In Northern New Hampshire, the Department of Fish and Game report that the rain has helped cool things off a little, but the river water levels are still very low. They recommend fishing in the early morning or evening.
Some caddisflies and blue-winged olives are hatching on the Connecticut River. There are some caddis on the Swift Diamond River, too, and lots of little brookies jumping out of the water to get them.
Stocked ponds are still warm on the surface, so be careful to not play the fish too long. That stress can be magnified in warmer waters.
In the White Mountains region, the division is reporting that the tropical summer continues. In Winnisquam Lake, anglers are catching bass in water 30-40 feet deep with regularity (granted on a south wind).
Those snorkeling the lakes’ shorelines has revealed very few fish, mostly a scattering of pumpkinseeds. The same old story applies once again: fish deep!
Ben Nugent, a Fish and Game biologist recently trolled Winnisquam and had good luck on some very dark-colored lake trout. Small Mooselook wobbler spoons were the trick. Anglers running downriggers around 35 feet catch laker trout.
Along the coast, the division is reporting that the blues are here for sure. Stripers seem to be more available these days as well, plenty of reports of them in the river, bay and outside of the harbors. Anglers are doing well with cut and live bait.
Recently the baitfish are biting first thing in the morning, so get out there early. Groundfishing has picked up as well, so it looks like we have passed the summer lull.
