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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.
Continue reading New Hampshire Fishing Report: Warm Summer, Good Fishing
In Northern New Hampshire, the Division of Fish & Game said that it can be difficult to predict what effect the warm weather will have on gamefish in northern New Hampshire. The current heat wave has been hanging around long enough that there are clear impacts on the water bodies.
Common sense would tell you that coldwater fish like trout and salmon seek refuge from warm water by swimming deeper or near springs and tributaries. They will also respond to the insects that begin hatching in really warm weather, like grasshoppers and other terrestrials. Warmwater fish like bass and pike recognize that our growing season is relatively short and will feed heavily. Baitfish are also reaching a size that makes them worthwhile prey for lunker fish. This is also an excellent opportunity to fish late into the evening. Nothing feels better than fishing a surface lure on calm water as the sun sets.
In the Lakes Region/White Mountains, the Division recommends that you head north or go deep are the watchwords for anglers after the July 4th weekend! A record-setting heat wave has enveloped New Hampshire, and the lack of substantial rains has seen water temps soaring into the mid 70s. Lake trollers will still find good action 20-30 feet down, as the thermocline is actively “setting up.”
A few words about the thermocline. In the state’s large, deep lakes, as summer progresses, warmer surface waters increase in depth, and blanket the colder, more dense waters below. Where the two “zones” mix, the water temperature drastically falls, and the water in the deep, cold basins “bottoms out” around 46-48 degrees. The zone where the greatest temperature flux occurs is also the area of high plankton (phytoplankton and zooplankton) activity.
At night, rainbow smelt rise up in the water column, and feed in this rich zone all night, until the morning sun drives the smelt back down, well below the thermocline. Early morning anglers will often see the remnants of schools of smelt before they begin their downward movement. Experienced lake trollers know all about the thermocline, and with modern temperature probes, are able to accurately fish this zone consistently. Remember: as waters warm, these fish brought up from the depths need to be treated gently, and quickly released if not harvested.
Mountain streams are still providing excellent fishing, but we need some significant showers to help maintain receding water levels.
In the upper valley, the state said that if the hot, sticky weather has got you down and you want to keep cool and yet still feel like you’re fishing, try snorkeling in your favorite lake or stream. An inexpensive pair of goggles or a mask and snorkel will enhance your perspective of fish and maybe even improve your fishing success.
Most of what you hear about fishing on television shows, fishing magazines, or from your fellow anglers is slanted towards a very humanistic perspective. By entering the fish’s environment, snorkeling lets you not only see the location fish are holding in, but also gives you an idea of their behavior and feeding patterns.
When snorkeling in streams, move slowly in an upstream direction. Try to minimize any sudden movements and use the stream bottom to pull yourself along. Pools are a great place to watch trout and minnows feed and interact. In lakes and ponds, snorkel along the shore where the water starts to deepen (watch out for jet-skis and motorboats). Keep your eyes open and when you see fish, approach them slowly or observe them from a distance. Docks are also a great place to locate fish.
The Merrimack River is often overlooked this time of year as a fishing destination. As anglers drive north on I-93 in pursuit of quality fishing destinations, they are potentially passing up some trophy-sized large and smallmouth bass, black crappie, and walleye. That’s right…walleye.
From time to time the state receives reports of the species being caught, and we occasionally encounter them in their surveys along the mainstem of the river. The most recent reported catch occurred in mid-June and the fish was close to 10 pounds. The records of the first walleye introductions to the Merrimack River are unclear but more recent plantings have occurred in 1977 and 1992.
A survey in the 1960s by New Hampshire Fish and Game yielded a fair number of walleyes in the Hooksett/Manchester area. Anglers can take advantage of the low flow conditions of the Merrimack and do some exploring to find where the fish are holding. Access to the mainstem varies from town to town but anglers should be looking at changes or variability in habitat along the river (i.e., deeper channels, patches of aquatic vegetation, rocky structure, etc).
Along the coast, the state said that the worst of the heat wave is behind us but there are still plenty of warm days left and the best place to beat the heat is on the ocean! Not only was a boat the place to be for comfort this week but for fishing as well. The Hampton area was the big hitter again with reports of stripers landed in the mouth of the harbor.
Mackerel continue to be elusive but there have been few reports of them at the Shoals in great number. Striped bass are nocturnal feeders and the tides are once again aligned for some killer early morning and late evening fishing. Take a trip out to the Shoals for some mackerel. Anglers have been doing best with live bait this week, so take those macks and live line for stripers, you might try drifting at the mouth of Hampton Harbor. If a boat trip is not in your future, you can get close to the action from either shore or the bridge. Also, eels are a good alternative to live mackerel and you can find them at bait shops with no need to wet your feet!
In other news, it looks like New Hampshire’s headboat companies have started doing half-day flounder trips. Come on down to the coast and increase your odds of catching one by going with the professionals!
New Hampshire’s Department of Fish & Game recently reported good fishing all over the state, from the North through to the south and throughout the coast. Trout action remains consistent despite rising temperatures, and the bass and crappie action is picking up in some places. On the coast, the cod fishing action remains solid but it has moved a little further offshore.
The Department of Fish & Game reported that fishing in northern New Hampshire couldn’t get more exciting. Opportunity abounds as trout ponds are still cool and bass ponds are starting to warm up. Fish are still being stocked, insects are hatching and fish are feeding aggressively.
Rivers and streams in northern New Hampshire are still at very healthy levels. Nash Stream has been fishing very well and some great brook trout have been caught. Anglers trolling flies have been reporting success at Dummer Pond and Cedar Pond. Bass fishermen have also been reporting high catch rates at Umbagog Lake.
In the Lakes region of the state, the Department is reporting that a recent electroshocking survey on Lake Winnisquam turned up some impressive largemouth bass and black crappie. They say that if you concentrate on those waters south of Mosquito Bridge, you will be treated to a great warmwater fishery.
If you stop and think about habitat for these species, it all boils down to where the vegetation is found. Large nutrient-poor lakes depend on the many tributaries that flow into them to provide the life- and nutrient-giving opportunity.
More often than not, these brooks are turbid, because they carry silt loads from upstream areas. Flooded marshlands found along these brook courses are the nursery areas for yellow and white perch, largemouth bass, black crappie and chain pickerel, not to mention the three sunfish species found in our lakes (bluegill, pumpkinseed and redbreast sunfish). The division also discovered that the numerous docks nearly always held fish underneath, and don’t forget fishing the dive platforms.
Department Fisheries Biologist Don Miller once snorkeled near a large dive platform on Winnipesaukee that was surrounded by acres of sandy bottom. It was amazing to see the number of smallmouth bass that were holding in the shade and overhead cover provided by the platform. It was akin to a pecking order, largest bass near the top, with smaller fish in the lower depths. Try scouting for these areas on any of our large lakes, you will be amazed.
In the Upper Valley, the Department reported that summer has finally arrived, with warmer temperatures throughout the state. On Monday they were doing field work at Sand Pond in Marlow/Lempster and Newell Pond in Alstead where the water temps were still in the low 70s.
Trout fishermen should take advantage of these water temps before things really warm up and trout get deeper and harder to catch. Fishermen that they talked to at these locations reported catching decent numbers of good-size brook trout and browns. Other suggested trout waters to try include the Connecticut River, Contoocook River, French Pond, and Mt. William Pond.
><> Southeast NH/Merrimack Valley
I had an excellent Father’s Day fishing trip on Pawtuckaway Lake this past weekend. My father, my four-year-old son and I launched a boat at the Fundy Cover ramp on the north end of the lake. We kept it simple, fishing with worms among the vegetation in the shallow coves. Yellow perch were biting each time we dropped our bait in the water. Biting fish are very helpful for holding the attention of a four-year-old in a canoe. There were many other people on the water, in everything from kayaks to bass boats. I overheard one person who said that he had already released more than 11 bass so far that morning. – Matt Carpenter, Regional Fisheries Biologist
><> Seacoast Area
Well, we all knew it was inevitable. After a long season and some huge cod, the mudhole has dried up for the summer. The good news is that there is some excellent groundfishing further out on Jeffrey’s Ledge, you won’t be catching those jaw-dropping lunkers but average-sized cod, haddock and pollock are out there in plenty. If your boat is not up for the trip, there are five skilled and knowledgeable headboat companies in our great state that are eager to take you right to the fish. We’ve still been seeing coolers filled with mackerel and the winter flounder fishing down in Hampton is picking up.
An idea for all of those anglers with small ones itching to do something fun this summer: Take a trip over to the Seacoast Science Center to check out their display tanks. Show the kids what fish they might be able to catch, then walk on down to the jetty at Odiorne Point or travel across the harbor to Fort Stark to try their hand at fishing. With forts, beaches and fishing there is lots to keep those short attention spans occupied, hopefully long enough for you to get in a good day of fishing!
New Hampshire’s fishing is getting hot as water temperatures have cooled and settled into more springtime fishing. Anglers throughout the state are doing quite well with trout. Those fly fishermen are seeing great mayfly hatches. On the coast, the striper action has gotten good as linesiders follow the herring. Get fishing — now’s the time!
In New Hampshire’s North Country, NH’s Fish & Game is reporting that the temperatures have dropped and levels have risen to a much more typical spring appearance. Continue reading New Hamsphire Fishing Report: Hot Trout & Striper Action
New Hampshire has plenty of great action currently for the angler. From trout fishing to bass and panfish, the freshwater action is aflame. On the coast, winter flounder action is out-of-this-world, and the striper action is picking up, while cod and mackerel fishing continue to be good.
Looking for good fishing? Head out on the water in New Hampshire this weekend or in the foreseeable future.[mappress]
In the Northern part of New Hampshire, the recent heavy storms in northern NH have revitalized trout fishing in many areas. Water temperatures have dropped and flows have increased. These conditions have enabled Fish and Game personnel to not only follow the stocking schedule but actually increase numbers where possible. Surplus fish are finding homes throughout the state.
In the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, it seems like the long, dry spell has ended with fronts passing through every couple of days with showers and thunderstorms. These needed helped small brooks and streams recover from low water conditions.
Lake temperature is now in the high 60s (68 degrees on Winni) and bass nesting has pretty much ended. Look for adult bass roaming the shorelines, as the bass fry (jet black in color) swarm the shores looking for places to hide. This isa great time to fish for bass with small panfish poppers. Anglers have caught bass during the middle of the day over rocky shoals with my fly rod and poppers.
As the school year ends, the sunfish nest after the bass, so look along the shorelines for their nest depressions and drop a small fly or tiny panfish popper over their heads and watch the reaction! Sunfish populations can easily overpopulate small ponds and even some larger waterbodies, therefore, they are a great species to target with the younger set. This a great way to introduce kids to the sport of fly-fishing.
In the Upper Valley, the smallmouths haven’t gone deep yet. A recent outing to Swanzey Lake in Swanzey and Nubanusit Lake in Hancock/Nelson produced many nice smallmouth. Fish were caught in 3 to 8 feet of water on shaky jig heads and tubes. The fish were mainly along the edges of dropoffs and any place there were rocks.
The stocking trucks are still rolling out of the Milford Hatchery, according to the state. Everything has been stocked at least once this spring and the hatchery is putting out surplus rainbows. Trout fishing should continue to be good with the much needed rain from last weekend and cooler temperatures this week.
In the Merrimack Valley, last week, NH Fish and Game partnered with staff from the Anheuser Busch Facility in Merrimack, the city of Manchester (Department of Public Works and the Urban Pond Restoration Program), the Manchester Fly Fishing Association, Merrimack River Valley Trout Unlimited, NH Department of Environmental Services, NH Rivers Council, and several other volunteers and local businesses to perform a stream and pond litter pickup in Manchester.
The stream is located on the western side of the city and despite being seated in a densely developed urban landscape, has a robust wild brook trout population. It is expected that this will be the first step of many to ensure that this species, so important to our heritage and legacy, is able to remain present in our largest city. Additional restoration activities and potential funding sources will soon be prioritized and identified.
In three hours, 27 tires, over 25 full contractor trash bags, 3 bicycles, a car gas tank, a home heating oil tank,
2 shopping carts, 2 computers, a television, and close to a ton of rusted metal items were gathered. As interest for this project continues to grow, it is NH’s Fish and Game’s Division’s hope that those who litter develop an understanding of the value of aquatic systems…even in an urban environment.
On the coast, anglers continue to do well with winter flounder — that’s right, winter flounder! Fisheries biologist Kevin Sullivan fished with a friend for about 3 ½ hours Sunday morning and never left the harbor, managing to land 21 winter flounder, only one of which was under the minimum size limit of 12 inches. They took home 14 fish, with the biggest at 19 inches, a few over 18, the rest between 15 and 17, and they were a nice rewarding dinner for enduring the rain.
The striped bass catch is picking up, primarily in the Piscataqua River and Great Bay, and the mackerel are still available for bait.
Finally, the Mudhole is still providing giant cod again this year.
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