SOUTHEAST N.H./MERRIMACK VALLEY FISHING FORECAST - 2007

Welcome, open water... let's get casting!
By Ben Nugent and Matt Carpenter, Fisheries Biologists

Early spring can be a bittersweet time in the lives of New Hampshire's anglers. Many of us reluctantly put away our ice fishing gear after trying to sneak in one last trip. It's now time to reflect on the past "hard water" season and get ready for another banner year of open water fishing in New Hampshire. Bring on the open water!

The Hatchery Product
As soon as water level conditions allow, fish culturists will be busy stocking several of New Hampshire's streams, ponds, and lakes. Traditionally, southern New Hampshire receives the first fish from our hatcheries. The hard work and dedication of our hatchery employees and advances in fish food have resulted in a phenomenal product. The colors and condition of these fish make it difficult to differentiate them from wild fish, even for the most seasoned angler. Large yearling brook trout (average lengths of brook trout from some of the hatcheries are close to 12 inches) coupled with a limited ice-fishing season should result in plenty of early season action.

Skip to Suggested Fishing Locations

Archery Pond (Allenstown), Beaver Lake (Derry), Clough Pond (Loudon), Massabesic Lake (Manchester), and Lucas Pond (Northwood) are just some of the ponds in New Hampshire stocked last fall. These fish should be well acclimated to their surroundings and provide quite a challenge to the trout angler. Some of these waterbodies are managed as trout ponds with no fishing pressure throughout the winter.

For those in search of some real monster brook, brown, and rainbow trout, the Lamprey River (Durham), Exeter Reservoir (Exeter), Berry Brook (Rye), Hot Hole Pond (Loudon), Piscataquog River (Goffstown), Sandersons Pond (Greenland), Winnicut River (Greenland), and Shawtown Pond (Freedom) are some of the waterbodies that have been stocked with larger/older fish. Some New Hampshire ice anglers reported good sizes of brown trout and rainbow trout caught in Pleasant Lake (Deerfield/Northwood).

Remote fishing opportunities in the Merrimack/Southeastern New Hampshire region
Serene and peaceful fishing opportunities do exist in this area of the state. Several places can be found relatively close to some of the area's larges cities. A little research with a map or atlas can lead you to the perfect "get away from it all" pond or river. Some of these areas may require a slightly longer walk, but if you're trying to avoid the crowds and experience a more natural setting, it can be well worth the extra effort. Tower Hill Pond (Candia), the upper Isinglass River (Barrington), Round Pond (Nottingham), and Heads Pond (Hooksett) are examples of some areas that can remind us why we live in New Hampshire. These areas can be fished from shore or fished more thoroughly with a canoe, small boat or kayak. An inexpensive canoe cart can become invaluable to help bring in your canoe or kayak and equipment. Without a doubt, these areas have less fishing pressure and may lead to less apprehensive fish. Tower Hill Pond receives an abundant supply of brook, rainbow, and brown trout and contains some real aggressive and good-sized largemouth bass. An informal survey was conducted at Heads Pond in 2006. Results are as follows: Monster Panfish and Perch! The state record yellow perch was caught here through the ice in 1969 and we saw several that were in contention with that. The constant action at Heads Pond is a great way to get children hooked on the sport.

Other Necessary Opportunities
Timing and water temperature are everything in spring fishing for large and smallmouth bass, white and yellow perch, pickerel, and pike. Most of these fish species are waiting for the waters to warm up slightly before they really put their feedbags on. Early spring fishing for these species requires a great deal of patience, but it can be very rewarding. Casts followed by very slow retrievals with small, sudden jerks can be just enough to trigger a sluggish fish. All of these species make up for the lack of eating during their spawning period by becoming relentless predators. This can be one of the best times to fish for these species. One of the simplest and most productive methods to target these fish (especially bass, pickerel, and pike) after spawning is fishing on the surface. Using floating lures such as poppers and plugs can be an easy way to determine strikes and cover a lot of ground.

Combining Fishing and Canoeing
Spring is also a great time to fish New Hampshire's rivers. The Isinglass River offers a chance to combine fishing and paddling with some easy whitewater interspersed with deeper quickwater sections. The Powwow River is a leisurely, scenic paddle that is very conducive to fishing. The Exeter, Lamprey, and Cocheco rivers also offer a wide variety of fishing opportunities from trout to bass. Check the "Appalachian Mountain Club River Guide: New Hampshire and Vermont" for access points and descriptions of the rivers. The access points for paddling usually make good spots to fish from shore if you do not have a boat.

A Quick Mention about the Atlantic Salmon Brood Stock Program
The Atlantic salmon brood stock fish were recently tagged and are getting ready to be released soon. These fish will soon be the talk of the Pemigewasset and Merrimack rivers. Trust us, the size of these fish will make you want to triple-check your knots. CLICK HERE to learn more about the brood stock salmon program.

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