North Country
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department

Sorry folks, no report from the North Country this week. We’ll be back next
week! –Dianne Timmins, Regional Fisheries Biologist

><> Lakes Region/White Mountains

This is beginning to look like the summer to break all heat wave records.
Luckily, our big lakes stratify and are able to support our various
coldwater species, i.e., landlocked salmon, rainbow and lake trout (and
don't forget the smelt, without which we would have no coldwater
fisheries!). Deep-water trolling is best accomplished through the use of
downriggers, although lead-core line will get you down to the approximate
depths also. Trolling small, single-hook streamer flies, in a myriad of
patterns, will do the trick. For even more excitement, try pinching down the
barb on your flies; this may lead to the loss of some fish, but will allow a
quicker release at the boat. Reports from Winnipesaukee reveal that some
fine 3 year-old landlocked salmon are being taken at depths approaching
30-40 feet. Also, lake trout seem to be "on the bite," just a little deeper,
near bottom structure.

Hexagenia (mayfly) hatches are still evident, as I have seen the empty
nymphal cases floating in Lake Winnisquam. Early morning anglers should be
able to attract rainbow trout and possibly salmon at first light with
lighter lines near the surface, as these fish gorge on mayflies. As always,
remember that as you bring these fish up from colder waters, they will be
stressed and every precaution in handling should be exercised!

My favorite hot-weather fisheries are still going strong, brookies in our
mountain streams and ponds. It seems lately that we have been receiving more
thundershowers; this is much needed to keep these fisheries afloat. –Don
Miller, Regional Fisheries Biologist

><> Monadnock/Upper Valley

In the past, I have generally stayed away from thick aquatic vegetation
while bass fishing. It wasn’t that I didn’t realize warmwater fish species
are attracted to vegetation because it provides shade, oxygen, food, and a
place to ambush prey from, I just didn’t feel like dealing with all the
snags and wasted time removing vegetation from my lure, as well as the fish
I continually seemed to lose once hooked. That all changed a few years ago
when I started using some different lures and leaning more towards the
“superlines.” These superlines (Berkley Fireline and Stren Microfuse are two
of those available) are fantastic for fishing in vegetation as they are
incredibly strong, don’t stretch, have a thin diameter relative to the same
pound test in monofilament, and cut through vegetation very easily when
snagged or when fighting a fish. Any superlines in 15-20 lb. test should do
the job, although I know some anglers that use up to 50 lb. test when
fishing in thick vegetation.

For bass fishing in vegetation, I like to use a weedless frog or 5-6”
plastic worm or senko-style lure. Frogs that I have had good luck with
include the SPRO Dean Rojas Bronzeye Frog and the Tru-Tungsten Mad Maxx
Frog. These baits cost about $9 apiece and less expensive Cabela’s and Bass
Pro Shops name-brands are also available and work well. These lures are
virtually snag-proof, and you can cast them a long way. Either reel them in
a steady fashion or alternate between fast reels and stops. To fish a
plastic worm or senko-style lure, I simply thread it onto a hook so that the
lure covers the straight part of the hook, making sure the lure sits
straight when I am done. I use a weedless hook such as those available from
Eagle Claw in a size 1/0. By keeping your rod tip high and reeling at a
moderate pace, the worm will swim across the surface of the water and over
and around vegetation. A good trick with this technique is to stop reeling
as the bait reaches any open spot in
the vegetation and let it sink. Often, a bass that has been following the
lure will take that opportunity to strike. –Gabe Gries, Regional Fisheries
Biologist

><> Southeast NH/Merrimack Valley

Fish community surveys are continuing in the Lamprey Watershed with an
emphasis on identifying self-sustaining brook trout populations. Although
the majority of the watershed tends to be warmer wetland streams, some new
populations of wild brook trout have been documented. These streams appear
to have the ability to stay cooler from groundwater (springs) entering them.
Water temperatures at these streams have been close to 20 degrees cooler.
Additionally, we spent a day last week looking at fish communities in the
Winnicut River watershed. This information will likely help prioritize and
guide restoration projects in the future, as much of this watershed is now
free-flowing and a variety of different diadromous species (those that
migrate between fresh and salt waters) have access to the watershed.
American eels, redfin pickerel, and wild brook trout are some of the species
we captured. These species are designated “species of concern” in New
Hampshire's Wildlife Action
Plan. –Ben Nugent, Regional Fisheries Biologist

><> Seacoast Area

What a week for fishing! Anglers are doing well with just about everything
lately. Mackerel are back in force and with them came the stripers. Most of
the reports coming in are from outside of the harbors, not much action on
shore recently. While performing Fish and Game’s juvenile lobster SCUBA
survey in the Piscataqua River this past week we were approached by some
surfacing stripers, no doubt looking for a lobster snack. It’s nice to know
they’re around, even if lobster is expensive bait! These stripers were seen
on an incoming tide in Sprague Cove, the first cove downstream of Dover
Point on the NH side. The groundfishing has been steady out at Jeffrey’s
Ledge, unfortunately they’ve been catching a similar number of dogfish, but
if you are willing to fight with the dogs it is well worth the effort.

The most common question around the coast these days: Are the blues in yet?
We are still getting a few reports of them from our south but have yet to
see them in NH waters. –Rebecca Heuss, Marine Biologist

><> Federal Aid: A User-Pay, User-Benefit Program

Researching and managing fisheries and teaching people about aquatic
ecosystems are funded by your license dollars and by the Federal Aid in
Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program. Your purchases of fishing
equipment and motorboat fuels make a difference to New Hampshire's
fisheries. Visit http://www.wildnh.com/SFWR_program/sfwr_program.htm.

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