I've been fishing a bit lately from some rivers where I catch large and smallmouth the rest of the year, but I don't have any way to go ice fishing. Does anyone have any idea on how to catch fish in these super cold New Hampshire waters that aren't iced over?

So you are asking about fishing rivers in cold water? You're still waters are all iced?

Jigs, 1/16oz crappie size jigs, crankbait, jerkbait 

I always downsize baits first off as some others have mentioned. Without knowing how big of a river we are talking about, its tough to give great advice. Does the river have bridges that are fishable? Where did you catch them when it wasnt cold, and what were you using?

yea its tough! im from MA, i dont have experince fishing rivers but lakes and ponds you can still get them! ive had luck with finesse jigs small jerkbaits and blade baits this time of year! GO SLOW!!!! 

i went out today and had some luck on a black blue finesse jig 

use the electronics see the depth the sitting in and slow roll jigs and tight wobble crank baits by there head on repeat.

 

I know the Merrimack is open right now but with all the recent snow and ice melt current is ripping just be careful the water is still frigid and hypothermia will happen quick.

also Hooksett nh the water is a bit warmer past the dam near the power plant. look for places like that on rivers the water can be a few degrees warmer from the plants using it and fish can be much more active

 When the water is barely above freezing I have my best luck with blade baits and jigs. When you think your fishing slow.... FISH SLOWER ! I also have had good luck with small swimbaits, a suspending jerkbait, and a drop shot. Typically when the water temperatures are super cold right after ice out you can find fish right where they were at ice up. In most lakes and ponds these areas tend to be deep, 15-45 ft deep with sharp break lines. In larger rivers deeper holes in river turns, set backs with structure as well as deeper water nearby can be good. You also should never overlook bridge pilings with deeper water.

On 2/22/2017 at 1:34 PM, MainelyBASS said:

I always downsize baits first off as some others have mentioned. Without knowing how big of a river we are talking about, its tough to give great advice. Does the river have bridges that are fishable? Where did you catch them when it wasnt cold, and what were you using?

 I've caught them on everything from swim jigs to small square bills and Texas rigs, its super fast current in one half, so most of the time I catch smallmouth there but I have caught a few largemouth. its hard to access one side that has the deeper water because of the snow that is still built up. There's a few pockets that range from 15 to 17 feet, but I don't know if the fish are even staying there right now because they do have access to the main lake.

As others have said, downsize and slow down.  If you're fishing where there's current, focus extra hard on finding where there are breaks in the current where the fish can rest.  

 

Remember bass are cold-blooded... If they're cold, their metabolism slows.  They're not going to want to expend energy chasing food any further than they have to (in general) or fighting current. 

Although fish slow down when the water is cold, one of the best ways to catch cold water largemouth bass is with a reaction bait like a lipless crankbait or a chatterbait. In sub-40 degree water at the beginning of last April, I caught a 5/0 and a 5/15 on a chatterbait with paddletail swimbait trailer:

I'm going to be in Manchester next week and figured I might try a little fishing while I'm there (depending on if this late snow melts anytime soon). Any easily accessible places on the Merrimack that people could suggest? The only one I know of is Arms Park.