N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- August 4, 2005

The Connecticut River is offering up some great fishing these days. 
Fisheries biologist Mike Racine gives us the highlights in this week's 
report.

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

Fish stocking is complete for the season, so the fish stocking report 
is now suspended until spring. (Don’t worry -- this FISHING report 
continues through September!) Stocking information from the last 4 months 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.

Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.

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  TROUT, BASS, PANFISH, AND PIKE -- THE CONNECTICUT RIVER HAS IT ALL!
         By Mike Racine, Fisheries Biologist, Region 4/Keene

Excellent fishing continues where the Cold River feeds into the 
Connecticut River in Walpole. Trout were rising everywhere and the banks were 
lined with fishermen. One man reported *almost* catching a 5 or 6-pound 
brown. Don't tell him that almost isn't good enough. His problem was 
that the brown just wouldn't fit in the net! The only option this 
fisherman had for this "mounter" was to attempt to grab the gills or tail and 
hope for the best. Well, the fish apparently was hoping for the best 
too and got away. Another spot to try for trout is a mile or two 
downriver around the Great Island Wildlife Management Area (also in Walpole). 

The Connecticut River never ceases to amaze me! It has an incredible 
forage (feed) base that feeds both the cold and warmwater fish species. I 
have already mentioned two hot spots for trout, but smallmouth bass are 
not nearly as selective in terms of habitat; you can fish for 
smallmouths just about anywhere! Daytime work with Fish and Game's 
electroshocking boat took us to Charlestown last week. The estimated minimum size 
smallie captured was about 13", average size was 15", and maximum size 
must have been just over 20". We turned over these beauties every 60 
yards or so, and we traveled roughly half a mile. As we were not targeting 
bass, we easily lost count! We would either first run into schools of 
hundreds of minnows with the bass hovering nearby, or we would hit the 
bass first and in a matter of feet run into the minnows. Either way, 
predator and prey weren't separated by much distance!

To date, our warmwater surveys have taken us from Rindge to Gilmanton, 
with several more waterbodies in store. The "young of the year" bass 
have already grown to nearly 2 inches. We have seen both largemouth and 
smallmouth, although largemouth are sampled more effectively. We 
captured and released a 6+ pounder from Rindge and have seen others like it. 
(See the web version of this report for a picture.) The big boys are 
around indeed!

If you are interested in volunteering to help with these night surveys, 
or if you want more information on the program, please call the Region 
4 (Keene) office at 603-352-9669. Thanks to those who have helped thus 
far. We could not do the surveys without you! 

The Connecticut River doesn't have just trout and bass. It also has 
superb panfish and pike fishing. These two extremes require much different 
equipment setups. Panfishing requires a light pole, light line (4-6 lb. 
test), and small jigs or spinners. Pike fishing, on the other hand, 
requires a stiff pole, minimum 20-lb. test line, a steel leader, and large 
lures. While panfishing, you may even get a surprise when the pike 
attack your catch! This pike found amongst schools of minnows and perch and 
was sampled and released in the Bellows Falls area. The daily limit for 
these monsters is one fish having a minimum total length of 28 inches.

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                             FISHING NOTES

   ><> Pittsfield/Suncook R. Access Site Closed August 5-7 <><
Boaters and anglers should note that the N.H. Fish and Game 
Department's public access site on the Suncook River in Pittsfield will be closed 
for public safety reasons (related to the flight path of hot air 
balloons) August 5, 6, and 7 during the Pittsfield Rotary Club's annual hot 
air Balloon Rally at nearby Drake Field. 

   ><> 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.