Lakes Region, and what all this rain means for the fisheries (and the anglers).
FISH STOCKING: A couple dozen Coos County sites were stocked last week. Check the stocking page (http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm) for a list of sites stocked - this is probably the last report of the season.
DEADLINE TOMORROW FOR TEEN ENVIRO CAMP: NH Natural Leaders Program, an environmental leadership program that includes a two-week residential camp starting July 19, is now just $500 (including room and board) for New Hampshire resident youths ages 13-17. Info and application: http://www.wildnh.com/Newsroom/News_2009/News_2009_Q2/NH_Nat_Leaders_062409.html
Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Kids under 16 fish free in N.H.!
Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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BIG RAIN, BIG FISHING ON BIG LAKES B
y Don Miller, fisheries biologist, Region 2/New Hampton
When will the rains end? The Lakes Region received over 8 inches of rain in June, more than twice the normal amount for the month. As most of you know, July has continued this wet pattern. Let's take a look at the good and bad of high water levels. The good news is, a copious amount of food is being washed into our lakes and streams, and as far as I can tell from my trips on Lake Winnisquam, lake trout and rainbows are on a feeding spree. A local angler fishing Winnisquam recently landed a beautiful 14-pound lake trout, while Nubanusit just recently yielded a 16-pound laker. I've had a great time with lakers on Winnisquam trolling flies and lures on 4 - 6 colors of lead core line. A few rainbow trout are mixed in the catch as well. Reports from area lakes reveal that the thermocline has set-up around 30 feet deep. Although early morning fishing (5 AM) might encounter fish a lot closer to the surface, you will generally want to run your lines at or below 30 feet deep for more consistent action. Bass fishing enthusiasts report that smallmouth activity is concentrated along drop-offs, generally in water depths greater than 20 feet. Anglers may find some surface activity in the early morning and again at dusk along shorelines near rock and tree cover. One angler in Lake Winnisquam reported catching a lake trout while working the drop-offs and a nice rainbow trout followed his lure on another occasion. In other words, be prepared, you never know what will appear from the depths! High waters are a blessing for the movement of fish (whether they like it or not!). "Dropdown fisheries" is a term for periodic fisheries that are timed to high water releases. These fisheries exist throughout the Lakes Region. Lochmere Dam (the dam at the lower end of Lake Winnisquam) has been a hot area for fishing nearly all season -- April anglers were treated to some especially fine landlocked salmon fishing. Even now, although landlocks are seldom caught, some fine fishing exists for rainbow trout -- and occasionally brown trout, which are stocked in the lower Winnipesaukee River and also travel upstream to this dam site. Silver Lake (which begins below Lochmere Dam) offers some great small and largemouth bass fishing, with the smallies working the current flows at the outflow of the dam. Lakeport Dam, the water retention dam for Lake Winnipesaukee, offers some good fishing in the tailwater section below the dam and out into Lake Opechee. Opechee is stocked with rainbow trout and dropdown trout here are numerous from Winnipesaukee. When rivers run high, trout naturally move downstream; look for deeper pools that may provide relief and protection from fast water. If and when the rivers begin to diminish, fishing will be fast and furious, as the amount of fishable water increases exponentially. Check out the USGS website at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nh/nwis/rt, where you can get water level, flow, and temperature information for dozens of river and stream sites throughout the state. Remote pond trout stocking was accomplished flawlessly by Fisheries staff and an excellent helicopter pilot during the only decent day we had in mid-June! This year, pontoons were added to the helicopter, allowing for the easier dispersal of fingerling brook trout (and taking water samples for pH). The heavy rainfall made conditions in these ponds as good as I have ever seen. For those anglers itching to catch some "back-country" brookies, this year is shaping up to be one of the best. Yes, some streams and rivers are unfishably high and fast at the moment -- but hope springs eternal. The weather always changes, and there are always fishing opportunities in NH, no matter the weather!
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Copyright 2009 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- July 2, 2009
This week, fisheries biologist Jason Carrier goes wacky for jerk baits.
Happy Independence Day, everybody! Have a wonderful weekend.
FISH STOCKING: As of this week, fish stocking is complete for the season. For the final list of sites stocked, visit: http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm.
GOT TEENS? DEADLINE 7/10! Thanks to generous benefactors, the cost of the NH Natural Leaders Program, an environmental leadership program that includes a two-week residential camp this summer, is now just $500 (including room and board) for New Hampshire resident youth between the ages of 13-17. The summer camp, based out of Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, N.H., runs July 19 - August 1, 2009. Info and application: http://www.wildnh.com/Newsroom/News_2009/News_2009_Q2/NH_Nat_Leaders_062409.html Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Kids under 16 fish free in N.H.! Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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SUMMERTIME SOFT PLASTIC JERKS FOR BASS
By Jason Carrier, Fisheries Biologist, Region 4/Keene
There are so many different types of soft jerkbaits on the market today that it can be quite time-consuming just picking out what style, color, or size to purchase at a tackle shop. Soft jerkbaits are probably one of the most popular baits used among bass fisherman today. You would be surprised to peek into a bass angler's boat and not see at least one rod rigged with some sort of soft plastic jerkbait. The two basic styles of soft jerkbaits are the minnow style and the worm style, with many different variations in sizes and shapes. Whatever choice you make, there are multiple ways to fish that jerkbait. Worm-style jerkbaits rigged "wacky" have been the craze the last few years. This is a plastic worm, usually four to six inches long, hooked right in the middle. This is typically fished weightless; the worm falls horizontally in the water column, and is very effective on fish that are not very active, because of its slow-falling nature. This can be fished around shoreline structure, weed beds, and rocky areas. Wacky rigging is not snag-proof, because the hook point is exposed. Minnow and worm-style jerkbaits that float, sink, or have neutral buoyancy can be very effective when rigged in these four ways: Carolina, Texas, drop shot, or straight rig (no weight). I don't think I can adequately describe how to set up these rigs here, so you'll want to search the web for examples and diagrams of those you're not familiar with. "Carolina" rigging a worm or minnow bait can be very effective during the summer months; this is usually fished in deeper water near or adjacent to weed edges or main water structures like points or humps, and is slowly dragged or bounced on the bottom. Using a floating worm or minnow will raise your presentation off the bottom, giving it a different look. "Texas" rigging a jerk bait is very effective when fished in and around heavy cover. The hook point is not exposed, so the bait is practically snag proof. "Drop shot" rigs can be used shallow or deep, and are usually used with a downsized worm or minnow jerkbait, three to four inches in length. This presentation is typically, but not always, used in open water on flats or around main lake structure. Using a "straight rig" is the easiest and most snag-resistant way to rig a soft plastic worm or minnow. This rig allows the angler to really change up the cadence of the bait to let the fish know what they really want. Two of my most recent fishing trips produced some nice largemouths in and around vegetation. The mornings were calm and I just had to try top-water, but the vegetation was so thick that I needed something that wouldn't get snagged. I went with a floating minnow jerkbait, straight rigged. I just twitched it along the surface of the vegetation, making it look like a struggling minnow. I got many hits on it and managed to boat a fair number of bass once I got the timing of the strike and the hook set down. Once the bass would hit it I had to be patient and wait 2-3 seconds before setting the hook. Get out on the water this summer and experiment with these different types of rigs for your soft plastic jerkbaits. Try different jerkbait styles, sizes, and colors and find out what works best for you. Good luck!
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P.S. to anglers fishing Lake Winnipesaukee: watch for tagged largemouth and smallmouth bass; they're tagged as part of a NH Fish and Game Warmwater Fisheries Management Program study. For info or to report a tagged bass: www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fisheries_management/Bass_Movement_Study.html.
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Copyright 2009 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- June 18, 2009
In today's report, fisheries biologist Andy Schafermeyer shares some secrets from a banner bass day, fishing Moore Reservoir in Littleton with pro angler Terry Towle. Happy Father's Day! Give your dad or grandfather a memorable Father's Day this year - take him fishing! We don't need to tell YOU that fishing is a great way to slow down and celebrate your family. Have a wonderful weekend. FISH STOCKING: Fish stocking is winding down for the season, with stocking in the southern tier almost complete for the year. Stocking in northern NH is likely to continue for a few more weeks, and aerial stocking took place this week. For a list of sites stocked last week, visit: http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm. Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Kids under 16 fish free in N.H.! Don't forget the camera: The Kids Fishing Photo Contest is underway, co-sponsored by Fish and Game and Kidz Rule USA magazine. Info: http://fishnh.com/Newsroom/News_2009/News_2009_Q2/kids_photo_contest_2009.html. Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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BASS FISHING LIKE A PRO By Andrew Schafermeyer, Fisheries Biologist, Region 1/Lancaster
I've often written that the most appealing part of freshwater fishing is that no one has it figured out completely. Success is measured one trip at a time. Effective methods one day may be worthless the next and both angler and fish have the same chance at outsmarting one another. In an effort to turn the tables as much in my favor as possible, I went fishing with a guy who never seems to be outsmarted and comes as close as I've seen to mastering the sport. Terry Towle of Woodsville has been fishing the bass tournament scene for better than 10 years and is one of the most accomplished and dedicated guys I've met. As a member of the Central Vermont Bassmasters club, he spends most of his summers wrapping up titles all over New England. We decided to fish Moore Reservoir in Littleton because of its size, varying conditions and history of producing trophy large and smallmouth bass. When I learned that Terry once had a string of 19 consecutive tournament wins on Moore, I deemed him more than qualified a guide. I met him at 9:00 a.m. on a clear, sunny day and we quickly loaded our gear into his 20-foot Triton. After observing water temperatures in the low to mid-sixties, our plan of attack was to assume that we were fishing over post-spawn bass who may be staging on elevated substrate next to deep water. With the help of his depth-finder and a GPS system that looked cooler than my television set, we quickly found a 20-foot bump surrounded by 60-foot depths and decided to give it a try. Terry selected one of his 12 pre-rigged rods -- this one with a drop-shot setup that consisted of a 3/16-oz. egg sinker, 22" of 8 lb. line leading to a 1/0 octopus hook baited with a 4-inch green Chomper worm. In those depths, the retrieve almost resembled a vertical jigging method, but Terry worked it with the skill and anticipation of a seasoned angler. It was this very method that he used to win the 2007 Ironman Open on Lake Champlain with a six-fish creel of 32 pounds. I watched Terry catch a few smallmouth this way before he declared, "We can do better" -- and we were off to another spot. The 200-horsepower Mercury made the search process very efficient. Unlike some professional anglers, Terry never showed a sense of impatience or anxiety when catch rates slowed down. He also never showed a competitive side that can keep anglers from having fun. He enjoyed every catch and seemed just as rewarded when I caught a fish. After fishing another spot of quickly elevated depth, we started fishing large boulders in 15 to 20 feet of water. Things got very exciting as we both started landing fish and I watched Terry throw so many different baits and approaches that I could've gotten dizzy if I wasn't so amazed. He caught fish on 3" dark-colored tube baits, skillfully reading the bottom from the feel of his 8-pound line and seven-foot light-action rod. I saw him accurately pitch jigs and boomerang a 3/8-oz. spinnerbait under overhanging vegetation. I asked about color preferences and was somewhat surprised to learn that he never over-thinks the matter. "I spend most of the time trying to find the fish and then worry about colors." Once we found fish, Terry had little trouble getting them to bite. Fish were routinely outsmarted by a smoke-colored RattleTrap, 4" Senkos, and spider jigs. Most of his soft plastic baits were watermelon or green pumpkin in color and he was clearly trying to imitate the crayfish that he knows are an important bass forage in Moore Reservoir. Despite our success, we changed approaches routinely. Applying different methods kept things exciting and fun. At 11:30, we entered a shallow cove where the water temperature had warmed to 67 and we cast around woody material like downed trees and submerged stumps. We also cast over large shallow shelves where Terry threw lipless crankbaits, explaining that they are his favorite "fish locator" as they allow you to cover a lot of water. One of the most exciting approaches came when Terry decided to trophy hunt by throwing a 5-inch swimbait rigged on a 3/0, weighted worm hook. His quick retrieve kept the bait swimming in a sub-surface action that resembled a buzz-bait and we both got the feeling that this was the bait that would bring the monsters into the boat. After a few short strikes, we watched as an explosive strike cut his line in the fashion that made us both realize he'd lost a big northern pike. Our day on the lake ended at about 3:00 and we'd landed between 20 and 30 bass. I thanked Terry for an awesome education and made it clear that I wouldn't write specifically about his methods, as most tournament anglers are understandably protective of their secrets. He dismissed any of that attitude and told me to share anything with my readers, which reminded me again of his genuine love for fishing. It was a great day and I look forward to fishing with him again.
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P.S. to anglers fishing Lake Winnipesaukee: watch for tagged largemouth and smallmouth bass; they're tagged as part of a NH Fish and Game Warmwater Fisheries Management Program study. For info or to report a tagged bass: www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fisheries_management/Bass_Movement_Study.html.
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Copyright 2009 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.
GIVE DAD A TASTE OF OUTDOOR ADVENTURE ON FATHER'S DAY -- TAKE HIM FISHING!
CONCORD, N.H. -- Want to give your dad or grandfather a memorable Father's Day this year? Take him fishing! There's nothing like an outdoor adventure together to remind you what families are all about. Most dads can use a break from the fast-paced world. Fishing gives you that chance -- to slow down, enjoy the natural beauty around you, match wits with trout or bass, and spend time with people you care about. Leave the work-a-day world behind and cast that line!
So give him what he really wants for Father's Day (June 21 this year). Some ideas:
* Go fishing with your father or grandfather; * Scheduling a guided fishing trip; or * Buy him a fishing license he can use all year.
You can even send or e-mail your dad a special coupon from the Anglers' Legacy website that he can use anytime to take you up on your fishing invitation; download it at http://tinyurl.com/fathersday09. (While there, become an Anglers' Legacy Ambassador -- take the pledge to take at least one new person fishing each year and go to http://tinyurl.com/NHfishpledge.)
Maybe it's been a while since you've been fishing. Not to worry - all you need is some basic gear and bait. Get ideas on places to fish in different parts of New Hampshire - either in freshwater or on the coast - on the New Hampshire e Fish and Game Department's website, http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fishing.htm. You'll find directions, tackle tips and more.
Sometimes a guided fishing trip can be the best option for a family group. A list of licensed New Hampshire fishing guides can be found on the Fish and Game website at http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fishing_guides.htm or call the local chamber of commerce. Guided trips allow anglers to concentrate on having fun together.
The gift of a fishing license works well, especially if you can't be there for a Father's Day fishing trip. It recognizes his love of the outdoors, and says you want to spend time with him. Permanent licenses are issued free to residents of New Hampshire who are 68 years of age or older, provided that they have been a New Hampshire resident for at least two years. Go to http://www.fishnh.com to find a local license agent or purchase your fishing license online. A Father's Day fishing trip can be a shared adventure and an expression of admiration and caring. Few things say it better. Recall the fun times you've had fishing with a father or grandfather, and make the day even more rewarding by creating a new adventure together. Make this a truly special Father's Day - fish New Hampshire and relax! The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department works to conserve, manage and protect the state's fish and wildlife and their habitats. Visit http://www.fishnh.com.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- June 12, 2009
Today's report comes from Kyle Glencross, biological aide for Fish and Game, offering tips for catching trout on late spring evenings and chasing stripers on the coast.
FISH STOCKING STILL GOING STRONG: For a list of sites stocked last week, visit: http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm. Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Kids under 16 fish free in N.H.! Don't forget the camera: The Kids Fishing Photo Contest is underway, co-sponsored by Fish and Game and Kidz Rule USA magazine. Info: http://fishnh.com/Newsroom/News_2009/News_2009_Q2/kids_photo_contest_2009.html. Also -- Signups are on for the fall (Sept. 11-13) Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop. Lots of fishing and other wild workshops to choose from: http://www.fishnh.com/Newsroom/News_2009/News_2009_Q2/BOW_fall_reg_open_060809.html Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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THE TROUT AND STRIPERS OF JUNE By Kyle Glencross, biological aide, NH Fish and Game
You've got to love the month of June in New Hampshire, great fishing all across the state, from trout streams to stripers in the surf! This time of year allows many crazed anglers (such as myself) to sneak away in the evenings and get a couple of hours of fishing in during the week. The longer days and warming temperatures often make the last few hours of daylight the most productive. June is a great time to try some of New Hampshire's trout ponds. Try getting to your favorite pond a few hours before dark and casting or trolling small streamer fly patterns such as Brown Owls, Black Nosed Dace, 88's, and the infamous Hornberg. As darkness approaches and trout start rising, I normally switch to smaller dry fly patterns, and also a wet fly pattern designed by Ellis Hatch (former Fish and Game Commissioner) called the Hatching Pupa -- it's a killer on tough-to-fool trout! Anglers should keep their eyes open towards the end of the month for the start of the "hex" hatch. These giant mayflies bring not only some of the best dry fly fishing of the year, but also account for many anglers' largest trout and smallmouth bass of the season. They are mostly limited to cool water lakes and ponds, and often only appear the last twenty minutes before darkness sets in. Stay on the lookout! The smaller trout streams and rivers in southern part of the state are best also just fished in the early morning hours and late evenings because of climbing water temperatures. I can't talk the start of summer and leave out the striped bass on New Hampshire's seacoast. June is the real start of striper season. If you have never taken advantage of this great resource, you are missing out! The tidal creeks are often some of my favorite spots to hit; remember to fish these creeks on the first two hours of the outgoing tide and the last two hours of the incoming tide. Use soft plastics such as the Slug-Go in the Alewife or Arkansas Shiner. Fly patterns like the Half n Half, Cape and Island Minnow, and Mushmouths are top producers. Remember to plan your tides right for stripers during the morning and afternoons, switch your gear and beat it to your favorite trout pond for a great end to your day. See you on the water!
P.S. Are you just getting started fishing, or want to check out some new Concord-area locations? My fellow Fish and Gamer, Mark Beauchesne, appears in "Go Fish," a guide for fishing novices, in this morning's Concord Monitor. Check it out at http://tinyurl.com/fishconcord0609.
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Copyright 2009 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- May 21, 2009
In today's report, the fish are biting in the Lakes Region! Fisheries biologist Don Miller brings an update from the big lakes, rivers and ponds. Enjoy the long weekend, everyone!
STOCKING TRUCKS ARE ROLLING... 170+ sites were stocked with fish last week! Visit: http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm. Also, all 760 brood stock Atlantic salmon slated for spring release have been stocked into the Merrimack and Pemigewassett rivers.
LAKE SUNAPEE - WILD GOOSE ACCESS SITE: The public comment period regarding the Wild Goose wetland permit application to the N.H. Department of Environmental Services Wetlands Bureau has been extended to June 26, 2009. For information about the proposed Wild Goose Boating Access Site, visit http://www.fishnh.com/access/wildgoose.
FREE FISHING DAY is just a week away - Saturday, June 6. Tell your friends! Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Don't forget -- kids under 16 fish free in N.H.!
All NH fishing page: http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fishing.htm.
If you know someone who might like to sign up for the Fishing Report, send them to http://www.fishnh.com/Inside_FandG/join_mail_list.htm. Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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COOL RIVERS - HOT FISHING IN THE LAKES REGION By Don Miller, Large Lakes Fisheries Biologist, Region 2/New Hampton
LARGE LAKES
We've enjoyed a rather cool spring in the Lakes Region, and this has resulted in cool water temps in our big lakes; the temperature at Winnipesaukee (main lake and the Broads) has been around 50 - 55 degrees F this week. The recent Winni Derby was a success, with a 4.12-lb. landlocked salmon taking the major prize and an 8.5-lb. laker taking the "togue" category. The lake trout brought in by anglers were gorgeous fish, as fat and healthy as I've ever seen. Lots of two-year-old salmon were reported, and this bodes well for the future salmon fishery in the "Big Lake." Lake trout are still in shallow water, reports from Winnisquam have bass fishermen catching lakers in water 20 feet deep. Generally, look for lakers in water around 40-60 feet deep. Trolled bait (golden shiners) fished slowly along the bottom and edges of drop-offs is the best method. Sutton 44 and 61 spoons are always a top choice, and don't forget the old-standby, Flashking wobbler in gold/fluorescent for lake trout also. The landlocked salmon fishing has tailed off a bit, but the early morning anglers will still have luck trolling 3-5 colors of lead-core line (20-25 feet deep). Periodically, salmon seem to switch off this time of year, usually concurrent with the major phantom midge hatches on the lakes. At this time of year it is essential to be on the water in the pre-dawn hours, and fish until 9 o'clock or so, in order to find the salmon -- occasionally a mid-late morning/early afternoon second bite occurs, depending on weather conditions. Rainbow trout fishing has been hot in Winnipesaukee and Squam lakes. We've caught them on a variety of small streamers (size 6), hardware and live shiners. I like to use a sinking-tip fly line, 30 foot leader (6-lb. test), and troll the shorelines out to a depth of 30 - 40 feet. Work the fly rod with intermittent pulls, and troll at various speeds, 1.5-3 mph., in a curve or zigzag pattern.
RIVERS
The Pemigewasset River in Bristol (off the Coolidge Woods Road) offers some incredible trout fishing (rainbows and brookies). This area is also a favored spot for Atlantic salmon broodstock fishing. The water flow in this river is excellent now, and the pools and riffles offer a great variety of habitats for fly, bait or spin fishing. Also try the bigger water below Eastman Falls Dam in Franklin (catch and release area). Colorful streamers work well on these salmon. Don't forget to pick up your brood stock Atlantic salmon permit and tags for this wonderful fishery. Area brooks have been stocked and the dry spell this spring has left water levels low, so don't procrastinate, get out and treat yourself to some tasty squaretails!
PONDS
Brook trout ponds in the area are producing limit catches of rainbows and brookies. Saltmarsh Pond/Gilford, Spectacle Pond/Groton and Perch Pond/Campton are great trout ponds. Hatches of caddis are in full swing on ponds throughout the area. Upper Hall Pond (Sandwich), White Pond (Ossipee), and Sky Pond (New Hampton), are fly-fishing only ponds where the angler can be treated to some fantastic dry-fly action now.
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N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- May 14, 2009
In today's report, seasonal fisheries technician Shane Eaton explains what he and the other fisheries folks are up to this summer in the Great North Woods.
STOCKING TRUCKS ARE ROLLING... 150+ sites were stocked with fish last week! Visit: http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm
BROOD STOCK SALMON - The time is now! All 760 brood stock Atlantic salmon slated for spring release have been stocked into the Merrimack and Pemigewassett rivers, and successful anglers are already reporting successful brood stock salmon fishing on both rivers. Info: http://www.wildnh.com/Newsroom/News_2009/News_2009_Q2/brood_stock_salmon_051109.html
BIG BROOK BOG in Pittsburg will not be fishable (and will not be stocked) this season - an issue with the dam has necessitated a water drawdown. Info: http://www.fishnh.com/Newsroom/News_2009/News_2009_Q2/Big_Brook_Bog_drawdown.html Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Don't forget -- kids under 16 fish free in N.H.! All NH fishing page: http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fishing.htm.
If you know someone who might like to sign up for the Fishing Report, send them to http://www.fishnh.com/Inside_FandG/join_mail_list.htm.
Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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MY BROOK TROUT SUMMER
By Shane Eaton, seasonal fisheries technician, Region 1/Lancaster
After a long cold winter, the ice has finally left the lakes and ponds of northern New Hampshire, the summer fishing season has begun and the Fish and Game seasonal interns have started work. These seasonal positions are hard work, fun, and key to a successful summer season for Fish and Game, and they give much-needed experience to college students and aspiring fisheries biologists. My name is Shane Eaton, and I'm a summer intern working with fisheries biologist Dianne Timmins out of Fish and Game's Region 1 office in Lancaster. My fellow interns and I will be collecting data for the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture (EBTJV). The EBTJV project officially starts in mid-May, but since mid-April, I've been assisting with several fisheries projects in the Great North Woods: spawning pike netting in Partridge Lake in Littleton and Jericho Lake in Berlin; smelt collection in Cedar Pond in Milan and Christine Lake in Stark; and the distribution of hundreds of thousands of Atlantic salmon into the streams of northern New Hampshire. There are any number of different projects and chores that will keep me and the other interns very busy all summer long. I'm returning to EBTJV for a second year, after being part of the crew that piloted the project last summer. The project started a few years back, in a meeting among 17 states and several independent agencies concerned over declining brook trout populations. In this meeting, participants discussed a lack of critical habitat data for this species, and New Hampshire was no exception, with many areas with no data on brook trout. Through grants and Federal Aid, existing data on brook trout in NH has been compiled and areas needing data have been identified. We're now collecting new data in three main areas: human interactions and manipulation of the habitat; natural habitat (substrate, cover, and structure of the stream); and the presence and health of the native brook trout population. Data collection is rigorous work for even the most fit interns. Many habitat sites to be studied are remote and getting there requires hiking long distances with big, heavy, and clumsy gear. After hiking out to a site, the fun begins with electro-fishing a small section of the stream. Fish in the section are collected, sampled and recorded, and a visual habitat assessment and physical characteristics of the section are recorded. Later, this data will be entered and analyzed back at the office on rainy days. With data from states up and down the east coast, a draft conservation plan is slowly coming together to deal with the current threats to the brook trout population. In addition to this, corrective measures will be suggested on a watershed-by-watershed basis. If you see the crews out there this summer, give us a wave and know that this study will ensure that anglers like you and me will be catching fat and healthy brook trout well into the future.
(Shane Eaton of Lunenburg, Vt. graduated from Unity College in 2007 with a bachelors degree in Wildlife Biology. Since graduation, Shane has been traveling and working around the country as a seasonal biologist -- starting in southern California, then making his way to the Bering Sea as a fisheries observer (an onboard biologist) on fishing vessels in the winter, and returning to New Hampshire Fish and Game in the summer.)
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N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT - September 25, 2008
Well folks, this is it -- the final fishing report of 2008. The official arrival of fall doesn't mean fishing is over, though. Check our website at http://www.FishNH.com for ideas on fall fishing in New Hampshire, and -- as fisheries biologist Gabe Gries suggests in today's report -- look up an old friend and plan a trip.
Also this week, we've got a saltwater fishing roundup from Chris Warner on the coast; Ben Nugent tempts fall anglers with a bunch of open waters to try in the southeast part of the state; and Mark Beauchesne offers many reasons for keeping your gear out and in use for at least a few more weeks.
Even if you are done fishing for now, you can always use these lengthening evenings to tie flies for next season, or start preparing your ice-fishing gear! Thanks for reading -- we'll see you again in spring of 2009.
Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Don't forget -- kids under 16 fish free in N.H.
Last call for entrants in the Kids Fishing Photo Contest, co-sponsored by Fish and Game and NH-based Kidz Rule USA magazine. A great snapshot of your child or grandchild (under age 13) with his or her catch could win the grand prize: a guided NH fishing trip, to be filmed for Fish and Game's MyOutdoors on MyTV! Enter by Sept. 30; instructions at http://www.kidzruleusa.com. For past fishing reports and all your NH fishing info, visit Fish and Game's fishing page at http://www.FishNH.com/Fishing/fishing.htm.
Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
THE REWARDS OF FISHING WITH OLD FRIENDS
By Gabe Gries, Region 4 Fisheries Biologist, Monadnock/Upper Valley Region
As the summer weather starts to change to the usual autumn pattern, I often reflect upon the fishing trips I made with old and new friends during the past season (not that the open-water season is even close to being over). A recent trip comes to mind immediately, both in terms of the time I have known these anglers as well as the fun we had and the fish we caught.
I headed up to my Mom's house in Groveton over Labor Day weekend for the Lancaster Fair. This is an annual event for me and my kids, and there's always a good chance that I will run into some friends from high school or the Region 1 NH Fish and Game office in Lancaster. Most of the times these run-ins are a coincidence, but this time I was a man on a mission -- a fishing mission.
A couple months ago, I caught up with my friend Victor Knight, a bass tournament angler with North Country BronzeBacks, and we decided to plan a fishing trip. After reminiscing about basketball games and high school, we planned a Labor Day weekend bass trip on Forest Lake in Whitefield with a couple other members of his club, Gary Marshall and Shawn White. I knew Gary from high school as well, and the plan was for Gary and Shawn to fish out of Shawn's boat and for Victor and me to fish out of his boat. We would fish from about 6:00 to 11:30 a.m., then meet at the launch to compare notes on the day's catch.
A day on the water with someone you haven't fished with before is worth a year of reading fishing articles in magazines and watching fishing shows on TV. Different tactics and lure and rod choices are analyzed and debated. Fishing locations by season and species are discussed and stories of big fish that were lost are thrown about. This day was no different as I showed Victor how effective drop-shotting in shallow water can be...and he showed me the value of throwing wacky-rigged Senkos in deep water. I also had a chance to slow-roll big spinnerbaits in deep water for the first time with some great results.
Although Victor and I found abundant numbers of small bass in shallow water, larger fish eluded us until Victor turned on his fish finder and we headed towards deeper water. He found a deeper section of the lake with aquatic vegetation on the bottom and we motored around until we found a small hump with some fish around it. He threw out a buoy to mark the spot and we started casting Senkos and crankbaits. Here were the larger bass we couldn't find in the shallows. In between wind gusts, we could see small schools of young perch dimpling the surface showing us why the larger bass were here in such numbers.
At the end of the day, both boats caught and released about 30 bass -- although thanks to Victor, our boat seemed to catch the larger fish of the day. However, trips like this are not about who catches the biggest or most fish; they are about catching up with friends, having fun, and learning to be a better angler. So, go look up one of your old fishing buddies and plan a fishing trip. You'll be glad you did.
SEACOAST FALL FISHING ROUNDUP!
By Chris Warner, Biological Aide, Region 3/Durham
As summer begins to fade into fall, the summer fishing season has begun to blend (for many of us) into the fall NFL football season. However, after the debacle that was last week's Patriots-Dolphins game, many anglers may have developed more of an appreciation for Sunday fishing!
Fortunately, the late summer and early fall provide good opportunities to catch striped bass on their migration south into warmer waters. If you can get out to the beaches in Rye and Hampton after dark you may very well catch a few schoolies (some keepers, too!!!) while they forage for eels. For those who enjoy fishing with the sun still up, try your luck along the Piscataqua River.
If you are looking to get the boat out a few more times (before doing so will result in frostbite), the Piscataqua is a safe bet for stripers, while the Isles of Shoals is your destination for groundfish (haddock and cod). If gas prices have forced your boat to retire for the season, try hopping on one of the all-day party boats, as groundfishing can still provide a full cooler. This is especially true if you're partial to haddock -- they have been caught in large numbers this summer.
Don't forget that rainbow smelt season is right around the corner. (See pg. 20 of the NH Saltwater Fishing Digest for seasons and license requirements.) If you are anxious to get some fish in that empty freezer, head to New Hampshire's immediate coastline in late October and early November to catch the early arrivals. Anxious to get your shanties out on the ice? It's about that time to begin praying to the ice gods for ice in early to mid-January. Here are a few final pointers on smelt fishing this winter. Where: Rye and Hampton Harbors before ice on; Great Bay and its tributaries after ice on. When: As early as late October before ice on, and up until ice off (usually the end of February into early March). Stick to fishing at or around high tide. How: Before ice on, long jigging poles with sea worms will suffice; through the ice, use small jigging rods with those same sea worms.
Well, that about sums it up for this year's fishing roundup. Don't forget
that starting Jan. 1, 2009, you'll need to register with the new National Saltwater Angler Registry before you go fishing on the coast. For details, check http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/mrip, and watch the Fish and Game website for info on how to register.
Best of luck fishing this fall and winter!
DON'T EVEN *THINK* ABOUT STOPPING!
By Mark Beauchesne, Marketing and Promotions Coordinator
Just because this is the last report for the year, don't you even think about stopping fishing for the season.
Just last Friday I was up in Pittsburg, fishing the trophy stretch of the upper Connecticut River. I was there with the winner of the "Who wants to be on My Outdoors?" contest. We had a blast! The fishing was outstanding, the fall caddisflies were just beginning to come off. From what my friend Angus Boezeman tells me, the next two weeks are the peak of this hatch.
Fishing the river in October in years past, I have experienced this hatch firsthand. But here is the best strategy for your visit up north: Go bird hunting in the morning. If you try to fish while the temperature is still below the freezing mark, you are going to have problems. You don't bird hunt? No problem, sleep in and then get a big North Country breakfast before hitting the water.
Although most trout ponds are closing for the season, you can still fish for trout in several lakes and ponds. There is a complete list of trout ponds with no closed season on our web site. Go to http://wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fishing.htm for lists of waters, and fall stocking information, too.
The middle reaches of the Connecticut River will get some play from the crew over the next three weeks. With only one word to describe fishing for pike in the fall, I would have to say... Adrenaline!
The key to a successful fall pike fishing trip is the weather. Ideally, you need two or three days of clear, calm weather. You can bet the fish will be active. Even better if you can fish on the third day of nice weather and the fourth day looks to have a front of any kind coming.
Fall tactics for big New Hampshire pike can be confusing. One day they are crushing big minnow baits, the next they slowly follow a fly. Trying to figure out how to trigger fish into eating my offering is what keeps me coming back to the river. On the days when they are aggressive, I will stick with larger baits and mix in some big, slow-moving flies. On the slower days, downsizing is the key. My theory here is the pike may have eaten before you got to cast at them. Now this is fall, and the water temperature is optimal for pike. So even with a full belly, this vicious predator will readily eat a "snack." Think of it as dessert for the pike. Downsized baits are less than 5 inches, slower-moving spinner baits and soft plastic minnow baits.
Bass fishing is in the "fall bite." What does that mean? Ask three bass anglers and you will get four answers. The key to putting bass in the boat in the fall is to play very close attention to the water temperature. October temps should not dip below 50 degrees until the end of the month.
Mid-October is typically spinner bait time. This technique covers water fast, eliminating unproductive water. As long as the water temp is between 55 -65 degrees I will fish the available structure in depths from 1 to 15 feet. Watch for young-of-the-year baitfish like yellow perch; on calm fall days, you will see them dimpling the surface. A grub and jighead work around the school of baitfish is one of my more successful tactics. (Folks will talk about vertical jigging in the fall. That happens much later. Once the water temps dip below 50, then you can go jigging.)
Fall fishing is so special. Get out there enjoy the colors and the warmth of the fall sun.
Great fishing!!! Mark
LEAF PEEPING? Well sure, but only as a fringe benefit of FISHING in southeast NH this fall... By Ben Nugent, Fisheries Biologist
Although fall is at hand and winter is on the horizon, the southeastern part of the state still continues to have ample open-water fishing opportunities. Be sure to take advantage of the area's foliage and fewer crowds during the dwindling days of 2008.
TROUT
The last few days of angling for trout within the trout ponds in the southeast region of NH can be as productive as opening day. Archery Pond (Allenstown), Barbadoes Pond (Dover/Madbury), Clough Pond (Loudon), Exeter Reservoir (Exeter), Hot Hole Pond (Concord/Loudon), Hoyt Pond (Madbury), and Lucas Pond (Northwood) all close on October 15. Because water temperatures this time of year are suitable enough for trout to openly migrate to the shallows, heavier fishing gear intended to reach greater depths can be replaced with lighter tackle that can make the experience more enjoyable. Try using fly rods with floating and slowly sinking tipped lines.
Biological surveys are planned for some selected waterbodies managed as trout ponds to analyze survival, holdover capability, and growth rates. These surveys will be used to adjust stocking rates with the attempt to improve the fishery.
Eight lakes and ponds within this part of the state will still remain open to the catching of brook, brown, and rainbow trout. Beaver Lake (Derry), Bow Lake (Strafford), Canobie Lake (Windham), Big Island Pond (Derry), Massabesic Lake (Auburn/Manchester), Pleasant Lake (Deerfield), Tower Hill Pond (Auburn/Candia), and Willand Pond (Somersworth) will continue to be open for open water angling until the ice-fishing season begins. The survivability of trout stocked as far back as April is expected to be better than normal this year because of cooler water temperatures and better forage biomass resulting from the high amount of precipitation we received this summer. In order to enhance both fall and ice fishing experiences, Beaver Lake and Massabesic Lake are managed to be stocked annually in the fall with a supply of rainbow trout.
Several rivers still remain open for fishing as well in this part of the state. Biological surveys and angler reports indicate several trout are still present in these rivers. The Cocheco, Exeter, Isinglass, Lamprey, Merrimack, Suncook, and Taylor rivers have no closed season. Please be familiar with specific regulations regarding what equipment can be used, harvest limits, and which river sections have this open-season designation. It should also be noted that over 800 Atlantic salmon broodstock averaging over 2.5 pounds are planned to be released soon into the Merrimack and Pemigewasset rivers. Targeting these fish requires an additional permit. For more information regarding the Atlantic salmon broodstock program, visit: wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/atlantic_salmon.htm.
BASS AND PANFISH
As water temperatures drop, warmwater fish tend to seek out deeper basins within lakes and ponds. They may also be drawn to shallow areas warmed by the sun. These fish tend to become less aggressive in foraging and wait for feeding opportunities to be presented to them. Typical summer subsurface lures that are retrieved slowly should be effective. Since these predator fish cover less ground, try to be more thorough when fishing a particular piece of structure and aquatic vegetation stand. Because these fish depend on caloric reserves to help survive winter conditions, fish caught during this time of year should be of optimal quality.
Recent surveys and reports indicate the potential for memorable fishing opportunities at Pawtuckaway Lake (Nottingham) for largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, yellow and white perch; the Bellamy Reservoir (Madbury) for largemouth bass and black crappie; Turtle Pond (Concord) for largemouth bass and black crappie; the Merrimack River (Concord to MA border) for all warmwater species; and Big Island Pond (Derry) for largemouth and smallmouth bass.
-- 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. Change your profile or unsubscribe: http://www.mailermailer.com/x?u=29339959d-6f88f7aa To subscribe to other N.H. Fish and Game lists: http://www.mailermailer.com/x?oid=06969k Email list management powered by http://MailerMailer.com
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT - June 19, 2008
This week, a report from the North Country, where Fish and Game biologists and partners are hard at work trying to learn more about the movements of brook trout and smallmouth bass...and dodging raindrops to get in some late-spring fishing, too. Stocking report: http://wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm.
Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent.
Why not bring a new fishing buddy on your next trip! Don't forget -- kids under 16 fish free in N.H. Kids Fishing Photo Contest: Here's extra incentive to take your camera along when you fish with the youngsters this summer! Fish and Game is co-sponsoring a kids fishing photo contest with NH-based Kidz Rule USA magazine. A great snapshot of your under-age-13 child or grandchild with his or her catch could win the grand prize: a guided NH fishing trip, to be filmed for Fish and Game's MyOutdoors on MyTV! To enter, follow the instructions at http://www.kidzruleusa.com. 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.
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A Day with Dianne: MONITORING THE MOVEMENTS OF EASTERN BROOK TROUT AND SMALLMOUTH BASS
By Shari Rosenberg, seasonal staff, Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, and Dianne Timmins, coldwater project leader, Region 1/Lancaster
We've had nothing but rain in the North Country. Temperatures are increasing along with the rain and mugginess. Stocking is right on schedule, with remote ponds getting stocked this week. So break out your hiking gear and float tubes and hit the ponds. The hatches have been broken up slightly by the rain, but are squeezing in heavy when it stops. Also, there is nothing like fishing Cedar Pond in Milan and Martin Meadow after the rain. The surface is like glass and you can see the rises from across the pond. Don't neglect the rivers, either. (The water levels have been fluctuating, so be careful.) If you hit it right, the salmon, rainbows and browns have been hitting all up and down the Androscoggin.
Try a flying ant pattern or a small midge. The black flies, mosquitoes, and deer flies have been the worst we've seen, but you never seem to notice when you have a 23" brown or rainbow trout on! Although most of our readers probably go fishing as a way to relax, Dianne Timmins, Region I Fisheries Biologist for New Hampshire Fish and Game, goes fishing for an entirely different reason. Dianne is in her fourth year of an ongoing study to learn about the migration patterns and habitat overlap of eastern brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). Her latest addition to this study includes monitoring habitat overlap by smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) in the Magalloway and Diamond Rivers. To Dianne and her hard-working team of scientists, every trout or bass caught is a clue to how these fish behave and interact. After completing the study, they hope to understand brook trout behavior, habitat needs, and interspecies relationships in order to protect brook trout populations into the future. According to Dianne, brook trout are in decline in their native range, which stretches from Maine to Georgia. The Diamond River is one of the few natural, large rivers that hosts wild brook trout. Unfortunately, smallmouth bass were illegally introduced into Lake Umbagog in the late 1980s, and have since spread throughout the region. The populations are monitored by placing radio transmitters in caught fish ("tagging" them) and then releasing them back into the river so they can be tracked over an extended period of time. By studying trout behavior in a natural river, she has learned how they behave without human interference (dams) in the waterway. This information can be used in designing better restoration projects within "closed systems" (where movement is restricted by structure, such as a dam) to create a better environment for fish to flourish. So far, the study has made the surprising discovery that between breeding, feeding, and wintering, some of the brook trout migrated over fifty miles in this natural system! In 2005, the weather was hot and dry, and most of the tagged fish left the main rivers for cooler waters prior to spawning. The average distance traveled by the fish during this time was 3.98 miles. In 2006, the weather pattern was wet and cool with severe flooding. This group of tagged fish moved more in the summer (2.77 miles) than in autumn (0.99 miles). These same fish moved the most during the winter dispersal phase (3.33 miles). We used leftover tags in 2007 and were able to track the fish into October before the batteries in the tags died. Unlike in 2005, the weather conditions for fish in 2007 were ideal: there was not a tremendous amount of rain, and air temperatures were relatively cool throughout the summer. The average seasonal migration distances calculated for the tagged fish in 2007 demonstrates this. The fish traveled much shorter distances than in previous years, and they stayed in the Diamond River system throughout spawning. The average distance in autumn was 0.44 miles, and we were able to observe and document spawning in the Diamond River system for the first time. The previous year's data was inconclusive in that respect. Nonetheless, the study was able to determine that there is still a viable population of trout in the Dead Diamond River. These findings are currently being used to show the need for connectivity for migrating trout in dam-controlled waterways. So, when you see one of those flyers encouraging anglers to return tagged fish to the river, you can understand why it's so important that everyone helps out in the effort to better understand our natural environment. Although Dianne and her team are making tremendous progress in better understanding the fish populations in the area, ultimately, she relies on everyone who spends time on the water to help her make a difference. For more information, call Dianne Timmins at 603-788-3164. --
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.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT - May 29, 2008
This week, fisheries biologist Gabe Gries recounts the recent Southwest NH adventures of his fanatical fishing friend, Jean Goodell.
Stocking report: http://wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm.
Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. 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. HUNTERS: Don't forget that your moose lottery applications are due tomorrow (May 30). To buy one online right now, go to http://www.greatlodge.com/nh. 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.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> VICARIOUS FISHING: THE ANGLING ADVENTURES OF JEAN By Gabe Gries, Fisheries Biologist II, Region 4/Keene
Since the beginning of turkey season, I've been trout fishing vicariously through my friend Jean Goodell. While it took me three weeks to get my bird, Jean was lucky enough to get a 19-lb. tom on opening day. I say lucky, but Jean put countless miles on his truck prior to turkey season scouting birds in many towns. His goal, as the seasons roll by, is to eventually get a turkey in every town in Cheshire County (he is halfway there), but that is a story for another day. Since getting his turkey, Jean has been concentrating on trout fishing and calling me each night with all the details. Jean doesn't give up when it comes to fishing, and will get up at 4 a.m. just to be able to get a few hours in before a long day of work. He also spends a great deal of time introducing local kids of relatives and friends to fishing. It's hard to keep track of all the places he has fished so far this year, but I will try to give you a summary of where he has been and what he has caught. With a little luck and persistence, you may be able to garner some of his success. I'll be out there trying, too. Jean always takes his wife, Kim, to Center Pond in Nelson for opening day of trout season. Center Pond is a beautiful, undeveloped trout pond on which motorboats are not allowed. It is only 37 acres in size and in addition to brown, rainbow and brook trout, it has a pretty decent largemouth bass population. Jean typically trolls this pond with streamers using a rowboat and oars -- and if that doesn't work, he will fish crawlers or Power Bait just off the bottom. They had a tough opening day this year, but managed to catch a couple of recently stocked trout. Jean's next challenge was Dublin Lake in Dublin. Dublin Lake is well-known for big brook trout and tough fishing due to deep water and an abundant rainbow smelt and crayfish population. Those odds didn't dampen Jean's enthusiasm and by trolling a DB Smelt, he ended up catching about a dozen brook trout and went home with his three fish limit. Upon examining Jean's trout (of course, he had to call me so I could come over to see his latest catch), I noticed the fins that were clipped at the hatchery on each trout, allowing me to tell what year and season they had been stocked. The larger trout had been stocked in the fall of 2007, while the smaller two had been stocked this spring, affirming the success of our fall stocking program in Dublin Lake. Granite Lake in Stoddard, another lake trout/salmon lake was next. Jean and a friend had an incredible afternoon and evening landing about 20 rainbow trout, the biggest of which was a 3.2-lb, 20" rainbow. A silver and blue Flash-King Wobbler was the lure of choice and all fish came by trolling about 100 feet off the shoreline. Willard Lake in Antrim was next on the list. This is an undeveloped fly-fishing-only pond, 97 acres in size, and gas motors are prohibited. It is stocked with brook trout, rainbow trout and tiger trout (a cross between a brook and brown trout). It is a wonderful place to fish -- loons and other wildlife sightings enhance the experience. Jean had to rely on the picturesque setting to keep him content that day; although he saw lots of fish rising, he got skunked. Laurel Lake in Fitzwilliam receives brown and rainbow trout and is usually a sure bet for some nice trout in the spring and early summer. Jean, however, must have been there on an off day. He trolled for about three hours without a hit and then managed two rainbows as he trolled his way back to the boat launch. Jean then decided he wanted the challenge of bigger water, so off he went to Nubanusit Lake in Hancock/Nelson early one morning before work. The fish didn't seem to mind the chill of the early morning air, and Jean was able to land two nice rainbow trout and a 16" landlocked salmon. A DB Smelt and a Gray Ghost streamer were the hot tackle that day. Nubanusit Lake is large for southwestern NH (715 acres) and is a lake trout/salmon lake that contains lake trout, rainbow trout and landlocked salmon. Swanzey Lake in Swanzey is a trout pond that is stocked with rainbow and brook trout. It generally produces some big rainbow trout in early May, but after trying just about every lure and fly he had, Jean had to resort to Power Bait on the bottom to catch a couple rainbows before calling it a day. In addition to lakes and ponds, Jean typically fishes several trout streams each week. One of his favorite places to go in the early morning is the South Branch Ashuelot River in Swanzey. The section he fishes is a fly-fishing-only section with a two-trout limit. This area receives a healthy dose of brown trout each year and also offers the opportunity for some wild brook trout as well. It is a beautiful section of stream and is highly underutilized. Jean also spent some time this last month on the Ashuelot River in Winchester catching good numbers of rainbow and brown trout. The Ashuelot is a big river in this section and is a great location for throwing a spinner or casting a fly. Jean also made his way north to the Cold River in Alstead and managed a few nice trout there as well. Jean's next trip will be Stone Pond in Marlborough for a crack at some nice brook trout. Wish him luck!
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We hope you enjoy fishing this year in the Monadnock/Upper Valley Region and don't forget to take a kid fishing anytime you can. We are always happy to talk to you about fish and fishing, so please contact us at Region 4 (603-352-9669; reg4@wildlife.nh.gov) if you have any questions. For a list of popular waterbodies to fish for by species, please consult the Suggested Fishing Locations for the Monadnock Region/Southwest N.H, which can be found at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fishing_forecast/Locations_Southwest.htm.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT - May 15, 2008
In today's report, biologist Andy Schafermeyer reviews fisheries research taking place in the North Country this season.
Stocking report: http://wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm.
Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. 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.
Brood stock salmon fans take note: Fish and Game is planning to release more than 1,500 Atlantic salmon into the Pemigewasset and Merrimack Rivers in the next several weeks -- three times the number of fish that were released last year, ranging in weight from 2 to 18 pounds apiece! Info: http://wildlife.state.nh.us/Newsroom/News_2008/News_2008_Q2/Broodstock_Salmon_051208.html Last call for campers age 10-16: Barry Conservation Camp in Berlin, NH still has a handful of slots open for the "aquatic adventures" week, July 6-11. Cost for the week (Sunday through Friday), including lodging, meals, and equipment, is $400. For more info or to register: http://extension.unh.edu/4H/Camps/docs/BarryCon.htm. Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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Cool waters - Best time for trout fishing By Andrew Schafermeyer, Fisheries Biologist, Region 1/Lancaster
Even biologists get cabin fever. As beautiful as winter can be in Northern New Hampshire, with miles of snowmobile trails and acres of ice-covered ponds to fish, spring is always a welcome sight. With the month of April comes a new field season. Work plans have been solidified and some exciting projects are underway -- all designed to provide an awesome fishing season. Once ice started receding from lakes and ponds, our stocking trucks began rolling out of New Hampshire's hatcheries with loads of brook, brown and rainbow trout, and Atlantic salmon. Hatchery personnel spent the long winter raising healthy and robust fish destined for our thousands of lakes, ponds and rivers. I often remind people that May is the best month for trout fishing in New Hampshire. Conditions are perfect and trout densities are never higher. As spring turns into summer, water temperatures rise to a point that trout become less aggressive. In addition to seeing more angling pressure, oxygen levels also slowly decrease. These variables support my point that early season fishing for coldwater fish will provide higher catch rates and a more satisfying experience. How about planning a trip to your favorite trout pond this weekend? A stretch of very warm weather covered the North Country in late April. This was nature's way of cleaning up the tremendous snow pack and thick ice. The result was average ice-out dates on most of our ponds. On Partridge Lake in Littleton, the ice disappeared on April 22 and I quickly set some nets targeting spawning Northern pike. The water temperatures were in the mid-40s and I hoped to sample some of the ferocious predators as they entered shallow water to deposit their eggs. As fish enter predictable life stages like this, good anglers take note. Once pike are located, the battle of wits is half over. Throw a spoon, jerkbait, spinnerbait, or almost anything at the feeding machines, and you will get a strike. In an effort to document movements and seasonal patterns of brook trout, two major projects have begun in local waterbodies. Small tags have been placed in 2- to 3-inch wild brook trout and will be monitored by stationary antennas on tributary culverts in the Nash Stream watershed. This will allow us to easily determine, with far more certainty than ever before, whether or not fish can pass certain obstructions. Also being radio-tagged this year are yearling hatchery fish as we try to determine exactly what they do after they are stocked. Information gathered from this Nash Stream study will benefit scientists and anglers in far-reaching ways. In addition to the Nash Stream study, non-stocked brook trout will also be radio tagged in the Dead Diamond watershed, completing a 3-year study on habitat preference and seasonal migration. This area is unique in that several large rivers intertwine through large lake habitat, resulting in trout behavior that can be quite specialized. This information becomes valuable as we try to protect this fishery during critical times of their lifecycles. Again, information gathered will have tremendous application in the effort to maximize angling opportunities in New Hampshire. --
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.
BRAKE FOR MOOSE: IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE
CONCORD, N.H. - Remember to brake for moose when traveling New Hampshire roadways. There were 198 moose/vehicle collisions in New Hampshire in 2007; in the last five years the state has averaged 230 per year. May and June are high-risk months for encountering moose on the roads, because moose are moving from winter to spring habitats and starting to come out to the roads to eat salt. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is working to make people more aware of the danger of moose/vehicle collisions. Step number one is to learn what you can do to reduce the chance of being involved in an accident with a moose. "Moose are an important and much loved part of our state, but it can be dangerous to encounter them on the road," said N.H. Fish and Game Moose Project Leader Kristine Rines. "By following a few simple rules, motorists can greatly reduce their chance of a moose/vehicle collision or the severity of personal injury if they do hit a moose."
When driving on New Hampshire roads, keep these points in mind:
* New Hampshire's moose herd is approximately 6,000 strong.
* Moose vehicle collisions happen statewide on all types of roads.
* Moose collisions happen most often from the months of May through November.
* While collisions can happen at any time of day, they occur most frequently at dusk and during the night.
* Moose are dark brown and hard to see against pavement.
* Don't depend on "eye shine" to alert you to a moose's presence. Moose don't always look at an approaching vehicle.
* To reduce the chance of a collision - or the severity of occupant injury if you do hit a moose:
* Drive no faster than 55 mph, and wear your seatbelt;
* Scan the sides of the road;
* Be able to stop within the zone of your headlights;
* Use high beams whenever possible;
* If you see a moose, slow down or stop if necessary, until you have passed it or it has left the road.
New Hampshire residents and visitors love to see moose and enjoy sharing the state with these largest denizens of the forest. Make sure your moose encounters are safe for you and the moose: Brake for Moose - It could save your life!
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state's fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. For more safety tips on avoiding moose collisions, visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/brake_for_moose.htm.
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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.
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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.
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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 and 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.
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News from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
Phone: (603) 271-3211 Email: info@wildlife.nh.gov
For information and online licenses, visit http://www.wildnh.com
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CONTACT: Lt. Robert Bryant: (603) 271-3127 Jane Vachon: (603) 271-3211 January 15, 2010
USE EXTREME CAUTION ON THE ICE
CONCORD, N.H. – Winter recreational activities are in full swing, but anglers, skiers and snowmobilers are being urged to use extreme caution when going out onto ice-covered waterbodies, New Hampshire Fish and Game officials warned today. Windy conditions at the outset of the season’s cold weather, and uneven temperatures since, may have affected ice formation and has left open water in some areas typically frozen over by this point in the winter. “Parts of the big lakes aren’t completely frozen yet, and we’re seeing some waterbodies with areas of open water where people might not expect to find it,” said Col. Martin Garabedian. “The bottom line is that people need to use extreme caution on the ice, and be highly aware of local conditions before snowmobiling -- especially at night -- or doing any winter sports on the ice.” One example of the unusual and potentially dangerous ice conditions is Webster Lake in Franklin, which still has open water near the Sucker Brook inlet and spans quite a distance out into the middle of the lake. These unusual conditions haven’t been seen on the lake in at least twenty years at this point in the season. It is believed that the current of the brook and the high amount of wind are the reasons the water remains open. Even after the lake does freeze, that particular area will need to be used with extreme caution. Be sure to assess ice safety before you go out by using an ice chisel or axe to chop a hole in the ice to determine its thickness and condition. Continue to do this as you get further out on to the ice, because the thickness of the ice will not be uniform all over the waterbody. Though all ice is potentially dangerous, the Cold Region Research Laboratory in Hanover, N.H., offers a "rule of thumb" on ice thickness: There should be a minimum of six inches of hard ice before individual foot travel, and eight to ten inches of hard ice for snow machine or ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) travel. Keep in mind that it is possible for ice to be thick, but not strong, because of varying weather conditions. Weak ice is formed when warming trends break down ice, then the slushy surface re-freezes. Be especially careful of areas with current, such as inlets, outlets and spring holes, where the ice can be dangerously thin.
Tips for staying safe on the ice include:
* Stay off the ice along the shoreline if it is cracked or squishy. Don’t go on the ice during thaws.
* Watch out for thin, clear or honeycombed ice. Dark snow and ice may also indicate weak spots.
* Small bodies of water tend to freeze thicker. Rivers and lakes are more prone to wind, currents and wave action that weaken ice.
* Don’t gather in large groups on the ice.
* Don’t drive large vehicles onto the ice.
* If you do break through the ice, don’t panic. Move or swim back to where you fell in, where you know the ice was solid. Lay both arms on the unbroken ice and kick hard. This will help lift your body onto the ice. A set of ice picks can aid you in a self-rescue (wear them around your neck or put them in an easily accessible pocket). Once out of the water, roll away from the hole until you reach solid ice. Ice safety should be paramount for anyone recreating on New Hampshire’s lakes and ponds. Don't assume ice is safe just because it's there.
To download a brochure from Fish and Game called "Safety on Ice," visit http://www.wildnh.com.
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-- Copyright 2010 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.
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N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- September 24, 2009
This is it, folks, our last NH fishing report of the season. Thanks for reading - we hope you had a great time on the water this spring and summer. There's more great fishing to come, as reported by three of our contributing anglers below....
Last chance: The Kids Fishing Photo Contest, co-sponsored by Fish and Game and Kidz Rule USA magazine, ends September 30. Info: http://www.fishnh.com/Newsroom/News_2009/News_2009_Q2/kids_photo_contest_2009.html And - don't forget to join us for the National Hunting and Fishing Day Expo & NH Tour, this Saturday, September 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit http://www.wildnh.com/expotour for Expo exhibitor details and a map of Tour locations! Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Kids under 16 fish free in New Hampshire!
For past fishing reports and all your NH fishing info, visit Fish and Game's fishing page at http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fishing.htm.
Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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FROM MARK BEAUCHESNE: Pick your day to go pike fishing in the next month. This is when the big ones eat. They are fattening up for winter. Ideally, you want two days of stable weather, then fish the third day -- no need to get an early start. Your best fishing is from 10:00 to 3:00.
Stick to the main river, and focus on outside turns in the river. (I'm talking about the Connecticut, but pike are found in many waterbodies in NH.) Grass and weeds beds tend to be more productive in the fall. The mouths of coves and setbacks are great ambush spots for pike. I like to make several passes at these areas. The first time by may have caught their interest... the second time by, they'll eat. Keep your eyes focused on the area of your lure or fly; pike are notorious for following your offering. If you have time and space, change your retrieve, try to take the lure away from the fish. If the fish misses, cast right back to the miss. That fish is still looking to eat. Try floating minnow baits in perch colors and flies of the same hue.
Fall pike fishing holds out into early November. That is, as long as you can stand the boat ride when the air temperature starts to dive!
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FROM GABE GRIES: Fall fishing to me means taking advantage of one of our state's greatest fishery resources: the Connecticut River. Whether you are interested in panfish, perch, bass, northern pike or walleye, the river is the place to go. There are several locations you will want to key in on, regardless of what section of the river you are fishing this fall. I start by using my depth finder to find areas with 5 to 8-foot deep flats that have deeper water around them. These are classic locations in the fall to catch smallmouth bass and walleye. Last fall was no exception, as I boated numerous smallmouth bass, walleye, and even a couple small pike on jerkbaits. Pike are generally more prevalent in the setbacks and coves as the water starts to cool. As the water continues to cool and vegetation in the setbacks and coves starts to die, try fishing where these areas and the main river meet, and also any adjacent flats. The dying vegetation will cause baitfish, which had been living in the vegetation, to move to the main river, creating an incredible feeding opportunity for bigger fish. Jerkbaits, tubes, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits will all get the job done. As the water starts to approach the low 50s, concentrate on deep, large holes. Smallmouth bass and walleye will often congregate in these areas and you can have some 20+ fish days if you find the right spot. Drop-shot rigs, tubes, and grubs are your best bet here.
Hope to see you on the river this fall!
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FROM BEN NUGENT: Time is winding down to fish most of the rivers and streams in southeastern New Hampshire. Aside from some select rivers (sections of the Cocheco, Isinglass, Lamprey, Merrimack, and Suncook rivers), the season for angling on rivers and streams ends on October 15. Anglers should take advantage of the remaining season. Recent electrofishing surveys have indicated that stocked trout are likely still present in streams at fishable levels. The cooler summer with above-average rainfalls appear to have made these traditionally warmer waters more conducive to summertime survival of stocked trout. Anglers should target deeper pools and rapids with faster water in locations that aren't necessarily close to roads. Anglers should also take note of the fall Atlantic salmon brood stock season (http://www.wildnh.com/Fishing/atlantic_salmon.htm). More than 700 additional brood stock salmon will soon be released for the catch and release season beginning on October 1.
The majority of these fish are planned to be stocked in the Bristol/Franklin area.
In New Hampshire's lakes and ponds, it was a good summer to be a fish. The above-average rainfall likely decreased angling pressure while adding additional forage for fish to feed on. Several fish species (both warmwater and coldwater) that receded into deeper water during warmer periods are slowly able to revert to shallow waters as temperatures slowly decline. These movement patterns should increase opportunities for shoreline anglers to once again catch fish. Water temperatures are close to the mid to upper 60s now, and any stretch of cold nights will quickly reduce temperatures even more.
Although designated trout ponds close to angling on October 15, several lakes and ponds in southeastern New Hampshire remain open for fishing. Results from pond surveys in 2008 indicate that some ponds, despite receiving heavy angling pressure, still have a great deal of trout after the traditional end of the open-water fishing season. These trout that still remain are likely larger but well acclimated to the ecosystem. The challenge to catch these fish is increased but those who put their time in, have the potential to be rewarded by the catch of a trophy fish. To view a list of these waterbodies, go to: http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/year_round_trout_ponds.htm. Some select waterbodies are managed with a fall stocking season, but other more popular lakes and ponds not routinely stocked in the fall often receive trout this time of year, after they are utilized for hatchery production. The intent of these fish is to enhance late open water and ice fishing seasons.
One great fishing season may be nearing its finale, but Fish and Game is working to provide you with an exciting fall and winter of fishing adventure ahead. Enjoy it, and watch your in-box for more fishing reports in April of 2010.
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Copyright 2009 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.
POSSIBLE MOUNTAIN LION SIGHTING IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
CONCORD, N.H. -- The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department today reported that one of its staff members, following up on a routine report of a mountain lion sighting, saw what is believed to be a mountain lion in a rural area of Barnstead, N.H.
Mountain lions are known to exist in the wild in states no closer than Iowa and Florida, so it is not thought to be a dispersing wild animal, but rather is most likely an illegally released pet.
"Survival of this type of animal is typically extremely low as they normally do not have the developed abilities to catch prey on a consistent basis, and/or may have been de-clawed," said Fish and Game Wildlife Division Chief Steve Weber. "If the animal does survive, we would expect to collect hard evidence of its existence in the form of a picture, tracks, scat and/or DNA evidence." Mountain lions were extirpated from their range in the Eastern United States by the late 1800s, with the exception of the endangered Florida panther. According to the nonprofit research organization cougarnet.org, there have been four confirmed reports of mountain lions in the Northeastern U.S. since 1938.
"The Fish and Game Department receives numerous reports of mountain lions every year," said Weber. "We still have no documentation to confirm their presence. While we do not believe this is a harbinger of a recovering population of mountain lions in New Hampshire, it does add one more credible report to several others we have received over the years."
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-- Copyright 2009 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- September 17, 2009
This week, fish culture operations supervisor Bob Fawcett reveals this fall's trout stocking locations. Also, Matt Carpenter, fisheries biologist with the Anadromous Fisheries Restoration Program, gives us a preview of exciting fall action fishing for brood stock Atlantic salmon.
Mark your calendars for the National Hunting and Fishing Day Expo and NH Tour coming Saturday, September 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit http://www.wildnh.com/expotour for Expo exhibitor details and a map of Tour locations!
Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Kids under 16 fish free in New Hampshire!
For past fishing reports and all your NH fishing info, visit Fish and Game's fishing page at http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fishing.htm.
Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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TROUT STOCKED FOR WINTER ANGLERS
By Robert Fawcett, Fish Culture Operations Supervisor
Winter anglers in New Hampshire will have some trout stocked especially for them once again this fall. New Hampshire Fish and Game stocks trout every year during the fall months, mostly to bolster the winter ice fishery, which should translate into some exciting action for winter anglers this year.
Anglers going after trout can find lists of waters that remain open to the taking of trout year round on the Fish and Game website:
* Lakes and ponds - http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/year_round_trout_ponds.htm * Rivers and streams - http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/year_round_trout_streams.htm
Rules for waterbodies with special regulations are listed in the N.H. Freshwater Fishing Digest, available from license agents or on the Fish and Game website.
During the fall of 2009, Fish and Game will stock trout into a total of 24 New Hampshire lakes and ponds managed for trout with no closed season -- putting in more than 11,230 rainbow trout, 6,000 eastern brook trout yearlings and 2,950 brown trout.
Following is a list of New Hampshire lakes and ponds that will be stocked during the fall of 2009 (please note that the list below is the plan for 2009. There are many more N.H. waterbodies open for year-round fishing than are included on this list):
Beaver Lake, Derry Massabesic Lake, Manchester Opechee Lake, Laconia Waukewan Lake, Meredith Winona Lake, Center Harbor Chocorua Lake, Tamworth Wentworth Lake, Wolfeboro Crystal Lake, Gilmanton Akers Pond, Errol Cedar Pond, Milan Martin Meadow Pond, Lancaster Sunapee Lake (Little), New London Stinson Lake, Rumney Pearl Lake, Lisbon Laurel Lake, Fitzwilliam Silver Lake, Madison
Fish Culturists inventory their fish as they set up for winter, and make adjustments as they head into fall, having inventoried what they have and having calculated the number needed to meet the target for stocking next spring, based on past performance data. They let it be known, and the regional fisheries biologists plan a surplus-stocking schedule for the fish declared surplus, and they are distributed and released.
Fish and Game has also issued permits for private release of trout into select waters managed for trout with no closed season (in the Isinglass, Cocheco, Lamprey, and Exeter rivers). The fly anglers are purchasing fish and stocking them for recreational fishing enjoyment.
Berry Brook is stocked in fall and spring with sea-run brown trout. Open season is from August 16 through March 1 from the Bracket Road bridge to the beginning of the prominent large rock area upstream, restricted to single-hook artificial lures and flies. Note: This brook is closed year round to all fishing from the prominent large rock area to Sagamore Rd. There may be returning true salters, plus the surplus brood stock will be stocked out after egg taking, to recruit into a winter fishery.
Happy Fishing!
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BROOD STOCK ATLANTIC SALMON OFFER EXCITING FALL FISHING By Matt Carpenter, Fisheries Biologist, Anadromous Fisheries Restoration Program
Anglers looking for some challenging catch-and-release sport fishing while they're enjoying the fall foliage should head to the Merrimack and Pemigewasset rivers to hook the "King of Fish." October and November are prime months for fall Atlantic salmon fishing in New Hampshire. Expect some great salmon fishing by the first week in October.
This fall the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department will stock the Merrimack basin with about 800 brood stock Atlantic salmon, averaging about 2 to 3 pounds. The two-year-old fish, which we stock in the fall, are smaller than the 3- and 4-year-olds, which we put out in the spring -- but the tradeoff is that fishing conditions are usually better in the fall. Salmon are in no hurry to leave the river as the water temperature cools and lower average flows provide better access for anglers.
Fisheries statistics suggest that the success rate for catching salmon is higher in the fall than in the spring season. The brood stock Atlantic salmon season runs year-round, but all salmon caught from October 1 through March 31 must be released immediately. Brood stock salmon will be stocked this fall at two sites -- below the Eastman Falls Dam in Franklin and the Ayers Island Dam in Bristol. The first good spots to try for the brood stock salmon are below the Ayers Island Dam in Bristol along the Coolidge Woods Road, the Profile Falls Recreation Area (the access site near the Smith River confluence), below the Eastman Falls Dam in Franklin and the public boat launch behind the Franklin High School on the Winnipesauke River. Because the fish are migratory, anglers should also try fishing downstream as the season progresses, near Boscawen (in the Stirrup Iron Brook area), Penacook (at the mouth of the Contoocook River), at the Sewall's Falls Recreational Park in Concord and below the Garvins Falls Dam (Bow) and the Hooksett Dam. Find more information and an access map at http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/atlantic_salmon.htm. Best bets for anglers are traditional salmon flies or trout streamers such as Grey Ghosts, Mickey Finns or any patterns that imitate small baitfish. Fishing with spinning gear is allowed in the section of the river below the Garvins Falls Dam in Bow. Anglers should review the special regulations for brood stock salmon at the Fish and Game website. To fish for brood stock salmon, anglers need a current New Hampshire fishing license and an $11 brood stock salmon permit; both are available at http://www.fishnh.com or from license agents statewide. All proceeds from salmon stamp permits support the Merrimack River Anadromous Fish Restoration Program, created in 1993 by Fish and Game, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to help restore migratory fish populations to the Merrimack River watershed. Brood stock salmon anglers can help the program by reporting their catch to Fish and Game. Please call me (Matt Carpenter) at 603-271-2612 with any questions, comments, or just to share your fishing experience. We are always interested in your feedback on the brood stock program.
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Copyright 2009 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- August 27, 2009
This week, marine biologist Kevin Sullivan reports on seacoast catches -- including a longstanding record broken twice this summer!
Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Kids under 16 fish free in N.H.!
FISH STOCKING: Stocking is complete for the season. Check the stocking page (http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm) for sites stocked in 2009.
Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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1 FISH, 2 FISH, RED FISH, BLUEFISH.......BLACKFISH??
By Kevin Sullivan, Biologist II, Marine Fisheries Division/Durham
That's right, this summer in New Hampshire a rarely caught fish by recreational saltwater anglers has been making its presence known. Although quite common in the waters of our southern neighbors such as Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the tautog (called by a common name of "blackfish") is not a very abundantly caught species in New Hampshire's Atlantic coastal waters. However, last month, a new state record was set not only once, but TWICE! The previous state record tautog was landed in June of 1999, and weighed in at 3 lbs., 12.48 oz and 18 1/4 inches long. Because of their scarcity this far north, that record had stood for 10 years and one month to the day; that is, until Graham Oakes of Derry, NH came along... Graham was fishing on July 16 from the jetty situated along the inlet to Hampton Harbor that is accessible from the Hampton State Park. He fished what he referred to as "the bed" near the end of the jetty and was able to win a game of outsmarting a 4-lb., 3.8 oz, 19 1/4" tautog, which won him the title of New Hampshire state record holder. When asked about his experience seeking out these less common fish, Graham told me he likes "'tog", he "knows where they hang out," and he catches 3 or 4 each year in New Hampshire. To all of you wondering how he does it, Graham let me in on his secret and said I could share it, so he's up for the competition. Graham's approach that has proven successful was cut strips of clam that he rigs in a popular freshwater setup known as the Carolina Rig. The story doesn't end there and Graham's competition came quicker than anyone would have guessed. Only four days later, Roland Groux of Hampton, NH, landed an 8-lb., 10.8-oz. tautog that was measured at 21 3/4 inches. This prize fish was also caught in Hampton, but was landed within the confines of the Hampton Harbor. Roland now currently holds the new state record, which is a considerable jump from the previous weights. There are still a few months of prime saltwater fishing left here in New Hampshire, so if enough anglers begin setting their sights on tautog, there's a chance at a bigger one. Just ask Graham and Roland! For those anglers that are still focusing attention on striped bass and bluefish, this season has been a learning experience. Much like last year, the numbers of both fish have been more dispersed and have put our fishing knowledge to the test. Most bluefish caught in recent weeks have been landed in the waters of Hampton and Rye, but the striped bass catches have been seen at most heavily used fishing access sites. In the summer months of June, July and August, the warming waters tend to slow down the voracious feeding behavior of striped bass, and push them into a holding pattern where they hang tight to rocks and ledges waiting for the food to come to them. During these months, stripers landed tend to lower in number but increase in size. A great approach for these stripers is to use whole live fish (Atlantic mackerel, pollock, menhaden) or frozen bait on an unweighted or lightly weighted leader. Fishing from shore or in a boat, try to get near the rocky edges of one of the points along the coast, such as Rye Ledge, Odiorne Point, or Great Boars Head. Move in fairly close to the shoreline, toss the bait into the waters near the large rocks and back the boat away from the shore as you let our your line to keep the bait from being pulled away from the rocks as you move away. If there is a cow striper hiding in the crashing surf between some of these rocks, they'll take the bait as it swims or drifts down. Experienced striped bass anglers in New Hampshire also can tell you that the months of September and October bring about more opportunities to land striped bass. In these months, the striped bass that came up this far north in large groups and then spread out into our rivers, harbors, and bays are now trying to 'carpool' back to the warmer southern waters for the winter. How does this benefit us as anglers? Well, as all of the stripers begin to congregate at locations such as the mouth of the Piscataqua River, they begin to move as a large school down the shoreline of New Hampshire, no doubt feeding along the way. To take advantage of their behavior, try using live eels as bait from a sandy beach such as North Hampton State Beach, Wallis Sands, or Hampton North Beach after sunset. For those anglers that are used to landing fish by hauling them over the side of a boat, it is a whole new experience when you wade out knee-deep in the surf and land a 40-inch striper like you might expect a fly-fisherman to land a 12-inch brook trout in a raging river. Remember, if the fish aren't biting every trip, it doesn't mean that they aren't there, it means that now is the time to challenge yourself to reach for a different lure, or mark a new spot on your map that may produce the trophy fish like Graham and Roland caught already this year.
Good luck and tight lines!
P.S.: The New Hampshire legal size for haddock in 2009 has been reduced from 19 inches to 18 inches, so get busy offshore and fill your coolers.
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Copyright 2009 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- August 6, 2009
This week, fisheries biologist Gabe Gries tells the story of Forest Lake in Winchester, where anglers came together to solve an access problem, and are today once again able to enjoy a fantastic fishery.
Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Kids under 16 fish free in N.H.!
FISH STOCKING: Stocking is complete for the season. Check the stocking page (http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm) for sites stocked in 2009.
Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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Community Action Brings Back Public Access at Forest Lake in Winchester By Gabe Gries, Fisheries Biologist, Region 4/Keene
Forest Lake in Winchester is a beautiful 87-acre waterbody located in Southwestern NH, 7 miles from the Massachusetts border and 12 miles south of Keene. The lake has always been a very popular fishing location for local and out-of-state anglers and for anglers that stay at the Forest Lake Campground. A privately-owned boat launch allowed boaters access to the lake for decades until it was closed in 2004. Prior to the boat ramp closure, the lake offered a wonderful two-story (cold and warmwater) fishery which was made up of largemouth bass, chain pickerel, brown trout and rainbow trout. With the boat ramp closure in 2004, trout stocking was discontinued, as the general public no longer had reasonable access to Forest Lake. The closure was followed by a huge outcry from local anglers, now unable to access one of their favorite trout and bass waters. In an effort to regain public boat access to Forest Lake, the NH Fish and Game Department made attempts in 2005 to purchase a small parcel of land containing the existing boat ramp. Unfortunately, the purchase was never finalized and it looked as if public boat access to Forest Lake would remain a memory. That all changed in 2009! Sue LaPoint, a local sportswoman, and President of the Mt. Pisgah Sportsmen's Club in Winchester, decided that local anglers had waited long enough. She began talking with the landowner, town officials, local businesses, and area residents in an attempt to have the Sportsmen's Club purchase the property surrounding the boat ramp. Sue worked tirelessly on this endeavor and was met with support and positive feedback from all she contacted. After months of meetings, discussions and planning, the sub-division needed in order to purchase the property was approved by the NH Department of Environmental Services and the town of Winchester. Effective July 17, 2009, the Mt. Pisgah Sportsmen's Club became the proud new owners of the "Phillips/Conant Public Boat Ramp" on Forest Lake. Financial assistance with the purchase was also provided by a number of area businesses and individuals within the community. "We couldn't have done this without the support of the community, the previous landowner (Margaret Conant), and various donors," said LaPoint. On July 22, brown and rainbow trout were stocked again in the lake for the first time in five years! The NH Fish and Game Department will continue to offer the Club suggestions on parking location strategies and any advice they might need on boat ramp maintenance. The Forest Lake Improvement Association and the Winchester Conservation Commission are offering their support as well. Area anglers are excited to once again be able to wet a line in Forest Lake. Sean Graves, a bass angler from Chesterfield, stopped by the office this week to make sure that the ramp had been re-opened. "I am thrilled that the Mt. Pisgah Sportsmen's Club is so supportive of local anglers. I can't wait to take my son fishing there," said Graves. The Sportsmen's Club members, of which there are 70, hold fundraisers throughout the year in order to provide support to local youth and community organizations. Among other community activities, they host a "Christmas in the Park" event, an Easter Egg hunt, two youth fishing derbies, and a "learn to fly-fish" event each year. When I talked with Sue LaPoint a few days ago, she was thrilled with the purchase. "We received overwhelming assistance, both financial and otherwise, to make this happen. This community always seems to come together to support projects like this," LaPoint said. "Happy fishing and safe boating," she added. We hope you enjoy fishing this year in the Monadnock/Upper Valley Region and don't forget to take a kid fishing anytime you can. We are always happy to talk to you about fish and fishing so please contact us at Region 4 (603-352-9669; reg4@wildlife.nh.gov) if you have any questions. For a list of popular water bodies to fish for by species, please consult the Suggested Fishing Locations for the Monadnock Region/Southwest N.H, which can be found at http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fishing_forecast/Locations_Southwest.htm.
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Copyright 2009 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- July 30, 2009
This week, coldwater fisheries project leader Dianne Timmins returns to her post with a fresh outlook on fishing, reflecting on her childhood experiences and planning some fishing adventures for her family as her new baby gets older.
Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Kids under 16 fish free in N.H.!
FISH STOCKING: Stocking is complete for the season. Check the stocking page (http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm) for sites stocked in 2009.
Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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A NEW PERSPECTIVE:
It's never too soon to plan a child's first fishing adventure
By Dianne Timmins, Fisheries Biologist, Region 1/Lancaster
I remember my mom taking me fishing on Powwow Pond (Kingston) with my brothers. We'd purchase worms and head out for a morning or afternoon of targeting perch, with the bonus being a hefty smallmouth or largemouth bass. I remember my brother Kurt's interest fading the fastest and brother Jay was not big into worms, but I could have stayed all day or night long. If it wasn't for the biplane-sized mosquitoes, I think we would have. We'd also do some fishing on Kingston Lake (Great Pond) and catch sunfish. It has been a long time since I have angled those waterbodies, but rumor has it they still provide good warmwater fisheries. Now it's my turn to pass on the tradition: I'm a new mom with a fourteen-week-old daughter. In recent months, adult conversation and thoughts of fisheries were not a part of my immediate world. Two weeks ago, I returned to my work as a fisheries biologist and Coldwater Project Leader for NH Fish and Game. Now that I am back, I see things in a whole new way... At home in the evening, when I stare down into my daughter's eyes and she flashes her full-hearted smile, I can't help but think of what it will be like to take her fishing. I will start out as my mom did, with warmwater areas like Burns Lake and Forest Lake, both in Whitefield. There's nothing like sweet success to get a child hooked on fishing. Start by targeting sunfish and then moving into more challenging gamefish like bass, pickerel and pike. Another area to try is Partridge Lake in Littleton, where Fish and Game's most recent netting results indicated populations of both smallmouth and largemouth bass, above-average sized brown bullheads (catfish/horned pout), pickerel, pike and, of course, sunfish. Then, I'll get my little girl into brook trout fishing, starting with small streams and moving into larger rivers. We can head out to the Ellis River in Jackson -- or any small headwater stream, for that matter. Electrofishing surveys show that Ellis River contains only brook trout in its headwaters. We might start there, where the stream channel is narrow, and target pool habitats. I'll explain to her the importance of various types of habitats and how each one plays a critical role in a fish's life cycle. She will most likely call me a biology nerd or something, but I will still enjoy explaining what I do for work. As my daughter gets older, I'll call on my husband to assist in teaching her how to fly-fish. He is the one who taught me, and I am still learning new bits and pieces each time I go. We can then take family trips to the Connecticut River or the Androscoggin. Perhaps we'll head south to the Pemigewasset. The East Branch parallels the Kancamagus Highway. It will be fun to show her all our favorite parts of New Hampshire as she gets older, exploring each lake, river and mountain trail in turn. All of a sudden, a coo and squeak break my concentration. I look down to a little chubba with eyes full of glee. "Hi there!" I exclaim. "I was just thinking of you."
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Copyright 2009 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- July 16, 2009
This week, Marine Division staffer Becky Heuss revs up for the arrival of bluefish along New Hampshire's coast.
FISH STOCKING: Stocking is complete for the season. Last week, the Pemigewasset River was stocked in Lincoln, Thornton and Woodstock, and Russell Pond was stocked. Check the stocking page (http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm) for sites stocked over the course of the season.
Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Kids under 16 fish free in N.H.!
Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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GO FOR BLUEFISH, AND CATCH SOME EXCITEMENT! By Becky Heuss, Biological Technician
Some of my fondest memories are of the Atlantic coast and bluefish during the summertime. Anglers line the rocky shoreline, shouting, "The blues are running!" Schools of bluefish chase baitfish like Atlantic menhaden or "pogies" into the shallows, and the water erupts with excitement. Each cast brings about another struggle between man and fish. I remember this scene well, but what sticks out in my mind the most is the smell, days afterward, when "pogies" still baked in the sun, having beached themselves during the feeding frenzy. I have not experienced a bluefish "run" since my youth, but I am still able to recapture the excitement each summer aboard the party boats in New Hampshire. Toward the middle of July, we feel the anticipation of another bluefish season. Well, guess what? They're here! Bluefish, like stripers, will follow baitfish up into the coastal rivers, so they may be caught anywhere from off of the Hampton coast to up in the river by Dover Point, and even in Great Bay at times. Many qualities make bluefish a popular saltwater target. They are a voracious predator and the excitement of a feeding frenzy is hard to match. They are a schooling fish, so where there is one, there are likely to be many more. Blues also put up a good fight -- when you reel them in, watch out for their sharp teeth! Bluefish have long gotten a bad rap by picky eaters, because they really are tastiest when fresh. After you catch them, eat them within 24 hours; they are an oily fish and can taste "fishy" if left for too long. Try marinating them in milk -- I've been told this is a good way to draw out the oils. There are some that insist the best way to eat a blue is grilled fresh with lemon juice, skin side down to let the oil drip off. They are also good poached, broiled or smoked.
Want to catch some of the excitement but don't have a boat? There are many locations along New Hampshire's coast that are prime real-estate for bluefishing. Check out the new "Take Me Fishing! Seashore Fishing Guide" at http://www.wildnh.com/marine/marine_PDFs/seacoast_TMF_guide.pdf for some great fishing spots where you can catch bluefish, stripers and other saltwater fish from shore. If you are looking for a day on the water or want some help for your first time bluefishing, join one of the many party boat companies along New Hampshire's coast. They will supply you with bait and bring you right to the blues. (Party boat info: http://www.maineharbors.com/nh/nhlnk.htm and http://www.portsmouthnh.com/port/boats.cfm.)
There is no better way to shake off those rainy day blues than a day out fishing. Get out and make some lasting memories with your kids this summer.
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For more about fishing the New Hampshire coast, don't miss the July-August N.H. Wildlife Journal magazine -- Fish and Game's annual coastal issue -- with articles on striped bass, harvesting Great Bay, and more. Read sample articles and subscribe at http://www.wildnh.com/Wildlife_Journal/WJ_mag.htm.
And while you're on the shore, don't miss our Great Bay programs for children and families at the Discovery Center on Depot Road in Greenland/Stratham - http://www.wildnh.com/Newsroom/News_2009/News_2009_Q2/GB_Summer_Programs_062609.html.
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Copyright 2009 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- July 9, 2009
This week, fisheries biologist Don Miller offers his thoughts on the season in the Lakes Region, and what all this rain means for the fisheries (and the anglers).
FISH STOCKING: A couple dozen Coos County sites were stocked last week. Check the stocking page (http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm) for a list of sites stocked - this is probably the last report of the season.
DEADLINE TOMORROW FOR TEEN ENVIRO CAMP: NH Natural Leaders Program, an environmental leadership program that includes a two-week residential camp starting July 19, is now just $500 (including room and board) for New Hampshire resident youths ages 13-17. Info and application: http://www.wildnh.com/Newsroom/News_2009/News_2009_Q2/NH_Nat_Leaders_062409.html
Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Kids under 16 fish free in N.H.!
Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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BIG RAIN, BIG FISHING ON BIG LAKES B
y Don Miller, fisheries biologist, Region 2/New Hampton
When will the rains end? The Lakes Region received over 8 inches of rain in June, more than twice the normal amount for the month. As most of you know, July has continued this wet pattern. Let's take a look at the good and bad of high water levels. The good news is, a copious amount of food is being washed into our lakes and streams, and as far as I can tell from my trips on Lake Winnisquam, lake trout and rainbows are on a feeding spree. A local angler fishing Winnisquam recently landed a beautiful 14-pound lake trout, while Nubanusit just recently yielded a 16-pound laker. I've had a great time with lakers on Winnisquam trolling flies and lures on 4 - 6 colors of lead core line. A few rainbow trout are mixed in the catch as well. Reports from area lakes reveal that the thermocline has set-up around 30 feet deep. Although early morning fishing (5 AM) might encounter fish a lot closer to the surface, you will generally want to run your lines at or below 30 feet deep for more consistent action. Bass fishing enthusiasts report that smallmouth activity is concentrated along drop-offs, generally in water depths greater than 20 feet. Anglers may find some surface activity in the early morning and again at dusk along shorelines near rock and tree cover. One angler in Lake Winnisquam reported catching a lake trout while working the drop-offs and a nice rainbow trout followed his lure on another occasion. In other words, be prepared, you never know what will appear from the depths! High waters are a blessing for the movement of fish (whether they like it or not!). "Dropdown fisheries" is a term for periodic fisheries that are timed to high water releases. These fisheries exist throughout the Lakes Region. Lochmere Dam (the dam at the lower end of Lake Winnisquam) has been a hot area for fishing nearly all season -- April anglers were treated to some especially fine landlocked salmon fishing. Even now, although landlocks are seldom caught, some fine fishing exists for rainbow trout -- and occasionally brown trout, which are stocked in the lower Winnipesaukee River and also travel upstream to this dam site. Silver Lake (which begins below Lochmere Dam) offers some great small and largemouth bass fishing, with the smallies working the current flows at the outflow of the dam. Lakeport Dam, the water retention dam for Lake Winnipesaukee, offers some good fishing in the tailwater section below the dam and out into Lake Opechee. Opechee is stocked with rainbow trout and dropdown trout here are numerous from Winnipesaukee. When rivers run high, trout naturally move downstream; look for deeper pools that may provide relief and protection from fast water. If and when the rivers begin to diminish, fishing will be fast and furious, as the amount of fishable water increases exponentially. Check out the USGS website at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nh/nwis/rt, where you can get water level, flow, and temperature information for dozens of river and stream sites throughout the state. Remote pond trout stocking was accomplished flawlessly by Fisheries staff and an excellent helicopter pilot during the only decent day we had in mid-June! This year, pontoons were added to the helicopter, allowing for the easier dispersal of fingerling brook trout (and taking water samples for pH). The heavy rainfall made conditions in these ponds as good as I have ever seen. For those anglers itching to catch some "back-country" brookies, this year is shaping up to be one of the best. Yes, some streams and rivers are unfishably high and fast at the moment -- but hope springs eternal. The weather always changes, and there are always fishing opportunities in NH, no matter the weather!
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Copyright 2009 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- July 2, 2009
This week, fisheries biologist Jason Carrier goes wacky for jerk baits.
Happy Independence Day, everybody! Have a wonderful weekend.
FISH STOCKING: As of this week, fish stocking is complete for the season. For the final list of sites stocked, visit: http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm.
GOT TEENS? DEADLINE 7/10! Thanks to generous benefactors, the cost of the NH Natural Leaders Program, an environmental leadership program that includes a two-week residential camp this summer, is now just $500 (including room and board) for New Hampshire resident youth between the ages of 13-17. The summer camp, based out of Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, N.H., runs July 19 - August 1, 2009. Info and application: http://www.wildnh.com/Newsroom/News_2009/News_2009_Q2/NH_Nat_Leaders_062409.html Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Kids under 16 fish free in N.H.! Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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SUMMERTIME SOFT PLASTIC JERKS FOR BASS
By Jason Carrier, Fisheries Biologist, Region 4/Keene
There are so many different types of soft jerkbaits on the market today that it can be quite time-consuming just picking out what style, color, or size to purchase at a tackle shop. Soft jerkbaits are probably one of the most popular baits used among bass fisherman today. You would be surprised to peek into a bass angler's boat and not see at least one rod rigged with some sort of soft plastic jerkbait. The two basic styles of soft jerkbaits are the minnow style and the worm style, with many different variations in sizes and shapes. Whatever choice you make, there are multiple ways to fish that jerkbait. Worm-style jerkbaits rigged "wacky" have been the craze the last few years. This is a plastic worm, usually four to six inches long, hooked right in the middle. This is typically fished weightless; the worm falls horizontally in the water column, and is very effective on fish that are not very active, because of its slow-falling nature. This can be fished around shoreline structure, weed beds, and rocky areas. Wacky rigging is not snag-proof, because the hook point is exposed. Minnow and worm-style jerkbaits that float, sink, or have neutral buoyancy can be very effective when rigged in these four ways: Carolina, Texas, drop shot, or straight rig (no weight). I don't think I can adequately describe how to set up these rigs here, so you'll want to search the web for examples and diagrams of those you're not familiar with. "Carolina" rigging a worm or minnow bait can be very effective during the summer months; this is usually fished in deeper water near or adjacent to weed edges or main water structures like points or humps, and is slowly dragged or bounced on the bottom. Using a floating worm or minnow will raise your presentation off the bottom, giving it a different look. "Texas" rigging a jerk bait is very effective when fished in and around heavy cover. The hook point is not exposed, so the bait is practically snag proof. "Drop shot" rigs can be used shallow or deep, and are usually used with a downsized worm or minnow jerkbait, three to four inches in length. This presentation is typically, but not always, used in open water on flats or around main lake structure. Using a "straight rig" is the easiest and most snag-resistant way to rig a soft plastic worm or minnow. This rig allows the angler to really change up the cadence of the bait to let the fish know what they really want. Two of my most recent fishing trips produced some nice largemouths in and around vegetation. The mornings were calm and I just had to try top-water, but the vegetation was so thick that I needed something that wouldn't get snagged. I went with a floating minnow jerkbait, straight rigged. I just twitched it along the surface of the vegetation, making it look like a struggling minnow. I got many hits on it and managed to boat a fair number of bass once I got the timing of the strike and the hook set down. Once the bass would hit it I had to be patient and wait 2-3 seconds before setting the hook. Get out on the water this summer and experiment with these different types of rigs for your soft plastic jerkbaits. Try different jerkbait styles, sizes, and colors and find out what works best for you. Good luck!
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P.S. to anglers fishing Lake Winnipesaukee: watch for tagged largemouth and smallmouth bass; they're tagged as part of a NH Fish and Game Warmwater Fisheries Management Program study. For info or to report a tagged bass: www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fisheries_management/Bass_Movement_Study.html.
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Copyright 2009 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- June 18, 2009
In today's report, fisheries biologist Andy Schafermeyer shares some secrets from a banner bass day, fishing Moore Reservoir in Littleton with pro angler Terry Towle. Happy Father's Day! Give your dad or grandfather a memorable Father's Day this year - take him fishing! We don't need to tell YOU that fishing is a great way to slow down and celebrate your family. Have a wonderful weekend. FISH STOCKING: Fish stocking is winding down for the season, with stocking in the southern tier almost complete for the year. Stocking in northern NH is likely to continue for a few more weeks, and aerial stocking took place this week. For a list of sites stocked last week, visit: http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm. Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Kids under 16 fish free in N.H.! Don't forget the camera: The Kids Fishing Photo Contest is underway, co-sponsored by Fish and Game and Kidz Rule USA magazine. Info: http://fishnh.com/Newsroom/News_2009/News_2009_Q2/kids_photo_contest_2009.html. Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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BASS FISHING LIKE A PRO By Andrew Schafermeyer, Fisheries Biologist, Region 1/Lancaster
I've often written that the most appealing part of freshwater fishing is that no one has it figured out completely. Success is measured one trip at a time. Effective methods one day may be worthless the next and both angler and fish have the same chance at outsmarting one another. In an effort to turn the tables as much in my favor as possible, I went fishing with a guy who never seems to be outsmarted and comes as close as I've seen to mastering the sport. Terry Towle of Woodsville has been fishing the bass tournament scene for better than 10 years and is one of the most accomplished and dedicated guys I've met. As a member of the Central Vermont Bassmasters club, he spends most of his summers wrapping up titles all over New England. We decided to fish Moore Reservoir in Littleton because of its size, varying conditions and history of producing trophy large and smallmouth bass. When I learned that Terry once had a string of 19 consecutive tournament wins on Moore, I deemed him more than qualified a guide. I met him at 9:00 a.m. on a clear, sunny day and we quickly loaded our gear into his 20-foot Triton. After observing water temperatures in the low to mid-sixties, our plan of attack was to assume that we were fishing over post-spawn bass who may be staging on elevated substrate next to deep water. With the help of his depth-finder and a GPS system that looked cooler than my television set, we quickly found a 20-foot bump surrounded by 60-foot depths and decided to give it a try. Terry selected one of his 12 pre-rigged rods -- this one with a drop-shot setup that consisted of a 3/16-oz. egg sinker, 22" of 8 lb. line leading to a 1/0 octopus hook baited with a 4-inch green Chomper worm. In those depths, the retrieve almost resembled a vertical jigging method, but Terry worked it with the skill and anticipation of a seasoned angler. It was this very method that he used to win the 2007 Ironman Open on Lake Champlain with a six-fish creel of 32 pounds. I watched Terry catch a few smallmouth this way before he declared, "We can do better" -- and we were off to another spot. The 200-horsepower Mercury made the search process very efficient. Unlike some professional anglers, Terry never showed a sense of impatience or anxiety when catch rates slowed down. He also never showed a competitive side that can keep anglers from having fun. He enjoyed every catch and seemed just as rewarded when I caught a fish. After fishing another spot of quickly elevated depth, we started fishing large boulders in 15 to 20 feet of water. Things got very exciting as we both started landing fish and I watched Terry throw so many different baits and approaches that I could've gotten dizzy if I wasn't so amazed. He caught fish on 3" dark-colored tube baits, skillfully reading the bottom from the feel of his 8-pound line and seven-foot light-action rod. I saw him accurately pitch jigs and boomerang a 3/8-oz. spinnerbait under overhanging vegetation. I asked about color preferences and was somewhat surprised to learn that he never over-thinks the matter. "I spend most of the time trying to find the fish and then worry about colors." Once we found fish, Terry had little trouble getting them to bite. Fish were routinely outsmarted by a smoke-colored RattleTrap, 4" Senkos, and spider jigs. Most of his soft plastic baits were watermelon or green pumpkin in color and he was clearly trying to imitate the crayfish that he knows are an important bass forage in Moore Reservoir. Despite our success, we changed approaches routinely. Applying different methods kept things exciting and fun. At 11:30, we entered a shallow cove where the water temperature had warmed to 67 and we cast around woody material like downed trees and submerged stumps. We also cast over large shallow shelves where Terry threw lipless crankbaits, explaining that they are his favorite "fish locator" as they allow you to cover a lot of water. One of the most exciting approaches came when Terry decided to trophy hunt by throwing a 5-inch swimbait rigged on a 3/0, weighted worm hook. His quick retrieve kept the bait swimming in a sub-surface action that resembled a buzz-bait and we both got the feeling that this was the bait that would bring the monsters into the boat. After a few short strikes, we watched as an explosive strike cut his line in the fashion that made us both realize he'd lost a big northern pike. Our day on the lake ended at about 3:00 and we'd landed between 20 and 30 bass. I thanked Terry for an awesome education and made it clear that I wouldn't write specifically about his methods, as most tournament anglers are understandably protective of their secrets. He dismissed any of that attitude and told me to share anything with my readers, which reminded me again of his genuine love for fishing. It was a great day and I look forward to fishing with him again.
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P.S. to anglers fishing Lake Winnipesaukee: watch for tagged largemouth and smallmouth bass; they're tagged as part of a NH Fish and Game Warmwater Fisheries Management Program study. For info or to report a tagged bass: www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fisheries_management/Bass_Movement_Study.html.
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Copyright 2009 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.
GIVE DAD A TASTE OF OUTDOOR ADVENTURE ON FATHER'S DAY -- TAKE HIM FISHING!
CONCORD, N.H. -- Want to give your dad or grandfather a memorable Father's Day this year? Take him fishing! There's nothing like an outdoor adventure together to remind you what families are all about. Most dads can use a break from the fast-paced world. Fishing gives you that chance -- to slow down, enjoy the natural beauty around you, match wits with trout or bass, and spend time with people you care about. Leave the work-a-day world behind and cast that line!
So give him what he really wants for Father's Day (June 21 this year). Some ideas:
* Go fishing with your father or grandfather; * Scheduling a guided fishing trip; or * Buy him a fishing license he can use all year.
You can even send or e-mail your dad a special coupon from the Anglers' Legacy website that he can use anytime to take you up on your fishing invitation; download it at http://tinyurl.com/fathersday09. (While there, become an Anglers' Legacy Ambassador -- take the pledge to take at least one new person fishing each year and go to http://tinyurl.com/NHfishpledge.)
Maybe it's been a while since you've been fishing. Not to worry - all you need is some basic gear and bait. Get ideas on places to fish in different parts of New Hampshire - either in freshwater or on the coast - on the New Hampshire e Fish and Game Department's website, http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fishing.htm. You'll find directions, tackle tips and more.
Sometimes a guided fishing trip can be the best option for a family group. A list of licensed New Hampshire fishing guides can be found on the Fish and Game website at http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fishing_guides.htm or call the local chamber of commerce. Guided trips allow anglers to concentrate on having fun together.
The gift of a fishing license works well, especially if you can't be there for a Father's Day fishing trip. It recognizes his love of the outdoors, and says you want to spend time with him. Permanent licenses are issued free to residents of New Hampshire who are 68 years of age or older, provided that they have been a New Hampshire resident for at least two years. Go to http://www.fishnh.com to find a local license agent or purchase your fishing license online. A Father's Day fishing trip can be a shared adventure and an expression of admiration and caring. Few things say it better. Recall the fun times you've had fishing with a father or grandfather, and make the day even more rewarding by creating a new adventure together. Make this a truly special Father's Day - fish New Hampshire and relax! The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department works to conserve, manage and protect the state's fish and wildlife and their habitats. Visit http://www.fishnh.com.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- June 12, 2009
Today's report comes from Kyle Glencross, biological aide for Fish and Game, offering tips for catching trout on late spring evenings and chasing stripers on the coast.
FISH STOCKING STILL GOING STRONG: For a list of sites stocked last week, visit: http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm. Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Kids under 16 fish free in N.H.! Don't forget the camera: The Kids Fishing Photo Contest is underway, co-sponsored by Fish and Game and Kidz Rule USA magazine. Info: http://fishnh.com/Newsroom/News_2009/News_2009_Q2/kids_photo_contest_2009.html. Also -- Signups are on for the fall (Sept. 11-13) Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop. Lots of fishing and other wild workshops to choose from: http://www.fishnh.com/Newsroom/News_2009/News_2009_Q2/BOW_fall_reg_open_060809.html Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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THE TROUT AND STRIPERS OF JUNE By Kyle Glencross, biological aide, NH Fish and Game
You've got to love the month of June in New Hampshire, great fishing all across the state, from trout streams to stripers in the surf! This time of year allows many crazed anglers (such as myself) to sneak away in the evenings and get a couple of hours of fishing in during the week. The longer days and warming temperatures often make the last few hours of daylight the most productive. June is a great time to try some of New Hampshire's trout ponds. Try getting to your favorite pond a few hours before dark and casting or trolling small streamer fly patterns such as Brown Owls, Black Nosed Dace, 88's, and the infamous Hornberg. As darkness approaches and trout start rising, I normally switch to smaller dry fly patterns, and also a wet fly pattern designed by Ellis Hatch (former Fish and Game Commissioner) called the Hatching Pupa -- it's a killer on tough-to-fool trout! Anglers should keep their eyes open towards the end of the month for the start of the "hex" hatch. These giant mayflies bring not only some of the best dry fly fishing of the year, but also account for many anglers' largest trout and smallmouth bass of the season. They are mostly limited to cool water lakes and ponds, and often only appear the last twenty minutes before darkness sets in. Stay on the lookout! The smaller trout streams and rivers in southern part of the state are best also just fished in the early morning hours and late evenings because of climbing water temperatures. I can't talk the start of summer and leave out the striped bass on New Hampshire's seacoast. June is the real start of striper season. If you have never taken advantage of this great resource, you are missing out! The tidal creeks are often some of my favorite spots to hit; remember to fish these creeks on the first two hours of the outgoing tide and the last two hours of the incoming tide. Use soft plastics such as the Slug-Go in the Alewife or Arkansas Shiner. Fly patterns like the Half n Half, Cape and Island Minnow, and Mushmouths are top producers. Remember to plan your tides right for stripers during the morning and afternoons, switch your gear and beat it to your favorite trout pond for a great end to your day. See you on the water!
P.S. Are you just getting started fishing, or want to check out some new Concord-area locations? My fellow Fish and Gamer, Mark Beauchesne, appears in "Go Fish," a guide for fishing novices, in this morning's Concord Monitor. Check it out at http://tinyurl.com/fishconcord0609.
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Copyright 2009 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- May 21, 2009
In today's report, the fish are biting in the Lakes Region! Fisheries biologist Don Miller brings an update from the big lakes, rivers and ponds. Enjoy the long weekend, everyone!
STOCKING TRUCKS ARE ROLLING... 170+ sites were stocked with fish last week! Visit: http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm. Also, all 760 brood stock Atlantic salmon slated for spring release have been stocked into the Merrimack and Pemigewassett rivers.
LAKE SUNAPEE - WILD GOOSE ACCESS SITE: The public comment period regarding the Wild Goose wetland permit application to the N.H. Department of Environmental Services Wetlands Bureau has been extended to June 26, 2009. For information about the proposed Wild Goose Boating Access Site, visit http://www.fishnh.com/access/wildgoose.
FREE FISHING DAY is just a week away - Saturday, June 6. Tell your friends! Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Don't forget -- kids under 16 fish free in N.H.!
All NH fishing page: http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fishing.htm.
If you know someone who might like to sign up for the Fishing Report, send them to http://www.fishnh.com/Inside_FandG/join_mail_list.htm. Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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COOL RIVERS - HOT FISHING IN THE LAKES REGION By Don Miller, Large Lakes Fisheries Biologist, Region 2/New Hampton
LARGE LAKES
We've enjoyed a rather cool spring in the Lakes Region, and this has resulted in cool water temps in our big lakes; the temperature at Winnipesaukee (main lake and the Broads) has been around 50 - 55 degrees F this week. The recent Winni Derby was a success, with a 4.12-lb. landlocked salmon taking the major prize and an 8.5-lb. laker taking the "togue" category. The lake trout brought in by anglers were gorgeous fish, as fat and healthy as I've ever seen. Lots of two-year-old salmon were reported, and this bodes well for the future salmon fishery in the "Big Lake." Lake trout are still in shallow water, reports from Winnisquam have bass fishermen catching lakers in water 20 feet deep. Generally, look for lakers in water around 40-60 feet deep. Trolled bait (golden shiners) fished slowly along the bottom and edges of drop-offs is the best method. Sutton 44 and 61 spoons are always a top choice, and don't forget the old-standby, Flashking wobbler in gold/fluorescent for lake trout also. The landlocked salmon fishing has tailed off a bit, but the early morning anglers will still have luck trolling 3-5 colors of lead-core line (20-25 feet deep). Periodically, salmon seem to switch off this time of year, usually concurrent with the major phantom midge hatches on the lakes. At this time of year it is essential to be on the water in the pre-dawn hours, and fish until 9 o'clock or so, in order to find the salmon -- occasionally a mid-late morning/early afternoon second bite occurs, depending on weather conditions. Rainbow trout fishing has been hot in Winnipesaukee and Squam lakes. We've caught them on a variety of small streamers (size 6), hardware and live shiners. I like to use a sinking-tip fly line, 30 foot leader (6-lb. test), and troll the shorelines out to a depth of 30 - 40 feet. Work the fly rod with intermittent pulls, and troll at various speeds, 1.5-3 mph., in a curve or zigzag pattern.
RIVERS
The Pemigewasset River in Bristol (off the Coolidge Woods Road) offers some incredible trout fishing (rainbows and brookies). This area is also a favored spot for Atlantic salmon broodstock fishing. The water flow in this river is excellent now, and the pools and riffles offer a great variety of habitats for fly, bait or spin fishing. Also try the bigger water below Eastman Falls Dam in Franklin (catch and release area). Colorful streamers work well on these salmon. Don't forget to pick up your brood stock Atlantic salmon permit and tags for this wonderful fishery. Area brooks have been stocked and the dry spell this spring has left water levels low, so don't procrastinate, get out and treat yourself to some tasty squaretails!
PONDS
Brook trout ponds in the area are producing limit catches of rainbows and brookies. Saltmarsh Pond/Gilford, Spectacle Pond/Groton and Perch Pond/Campton are great trout ponds. Hatches of caddis are in full swing on ponds throughout the area. Upper Hall Pond (Sandwich), White Pond (Ossipee), and Sky Pond (New Hampton), are fly-fishing only ponds where the angler can be treated to some fantastic dry-fly action now.
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Copyright 2009 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.
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N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- May 14, 2009
In today's report, seasonal fisheries technician Shane Eaton explains what he and the other fisheries folks are up to this summer in the Great North Woods.
STOCKING TRUCKS ARE ROLLING... 150+ sites were stocked with fish last week! Visit: http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm
BROOD STOCK SALMON - The time is now! All 760 brood stock Atlantic salmon slated for spring release have been stocked into the Merrimack and Pemigewassett rivers, and successful anglers are already reporting successful brood stock salmon fishing on both rivers. Info: http://www.wildnh.com/Newsroom/News_2009/News_2009_Q2/brood_stock_salmon_051109.html
BIG BROOK BOG in Pittsburg will not be fishable (and will not be stocked) this season - an issue with the dam has necessitated a water drawdown. Info: http://www.fishnh.com/Newsroom/News_2009/News_2009_Q2/Big_Brook_Bog_drawdown.html Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Don't forget -- kids under 16 fish free in N.H.! All NH fishing page: http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fishing.htm.
If you know someone who might like to sign up for the Fishing Report, send them to http://www.fishnh.com/Inside_FandG/join_mail_list.htm.
Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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MY BROOK TROUT SUMMER
By Shane Eaton, seasonal fisheries technician, Region 1/Lancaster
After a long cold winter, the ice has finally left the lakes and ponds of northern New Hampshire, the summer fishing season has begun and the Fish and Game seasonal interns have started work. These seasonal positions are hard work, fun, and key to a successful summer season for Fish and Game, and they give much-needed experience to college students and aspiring fisheries biologists. My name is Shane Eaton, and I'm a summer intern working with fisheries biologist Dianne Timmins out of Fish and Game's Region 1 office in Lancaster. My fellow interns and I will be collecting data for the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture (EBTJV). The EBTJV project officially starts in mid-May, but since mid-April, I've been assisting with several fisheries projects in the Great North Woods: spawning pike netting in Partridge Lake in Littleton and Jericho Lake in Berlin; smelt collection in Cedar Pond in Milan and Christine Lake in Stark; and the distribution of hundreds of thousands of Atlantic salmon into the streams of northern New Hampshire. There are any number of different projects and chores that will keep me and the other interns very busy all summer long. I'm returning to EBTJV for a second year, after being part of the crew that piloted the project last summer. The project started a few years back, in a meeting among 17 states and several independent agencies concerned over declining brook trout populations. In this meeting, participants discussed a lack of critical habitat data for this species, and New Hampshire was no exception, with many areas with no data on brook trout. Through grants and Federal Aid, existing data on brook trout in NH has been compiled and areas needing data have been identified. We're now collecting new data in three main areas: human interactions and manipulation of the habitat; natural habitat (substrate, cover, and structure of the stream); and the presence and health of the native brook trout population. Data collection is rigorous work for even the most fit interns. Many habitat sites to be studied are remote and getting there requires hiking long distances with big, heavy, and clumsy gear. After hiking out to a site, the fun begins with electro-fishing a small section of the stream. Fish in the section are collected, sampled and recorded, and a visual habitat assessment and physical characteristics of the section are recorded. Later, this data will be entered and analyzed back at the office on rainy days. With data from states up and down the east coast, a draft conservation plan is slowly coming together to deal with the current threats to the brook trout population. In addition to this, corrective measures will be suggested on a watershed-by-watershed basis. If you see the crews out there this summer, give us a wave and know that this study will ensure that anglers like you and me will be catching fat and healthy brook trout well into the future.
(Shane Eaton of Lunenburg, Vt. graduated from Unity College in 2007 with a bachelors degree in Wildlife Biology. Since graduation, Shane has been traveling and working around the country as a seasonal biologist -- starting in southern California, then making his way to the Bering Sea as a fisheries observer (an onboard biologist) on fishing vessels in the winter, and returning to New Hampshire Fish and Game in the summer.)
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Copyright 2009 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.
Change your profile or unsubscribe: http://www.mailermailer.com/x?u=29339959d-6f88f7aa
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N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT - September 25, 2008
Well folks, this is it -- the final fishing report of 2008. The official arrival of fall doesn't mean fishing is over, though. Check our website at http://www.FishNH.com for ideas on fall fishing in New Hampshire, and -- as fisheries biologist Gabe Gries suggests in today's report -- look up an old friend and plan a trip.
Also this week, we've got a saltwater fishing roundup from Chris Warner on the coast; Ben Nugent tempts fall anglers with a bunch of open waters to try in the southeast part of the state; and Mark Beauchesne offers many reasons for keeping your gear out and in use for at least a few more weeks.
Even if you are done fishing for now, you can always use these lengthening evenings to tie flies for next season, or start preparing your ice-fishing gear! Thanks for reading -- we'll see you again in spring of 2009.
Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Don't forget -- kids under 16 fish free in N.H.
Last call for entrants in the Kids Fishing Photo Contest, co-sponsored by Fish and Game and NH-based Kidz Rule USA magazine. A great snapshot of your child or grandchild (under age 13) with his or her catch could win the grand prize: a guided NH fishing trip, to be filmed for Fish and Game's MyOutdoors on MyTV! Enter by Sept. 30; instructions at http://www.kidzruleusa.com. For past fishing reports and all your NH fishing info, visit Fish and Game's fishing page at http://www.FishNH.com/Fishing/fishing.htm.
Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
THE REWARDS OF FISHING WITH OLD FRIENDS
By Gabe Gries, Region 4 Fisheries Biologist, Monadnock/Upper Valley Region
As the summer weather starts to change to the usual autumn pattern, I often reflect upon the fishing trips I made with old and new friends during the past season (not that the open-water season is even close to being over). A recent trip comes to mind immediately, both in terms of the time I have known these anglers as well as the fun we had and the fish we caught.
I headed up to my Mom's house in Groveton over Labor Day weekend for the Lancaster Fair. This is an annual event for me and my kids, and there's always a good chance that I will run into some friends from high school or the Region 1 NH Fish and Game office in Lancaster. Most of the times these run-ins are a coincidence, but this time I was a man on a mission -- a fishing mission.
A couple months ago, I caught up with my friend Victor Knight, a bass tournament angler with North Country BronzeBacks, and we decided to plan a fishing trip. After reminiscing about basketball games and high school, we planned a Labor Day weekend bass trip on Forest Lake in Whitefield with a couple other members of his club, Gary Marshall and Shawn White. I knew Gary from high school as well, and the plan was for Gary and Shawn to fish out of Shawn's boat and for Victor and me to fish out of his boat. We would fish from about 6:00 to 11:30 a.m., then meet at the launch to compare notes on the day's catch.
A day on the water with someone you haven't fished with before is worth a year of reading fishing articles in magazines and watching fishing shows on TV. Different tactics and lure and rod choices are analyzed and debated. Fishing locations by season and species are discussed and stories of big fish that were lost are thrown about. This day was no different as I showed Victor how effective drop-shotting in shallow water can be...and he showed me the value of throwing wacky-rigged Senkos in deep water. I also had a chance to slow-roll big spinnerbaits in deep water for the first time with some great results.
Although Victor and I found abundant numbers of small bass in shallow water, larger fish eluded us until Victor turned on his fish finder and we headed towards deeper water. He found a deeper section of the lake with aquatic vegetation on the bottom and we motored around until we found a small hump with some fish around it. He threw out a buoy to mark the spot and we started casting Senkos and crankbaits. Here were the larger bass we couldn't find in the shallows. In between wind gusts, we could see small schools of young perch dimpling the surface showing us why the larger bass were here in such numbers.
At the end of the day, both boats caught and released about 30 bass -- although thanks to Victor, our boat seemed to catch the larger fish of the day. However, trips like this are not about who catches the biggest or most fish; they are about catching up with friends, having fun, and learning to be a better angler. So, go look up one of your old fishing buddies and plan a fishing trip. You'll be glad you did.
SEACOAST FALL FISHING ROUNDUP!
By Chris Warner, Biological Aide, Region 3/Durham
As summer begins to fade into fall, the summer fishing season has begun to blend (for many of us) into the fall NFL football season. However, after the debacle that was last week's Patriots-Dolphins game, many anglers may have developed more of an appreciation for Sunday fishing!
Fortunately, the late summer and early fall provide good opportunities to catch striped bass on their migration south into warmer waters. If you can get out to the beaches in Rye and Hampton after dark you may very well catch a few schoolies (some keepers, too!!!) while they forage for eels. For those who enjoy fishing with the sun still up, try your luck along the Piscataqua River.
If you are looking to get the boat out a few more times (before doing so will result in frostbite), the Piscataqua is a safe bet for stripers, while the Isles of Shoals is your destination for groundfish (haddock and cod). If gas prices have forced your boat to retire for the season, try hopping on one of the all-day party boats, as groundfishing can still provide a full cooler. This is especially true if you're partial to haddock -- they have been caught in large numbers this summer.
Don't forget that rainbow smelt season is right around the corner. (See pg. 20 of the NH Saltwater Fishing Digest for seasons and license requirements.) If you are anxious to get some fish in that empty freezer, head to New Hampshire's immediate coastline in late October and early November to catch the early arrivals. Anxious to get your shanties out on the ice? It's about that time to begin praying to the ice gods for ice in early to mid-January. Here are a few final pointers on smelt fishing this winter. Where: Rye and Hampton Harbors before ice on; Great Bay and its tributaries after ice on. When: As early as late October before ice on, and up until ice off (usually the end of February into early March). Stick to fishing at or around high tide. How: Before ice on, long jigging poles with sea worms will suffice; through the ice, use small jigging rods with those same sea worms.
Well, that about sums it up for this year's fishing roundup. Don't forget
that starting Jan. 1, 2009, you'll need to register with the new National Saltwater Angler Registry before you go fishing on the coast. For details, check http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/mrip, and watch the Fish and Game website for info on how to register.
Best of luck fishing this fall and winter!
DON'T EVEN *THINK* ABOUT STOPPING!
By Mark Beauchesne, Marketing and Promotions Coordinator
Just because this is the last report for the year, don't you even think about stopping fishing for the season.
Just last Friday I was up in Pittsburg, fishing the trophy stretch of the upper Connecticut River. I was there with the winner of the "Who wants to be on My Outdoors?" contest. We had a blast! The fishing was outstanding, the fall caddisflies were just beginning to come off. From what my friend Angus Boezeman tells me, the next two weeks are the peak of this hatch.
Fishing the river in October in years past, I have experienced this hatch firsthand. But here is the best strategy for your visit up north: Go bird hunting in the morning. If you try to fish while the temperature is still below the freezing mark, you are going to have problems. You don't bird hunt? No problem, sleep in and then get a big North Country breakfast before hitting the water.
Although most trout ponds are closing for the season, you can still fish for trout in several lakes and ponds. There is a complete list of trout ponds with no closed season on our web site. Go to http://wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fishing.htm for lists of waters, and fall stocking information, too.
The middle reaches of the Connecticut River will get some play from the crew over the next three weeks. With only one word to describe fishing for pike in the fall, I would have to say... Adrenaline!
The key to a successful fall pike fishing trip is the weather. Ideally, you need two or three days of clear, calm weather. You can bet the fish will be active. Even better if you can fish on the third day of nice weather and the fourth day looks to have a front of any kind coming.
Fall tactics for big New Hampshire pike can be confusing. One day they are crushing big minnow baits, the next they slowly follow a fly. Trying to figure out how to trigger fish into eating my offering is what keeps me coming back to the river. On the days when they are aggressive, I will stick with larger baits and mix in some big, slow-moving flies. On the slower days, downsizing is the key. My theory here is the pike may have eaten before you got to cast at them. Now this is fall, and the water temperature is optimal for pike. So even with a full belly, this vicious predator will readily eat a "snack." Think of it as dessert for the pike. Downsized baits are less than 5 inches, slower-moving spinner baits and soft plastic minnow baits.
Bass fishing is in the "fall bite." What does that mean? Ask three bass anglers and you will get four answers. The key to putting bass in the boat in the fall is to play very close attention to the water temperature. October temps should not dip below 50 degrees until the end of the month.
Mid-October is typically spinner bait time. This technique covers water fast, eliminating unproductive water. As long as the water temp is between 55 -65 degrees I will fish the available structure in depths from 1 to 15 feet. Watch for young-of-the-year baitfish like yellow perch; on calm fall days, you will see them dimpling the surface. A grub and jighead work around the school of baitfish is one of my more successful tactics. (Folks will talk about vertical jigging in the fall. That happens much later. Once the water temps dip below 50, then you can go jigging.)
Fall fishing is so special. Get out there enjoy the colors and the warmth of the fall sun.
Great fishing!!! Mark
LEAF PEEPING? Well sure, but only as a fringe benefit of FISHING in southeast NH this fall... By Ben Nugent, Fisheries Biologist
Although fall is at hand and winter is on the horizon, the southeastern part of the state still continues to have ample open-water fishing opportunities. Be sure to take advantage of the area's foliage and fewer crowds during the dwindling days of 2008.
TROUT
The last few days of angling for trout within the trout ponds in the southeast region of NH can be as productive as opening day. Archery Pond (Allenstown), Barbadoes Pond (Dover/Madbury), Clough Pond (Loudon), Exeter Reservoir (Exeter), Hot Hole Pond (Concord/Loudon), Hoyt Pond (Madbury), and Lucas Pond (Northwood) all close on October 15. Because water temperatures this time of year are suitable enough for trout to openly migrate to the shallows, heavier fishing gear intended to reach greater depths can be replaced with lighter tackle that can make the experience more enjoyable. Try using fly rods with floating and slowly sinking tipped lines.
Biological surveys are planned for some selected waterbodies managed as trout ponds to analyze survival, holdover capability, and growth rates. These surveys will be used to adjust stocking rates with the attempt to improve the fishery.
Eight lakes and ponds within this part of the state will still remain open to the catching of brook, brown, and rainbow trout. Beaver Lake (Derry), Bow Lake (Strafford), Canobie Lake (Windham), Big Island Pond (Derry), Massabesic Lake (Auburn/Manchester), Pleasant Lake (Deerfield), Tower Hill Pond (Auburn/Candia), and Willand Pond (Somersworth) will continue to be open for open water angling until the ice-fishing season begins. The survivability of trout stocked as far back as April is expected to be better than normal this year because of cooler water temperatures and better forage biomass resulting from the high amount of precipitation we received this summer. In order to enhance both fall and ice fishing experiences, Beaver Lake and Massabesic Lake are managed to be stocked annually in the fall with a supply of rainbow trout.
Several rivers still remain open for fishing as well in this part of the state. Biological surveys and angler reports indicate several trout are still present in these rivers. The Cocheco, Exeter, Isinglass, Lamprey, Merrimack, Suncook, and Taylor rivers have no closed season. Please be familiar with specific regulations regarding what equipment can be used, harvest limits, and which river sections have this open-season designation. It should also be noted that over 800 Atlantic salmon broodstock averaging over 2.5 pounds are planned to be released soon into the Merrimack and Pemigewasset rivers. Targeting these fish requires an additional permit. For more information regarding the Atlantic salmon broodstock program, visit: wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/atlantic_salmon.htm.
BASS AND PANFISH
As water temperatures drop, warmwater fish tend to seek out deeper basins within lakes and ponds. They may also be drawn to shallow areas warmed by the sun. These fish tend to become less aggressive in foraging and wait for feeding opportunities to be presented to them. Typical summer subsurface lures that are retrieved slowly should be effective. Since these predator fish cover less ground, try to be more thorough when fishing a particular piece of structure and aquatic vegetation stand. Because these fish depend on caloric reserves to help survive winter conditions, fish caught during this time of year should be of optimal quality.
Recent surveys and reports indicate the potential for memorable fishing opportunities at Pawtuckaway Lake (Nottingham) for largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, yellow and white perch; the Bellamy Reservoir (Madbury) for largemouth bass and black crappie; Turtle Pond (Concord) for largemouth bass and black crappie; the Merrimack River (Concord to MA border) for all warmwater species; and Big Island Pond (Derry) for largemouth and smallmouth bass.
-- 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. Change your profile or unsubscribe: http://www.mailermailer.com/x?u=29339959d-6f88f7aa To subscribe to other N.H. Fish and Game lists: http://www.mailermailer.com/x?oid=06969k Email list management powered by http://MailerMailer.com
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT - June 19, 2008
This week, a report from the North Country, where Fish and Game biologists and partners are hard at work trying to learn more about the movements of brook trout and smallmouth bass...and dodging raindrops to get in some late-spring fishing, too. Stocking report: http://wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm.
Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent.
Why not bring a new fishing buddy on your next trip! Don't forget -- kids under 16 fish free in N.H. Kids Fishing Photo Contest: Here's extra incentive to take your camera along when you fish with the youngsters this summer! Fish and Game is co-sponsoring a kids fishing photo contest with NH-based Kidz Rule USA magazine. A great snapshot of your under-age-13 child or grandchild with his or her catch could win the grand prize: a guided NH fishing trip, to be filmed for Fish and Game's MyOutdoors on MyTV! To enter, follow the instructions at http://www.kidzruleusa.com. 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.
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A Day with Dianne: MONITORING THE MOVEMENTS OF EASTERN BROOK TROUT AND SMALLMOUTH BASS
By Shari Rosenberg, seasonal staff, Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, and Dianne Timmins, coldwater project leader, Region 1/Lancaster
We've had nothing but rain in the North Country. Temperatures are increasing along with the rain and mugginess. Stocking is right on schedule, with remote ponds getting stocked this week. So break out your hiking gear and float tubes and hit the ponds. The hatches have been broken up slightly by the rain, but are squeezing in heavy when it stops. Also, there is nothing like fishing Cedar Pond in Milan and Martin Meadow after the rain. The surface is like glass and you can see the rises from across the pond. Don't neglect the rivers, either. (The water levels have been fluctuating, so be careful.) If you hit it right, the salmon, rainbows and browns have been hitting all up and down the Androscoggin.
Try a flying ant pattern or a small midge. The black flies, mosquitoes, and deer flies have been the worst we've seen, but you never seem to notice when you have a 23" brown or rainbow trout on! Although most of our readers probably go fishing as a way to relax, Dianne Timmins, Region I Fisheries Biologist for New Hampshire Fish and Game, goes fishing for an entirely different reason. Dianne is in her fourth year of an ongoing study to learn about the migration patterns and habitat overlap of eastern brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). Her latest addition to this study includes monitoring habitat overlap by smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) in the Magalloway and Diamond Rivers. To Dianne and her hard-working team of scientists, every trout or bass caught is a clue to how these fish behave and interact. After completing the study, they hope to understand brook trout behavior, habitat needs, and interspecies relationships in order to protect brook trout populations into the future. According to Dianne, brook trout are in decline in their native range, which stretches from Maine to Georgia. The Diamond River is one of the few natural, large rivers that hosts wild brook trout. Unfortunately, smallmouth bass were illegally introduced into Lake Umbagog in the late 1980s, and have since spread throughout the region. The populations are monitored by placing radio transmitters in caught fish ("tagging" them) and then releasing them back into the river so they can be tracked over an extended period of time. By studying trout behavior in a natural river, she has learned how they behave without human interference (dams) in the waterway. This information can be used in designing better restoration projects within "closed systems" (where movement is restricted by structure, such as a dam) to create a better environment for fish to flourish. So far, the study has made the surprising discovery that between breeding, feeding, and wintering, some of the brook trout migrated over fifty miles in this natural system! In 2005, the weather was hot and dry, and most of the tagged fish left the main rivers for cooler waters prior to spawning. The average distance traveled by the fish during this time was 3.98 miles. In 2006, the weather pattern was wet and cool with severe flooding. This group of tagged fish moved more in the summer (2.77 miles) than in autumn (0.99 miles). These same fish moved the most during the winter dispersal phase (3.33 miles). We used leftover tags in 2007 and were able to track the fish into October before the batteries in the tags died. Unlike in 2005, the weather conditions for fish in 2007 were ideal: there was not a tremendous amount of rain, and air temperatures were relatively cool throughout the summer. The average seasonal migration distances calculated for the tagged fish in 2007 demonstrates this. The fish traveled much shorter distances than in previous years, and they stayed in the Diamond River system throughout spawning. The average distance in autumn was 0.44 miles, and we were able to observe and document spawning in the Diamond River system for the first time. The previous year's data was inconclusive in that respect. Nonetheless, the study was able to determine that there is still a viable population of trout in the Dead Diamond River. These findings are currently being used to show the need for connectivity for migrating trout in dam-controlled waterways. So, when you see one of those flyers encouraging anglers to return tagged fish to the river, you can understand why it's so important that everyone helps out in the effort to better understand our natural environment. Although Dianne and her team are making tremendous progress in better understanding the fish populations in the area, ultimately, she relies on everyone who spends time on the water to help her make a difference. For more information, call Dianne Timmins at 603-788-3164. --
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.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT - May 29, 2008
This week, fisheries biologist Gabe Gries recounts the recent Southwest NH adventures of his fanatical fishing friend, Jean Goodell.
Stocking report: http://wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm.
Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. 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. HUNTERS: Don't forget that your moose lottery applications are due tomorrow (May 30). To buy one online right now, go to http://www.greatlodge.com/nh. 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.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> VICARIOUS FISHING: THE ANGLING ADVENTURES OF JEAN By Gabe Gries, Fisheries Biologist II, Region 4/Keene
Since the beginning of turkey season, I've been trout fishing vicariously through my friend Jean Goodell. While it took me three weeks to get my bird, Jean was lucky enough to get a 19-lb. tom on opening day. I say lucky, but Jean put countless miles on his truck prior to turkey season scouting birds in many towns. His goal, as the seasons roll by, is to eventually get a turkey in every town in Cheshire County (he is halfway there), but that is a story for another day. Since getting his turkey, Jean has been concentrating on trout fishing and calling me each night with all the details. Jean doesn't give up when it comes to fishing, and will get up at 4 a.m. just to be able to get a few hours in before a long day of work. He also spends a great deal of time introducing local kids of relatives and friends to fishing. It's hard to keep track of all the places he has fished so far this year, but I will try to give you a summary of where he has been and what he has caught. With a little luck and persistence, you may be able to garner some of his success. I'll be out there trying, too. Jean always takes his wife, Kim, to Center Pond in Nelson for opening day of trout season. Center Pond is a beautiful, undeveloped trout pond on which motorboats are not allowed. It is only 37 acres in size and in addition to brown, rainbow and brook trout, it has a pretty decent largemouth bass population. Jean typically trolls this pond with streamers using a rowboat and oars -- and if that doesn't work, he will fish crawlers or Power Bait just off the bottom. They had a tough opening day this year, but managed to catch a couple of recently stocked trout. Jean's next challenge was Dublin Lake in Dublin. Dublin Lake is well-known for big brook trout and tough fishing due to deep water and an abundant rainbow smelt and crayfish population. Those odds didn't dampen Jean's enthusiasm and by trolling a DB Smelt, he ended up catching about a dozen brook trout and went home with his three fish limit. Upon examining Jean's trout (of course, he had to call me so I could come over to see his latest catch), I noticed the fins that were clipped at the hatchery on each trout, allowing me to tell what year and season they had been stocked. The larger trout had been stocked in the fall of 2007, while the smaller two had been stocked this spring, affirming the success of our fall stocking program in Dublin Lake. Granite Lake in Stoddard, another lake trout/salmon lake was next. Jean and a friend had an incredible afternoon and evening landing about 20 rainbow trout, the biggest of which was a 3.2-lb, 20" rainbow. A silver and blue Flash-King Wobbler was the lure of choice and all fish came by trolling about 100 feet off the shoreline. Willard Lake in Antrim was next on the list. This is an undeveloped fly-fishing-only pond, 97 acres in size, and gas motors are prohibited. It is stocked with brook trout, rainbow trout and tiger trout (a cross between a brook and brown trout). It is a wonderful place to fish -- loons and other wildlife sightings enhance the experience. Jean had to rely on the picturesque setting to keep him content that day; although he saw lots of fish rising, he got skunked. Laurel Lake in Fitzwilliam receives brown and rainbow trout and is usually a sure bet for some nice trout in the spring and early summer. Jean, however, must have been there on an off day. He trolled for about three hours without a hit and then managed two rainbows as he trolled his way back to the boat launch. Jean then decided he wanted the challenge of bigger water, so off he went to Nubanusit Lake in Hancock/Nelson early one morning before work. The fish didn't seem to mind the chill of the early morning air, and Jean was able to land two nice rainbow trout and a 16" landlocked salmon. A DB Smelt and a Gray Ghost streamer were the hot tackle that day. Nubanusit Lake is large for southwestern NH (715 acres) and is a lake trout/salmon lake that contains lake trout, rainbow trout and landlocked salmon. Swanzey Lake in Swanzey is a trout pond that is stocked with rainbow and brook trout. It generally produces some big rainbow trout in early May, but after trying just about every lure and fly he had, Jean had to resort to Power Bait on the bottom to catch a couple rainbows before calling it a day. In addition to lakes and ponds, Jean typically fishes several trout streams each week. One of his favorite places to go in the early morning is the South Branch Ashuelot River in Swanzey. The section he fishes is a fly-fishing-only section with a two-trout limit. This area receives a healthy dose of brown trout each year and also offers the opportunity for some wild brook trout as well. It is a beautiful section of stream and is highly underutilized. Jean also spent some time this last month on the Ashuelot River in Winchester catching good numbers of rainbow and brown trout. The Ashuelot is a big river in this section and is a great location for throwing a spinner or casting a fly. Jean also made his way north to the Cold River in Alstead and managed a few nice trout there as well. Jean's next trip will be Stone Pond in Marlborough for a crack at some nice brook trout. Wish him luck!
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We hope you enjoy fishing this year in the Monadnock/Upper Valley Region and don't forget to take a kid fishing anytime you can. We are always happy to talk to you about fish and fishing, so please contact us at Region 4 (603-352-9669; reg4@wildlife.nh.gov) if you have any questions. For a list of popular waterbodies to fish for by species, please consult the Suggested Fishing Locations for the Monadnock Region/Southwest N.H, which can be found at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fishing_forecast/Locations_Southwest.htm.
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT - May 15, 2008
In today's report, biologist Andy Schafermeyer reviews fisheries research taking place in the North Country this season.
Stocking report: http://wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm.
Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.FishNH.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. 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.
Brood stock salmon fans take note: Fish and Game is planning to release more than 1,500 Atlantic salmon into the Pemigewasset and Merrimack Rivers in the next several weeks -- three times the number of fish that were released last year, ranging in weight from 2 to 18 pounds apiece! Info: http://wildlife.state.nh.us/Newsroom/News_2008/News_2008_Q2/Broodstock_Salmon_051208.html Last call for campers age 10-16: Barry Conservation Camp in Berlin, NH still has a handful of slots open for the "aquatic adventures" week, July 6-11. Cost for the week (Sunday through Friday), including lodging, meals, and equipment, is $400. For more info or to register: http://extension.unh.edu/4H/Camps/docs/BarryCon.htm. Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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Cool waters - Best time for trout fishing By Andrew Schafermeyer, Fisheries Biologist, Region 1/Lancaster
Even biologists get cabin fever. As beautiful as winter can be in Northern New Hampshire, with miles of snowmobile trails and acres of ice-covered ponds to fish, spring is always a welcome sight. With the month of April comes a new field season. Work plans have been solidified and some exciting projects are underway -- all designed to provide an awesome fishing season. Once ice started receding from lakes and ponds, our stocking trucks began rolling out of New Hampshire's hatcheries with loads of brook, brown and rainbow trout, and Atlantic salmon. Hatchery personnel spent the long winter raising healthy and robust fish destined for our thousands of lakes, ponds and rivers. I often remind people that May is the best month for trout fishing in New Hampshire. Conditions are perfect and trout densities are never higher. As spring turns into summer, water temperatures rise to a point that trout become less aggressive. In addition to seeing more angling pressure, oxygen levels also slowly decrease. These variables support my point that early season fishing for coldwater fish will provide higher catch rates and a more satisfying experience. How about planning a trip to your favorite trout pond this weekend? A stretch of very warm weather covered the North Country in late April. This was nature's way of cleaning up the tremendous snow pack and thick ice. The result was average ice-out dates on most of our ponds. On Partridge Lake in Littleton, the ice disappeared on April 22 and I quickly set some nets targeting spawning Northern pike. The water temperatures were in the mid-40s and I hoped to sample some of the ferocious predators as they entered shallow water to deposit their eggs. As fish enter predictable life stages like this, good anglers take note. Once pike are located, the battle of wits is half over. Throw a spoon, jerkbait, spinnerbait, or almost anything at the feeding machines, and you will get a strike. In an effort to document movements and seasonal patterns of brook trout, two major projects have begun in local waterbodies. Small tags have been placed in 2- to 3-inch wild brook trout and will be monitored by stationary antennas on tributary culverts in the Nash Stream watershed. This will allow us to easily determine, with far more certainty than ever before, whether or not fish can pass certain obstructions. Also being radio-tagged this year are yearling hatchery fish as we try to determine exactly what they do after they are stocked. Information gathered from this Nash Stream study will benefit scientists and anglers in far-reaching ways. In addition to the Nash Stream study, non-stocked brook trout will also be radio tagged in the Dead Diamond watershed, completing a 3-year study on habitat preference and seasonal migration. This area is unique in that several large rivers intertwine through large lake habitat, resulting in trout behavior that can be quite specialized. This information becomes valuable as we try to protect this fishery during critical times of their lifecycles. Again, information gathered will have tremendous application in the effort to maximize angling opportunities in New Hampshire. --
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.
BRAKE FOR MOOSE: IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE
CONCORD, N.H. - Remember to brake for moose when traveling New Hampshire roadways. There were 198 moose/vehicle collisions in New Hampshire in 2007; in the last five years the state has averaged 230 per year. May and June are high-risk months for encountering moose on the roads, because moose are moving from winter to spring habitats and starting to come out to the roads to eat salt. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is working to make people more aware of the danger of moose/vehicle collisions. Step number one is to learn what you can do to reduce the chance of being involved in an accident with a moose. "Moose are an important and much loved part of our state, but it can be dangerous to encounter them on the road," said N.H. Fish and Game Moose Project Leader Kristine Rines. "By following a few simple rules, motorists can greatly reduce their chance of a moose/vehicle collision or the severity of personal injury if they do hit a moose."
When driving on New Hampshire roads, keep these points in mind:
* New Hampshire's moose herd is approximately 6,000 strong.
* Moose vehicle collisions happen statewide on all types of roads.
* Moose collisions happen most often from the months of May through November.
* While collisions can happen at any time of day, they occur most frequently at dusk and during the night.
* Moose are dark brown and hard to see against pavement.
* Don't depend on "eye shine" to alert you to a moose's presence. Moose don't always look at an approaching vehicle.
* To reduce the chance of a collision - or the severity of occupant injury if you do hit a moose:
* Drive no faster than 55 mph, and wear your seatbelt;
* Scan the sides of the road;
* Be able to stop within the zone of your headlights;
* Use high beams whenever possible;
* If you see a moose, slow down or stop if necessary, until you have passed it or it has left the road.
New Hampshire residents and visitors love to see moose and enjoy sharing the state with these largest denizens of the forest. Make sure your moose encounters are safe for you and the moose: Brake for Moose - It could save your life!
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state's fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. For more safety tips on avoiding moose collisions, visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/brake_for_moose.htm.
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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.
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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.
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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 and 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.
