May 15 to June 15 is artificial bait only.  That's also the catch and release only timeframe.

I feel bad for everyone experiencing flooding right now but this rain is going to open up the farm ponds very quickly and I'm so excited! Soon guys, soon.

May 15 to June 15 is artificial bait only.  That's also the catch and release only timeframe.

 

Ice out to ice over is artificial bait only 

 

For me anyway...

The Nashua river is now completely open, and launch ready.  I was there this morning,  but holy cow is that water moving right now.  The Dam is wide open at all the gates and the wall. as of last Saturday you still could not launch a boat at the ramp behind Stellos Stadium.      Make sure your battery is fully charged and your motor is ready to run.   There is nothing to stop you as the orange buoys on the cable are not across the river yet.  Same goes for the dam at Margarittas,  The blue barrels and cable are not across the river yet.   If you are fishing either these 2 places, just be aware that water is moving fast, and dropping faster.  Most everything else is still frozen over, except for a little bit of the Pennichuck at the bridge on Tinker rd in Nashua/Merr line.

The Nashua river is now completely open, and launch ready. I was there this morning, but holy cow is that water moving right now. The Dam is wide open at all the gates and the wall. as of last Saturday you still could not launch a boat at the ramp behind Stellos Stadium. Make sure your battery is fully charged and your motor is ready to run. There is nothing to stop you as the orange buoys on the cable are not across the river yet. Same goes for the dam at Margarittas, The blue barrels and cable are not across the river yet. If you are fishing either these 2 places, just be aware that water is moving fast, and dropping faster. Most everything else is still frozen over, except for a little bit of the Pennichuck at the bridge on Tinker rd in Nashua/Merr line.

This time of year. Well meaning April where do you really focus your fishing efforts as to cover and structure and depth of water? This actually goes for any body of water this time of year I never really fish in April so just wondering everyone's tactics as to where to find the good sized bass?

Remember if you have a bob-house on any NH water it must be removed by midnight April 1st!

This time of year. Well meaning April where do you really focus your fishing efforts as to cover and structure and depth of water? This actually goes for any body of water this time of year I never really fish in April so just wondering everyone's tactics as to where to find the good sized bass?

I aim for any shallow points or flats that are close to deep water. In my opinion, as soon as ice is out, largemouth will move from deeper water onto very shallow points or flats in the afternoons, once the sun has warmed the water up. Perch seem to get active quickly as the water warms up, so its tough to beat yellow perch jerkbaits or jigs in most NH fisheries in April.

I aim for any shallow points or flats that are close to deep water. In my opinion, as soon as ice is out, largemouth will move from deeper water onto very shallow points or flats in the afternoons, once the sun has warmed the water up. Perch seem to get active quickly as the water warms up, so its tough to beat yellow perch jerkbaits or jigs in most NH fisheries in April.

How shallow exactly for the Flats and Points? 

I fished a really small local pond today which was maybe 1/4 iced out. I didn't get so much as a nibble on a dropshot or jig, but it was nice to stretch the line. I'm figuring within the next week or two they'll turn on.

I have a question for you guys, I don't want to start an argument but I need input for a controversial essay I am writing for school. Currently Dr Gary Schwarz is working on growing the world record largemouth bass. He has chosen a specific strain of Florida bass known for getting very large very fast and feeds them protein rich prawns from his forage ponds which are located above his man made 70+ acre lake. If he were to succeed in growing a 23 lb bass and he were to catch it, do you believe that the fish should be recognized as the new world record?

Although i think its a bs way to get your name in the books. i dont see any reason it shouldnt count as long as it not hopped up on steroids or something lmao

I suppose it should count... The biggest bass is the biggest bass no matter how it got that way... I don't necessarily think that's a great way to do it. I DO think that Mac Weakley's 25lb 1oz bass is the eighth wonder of the world though (dag gone foul hooks!).

I suppose it should count... The biggest bass is the biggest bass no matter how it got that way... I don't necessarily think that's a great way to do it. I DO think that Mac Weakley's 25lb 1oz bass is the eighth wonder of the world though (dag gone foul hooks!).

I know right what a slap in the face haha

 I am totally jealous of you guys who have cast a line out already... and even caught some bass ! The rain has started to melt the snow and ice around here too. This past weekend though ice out was the last thing on my mind. I was at Moosehead lake shoveling 2 feet of snow to drill through 44 inches of ice to fish in 10 inches of water for native brook trout. The fishing was good ! I am so ready to go bass fishing though !! The sooner the better ! We need more rain and warmer temps !

I've never wanted rain so bad in my life.  We lost a ton of snow/ice here in Burlington with the Sunday rain, need a bit more though.

Anyone have any info on which NH water bodies (other than rivers) ice out sooner than others? I live up in the lakes region so we're still a few weeks away I imagine, but I'm scheduled to pick up the boat this Friday and just wonder if anyone knows of any that may see ice out over the next week or two...

Nothing even down here in Nashua except for rivers.   I have 1 small walk in pond thats open , 

Canal is frozen , round pond , stump pond , rocky pond sandy pond all frozen.  Getting aggrivated,   good thing i am playing hockey every morning

Just waiting on the roof racks to go fishing, but no fishing today only shooting gotta do something on this nice day. Will be rippin lips soon though.

I went by Swains today, Still a lot of ice out there.The last time a local drilled they said there was 18 inches so at least two weeks for that lake.

Anyone been on or by Canobie in the last couple of days? Drove by on Tue and it looked pretty grey. Wondering how much ice is there. Going by Mendums today to see how it looks. 

So I just found out that for High School bass fishing the teams that place 1st and 2nd from each state go to the national championships in Tennessee (4 day event) ! This year we came in 3rd place in the qualifier for the championships and we had a bad day in the championships besides my PB smallie at 3.48lbs and came in 6th out of 11 teams in the championship which was pretty dissapointing. So the teams who finshed 1st and 2nd will be in TN for nationals this July, I know our team can win this! We need to look at this one tourney at a time, we need to qualify for the state championship, and then finish top two there... To be honest if we got dead last in nationals I wouldn't really mind, not saying we wouldn't be able to do good down there but the experience who be incredible! The winning team gets quite a bit of prizes from the BASS sponsors and scholorships from Bethel Universtity and even BASS. And one angler from the winning team gets a spot on the Bethel University Bass Fishing Team. I'm SO SO SO determined to make it to nationals! We have our captain from last year for the qualifier and Shane may captain us for the championship, I know we can do this!

 

Fly Fisherman, our two other friends on the team and I are really gonna dig down!

sure wish my high school had a fishing team when i went

Jitterbug, buddy, we are going to break down your waters, talk about plans A, B, and C, and you guys are GOING to those Nationals!

Oh, and just an hour ago, I lost the biggest smallie of my life at the boat. Went down to lip a humongous fish I caught on the drop shot, and she got off on me. Easily somewhere between 6-7lbs. Absolute beast! The guy I was fishing with was speechless! 

Shane , Can I assume your on the Merr river ?     There are some big ones in those rivers as you already know..   Lots and lots of water ,  lots and lots off food ,  lots and lots and lots of places to hide.   too many places to hide.