N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- September 29, 2005
Well folks, this fishing round-up is our last hurrah for the moment!
Thanks for reading the fishing report this season. We'll return during
ice-fishing season, and be back to our weekly schedule in spring. In the
meantime, there's still plenty of fantastic fishing to be had in New
Hampshire, and a sunny weekend just around the corner!
Buy your fishing license and salmon permit online, any time -- at
http://www.nhfishandgame.com.
Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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N.H. FISHING ROUND-UP
In addition to the normal fall stocking (see last week's report at
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/Fishing_Reports/Fishing_Reports_2005/fishing_report_092205.htm),
hatcheries supervisor Bob Fawcett reports there will be 6,000 surplus
yearling brook trout stocked into the following general-regulation
waterbodies (open to ice fishing), for your winter fishing enjoyment. They
will be stocked after the temperature is in the mid-50 degrees F range.
Highland Lake - Andover
White Lake - Tamworth
Tewksbury Pond - Grafton
Manning Lake - Gilmanton
Winona Lake - Meredith
Chapman Pond - Sullivan
Gustin Pond - Marlow
Newell Pond - Alstead
Gabe Gries (fisheries biologist, Region 4/Keene) offers his best
Southwest spots to hit for late season trout -- Willard Pond in Antrim and
the south branch of the Ashuelot River -- he says the Swanzey fly-fishing
only section still holds large numbers of brown trout. Also, Gabe
writes, "the Connecticut River is a fantastic spot to try for late-season
smallmouth bass and northern pike. Recent surveys in Charlestown and
Claremont showed large numbers of 3-4 lb. smallmouth, and pike were seen
up to 12 lbs. In the fall, the predatory fish will often be found just
off the riverbank as they feed on the river's abundant shiners."
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SEACOAST ACTION, NOW AND LATER!
By Brian Smith, fisheries biologist, Region 3/Durham
Fall is fast approaching and another fishing season on the coast is
coming to a close. The striped bass and bluefish provided excellent
action this year. Reports of huge schools of bait on the coast have been
common and big bluefish have been harassing them consistently. Before
you pack up your fishing gear for the season, make a final trip or two
down to the coast. Take advantage of the end-of-the-season craziness
that often occurs at this time of year as the bait comes in and the
stripers and blues begin their journey southward. Reports of schools of
heavily feeding bluefish in the six- to eight-pound range have been common.
Get them before they're gone.
The first few nights of cold weather already have me thinking of cold
weather fishing opportunities. Rainbow smelt fishing through the ice
last year was very steady. The early arrivals will be coming into Rye
Harbor where you can fish for them from the commercial pier under the
lights. This action should pick up later in October and November. No
time like the present to get yourself ready to put some smelt in the
freezer this winter. Go ahead and get started on that bobhouse you keep
saying you're going to build, and make sure you will be nice and warm
during those frigid smelt fishing forays.
Finally, when the ice does set up this year, be sure to investigate
some new locations. The Fish and Game access on the Lamprey River in
Newmarket NH provided some excellent outings for me last year and I almost
always had it to myself. How about that, a fisherman actually giving
up his best spot! Why deal with crowds fishing the more popular spots,
when you can fish in solitude and catch more smelt. Catches on the
Lamprey were consistently good last year, even when the Squamscott River
and Great Bay locations were not producing. Trying something new this
winter, it may pay off with more fish and fewer parking hassles. See
you on the ice this winter, but until then good luck and good fishing.
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LARGE LAKES 2005 OPEN WATER ROUND-UP -- READY FOR THE ICE BITE!
By John Viar, fisheries biologist, Region 2/New Hampton
It has been another solid year for Big Lake (Winnipesaukee) catches, in
terms of hefty landlocked salmon in the 2-4 year old age classes (18-22
inches), solid lake trout in the 3- 4 lb. range with larger individuals
to 7-9 lbs. (see a photo on the web version of this report of a
29.5-inch, 9-lb. lake trout caught vertical jigging on September 13), and a
healthy age-1 rainbow trout year class which is already as long as 16-17
inches. The smelt forage base was/is tremendous, with some
impressively robust fish. (In fact, favorable environmental conditions along with
appropriate stocking rates resulted in excellent smelt production in
most large lakes surveyed this year). Look for the return of more
Winnipesaukee salmon in the 5+ lbs. size class in 2006 (season opens April
1), as the age 4 year class is currently 4+ lbs. Don't forget about
other large lakes such as Big Squam, which has returned to "trophy" status
and produced the largest average-sized landlocked salmon this y
ear, with fish over 5 lbs. not uncommon. How about forgotten Sunapee
Lake, which produced salmon in excess of 4 lbs. this season, or
Newfound Lake, which produced several rainbow trout in excess of 5 lbs.?
Don't forget about those "other" lakes when planning trips for next year's
open water season (or ice fishing for lake and rainbow trout).
Several entries for largemouth bass in excess of 6 lbs. were received
in the Trophy Fish Program this year, but one potential entry (not yet
officially entered) really stood out - a largemouth just over 10 lbs.
recently caught and released - bologna, you say? Clear pictures were
sent, and believe me, it was enormous! This fish was flirting with the
state record! Luck? Not likely - this passionate bass angler has tamed
several largemouth over 8+ lbs., proving the state record is still
within reach!
For you ardent fall anglers, see you on the cooling waters...we know
that in preparation for winter, bass, chain pickerel, and panfish are
putting on the feedbag throughout the state, creating some the year's best
fishing opportunities. Dropping temperatures also signal the return of
leviathan northern pike to shallower haunts of the Connecticut River.
Ah, the magic of fishing the hard water in the midst of a sparkling
winter landscape -- it's coming sooner than we think! There is just
something about fish swimming right below your feet... and the mystery of
what might be running at the end of that tip-up when the flag pops,
eventually revealed through the circular window you have carved into their
world. Makes you feel like a kid again! Shouldn't you take the
youngsters along so they can say the same thing one day? Yellow perch and
chain pickerel remain ravenous in just about all waterbodies, from ponds
to back bays of large lakes, just waiting for that golden shiner
dangling under a tip-up. Remember, with the warm water temperatures of summer
a distant memory, togue, bows, and cusk will come into shallow flats to
feed under the ice. Reefs/humps surrounded by deeper water are also
magnets for togue and cusk.
Year in, year out -- it's tough to beat Winnisquam for big lakers and
Winnipesaukee for all-around quality and quantity of lakers, bows and
cusk. Don't overlook Newfound for monster rainbows, along with plenty of
lake trout to keep you entertained. General regulation ponds such as
White Lake-Tamworth, Tewksbury Pond-Grafton, and Highland Lake-Andover
remain open for ice fishing and are often stocked with surplus trout in
fall, providing some fabulous early ice action. Please remember,
designated trout ponds are CLOSED to ice fishing and the taking of
landlocked salmon through the ice is ILLEGAL in all New Hampshire waters.
Finally, we've just confirmed that Salmon Sunday is set for Nov. 13 at
Pope Dam in Melvin Village, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Check it out!
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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.
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