N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- July 21, 2005

Despite the sizzling summer heat, there's a resurgence of fish activity 
on the Big Lakes. Biologists Don Miller and John Viar explain why in 
today's NH Fishing Report.

Buy your fishing license and salmon permit online, any time -- at 
http://www.nhfishandgame.com. 

Fish stocking is winding down for the season, with a limited number of 
stocking locations last week; for the latest report, check 
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm.

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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          FOR MIDSUMMER SUCCESS ON BIG LAKES -- TROLL AND JIG, 
                         AND WATCH THOSE SMELT!

                    By Don Miller and John Viar, 
             Fisheries Biologists, Region 2/New Hampton

We hope everyone is enjoying the tropical heat wave that New Hampshire 
has been subjected to this summer (what a difference from the cool, wet 
spring)! The Lake Winnipesaukee surface temperature is currently 75+ 
degrees, but believe it or not, we are entering one of the most 
productive times for big-lake trolling. There are three major reasons why: the 
establishment of a solid thermocline (horizontal "layers" of 
different-temperature water); a burgeoning crop of young-of-the-year (YOY) rainbow 
smelt achieving such size as to be targeted exclusively by salmonids 
(salmon and trout); and salmonids on a pre-spawn feeding binge (remember 
these are fall spawners, so mid-late summer/early fall is actually 
pre-spawn feeding time!). 

In the last couple weeks we have treated ourselves to some trolling on 
Winnipesaukee and witnessed extensive surface activity by landlocked 
salmon and rainbow trout in the area off Welch and Diamond, and Mark and 
Timber islands, despite the warm surface temperatures. At dawn and 
dusk, and surprisingly even at midday, we have witnessed numerous salmon 
and rainbows slashing into schools of YOY smelt, driven to the surface in 
feeding frenzies. Most of the salmon appeared to be age 2 fish, 
approximately 15-16 inches; the larger fish seemed to be staying in 
deeper/cooler waters of the thermocline. 

Both age 2 and age 3 salmon, stocked as yearling fish about 6 inches 
long, have displayed some impressive growth -- thanks to our smelt supply 
(and importantly, sustainable stocking rates), which seems to be 
excellent again this year. We will be performing annual hydroacoustic (sonar) 
and trawl net surveys to monitor forage fish populations over the next 
month and a half. It has become apparent that in wet spring/summer 
years, our smelt benefit from better spawning success and food conditions 
in our large lakes. 

Surprisingly, we did not have much luck on small streamer flies 
imitating YOY smelt, which has been effective in the past. It is important to 
remember these YOY smelt are extremely tiny (only about 1.25 inches at 
the time of this writing), which can make "matching the hatch" quite 
difficult when the fish are keyed in. However, despite our 
"match-the-hatch fears," various spoons including DB Smelt, Mooselook wobblers, and 
smaller Suttons, 25-35 feet deep on downriggers, did produce fish; a 
touch of orange/red either as part of the color pattern or added 
(permanent marker or nail polish or one of the various sticker tapes available) 
seems to trigger aggression strikes. 

We boated some solid age 3 salmon (adipose fin clip) to 3.25 lbs. (see 
the web version of this report for a picture) and rainbow trout from 
13-16 inches long; all of the fish looked nice and chunky! Lake trout to 
22 inches were also in on the mix. Don's buddy Jim broke the orange/red 
"phenom" by hitting a nice fat age 3 salmon about 3.25 lbs. in size on 
a blue-green-silver DB smelt (Don was finally successful in netting 
this fish after a failed attempt at trying to extend the landing net 
handle!). We have heard of similar reports from anglers that mirrored our 
trips (that includes the various netting follies!). 

In Lake Winnisquam, Don has noted hundreds of YOY yellow perch cruising 
the shorelines in water as shallow as 6 inches. This is a great sight 
to see because our yellow perch are a native species to our big lakes 
and have experienced noticeable declines in recent history.

   ><> GETTIN' JIGGY <><

Don't forget this is a great time of year to vertical jig for lake 
trout in deeper basins of our large lakes; once you have some practice 
under your belt, you will be rewarded with much higher catch rates than 
horizontal trolling. We have had tremendous luck with solid fish in the 
18-25 inch range, with an occasional bigger fish to about 7-9 lbs. in the 
mix, using "light" vertical jigging techniques (see last July's Fishing 
Report "Getting Vertical for Togue" at 
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/Fishing_Reports/Fishing_Reports_2004/fishing_report_072204.htm). 
If looking specifically for very large lakers (but less action), other 
techniques such as "slow-spinning" large live bait and "wrecking 
spoons" on wire will likely be more effective.

Trout fishing is holding up well, with surplus trout stocking finally 
winding down. The Pemigewasset River is our all-purpose trout fishery in 
central New Hampshire, with brookies, browns and rainbows in the 
stretch of river north from Bristol to Woodstock. Trout ponds provide good 
results in the quiet evenings. The hex hatches are here and spotty at 
local ponds such as Sky, Spectacle and Upper Hall. Fishing just after a 
thundershower rolls through an area can be very productive.

Smallmouth bass are in full summer patterns now, with most anglers 
reporting success in water as deep as 25-35 feet. As with most sportfish, 
early morning and late afternoon until dark are prime times for 
smallmouth bass. One of our favorite methods is fly-fished poppers over rock 
shoals late in the day -- in our clear waters, smallmouth will come a 
surprising distance for an easy meal, 20 feet or more. With the majority 
of quality-sized bass down even deeper, it certainly is not the most 
productive technique at this time of year, but there is nothing like a 
smallie smashing a popper. During midday, resort to drop-shotting and 
Carolina-rigging soft plastics near clouds of bait.


   ><> FISHING NOTES <><

DID YOU KNOW...?
Most of Fish and Game's funding comes from sales of fishing and hunting 
licenses and permits. Even if you're not planning to fish this year, 
you can still support the important work of your Fish and Game Department 
if you buy a fishing license each year. You can buy one at any NH 
license agent; or online, anytime, at http://www.nhfishandgame.com. Thanks 
for your support!

PROTECT YOUR WATERS:
Don't let invasive species ruin New Hampshire's waterbodies: Keep your 
gear and boats clean, and visit http://www.protectyourwaters.net/nh to 
learn more about what you can do to help keep out "aquatic hitchhikers" 
like milfoil and zebra mussels.

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          FEDERAL AID IN SPORT FISH AND WILDLIFE RESTORATION
                   A User-Pay, User-Benefit Program

Researching and managing fisheries and teaching people about aquatic 
ecosystems are funded by your license dollars and by the Federal Aid in 
Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program. Your purchases of fishing 
equipment and motorboat fuels make a difference to New Hampshire's 
fisheries. To learn more, visit 
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/SFWR_program/sfwr_program.htm.


-- 
Copyright 2005 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, 
Concord, NH 03301.  Comments or questions concerning this list should 
be directed to lpoinier@wildlife.state.nh.us.