Fishing Report March 2, 2026
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 white and yellow perch catches, and even stocked trout are still being caught. Warmer weather is coming and the fishing will continue to heat up.
Maine:
Greg Cutting at Jordan’s Store in Sebago reported a lot of people fishing over the weekend. “What’s working for lake trout is a small (3/8 ounce) jig with a piece of cut sucker on it. Move it slightly, but when a fish comes in, lay it on the bottom and just barely move it. Let them pick it up off the bottom. It’s a grind, but it works great. There’s still a pile of smelt off of Nassan’s. Guys have been fishing Tricky and picking off a fish here and there. Hancock has been producing. There are some big browns in there and they are catching a few cusks there too. Speaking of cusk, I caught one 29 inches jigging for lake trout the other day. I let that one go; they’re about to lay their eggs soon,” he said.
Vern at Cobbossee Bait said that the ice conditions are excellent and the fishing is even better in Kennebec County. “Yesterday I was in a t-shirt and today winter is back. We have a bit of slush in some areas, but it’s very maneuverable. Just watch for it and avoid those areas. People are still struggling to find any really big pike, but the fishing otherwise is really good up here. 7 out of 10 people are reporting astronomical fishing. I’m not sure what this coming blood moon will do, but so far it has been great. Smelt is king. There isn’t a fish in Maine that won’t eat a smelt,” he told us.
New Hampshire:
Tim from Tim Moore Outdoors/Lake Winnipesaukee Fishing Guide Service on Lake Winnipesaukee said that he is beginning to see the signs of March ice fishing coming. “We have seen a crazy amount of fish eating insects on the bottom. You can see them rooting around in the silt on the Mega Live 2. Clients who keep a few fish are reporting their bellies are full of bugs. One client sent me a picture of caddis fly larva cases, baby bluegill, and other insect larva that came from the belly of one white perch. The lake trout are eating the same thing along with the usual smelt. The bites have been pretty good. Not a lot of big numbers, but some giant white perch. Many over 2 pounds on live smelt. A few are starting to come on the jigs. We marked our first big schools of white perch over the weekend too. White 1/8-ounce Blade Spoons or Buckshot Rattle Spoons tipped with a small piece of dillie has been good,” he said.
Alan Nute at Winnisquam Country Store in Tilton reported a few more people fishing Winnisquam. “It sounds like the fishing might be coming back a bit on Winnisquam. I’m hearing of some nice catches. Winnipesaukee is still producing a lot of the skinny lakers on Bucktails. Cusk fishing has been good too. Glow bucktails with sucker meat or cusk lines with XL shiners have been good. There are some nice yellows around, hitting tip ups with smelt. We have a bunch of big suckers and plenty of smelt right now,” he said.
Ki at Dover Marine/Covered Bridge Sports in Dover told us that not a lot has changed from last week, which is good because last week was a great week of fishing around the seacoast area. “We were slammed over the weekend. We sold completely out of bait. Nothing left in the store. We got smoked. We have a couple of days of really cold temps and then it gets nice. I think the ponds around here are going to get smooshy. Not a lot has changed as far as hot spots. Bellamy for nice crappie, Willand for panfish and the occasional rainbow, White Lake for stocked trout on dillies,” he said.
Lon Berry at Berry’s Bait in Alton Bay reported a very busy weekend on Lake Winnipesaukee. “It was a very busy weekend for us. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday were the busiest. A lot of people jigging for lakers, white perch, and cusk. AJ’s Bucktails and Swim Sticks have been hot. Wonderbread tungsten jigs worked pretty well for just about everything. This ice is in great condition. The slush tightened up nicely,” he said.