N.H. Weekly Fishing Report -- 2009

[Brandon-K]

This is a weekly fishing report released by New Hampshire Fish and Game Department:

N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- April 9, 2009

In today's report, Fish and Game hatcheries supervisor Robert Fawcett presents the annual plan for growing and stocking trout throughout the state. Also, anadromous fisheries guy Matt Carpenter offers a brood stock Atlantic salmon update with locations, fishing tips and more.

STOCKING TRUCKS ARE ROLLING! We don't have a list of waterbodies for you just yet -- but check the website and we'll get it updated as soon as we can. N.H. Fish Stocking Report - N.H. Fish and Game.

Are you a Let's Go Fishing Instructor? No? Well, here's your big chance! Sign up for LGF training by April 20 and you could be teaching this spring and summer. Info: "Let's Go Fishing" Wants YOU! - N.H. Fish and Game.

Final Fish Talk! Our spring series of Fish Talks wraps up next Weds., April 15, with a repeat of the popular "Downriggers and Trolling" presentation at Fish and Game in Concord. Visit Let's Talk Fishing: Unlock your fish-finding potential - N.H. Fish and Game.

Purchase your fishing license online at N.H. Fish and Game Department - Welcome, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Don't forget -- kids under 16 fish free in N.H.!

All NH fishing page: Fishing in New Hampshire - N.H. Fish and Game.

If you know someone who might like to sign up for the Fishing Report, send them to Inside Fish and Game - Join a Mailing List.

Fish New Hampshire and relax...

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WE HAVE WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR: Quality hatchery-raised trout and landlocked salmon
By Robert Fawcett, Supervisor of Hatcheries

This year's trout yearlings are more than ready to go. The fingerlings are outgrowing their raceways and need space in the larger pools, currently occupied by the ones normally distributed by this time. There will be the usual nice big rainbow trout surprises in the southern part of the state. Milford Hatchery stocked fifteen thousand pounds last week.

Fish Culturists and Conservation Officers will be distributing over 200 tons of hatchery-raised trout and landlocked salmon this season. Whether you fish for trout in waters open to fishing year-round or trout ponds that open the traditional fourth Saturday in April (April 25 this year), excellent quality trout and salmon will be there for your angling pleasure -- or just for the satisfaction of knowing there are beautiful fish out there in selected cold waters of New Hampshire.

The landlocked salmon to be stocked in 2009 had their left ventral fin clipped off on April 1 and 2, to mark them for future identification. If you see missing fins on fish you catch, those markings have meaning for the Inland Fisheries Division biologists who evaluate the fish populations.

THE PLAN FOR 2009 STOCKING CALLS FOR:
438,470 Eastern brook trout yearlings: 58.1% to streams, 41.9% to lakes and ponds; 14,515 two-year-olds: 39.4% to streams, 60.6% to lakes and ponds; and 1,685 "three-year-pluses" (surplus brood fish): 37.4% to streams, 62.6% to lakes and ponds.

Also:
* 277,925 rainbow trout (RT) yearlings: about 26.5% to streams, 73.5% to lakes and ponds.
* 132,120 brown trout (BT) yearlings: 58.3% to streams, 41.7% to lakes and ponds.
* 5,000 tiger trout (TT). Tigers are a cross between a brook trout male and a brown trout female, and have the potential to keep growing to a trophy size if not hooked and cooked at a younger age. They are up to size and being stocked in the spring this year.

For a chart of species and ages of fish to be stocked, check out the online version of this report at N.H. Fishing Report - April 2, 2009 - N.H. Fish and Game.

HATCHERY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN LARGELY BY WATER QUALITY LIMITS TO HATCHERY DISCHARGE
A timber sale was contracted to remove trees from Twin Mountain Hatchery where the space was needed for excavation to install pre-cast concrete water treatment and monitoring units, in addition to pipe consolidation. We'll let you know how this project progresses.

FISH CULTURE 101
The Fish Culturist's mission is "to produce fish of the right species, size, and timing to fill the gaps in the natural eco-cycle, to contribute to management goals for a wide variety of users, and restoration of self-sustaining native fish populations."

If a waterbody has plenty of natural habitat capacity to meet all phases of a fish species' life cycle, then fish populations are self-sustaining and don't need to be supplemented with hatchery-reared fish. But where there are gaps in that natural habitat capacity, hatchery resources are used to provide a fishery that would otherwise not occur for some reason -- for example, lack of adequate habitat for spawning or juvenile rearing, but plenty of habitat for grow out. "Room and board" provided by a hatchery stand in for natural habitat and food organisms. Fish culturists nurture fish eggs through the fry and fingerling stages, until they're large enough to be released and survive in lakes, ponds and rivers. This helps the cycle complete itself, and allows New Hampshire's trout and salmon fisheries to remain productive.

We work all year long to make sure you have stocked fish to catch. When you see our trusty Fish Culturists and Conservation Officers out there stocking, be sure to thank them! Have a great season.

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MELTING SNOWS MEAN LEAPING SALMON
By Matt Carpenter, anadromous fisheries biologist

The stage is set for a good start to the Atlantic salmon broodstock season. Unusually low snowfall in late March has led to a gradual snowmelt this spring. Without the high flows associated with a lingering snowpack, the only obstacle to stocking this year’s brood stock is the potential for flooding rains. Barring any major storms, we intend to begin stocking as early as the week of April 20th.

Spring can offer the best opportunity to catch a trophy sized Atlantic salmon. Be sure to bring a camera. The Atlantic salmon broodstock available in the spring tend to be larger and older than those stocked in the fall. These are the adult salmon that have returned after spending 1 to 3 winters at sea in the North Atlantic. They are captured at the Lawrence Dam and trucked to the Nashua National Fish Hatchery, where their offspring provide the salmon fry and smolts used in the restoration effort. This year we have a total of about 760 fish to be stocked out of the Warren State Fish Hatchery. Just over 20% of these salmon are four year olds with an average weight of 10 pounds. The three year olds are not far behind, with an average weight of about 8 pounds. Dave Riel, the Warren Hatchery manager, commented that this year’s broodstock are "looking great . . . very healthy and active."

Atlantic salmon brood stock are typically stocked in small batches, starting in the Pemigewasset River, below the Ayers Island Dam, and working downstream to Franklin Falls Dam on the Merrimack River, Sewalls Falls in Concord, and occasionally below the Hooksett dam depending on the number of fish available. Atlantic salmon will migrate downstream as water temperatures warm, so the best strategy may be to follow the fish south as spring turns into summer.

A new development in the Merrimack River Anadromous Fish Restoration Program may present some additional late season fishing opportunities for broodstock anglers. The Merrimack Village Dam at the mouth of the Souhegan River was removed last summer. In the past, people have reported broodstock below the dam in early summer. These fish may have been seeking refuge from the warmer Merrimack River water. With the dam no longer blocking movement, there are now over 12 miles of river for broodstock salmon to explore. There are many access points for fishing along the lower Souhegan River, but below the McLane Dam in Milford might be a good place to start.

Season and Permits: The special broodstock Atlantic salmon season runs year-round, but all salmon taken from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released. Adult anglers need an $11 Atlantic salmon permit and a regular New Hampshire fishing license. Children under 16 are not required to hold a permit or a fishing license. Each angler can keep one tagged salmon per day and five for the season. The minimum length limit is 15 inches. Note that area 1a (below Eastman Falls Dam in Franklin) is catch-and-release only. Stamp and possession tags are no longer required for salmon anglers. The salmon permit is a simple check box on the regular license application. Don't forget -- anglers now can purchase their salmon permit online -- go to The GreatLodge.com Inc.

When to go: The best time to fish for broodstock is in April and May and again in the fall during October and November, when water temperatures are between 45 and 65 degrees F. Salmon are migratory, and they head back to the ocean once water temperatures rise in late June. An additional stocking takes place in the fall.

Best Fly-Fishing Areas: The most successful fly fishing is found in the fast, free-flowing sections below the dams along the Merrimack and Pemigewasset rivers and its tributaries. For fly anglers some of the best spots include the area below the Ayers Island Dam in Bristol. There are two sections that offer excellent wade fishing opportunities: the first area is along Coolidge Woods Road on the east side of the river, the other is Profile Falls Recreation Area. This is a new site located near the Smith River confluence on the east side of the river.

Other recommended areas include the catch-and-release section just below the Eastman Falls Dam in Frankin, the river below this section in the vicinity of the Winnipesaukee River confluence, the section near the Stirrup Iron Brook in Boscawen, the Contoocook River below the first dam in Penacook, and the Sewalls Falls Recreational Park area in Concord.

Tackle tips: Gear recommendations for fly anglers include 7- to 9-wt. rods with either floating or sink-tip lines, depending on the height and speed of the river flow. While most fly anglers prefer heavyweight rods with 10-pound test line, nymph fishing with lighter gear has proven successful in catching big salmon. Recommended flies include traditional hair wing flies and streamers. Some patterns to try are green highlander, black bear green butt, cosseboom, soft hackle marabou and muddler minnow.

Spin-fishing areas: The area below the Garvin's Falls Dam in Bow to the MA/NH border is open to both fly and spin fishing. The best areas include in this section of the river just below the Garvin's Falls and Hooksett dams where the river is fast flowing. Fishing success in these two areas is best angling from a boat; however, these two areas offer some limited but good shoreline angling as well. Excellent boat access is provided at Public Service of New Hampshire's ramp on the west side of the river in Bow and at the state-owned ramp on the east side of the river below the Hooksett Dam.

Gear tips: Spin casting anglers would do best to use medium to heavy 6 1/2 to 7 foot rods with a minimum of 10-pound test mono line. Some of the lures recommended are Little Cleo (chrome, chartreuse colors), Blue Fox Pixie, Trixie (silver, chartreuse), Rapala's CD model, and large in-line spinners such as Mepps Aglia (nickel, green, yellow) and Rooster tails. Be reminded that the use of lures for the taking salmon is by the use of an artificial lure having no more than ONE hook point! A solution for lures sold with treble hooks is to either cut off two of the hook points or replace the treble hook with a #6 bait holder hook.

For more broodstock salmon fishing info: Atlantic Salmon Brood Stock Fishery - N.H. Fish and Game

[Brandon-K]

N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT - April 16, 2009

In today's report, fisheries biologist John Viar and Don Miller check in from the Lakes Region, where early-season anglers are already out in force.

STOCKING TRUCKS ARE ROLLING! Nearly 90 sites stocked with fish last week. Visit: N.H. Fish Stocking Report - N.H. Fish and Game

DISCOVER WILD NH DAY is this Saturday 4/18 in Concord! Bring the kids for a fun-filled day: Bring the Family to Discover WILD New Hampshire Day, April 18 - N.H. Fish and Game

POWWOW POND: Fish and Game's boat access facility at Powwow Pond in Kingston, N.H., is closed to trailered boat launching until further notice because of silt and debris issues at the site related to adjacent bridge construction. Cartop access is still available. We'll let you know when it re-opens.

Purchase your fishing license online at N.H. Fish and Game Department - Welcome, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Don't forget -- kids under 16 fish free in N.H.!

All NH fishing page: Fishing in New Hampshire - N.H. Fish and Game.

If you know someone who might like to sign up for the Fishing Report, send them to Inside Fish and Game - Join a Mailing List.

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

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Ice Out - Lines In!
By John Viar and Don Miller, fisheries biologists, Region 2/New Hampton

After a second good ol' fashioned winter providing another tremendous ice fishing season, a somewhat early ice-out -- declared on Lake Winnipesaukee April 12 (with much open "fishable" water available even earlier) -- came as a welcome surprise to many. Nearly all other large lakes in the central Lakes Region are ice-free or nearly so at the time of this writing. Pelting rains and heavy northwest winds, always welcome weather events to those anxiously awaiting ice-out, helped the ice make a speedier than normal exit -- especially on Winnipesaukee, where nearly the entire Broads opened before many smaller bays.

Despite a slight reduction in salmon size at Winnipesaukee, some solid results have been reported to date, in terms of quantity -- along with some nice bonus rainbow trout. The "drop-down" fisheries such as Lochmere Dam/Silver Lake and Lakeport Dam/Opechee Lake have been outstanding. This gives shoreline/wading anglers a great shot at both landlocked salmon and rainbow trout, and even the rare lake trout that has wandered out of our large lakes through dams/spillways/water release events. Everything from live bait (worms, shiners, smelt), generic nymph/invertebrate patterns (e.g. wooly bugger), classic streamers (e.g. grey ghost), and egg patterns (particularly during the upcoming sucker runs) will take these fish. Although the weather pattern has been drier of late and is predicted to continue, a future slug of rain/wet weather will extend these fisheries further into the season... we all know the saying about New England weather... Get out there and enjoy these fish, quite
literally at your feet!

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Of special note, please use care when unhooking and releasing salmon (or other species). We've been finding evidence that hook wounds can decrease salmon growth and quality. 27% of Winnipesaukee salmon exhibited moderate to severe hook wounds -- this percentage has increased annually over the past four years. The negative effects of hook wounding have affected the overall quality of this popular fishery. To minimize hook wounding, consider the following:

1. Use extreme care when unhooking and releasing fish.
* Prepare and organize tools (pliers, hemostats) to minimize release time.
* NEVER shake a fish off the hook.
* NEVER unhook a fish suspended in the air.
* NEVER sharply pull hooks out while the fish is moving and twisting.

2. Use rubber or other "fish friendly" landing nets.
* Rubber nets minimize stress, decrease unhooking/exposure time, prevent loss of slime coat and scales, fin splitting, and other damage caused by traditional nets. Tackle is also much more easily removed, allowing quicker return to fishing!
* Tip: Turn the fish upside-down in the rubber net to help calm while unhooking.

3. All hook styles and sizes can cause damage.
* Fish size, hooking location, and angler experience in executing proper release techniques are critical variables - exercise caution to ensure future quality fisheries! Remember, it's YOUR resource!

4. If you're keeping fish, keep the wounded ones.
* Wounded fish taste great, and you'll be helping the fishery: Healthy, lightly hooked, and properly released salmon and trout, with no prior hooking injuries, have much greater growth potential and a realistic chance of becoming tomorrow's trophy!

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Two items of interest, which are often requested from the Region 2 Office:

1. A chart of netting results, showing the length, weight, and percent of hook wounds of fish in four salmon lakes - go to the online version of this report at N.H. Fishing Report - April 16, 2009 - N.H. Fish and Game

2. A handy chart and photo showing which fins were clipped on stocked salmon over the last several years. Check the chart and age your landlocked salmon catch! PDF download here: http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/Fishin...clip_chart.pdf


Feel free to contact us if you have any questions (email is best - reg2@wildlife.nh.gov). Get out there and enjoy the annual rite that is ICE OUT...it was a long winter, you deserve it!

[Brandon-K]

N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- April 23, 2009

In today's report, Mark Beauchesne makes plans for a stunning summery weekend on the water.

STOCKING TRUCKS ARE ROLLING! More than 100 sites were stocked with fish last week. Visit: N.H. Fish Stocking Report - N.H. Fish and Game

Do you know any 10 - 16 year olds looking for something fun to do July 5-10? Check out Aquatic Adventures Week at Barry Conservation Camp in Berlin, NH. Novice anglers learn the basic skills and equipment needed to start fishing, while campers with more experience work on improving their fishing skills and explore the finer details of the angling world. $450 fee includes lodging, food, instruction and equipment for the 6-day session. Info & registration: Summer Programs at Barry Conservation Camp - N.H. Fish and Game

GOT TV? New Hampshire's MILFORD HATCHERY will be featured all next week on NH Chronicle! Check out WMUR (Channel 9) at 7:30 each weeknight starting April 27. Monday April 27th: Stocking NH's Lakes And Ponds - Chronicle News Story - WMUR Manchester

Designated trout and fly-fishing-only ponds open this Saturday, April 25. These ponds are managed specifically for trout and fishing is allowed through October 15. Info and suggested locations: Designated Trout and Fly-Fishing-Only Ponds Open April 25 - N.H. Fish and Game

Purchase your fishing license online at N.H. Fish and Game Department - Welcome, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Don't forget -- kids under 16 fish free in N.H.!

All NH fishing page: Fishing in New Hampshire - N.H. Fish and Game.

If you know someone who might like to sign up for the Fishing Report, send them to Inside Fish and Game - Join a Mailing List.

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

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YOU CAN'T NOT GO FISHING THIS WEEKEND!
By Mark Beauchesne, Marketing and Promotions Coordinator

Two weeks ago, the ice fishing gear was stored for the season -- and then the boat came out of mothballs. I felt the overwhelming urge to get out and go fishing.

A week later I had my chance -- just a short lunchtime visit to Turtletown Pond in Concord. Typically, this is the first waterbody I fish in spring -- mostly because it's close to home and provides a great opportunity for some shorebank bluegill fishing. Nothing fancy needed this time of the year; just single tackle and good old worms. I was not disappointed; after all, I had the pleasure of sharing the trip with my father and niece. It was difficult deciding who had the bigger smile.

One of New Hampshire anglers' favorite days is this Saturday (April 25), the opening day of trout ponds. No doubt early risers will be out in force, getting coffee and making final preparation for this great day of fun. Traditionally, I find myself at one of these fabled trout ponds. The buzz around here is Clough Pond in Loudon. The biologists showed me some photos of the tremendous browns netted out of Clough last fall. Put some time in here and you could catch the trophy of your dreams.

Close to home for me is Stirrup Iron Pond in Boscawen. This small fly-fishing-only pond is ideal for getting my opening day fix. But, with more-than-ideal -- you could even say "June-like" -- stream and river conditions, you will more than likely find me on the Contoocook River. These great conditions are unusual. I'm all over it. Now, that will be Saturday.

I still have one more day. A look at the weather forecast shows highs in the low 80s. Only one thing for me to do... head west to the Connecticut River. I'm confident that the pike will be terrorizing the river. No doubt I will take advantage of this.

The season is just starting. I encourage you to venture off the beaten path this year and try a new pond or river. It just may surprise you. Start your adventure with a trip to the Fish and Game web site and check out the stocking report. Hint, hint...

Great fishing!!!
Mark

P.S. WALLEYE FANS: Weekly walleye creel survey updates are posted at: Walleye – Creel Survey for CT River - N.H. Fish and Game

[Brandon-K]

N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT - April 30, 2009

In today's report, fisheries biologist Gabe Gries offers some new info and favorite locations for fishing in southwest NH.

But first...several fishing-related announcements:

STOCKING TRUCKS ARE ROLLING... 165+ sites were stocked with fish last week! Visit: N.H. Fish Stocking Report - N.H. Fish and Game

YES, the stocking of brood stock Atlantic salmon is well underway in the Merrimack and Pemigewasset rivers, though snowmelt has the rivers running high this week!

Know any 10 - 16 year olds looking for something fun to do July 5-10? Check out Aquatic Adventures Week at Barry Conservation Camp in Berlin, NH. Novice anglers learn the basic skills and equipment needed to start fishing, while campers with more experience work on improving their fishing skills and explore the finer details of the angling world. $450 fee includes lodging, food, instruction and equipment for the 6-day session. Info & registration: Summer Programs at Barry Conservation Camp - N.H. Fish and Game

Or...Know someone who wants to learn to fish? Tell them about our free "Let's Go Fishing" class for beginners on Saturday, May 9, at the Harris Center for Conservation Education in Hancock. Registration info: Free "Let's Go Fishing" Intro Class Offered in Hancock - N.H. Fish and Game

Kayak Fishing Weekend Workshop for Women - Great Mother's Day gift or a treat for yourself! - June 12-14, at Purity Spring Resort in Madison. This "Beyond BOW" workshop is for experienced kayakers with some spin fishing experience. The cost of $275 includes instruction, program materials, use of some equipment, most meals and lodging at Purity Spring Resort. More info: BOW Kayak Fishing Class for Women, June 12-14, 2009 - N.H. Fish and Game

Purchase your fishing license online at N.H. Fish and Game Department - Welcome, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Don't forget -- kids under 16 fish free in N.H.!

All NH fishing page: Fishing in New Hampshire - N.H. Fish and Game.

If you know someone who might like to sign up for the Fishing Report, send them to Inside Fish and Game - Join a Mailing List.

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

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May's Top Picks for Fishing in the MONADNOCK/UPPER VALLEY Region
By Gabe Gries, Fisheries Biologist, Region 4/Keene

Walleye are still biting well in the Connecticut River below the Bellows Falls and Vernon Dams. (Check out our weekly walleye creel survey updates at Walleye – Creel Survey for CT River - N.H. Fish and Game.) As the water continues to warm, catches are quickly becoming a mixture of walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and an occasional brown trout. This is an exciting time for anglers to be on the river! Speaking of the river, black crappie should be headed near-shore for spawning any day now; target coves and set-backs off the main river. A bobber, small jig-head and tube, or just a small minnow on a hook will do the trick. Look for newly downed trees or other shoreline cover. The largemouth bass are also starting to hit pretty good at the Connecticut River setbacks in Hinsdale.

By the time you read this, trout fishing should be in full swing, with the opening of trout ponds on April 25 and continued stocking of streams as water levels decrease. I have already heard of some impressive catches of rainbow trout at Silver Lake (Harrisville) and Granite Lake (Stoddard). Anglers are catching these trout while trolling from boats using streamers and spoons. Shore anglers are also doing well with worms, small shiners, and power bait. Trout are still typically within the upper 15 feet of the water column during this time of the year, so you can still keep your trolling setups simple at this point.

Trout anglers have also been doing well at Otter Brook (Sullivan/Keene) for rainbows and brook trout. I spoke with the friend of an angler who reported he caught several rainbows and a 6-lb. lake trout at Nubanusit Lake (Hancock/Nelson) this week.

My top picks this week for trout fishing destinations include: Dublin Lake (Dublin), Sand Pond (Marlow), Swanzey Lake (Swanzey), Gustin Pond (Marlow), Contoocook River (Peterborough/Greenfield/Jaffrey), Mont Williams Pond (Weare), Nissitissit River (Brookline), French Pond (Henniker), S.B. Piscataquog River (New Boston), Laurel Lake (Fitzwilliam), and Willard Pond (Antrim).

We hope you enjoy fishing this year in the Monadnock/Upper Valley Region and don't forget to take a kid fishing anytime you can. We are always happy to talk to you about fish and fishing so please contact us at Region 4 (352-9669; reg4@nhfgd.org) if you have any questions. For a list of popular water bodies to fish for by species, please consult the Suggested Fishing Locations for the Monadnock Region/Southwest N.H, which can be found at Suggested Fishing Locations: Monadnock Region/Southwest N.H. - N.H. Fish and Game.

[cold waters]

fun. Russ Eastman of Monahan Marine in Weymouth had a banner day last Friday by drifting away from the boat show that seemed to be anchored on the Bank and found a honey hole of haddock in about 200 feet of water. While Russ was yearning for cod and haddock, he was looking for sand eels. When the chartplotter on his pal’s boat lit up with a mass of forage, over went the jigs and teasers and into the coolers went the haddock and cod. And some of the haddock were huge, 36- to 41-inchers! Hot items were Bill Hurley Cape Cod Sand Eels and Red Gills for teasers and pink/blue Shimano Butterfly Jigs as well as the standard issue Norwegians. Successful fishers are scoring by keeping on the move until they find the bait and usually then they’ll find the fish.
Finally it’s flounder time! While no one is talking limits, at least we’re finally hearing of some catches. And the best part of all is that the bite kicked in at a number of different locations at once. Pete of Belsan’s in Scituate reported that a few flatties were scratched up from the first bend (the deep hole) from the mouth of the South River. He expects Scituate flounder producers to begin kicking in any day now, such as Peggotty Beach, Egypt Beach and Scituate Harbor. Pete Santini of Fishing FINatics banged some blackbacks from Deer Island flats and he’s heard of a few taken in the Lynn Marsh. Pete would like to remind fans of Boston’s long standing derby – the Boston Harbor Striper Shootout – that it is already inked for June 20th. If the pogies return in numbers anywhere like last year, the 11th anniversary of this Beantown tradition should be a haymaker.
Joey of The Fisherman’s Outfitter in Gloucester told me that the North Shore is hardly out of the running of the inshore groundfishing good times. You’ll find flounder off Niles Beach, the Dogbar Breakwater (inside) and Ten-pound Island. A redd of cod has moved onto Saturday Night Ledge, and there are some seriously large fish in it. However, because these fish are breeders and they are spawning, Joey recommends that you tread softly on the stock and limit harvest. Those rare whale cod have to be preserved. Birds have been seen working off the State Pier in Gloucester as well as the boulevard, and it’s most likely is the result of mackerel chasing silversides or maybe brit herring, I haven’t yet heard any confirmation on this.
Casting off the jetty in Rye Harbor is where you want to be if flounder is in your future, according to Jason of Suds ‘N Soda in Greenland, New Hampshire. Boaters have not been targeting blackbacks because there’s plenty of white-bellied cod so close by the Isle of Shoals. The magic depth appears to be around 175 feet, and the ratio of cod to haddock is about 50/50. Unlike Stellwagen where the predominate bait is sand eels, the fish here are feeding on sea herring so you might want to adjust your jigs and teasers to something flashy.
Craig Bergeron of Saco Bay Tackle Company in Maine said that there has been stellar groundfishing off Jeffreys Ledge. Patrons hopping aboard the Bunny Clarke and Eastman’s have been into market-sized cod as well as the occasional steaker. Jigs from 14 to 16 ounces are very effective, as is bait, which usually consists of clams and shrimp. Freshwater fishing has hardly been second rate either; the IFW has stocked brooks and streams with a new batch of salmonoids and some of these are quite handsome fish. Ask the folks at the shop to steer you in the right direction
On the freshwater side of things, the smallmouth bass bite is improving tremendously in both Wachusett and Quabbin. Bait soakers are doing well with yellow perch fry, while jigs and Senkos are accounting for nice catches on the artificial front. While coldwater species and smallmouth bass dominate the grapevine in both these pristine water bodies, Wachusett also features some superb largemouth bass and crappie fishing. As testimony, Tom Keer of Worcester took a 5-4 largie and Eric George nabbed a 1-12 calico, both of which were weighed in by Eddie of B&A. For these species, hit the section between the Old Stone Church and the Oakdale Bridge. Quabbin continues to deliver dream caliber landlocked salmon as more 6-pounders have been weighed into Flagg’s in Orange. The fish remain within 10 feet of the surface and streamers and shiners are the weapons of choice. Dry-fly fans are picking up some nice trout along the Swift River with Rod’s hand-tied size 22 and 24 marvels.
On a somber note, Dick Jacobsmeyer of Arlington Bait and Tackle was struck by a drunk driver Saturday morning as he was walking to work along the crosswalk in front of his shop. Dick has sustained numerous serious injuries including broken legs. Anyone who has had the pleasure of knowing Dick will tell you that they are the better because of his acquaintance. Thoughts and prayers would be helpful.
Best Bets for the Weekend
While we anxiously await the arrival of our cherished linesiders, Stellwagen remains sizzling hot for cod and some really big haddock. If you’re not besting many fish, keep on the move until you find the sand eels and you should find the predators. The best inshore bet is flounder from Deer Island Flats, Niles Beach and Rye Harbor, while the cod fishing does not disappoint at Saturday Night Ledge and the Isle of Shoals. There are 6-pound salmon still being taken from the Quabbin along with trophy smallies and Wachusett has added lunker largemouth bass and crappie to its already glittering list of reasons to fish it.

[Intensity4fish]

Sunday May 3rd Offshore

First day of Shake down for Intensity and trip planned for a quick run went most of the day and loads of miles.

Started near the Shoals looking for some Cod or Haddock inside Bigalow. Nothing doing. (Ed, shouted for you on 8 at least 5 times, no response).

Lengthened our run to Old Scantum, with some small fish only.

Ran down to New Scantum and found the fish always around balls of bait. Cod to 14lbs, Nice Haddock to 23 inches. Shorts about equal to keepers.

Overall a great trip with Joe and Rich and thank goodness for the flat seas or the 22 mile run back to Rye would have been a long one!

[Brandon-K]

N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- May 7, 2009

In today's report, tips and hotspots in southeast NH from fisheries biologist Ben Nugent.

This week's stocking report has been delayed -- please check the Fish and Game website on Friday for an update. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Word today from Mike Racine that the Powwow River cartop access site in Kingston has re-opened.

SUNAPEE ACCESS HEARING: A public hearing on a wetland permit application for Fish and Game's proposed Wild Goose boat access facility on Lake Sunapee in Newbury will be held Weds., May 13, 2009, at 7 p.m. at the David W. Sherburne Gymnasium at 561 Route 11 in Sunapee. The hearing is before the N.H. Department of Environmental Services Wetlands Bureau and will address potential wetlands impact of the project on bank and lakebed. See Public Hearing May 13 on Wetland Permit Application for Sunapee Boat Launch - N.H. Fish and Game

Purchase your fishing license online at N.H. Fish and Game Department - Welcome, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Don't forget -- kids under 16 fish free in N.H.!

All NH fishing page: Fishing in New Hampshire - N.H. Fish and Game.

If you know someone who might like to sign up for the Fishing Report, send them to Inside Fish and Game - Join a Mailing List.

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

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COLDWATER, WARMWATER - SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE THIS MONTH IN SOUTHEAST NEW HAMPSHIRE
By Benjamin Nugent, fisheries biologist

New Hampshire's designated trout ponds have been open for two weeks now. These ponds have already received a lot of fishing pressure, but don't be discouraged! Not only do these ponds typically receive multiple stocking events during the year, but surveys indicate that some ponds have a large quantity of trout swimming around from previous years.

Opening weekend reports varied greatly. Some anglers quickly filled their creels, while others had lower catch rates. The recent multiple search and rescue operations by Fish and Game Conservation Cfficers have delayed some stocking, but efforts are being made to get fish out as quickly as possible. The bright sun accompanied by record heat and the large insect hatches could explain why some trout were slower to the hook.

Popular trout ponds in southeastern New Hampshire include: Barbadoes Pond, Clough Pond, Exeter Reservoir, Hothole Pond, and Lucas Pond. These ponds have regulations that allow for any legal fishing method to be used. Worms, shiners, powerbait, and smaller inline spinners are popular. Archery Pond, Hoyt Pond and Stonehouse Pond are fly-fishing-only trout ponds.

Anglers should note that some fish have been issued a left ventral fin clip in some southeastern waterbodies. Brown trout stocked into Clough Pond, the Cocheco River, and Massabesic Lake will have the lower middle fin on the left side of the fish (looking down on the fish) removed. In future fish surveys, these fish will help provide us fisheries folks with data explaining the year class's growth rates and survival.

Mid-spring is an opportune time to catch a variety of warmwater species. Largemouth bass, white perch, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseeds seek out warmer areas to forage and prepare for spawning. A change in water temperature by a degree or two can make all the difference in whether these species are present or not. Often, they can be found in less than a few feet of water. Presentations of swimbaits or small jigs with tubes held about a foot below the surface can be effective. A small bobber can help suspend your presentation and also provide a good visual indication of a strike. This visual cue is helpful, because these species can have a somewhat lethargic bite during this time of year. I once thought that bobbers were something to be used only by beginners, but lately I'm finding them to be very valuable.

Another effective method that worked well this past week was using a moderate sink-tip line and fly rod. Slowly retrieving streamers at slow but erratic retrieval speeds was proven to be successful. I stuck with brighter (orange, red, and/or white) and mid-sized streamer patterns and found frequent strikes.

The entire allotment of over 700 broodstock Atlantic salmon has been stocked into the Merrimack and Pemigewasset rivers. A permit to target these fish can be purchased at any New Hampshire Fish and Game license agent. Additional information about this program can be found at: Atlantic Salmon Brood Stock Fishery - N.H. Fish and Game. Several of these fish are in excess of fifteen pounds. They have been stocked at three primary locations: Sewalls Falls (Concord), below the Franklin Hydro Dam, and throughout the Bristol/Sanbornton area.

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P.S. - Walleye creel survey - final update for the season: Walleye – Creel Survey for CT River - N.H. Fish and Game

Still room for the youngsters at Barry Conservation Camp in Berlin, NH, this summer: Summer Programs at Barry Conservation Camp - N.H. Fish and Game

Kayak Fishing Weekend Workshop for Women, June 12-14, at Purity Spring Resort in Madison: BOW Kayak Fishing Class for Women, June 12-14, 2009 - N.H. Fish and Game

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[Brandon-K]

N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- May 14, 2009

In today's report, seasonal fisheries technician Shane Eaton explains what he and the other fisheries folks are up to this summer in the Great North Woods.

STOCKING TRUCKS ARE ROLLING... 150+ sites were stocked with fish last week! Visit: N.H. Fish Stocking Report - N.H. Fish and Game

BROOD STOCK SALMON - The time is now! All 760 brood stock Atlantic salmon slated for spring release have been stocked into the Merrimack and Pemigewassett rivers, and successful anglers are already reporting successful brood stock salmon fishing on both rivers. Info: Brood Stock Atlantic Salmon - N.H. Fish and Game

BIG BROOK BOG in Pittsburg will not be fishable (and will not be stocked) this season - an issue with the dam has necessitated a water drawdown. Info: Water Drawdown at Big Brook Bog in Pittsburg - N.H. Fish and Game

Purchase your fishing license online at N.H. Fish and Game Department - Welcome, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Don't forget -- kids under 16 fish free in N.H.!

All NH fishing page: Fishing in New Hampshire - N.H. Fish and Game.

If you know someone who might like to sign up for the Fishing Report, send them to Inside Fish and Game - Join a Mailing List.

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

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MY BROOK TROUT SUMMER
By Shane Eaton, seasonal fisheries technician, Region 1/Lancaster

After a long cold winter, the ice has finally left the lakes and ponds of northern New Hampshire, the summer fishing season has begun and the Fish and Game seasonal interns have started work. These seasonal positions are hard work, fun, and key to a successful summer season for Fish and Game, and they give much-needed experience to college students and aspiring fisheries biologists.

My name is Shane Eaton, and I'm a summer intern working with fisheries biologist Dianne Timmins out of Fish and Game's Region 1 office in Lancaster. My fellow interns and I will be collecting data for the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture (EBTJV). The EBTJV project officially starts in mid-May, but since mid-April, I've been assisting with several fisheries projects in the Great North Woods: spawning pike netting in Partridge Lake in Littleton and Jericho Lake in Berlin; smelt collection in Cedar Pond in Milan and Christine Lake in Stark; and the distribution of hundreds of thousands of Atlantic salmon into the streams of northern New Hampshire. There are any number of different projects and chores that will keep me and the other interns very busy all summer long.

I'm returning to EBTJV for a second year, after being part of the crew that piloted the project last summer. The project started a few years back, in a meeting among 17 states and several independent agencies concerned over declining brook trout populations. In this meeting, participants discussed a lack of critical habitat data for this species, and New Hampshire was no exception, with many areas with no data on brook trout. Through grants and Federal Aid, existing data on brook trout in NH has been compiled and areas needing data have been identified.

We're now collecting new data in three main areas: human interactions and manipulation of the habitat; natural habitat (substrate, cover, and structure of the stream); and the presence and health of the native brook trout population. Data collection is rigorous work for even the most fit interns. Many habitat sites to be studied are remote and getting there requires hiking long distances with big, heavy, and clumsy gear. After hiking out to a site, the fun begins with electro-fishing a small section of the stream. Fish in the section are collected, sampled and recorded, and a visual habitat assessment and physical characteristics of the section are recorded. Later, this data will be entered and analyzed back at the office on rainy days.

With data from states up and down the east coast, a draft conservation plan is slowly coming together to deal with the current threats to the brook trout population. In addition to this, corrective measures will be suggested on a watershed-by-watershed basis. If you see the crews out there this summer, give us a wave and know that this study will ensure that anglers like you and me will be catching fat and healthy brook trout well into the future.


(Shane Eaton of Lunenburg, Vt. graduated from Unity College in 2007 with a bachelors degree in Wildlife Biology. Since graduation, Shane has been traveling and working around the country as a seasonal biologist -- starting in southern California, then making his way to the Bering Sea as a fisheries observer (an onboard biologist) on fishing vessels in the winter, and returning to New Hampshire Fish and Game in the summer.)

[cold waters]

Kay from Surfland in Newbury told me that the first fish of the year have been taken at the mouth of the Merrimack during the last phase of the outgoing tide. The bass have been respectable (12-pounders), and are not fussy, hitting a variety of lures from swim shads, to bucktails, to spoons and plugs. Joppa Flats is waking up and some surfcasters have begun taking linesiders off the beachfront on seaworms. There have been some flounder catches reported there as well. Schoolies have also shown up in the Little River in Gloucester.
Corey from Suds ‘N Soda said that the stripers have found the alewives in Great Bay and Granite State anglers couldn’t be happier. The usual places are producing, such as the Squamscott, Oyster, Bellamy and Lamprey Rivers. Rules for the taking of river herring are extremely liberal in New Hampshire and you can live-line this striper candy, so if you yearn for the bygone era of watching a bass blast your blueback with a tail slap, you can make it happen here once again. That aside, I’ve done well here with pink-head and bronze Yo-Zuri Mag Poppers and black-and-silver Hydro Pencils. No word on shad catches here but they should be in right about now. Macks are just outside of the mouth of the Piscatagua River and breeder cod are being successfully targeted just outside of the Isle of Shoals in 180 feet of water.
The vigil continues in southern Maine as the bass brigade impatiently awaits that first migrant linesider. In the meantime, they’re enjoying sterling shad in the Saco River. There are some 4 to 6-pound fish already being caught by the Saco River Yacht Club with the occasional holdover coming in the mix. The cod bite on Jeffreys Ledge is a good one, provided that you’re dropping your offering on the southern side of the ledge.

[oddfish]

Originally Posted by cold waters

Kay from Surfland in Newbury told me that the first fish of the year have been taken at the mouth of the Merrimack during the last phase of the outgoing tide. The bass have been respectable (12-pounders), and are not fussy, hitting a variety of lures from swim shads, to bucktails, to spoons and plugs. Joppa Flats is waking up and some surfcasters have begun taking linesiders off the beachfront on seaworms. There have been some flounder catches reported there as well. Schoolies have also shown up in the Little River in Gloucester.
Corey from Suds ‘N Soda said that the stripers have found the alewives in Great Bay and Granite State anglers couldn’t be happier. The usual places are producing, such as the Squamscott, Oyster, Bellamy and Lamprey Rivers. Rules for the taking of river herring are extremely liberal in New Hampshire and you can live-line this striper candy, so if you yearn for the bygone era of watching a bass blast your blueback with a tail slap, you can make it happen here once again. That aside, I’ve done well here with pink-head and bronze Yo-Zuri Mag Poppers and black-and-silver Hydro Pencils. No word on shad catches here but they should be in right about now. Macks are just outside of the mouth of the Piscatagua River and breeder cod are being successfully targeted just outside of the Isle of Shoals in 180 feet of water.
The vigil continues in southern Maine as the bass brigade impatiently awaits that first migrant linesider. In the meantime, they’re enjoying sterling shad in the Saco River. There are some 4 to 6-pound fish already being caught by the Saco River Yacht Club with the occasional holdover coming in the mix. The cod bite on Jeffreys Ledge is a good one, provided that you’re dropping your offering on the southern side of the ledge.

Sweet report! I was gonna accuse you of site burning, but you basically listed the entire NE as a fishing ground. Now all I can do is spin in circles....Shad, striper, mack, cod, ME, NH, MA.......Thanks for the confusion.

You left out my favorite fish, byt the way, CUNNER KING says "cunner are in too!"

Just a plug for those of you who were not here last year....The cunner is a kissing cousin to the tatoug and has great meat, is totaly under utilized, and is an easy target for children (yes let the jokes fly). They are worth the keep when they get above 3/4 of a pound. Watch the spines and teeth.

Oddfish