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Weekly Fishing Report: March 11, 2024

Fishing Conditions & Updates for Maine & New Hampshire

As usual, the reports slow to a crawl during the shoulder season between ice fishing and open water. If you’re in the right areas, there are fishing opportunities to be had, both ice fishing and open water. North of Bangor and the White Mountains in New Hampshire, there is still a decent amount of ice fishing going on, while southern New England is beginning to see more and more open water. There are some holdover trout fishing opportunities in some areas but check local regulations before heading out to identify which waters are legal to fish this early. Bass fishing should be picking up, and early spring offers some great slow presentation fishing, especially if you time your trips right. A south-facing shoreline, after the sun has been on it for a couple of hours, can draw in hungry bass from deeper water.

MAINE:

Greg Cutting at Jordan’s Store in Sebago told us that there were a fair number of people fishing Sebago in boats. “We’re seeing quite a few boats out trolling for lake trout. The area in front of the Songo River remains closed until April 1, but you can fish the rest of the lake, you just can’t keep salmon. The lake trout fishing has been good. The alewives are still holding in that deep water, so you can even jig up some lake trout if you want,” he said. Greg said he heard that the docks were put in at the state park. He says he is pretty sure that Nassan’s Beach launch is open, but you need to call ahead of time. Greg says people can call the store (207-787-3866) if they want to launch there and need the number.

Vern at Cobbossee Bait in Winthrop had pulled his nets and was slowly selling through the bait he had to a very select few veteran ice anglers. “We are pretty much done here in Kennebec County. There are a few veterans getting on with planks, but that’s it. There are still some people heading north to Moosehead and other places north of there though,” he said.

NEW HAMPSHIRE:

The last bits of ice on Lake Winnipesaukee have deteriorated rapidly since this photo was taken just before last weekend. Reports now are that what little ice remains isn't safe and will be gone by the end of next week.
Photo courtesy of Tim from Tim Moore Outdoors.

Full-time New Hampshire fishing guide Tim from Tim Moore Outdoors was waiting for April 1 opening day on Lake Winnipesaukee. He wanted to remind anglers that it is illegal to fish open water on Winnipesaukee until April 1. “We have two separate seasons on Lake Winnipesaukee. Ice fishing season on lakes managed for lake trout and/or landlocked salmon is from January 1 through March 31, and you can only ice fish during those dates. You can’t fish any open water on those lakes until April 1, when the salmon season (which runs April 1 through September 30) opens. So, it’s just a waiting game. I’ll be busy getting my boat ready for inspection next week and then waiting for April 1,” he said.

Alan Nute at Winnisquam Country Store in Tilton said things had slowed to a crawl. “A lot of people are just getting their boats ready. The shorelines are opening up on the smaller ponds, but it’s going to be another week or so before there is anything worth fishing in a boat or kayak. We should see ice-out on Winnipesaukee within a week,” he said. Alan did say there were still people heading north to ice fish the Connecticut Lakes in Pittsburg.

Jason MacKenzie at Pawtuckaway Trading Post had a similar report, slow. “It’s been dead here this week. Until the bass fishing starts to pick up, or we start seeing some flounder around, it’s probably going to stay that way,” he said. Jason said he hears of a few people taking advantage of the trout that were stocked by the Three Rivers Stocking Association for winter fly fishing.


Because of inherent time restrictions of gathering fresh, up-to-date information, editing & producing this report in a timely manner, occasional errors or marginal information may slip by us. We try our hardest to provide accurate information. We urge readers to use this report as a tool to increase their fishing pleasure and not to rely on as their sole resource. First or second-hand information is offered by fishing guides, commercial fishing charters or party boats, bait & tackle dealers, well-known successful anglers, and state & federal fisheries and natural resources enforcement officials. We also welcome and use reports forwarded to us by fishermen that use this report. - Kittery Trading Post Fishing Report Editor