Fishing Forecast for 2005

Angling Opportunities Abound in the Lakes Region
By John A. Viar, Fisheries Biologist, Region 2/New Hampton

Central New Hampshire has been blessed with the natural beauty of deep, cold, clear, glacially formed lakes, as well as numerous shallow, weedy, small ponds. Thus a wide variety of species and habitats exist, from big-water trolling for landlocked salmon and trout, to shallow, shoreline angling, with bass and panfish as prime targets.

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After a 10-minute battle, Jeff Batula (right) landed this 27.25” landlocked salmon on Pleasant Lake in Elkins, with expert netting support from his father, State Chairman Peter Batula of Merrimack. The fish -- the 2004 trophy landlock -- was photographed, measured, and released safely, to be caught another day. (Courtesy photo)

Lakes Winnipesaukee, Squam, Newfound, Winnisquam and Sunapee offer nearly 65,000 acres of prime fishing waters. The most popular species pursued by anglers in these waters are smallmouth and largemouth bass, landlocked salmon, lake trout, and rainbow trout.

For the angler who wishes to fish secluded waters, the Lakes Region has numerous small ponds where a canoe or car-top boat will provide the ideal escape for a quiet afternoon on the water.

With all the lakes and ponds in the area, one would be correct to assume streams are plentiful as well. The Lake Winnipesaukee watershed is the headwaters for the aptly named Winnipesaukee River that drains Winnipesaukee, Winnisquam, Opechee and Silver lakes. The Winnipesaukee River joins the Pemigewasset River (drains part of the White Mountains) and becomes the mighty Merrimack River in Franklin. Travel west and you encounter the famous Connecticut River, which is our border with Vermont.

Whether you dine on campfire-roasted brook trout caught in mountain streams or enjoy fine dining over large-lake caught salmon fillets, the Lakes Region has it all! Let's explore some of the options...

Tempting Trout Ponds
Mention springtime to an angler and it is likely that their thoughts quickly turn to trout. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (NHFGD) annually stocks approximately one million yearling-sized and older brook, brown and rainbow trout into the streams, ponds and lakes. The NHFGD manages a variety of waters under different regulations in order to provide diverse angling experiences to our angling public. Let's begin with some of our trout ponds found in the region. Spectacle Pond-Groton, Saltmarsh Pond-Gilford, Duncan Lake-Ossipee, Long Pond-Croydon, and Perch Pond-Campton are good choices for anglers in search of brook and rainbow trout. These ponds have good access and can be fished from shoreline (good success spring/early summer) or from boat or canoe (better success throughout season). There is no need for fancy gear, a spin cast rod/reel and bobber and worms (also salmon eggs) is all that's required for the beginner. These ponds, which are open from the 4th Saturday in April until October 15 are well stocked and have the capability to "holdover" trout from the previous year(s). Head a little further north and seek out Russell Pond-Woodstock and Long Pond-Benton, two ponds that are located in the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF), and offer superb brook trout fishing in heavily-forested settings. There is a WMNF campground associated with Russell Pond that can make for an enjoyable vacation for the whole family.

For the fly-fishing enthusiast there is Sky Pond-New Hampton, Upper Hall Pond-Sandwich and Coldrain Pond-New Durham. All three ponds are managed for brook trout under special fly-fishing-only regulations.

For the really adventuresome angler who likes to walk/hike, 25 remote trout ponds are annually stocked with fingerling brook trout via helicopter. Some of these ponds are managed through special regulations (fly only, barbless hooks, etc.) and/or special length limits which are intended to provide the angler with quality fisheries in remote settings. These ponds are accessed by well-defined hiking trails, many located within the WMNF. Most of these ponds are small in size (10-15 acres or less) and those who angle in these waters zealously guard their "secret" gems! I will mention a few to whet your appetite! Black Pond-Lincoln, Guinea Pond-Sandwich, Wachipauka Pond-Warren and Three Ponds in Ellsworth are good choices. Remember, these ponds are remote and require wading or the use of a canoe or float-tube to access the offshore waters. Try to fish these ponds before mid-June or the fall season, as warm weather tends to drive the trout deep in search of springs. Experience the quiet beauty of a remote trout pond for yourself. There are few pleasures for the ardent angler that match a crimson-flanked male brook trout as he flashes for your fly.

Big Lake Action
From the frigid conditions of ice-out to the sweltering summer sun, big-lake landlocked salmon, lake trout, and rainbow trout anglers change techniques to keep pace with varying water temperatures -- the main factor determining the location of these coldwater gamefish and their favorite prey, rainbow smelt. Big Squam and Winnipesaukee lakes are our best landlocked salmon fisheries; average size observed during fall 2004 netting operations was 20 inches at Squam and 19 inches at Winnipesaukee - salmon exhibited excellent body condition (robust), which is indicative of healthy smelt populations -- and translates to some powerful fighters!

Shoreline and dock fishing is productive early in the season (April), due to cold surface water temperatures and smelt spawning in tributaries and shallows. This is an excellent time of year for fly anglers or those without boats to target these fish. Classic locations are Governor's Island Bridge-Gilford, Smith River confluence and docks-Wolfeboro, Poor Farm Brook/Ellacoya-Gilford, Long Island Bridge-Moultonborough, and Merrymeeting River confluence-Alton. Once the ice begins to go out, early season boat/trolling hotspots include Saunders Bay, Wolfeboro Bay, northern Center Harbor, southern Alton Bay, and east of Long Island. Fished under a bobber, drifted, or slow trolled, live rainbow smelt are particularly effective (they are available at bait shops early in the season).

As the waters warm, salmon and trout will settle into deeper basin areas of the large lakes. By summer, special equipment such as leadcore line and downriggers are useful for getting down to the fish; a good starting point for all three is approximately 30-35 feet, where the "thermocline" develops by mid summer (July) in our large lakes. Many varieties of streamer flies (e.g. Maynard's Marvel) and spoons (e.g. Top Gun) are effective. Vertical jigging for lake trout is also very productive at this time of year.

Sampling a Stream
Anglers who wish to wade a stream or river have numerous choices. Take a ride on the Kancamagus Highway and fish the Swift River that runs along this scenic, wilderness road. There are campgrounds and picnic areas along the "Kanc" where families can rest while anglers can explore the Swift River and its many small, cold tributaries where the brook trout reigns supreme. Anglers will also find numerous hiking trails associated with brooks along the "Kanc"; most of them contain native brook trout. The East Branch of the Pemigewasset River, "Pemi" as it is known locally, offers great brook trout fishing along its course through the Pemigewasset Wilderness in Lincoln. Further downstream in Woodstock and Thornton, the "Pemi" becomes a wide trout stream, stocked with brook and rainbow trout, and big enough for canoe travel.

Further south is the confluence of the "Pemi" and Winnipesaukee Rivers in Franklin. This area is replete with big rapids, long, deep pools and interesting pocket water. There is a special catch/release area below Eastman Falls Dam where big brown trout and Atlantic salmon broodstock can be found. Large rainbow trout that "drop-down" from our lakes can be found throughout this reach of river. This great river is truly amazing and is a testament to the Clean Waters Act that has returned our river to its former vitality.

Warm Days, Warmwater
Have you experienced the magic of a bass exploding on a topwater lure? Whether it is largemouth in weedy, structure-filled ponds or smallmouth in clear, rocky lakes, you will not have to look far. Most small, warmwater ponds offer great largemouth bass fishing, but notables include Wickwas Lake-Meredith, Balch Pond-Wakefield, and Milton 3 Ponds/Northeast Pond-Milton. For smallmouth, look no further than the combined 55,000+ acres of prime habitat in Big Squam, Winnipesaukee, and Winnisquam lakes -- and don't overlook the shallower bays for largemouth opportunities. Night fishing in mid to late summer can pay big dividends -- in terms of fish size and escaping recreational boat traffic. Or choose one of numerous smaller, quiet water bodies with limited access and/or boating restrictions, such as Hermit Lake-Sanbornton and Lees Mills Pond-Moultonborough.

How about a voracious chain pickerel or northern pike making its distinct V-wake in pursuit of your offering? The Connecticut River and its setbacks in Orford, Piermont, and Hanover are prime northern territory (along with excellent bass and panfishing). Opportunities abound for pickerel, but for a quiet canoe/cartop getaway offering unparalleled scenery, check out Bearcamp Pond-Sandwich.

Want to take the kids for some mixed bag panfish? Many options, but fishing from shore at Lees Mills Landing, Lake Winnipesaukee, is sure to turn up a bluegill, yellow perch, and maybe a bonus black crappie.

More Help? Questions?
Knowledgeable guides are available to take you on an outing to a trout pond or spend a morning pursuing landlocked salmon and trout on our scenic large lakes (click here for a current listing of licensed guides). Our Region 2 office is strategically located in New Hampton, just off Interstate 93, smack dab in the heart of the Lakes Region. The New Hampton State Fish Hatchery is also located here and visitors are always welcome. Feel free to contact us for further information or stop by for a visit with our fisheries staff.

Don Miller, Fisheries Biologist II, dmiller@nhfgd.org
John Viar, Fisheries Biologist I, jviar@nhfgd.org
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
Region 2 Office
PO Box 417
New Hampton NH 03256
(603) 744-5470
 

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