MONADNOCK/UPPER VALLEY REGION FISHING FORECAST -- 2009

CT River Walleye and Ice-Out Bass
By Jason Carrier, Fisheries Biologist, Region 4/Keene

As the days grow longer, the snow melts, lake and pond ice recedes, and the rivers start to swell, I can’t help but get excited about the upcoming open water fishing season and what it will bring me this year. As a new resident to the southwestern part of the state, I have a lot of new and exciting fishing opportunities. There is an abundance of water in this section of the state to be explored and I can’t wait to start.

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Walleye fishing in the Connecticut River is the start of our open water fishing here in the Monadnock region. From mid-March to mid-late May, walleye can be caught in and around their spawning grounds. Fish and Game biologists will be seen again this year conducting a walleye creel survey on the river below Vernon and Bellows Falls Dams. We will be measuring anglers’ walleye, taking fin spine samples for aging, and asking anglers questions on their experience and satisfaction of the walleye fishery. (Click here for more info.)

Both shore and boat anglers can enjoy walleye fishing on the Connecticut River. The most popular method for taking this voracious predator is by using jig heads tipped with either soft plastic grubs or worms and or live shiners and worms. Fish downstream from dams and spillway areas, fish current breaks associated with points, wing dams, bridges, tributary mouths, and islands. Jigs can be cast to areas of reduced current along the shoreline especially during high water. Be sure to watch the fluctuating water levels below dams, as they can rise quickly.

The Southwestern part of the state is where anglers can get the first jump on the open-water fishing season in lakes and ponds. When those smaller bass ponds open up there will be some great early season action to be had, and I don’t want to miss it. In the few weeks before ponds start opening up, I will be busy making sure my boat and all my gear is in check and ready to hit the water.

From ice-out to pre-spawn, one of the most popular (and my favorite) way to target bass is with a hard suspending jerk-bait like a Rapala Husky Jerk, X-rap, or a Smithwick Rogue. These baits need to be retrieved with quick, hard jerks or sweeping them a few feet at a time. The critical part about the retrieve is the length of pause between jerks or sweeps. I find that longer pauses, 5-10 seconds, is best right after ice-out, when the water is cold and bass are not very aggressive. This is not always the case, so you need to experiment with pauses and retrieval speed. I have caught smallmouth while ripping a Husky Jerk for pike as fast as I could just days after ice-out. Typically as the water warms and bass metabolism speeds up, a faster retrieve with slight pauses can be deadly.

Fish coves or bays that warm up quicker than the main basin, as bass will be seeking warmer water. You might also catch them cruising the shore, or they could still be held up in deeper water directly adjacent to main spawning grounds. Be prepared to move around to find them, and be ready to play around with different retrieval speeds and pauses.
 

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