Weekly Fishing Report aug 18

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N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- August 18, 2005 This week, odds & ends from here and there. Fantastic weather from Pittsburg to Pelham.... have you been on the water? Buy your fishing license and salmon permit online, any time -- at http://www.nhfishandgame.com. Fish stocking is complete for the season. Stocking information from April-July is available at 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. The most interesting recent NH fishing news is last week's landing of a pacu in Hudson by Jacob Wurm of Manchester. You may have seen pictures of the piranha-like pacu on the TV news... it's a native of South America and definitely doesn't belong in New Hampshire! (Check the online version of this report for a photo.) There's a reason why it's illegal to dump or introduce fish: they can throw an entire ecosystem off-balance in a short period of time. Remember, if you have an aquarium or ornamental pond, never release fish into natural waters. Visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/aquatic_nuisance.htm to learn more. Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> NH FISHING ROUNDUP Summer's in full swing and most of our fisheries biologists are out doing research, so we've pulled together some fishing odds and ends from around the state. Seacoast: BRIAN SMITH is looking forward to the next few weeks, when big migrating schools of stripers start moving through New Hampshire's coastal region and feeding like crazy. Brian says in late August and through September he'll be out fishing in the early morning and late afternoon into evening. One favorite technique is to drive along the coast -- with a fishing buddy in the passenger seat, if possible, looking for bird activity out on the water. Terns and gulls will be feeding on baitfish (mostly juvenile menhaden or "bunker") that are getting pushed to the top by feeding schools of striped bass. Try driving Route 1A -- there are lots of pulloffs. When you see a "blitz," jump out and cast a few surface plugs, hook a few and drive on! Groundfishing action will also be ramping up with early fall -- try a party boat for lots of feeding cod and haddock. Southwest: GABE GRIES reports that stream and river levels in southwest NH are up quite a bit following the recent rain. Any time you go from having low water and hot weather to cool weather and cool rain -- the waters rise and cool quickly, making for unseasonably good trout fishing. Gabe says he's heard bass fishing is good right now too. The fish are still pretty deep -- especially smallmouths. Go deep! Lakes Region: KRIS HARMON polled her co-workers to get the latest fishing scoop. The big-lakes biologists have been out on our research boat, the Forager, doing fish surveys late at night. Waters are warm, which always brings out the, shall we say, dedicated anglers, but how tough can it be to "work" at your fishing skills? On lakes and ponds, warmwater fishing is always good, but if you have a boat (or a friend with a boat!), go deeper and you will find plenty of coldwater fish as well. The Region 2 officers report that there are still plenty of good stream fishing opportunities; the Mad, Baker, Pemigewasset and Newfound rivers all have many many pockets where you can find fish at this time of year. They also say the Saco, Androscoggin, Ammonoosuc, Swift, the Beebe, the Sugar and (of course) the Connecticut River are also worth checking out in late summer. The Lakes Region is not alone in having received good rainfall this year. Water levels are still up and the fishing is fine. In fact, Donald Robbins of Amherst caught a new state-record brown bullhead in the Merrimack River during the first week of August. This fish was 17.95 inches long and weighed 3 lbs. 4.8 ounces. Ken LaPage of Hopkinton caught and released a whopper black crappie -- 14.75" -- at Clement Pond in Hopkinton, and entered it in the Trophy Fish Program. Don't forget -- you only have a little while longer to take the kids fishing before school starts. Take your shoes off, dangle your feet in the water and catch a fish! ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> FISHING NOTES WINNISQUAM BOAT ACCESS FACILITY Open House: Fish and Game will host an "Open House" on Saturday, August 20, from 9 - 11 a.m. at the Opechee Park Clubhouse in Laconia, giving the public a chance to learn about and offer their input on a proposed public boat access facility on Lake Winnisquam. The proposed boat ramp would be built on property owned by the State and the City of Laconia off Water Street. Visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us for information. DID YOU KNOW?: Just about all of Fish and Game's funding comes from sales of fishing and hunting licenses and permits. Even if you're not planning to fish or hunt this year, you can still support the important work of your Fish and Game Department by buying a license. Pick one up at any New Hampshire license agent; or purchase online, anytime, at http://www.nhfishandgame.com. Thanks for your support! ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> 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.