Fishing Report March 24, 2025

March 24, 2025
While a few people are still heading far north in New Hampshire and Maine, most anglers have packed in their ice fishing gear and are awaiting open water and trout seasons. Most shops are in transition, or have already transitioned, to open water fishing. It's that limbo time of year that some hate and others need to recharge and recover from busy ice fishing seasons. That said, check your local regs, because some rivers and smaller ice- free ponds are open year round to fishing.

Maine:
Greg Cutting at Jordan's Store in Sebago says that the ice is gone in the big bay and there were a couple brave souls in a boat out in front of the store this week. "I'm not sure where they launched, but they were there once the wind died down. It must be the only open water in the state. You can't keep salmon until April 1st, but you can keep lake trout year round. Nassan's is free of ice. If anyone is interested in putting in there they can call the store and I will put them in contact with the folks who own the launch. Other than that, there isn't much going on just yet," he said.

New Hampshire:
Tim from Tim Moore Outdoors' Lake Winnipesaukee Fishing Guide Service on Lake Winnipesaukee was also anxiously awaiting ice- out on Lake Winnipesaukee, especially with the arrival of a brand new boat. "It's just a waiting game now. The ice fishing is done on Winnipesaukee. My new boat will be ready soon, so for now we are just waiting ice-out. There is already some open water for shore fishermen. There should be a lot more in another week. Even though winter decided to come back for a day, temps above 40 degrees most days will eat up the remaining ice pretty good," he said.

Lon Berry at Berry's Bait in Alton Bay told us that they have put out all the freshwater gear they have, and more is arriving almost daily. "Dana got almost everything swapped out last week and weekend. The ice is moving out pretty quick. The open water is almost out to the bandstand. A few guys have been heading far north for lake trout and cusk. We heard reports of 30 inches of ice last weekend. There are guys fly fishing the Merrymeeting River. I don't know what they are catching, but there were a bunch of people wading out up to their knees. We would like to thank everyone for a great winter season," he said.

Alan Nute at Winnisquam Country Store in Tilton reported a few brave souls using planks to get on some local spots over the past weekend. "There were a few people using a plank to get on the north end of Winnisquam last weekend. Everything seems to be going pretty fast though. It's mostly a waiting game now. I've just been tying flies and painting spoons," he said.