The ice is still holding on in central Maine and New Hampshire, but it is deteriorating fast. Southern Maine and New Hampshire are reporting bad edges and many are using planks to access the ice. Everyone we spoke with reported better catches all around. Late ice is most anglers’ favorite time to ice fish. Increasing oxygen levels and longer days is increasing fish feeding activity. That said, late ice should be treated like early ice. Conditions are changing throughout the day most days a …

In just a week, the weather turned from winter to spring. It does look like some slightly more seasonal weather is coming later this week. While many anglers hate to see warm weather eating away at their ice, many others know that all the melting ice oxygenates the waters and kicks the fish activity up a couple of notches. Late winter is a time ice anglers hate and love at the same time. They are either over ice fishing for the season, or they can’t get enough and love the incredible fishi …

Here we go into the home stretch and what many regard as the best ice fishing period of the season. March ice fishing is what many wait all season long and it looks like the ice will be around for a while. There is some warm weather in the forecast, but with a good thick base of ice and still snow cover, it will take time for the ice to go. All accounts are that the fishing has been great. Lake trout lakes are producing lots of fish, warm water fish are biting well and we are hearing of some big …

Extra snow is creating slush and some travel issues on some waters. ATV operators are reporting tough going, but snowmobiles are still making a go of it. The fishing has been what most expect for late February, good catches full of anticipation for March and excellent bites. Panfishing is picking up on smaller ponds and reports of good crappie and perch fishing are becoming more frequent. Lake trout are beginning to recover from the large derbies and anglers who can get to them are beginning to …

The great Meredith Rotary Ice Fishing Derby went off without a hitch in New Hampshire. Most reports were of slightly fewer anglers actually on the ice for the two-day derby, probably due to the weather and Super Bowl parties. The fishing appears better than in many other derby years. Sebago is firing well now that most of the lake has safe ice. We had reports of good lake trout fishing and excellent cusk fishing. Small local lakes and ponds across New England are producing their usual warm water …