JANUARY
Yellow Perch Lake Champlain, Vt.
Lake Champlain on the New York-Vermont border once supported an unregulated commercial ice-fishery for yellow perch, but angler overharvest severely limited the perch population during the 1990s. New regulations were implemented to protect these panfish, and perch numbers have rebounded nicely. Vermont maintains numerous access points around Lake Champlain. Some of the better yellow perch areas include Mallets Bay north of Burlington, Shelburne Bay south of Burlington and Chimney Point in Addison.
Northern Pike The Oxbow, Mass.
The Connecticut River near Northhampton once had a mile-long U-turn in its main channel. Today, this bend is cut off to form a large “oxbow” lake. Weeds scattered throughout the oxbow attract northern pike. Ice-anglers routinely take large pike using large live minnows and suckers. Largemouth bass and yellow perch abound, too.
Ice-fishing access can be found at the boat ramp in Northampton off Route 5 (Exit 18 off Interstate Route 91).
Largemouth Bass Congamond Lake, Mass.
Congamond Lake in Southwick is especially attractive to ice-anglers because of its population of trophy-class largemouth bass averaging 14 to 19 inches.
FEBRUARY
Seeforellen Brown Trout East Twin Lake, Conn.
This lake is perhaps the finest trout lake in southern New England, thanks to a stocking program involving the fast-growing Seeforellen brown trout. Ice-anglers from all over the Northeast come here to catch 5- to 10- pound brown trout. Access to the lake is through O’Hare’s Marina and Landing in Salisbury. Take Route 44 west from Norfolk for about 10 miles. Turn right onto Twin Lakes Road. The marina is about one mile from the turn.
Rainbow Trout Third Connecticut Lake, N.H.
The Third Connecticut Lake is a deep bowl-shaped lake in Pittsburg. This rainbow trout fishery is not for the faint of heart. The northern New Hampshire weather gets cold! Access to the lake is provided through a state boat ramp. Take Exit 35 off I-93 and travel north on Route 3. The lake is along Route 3 near the Canadian border.
Northern Pike Connecticut River, Conn.
South of Hartford on the Connecticut River, ice-anglers will find Wethersfield Cove, a large offshoot from the river that is a haven for some of the state’s largest northern pike, as well as crappies, largemouth bass and yellow perch.
MARCH
White Perch Connecticut River, Conn.
Each spring, white perch congregate in tidal rivers to spawn. This spawning run attracts large groups of anglers to the mouth of the Connecticut River, particularly the Hamburg Cove area. Watch the tide chart because the best fishing occurs during high tide when the fish move into the shallows with the rising water. Access to the cove is limited to boats. Use the launch ramp south of Hamburg under the I-95 bridge in Old Saybrook.
Chain Pickerel Island Pond, N.H.
This 158-acre lake in Stoddard is a perfect place to go ice-fishing for pickerel. The pickerel move into the shallow water in late winter to prepare for their ice-out spawn. Look for pickerel around the perimeter of the lake, which is thick with weeds. Tip-ups rigged with live minnows should produce the desired results. Access to the lake is via a state boat launch on Route 123.
Brown Trout Housatonic River, Conn.
While the regular Connecticut trout-fishing season does not open until April, the state maintains a stretch of the Housatonic River between Kent and Cornwall open for year-round catch-and-release angling.
APRIL
Brown Trout Deerfield River, Mass.
The Deerfield River is the ideal brown trout river. It has a healthy population of holdover trout and receives a yearly helping of 9,000 stocked fish from the Massachusetts hatcheries. The best action will come in the two designated catch-and-release sections. The first section is between the Fife Brook Dam and the Hoosic Tunnel near Drury. The other section runs from Pelham Brook to the Mohawk Campground near Zoar. Both areas are north of Route 2. Only artificial lures and flies are allowed in these areas. Access to the Deerfield River is provided off River Road, which runs north of Route 2 near the Mohawk Campground.
Brook Trout Bourn Pond, Stratton Pond, Vt.
Bourn Pond covers 65 acres and Stratton Pond covers 44 acres. These ponds are only for the adventurous because they require anglers to backpack in, but it’s worth the effort because both ponds have super brook trout populations, clean water and plenty of shoreline fishing access.
To access the ponds, anglers must hike the Long Trail. The trailhead parking area is off Route 100 in Stratton near the Daniel Webster Memorial. Hike northward about four miles to Stratton Pond. Bourn Pond is another mile west of Stratton Pond.
Crappies Lake Zoar, Conn.
Lake Zoar in Southbury offers some of the best crappie fishing in southern New England, with 2-pound class fish possible. Anglers might also come up with largemouth bass, yellow perch and white perch.
MAY
Smallmouth Bass Candlewood Lake, Conn.
This lake offers top-rated smallmouth bass fishing, especially in May, when the bass are staging to spawn. Many of these smallmouths exceed 3 pounds. The state maintains two public boat launches on the lake. The northern ramp is on Route 39 (Exit 6 off I-84). To get to the southern ramp, take Exit 7 off I-84 onto Route 7 north. Get off Exit 1 from Route 7 at Federal Road. Head north for about one mile. Turn left onto North Nabby Road.
Largemouth Bass Stump Pond, R.I.
Stump Pond in Smithfield is one of New England’s overlooked bass lakes. It has abundant weed growth to provide ambush points for largemouth bass. The lake is also littered with old stumps and tree roots for added bass action. Weedless lures are mandatory. Anglers will find access points off Route 5, Route 104 and Route 116. Parking is also available on Log Road along the western side of the lake.
Winter Flounder Norwalk Harbor, Conn.
The winter flounder population has not fared well in recent years in New England, but Norwalk Harbor seems to be the exception. Each spring anglers do very well on flounder here.
JUNE
Blackfish Fishers Island, R.I.
Blackfish season opens in June with the possibility of finding fish in the 8- to 12-pound class. The south shore of Fishers Island is strewn with rocks and small reefs that attract these fish. Wilderness Point and the rocks outside Barley Field Cove are also hot blackfish spots. While the island is in New York waters, the nearest boat ramp is Barn Island in Stonington, Connecticut (Exit 91 off I-95).
Striped Bass Thames River, Conn.
The Thames River in New London has a superb mid-June striped bass fishery. Shoreline access is limited, but there is enough access to give you a good chance at catching a striper. Three standout bass spots are Buoy 17 in Gales Ferry, the state boat ramp in New London and the New London town docks. To access Buoy 17, take Exit 86 off I-95 onto Route 12. The state boat ramp is below the I-95 bridge off Exit 84. The New London town docks are near the Fishers Island ferry dock.
Brook Trout Pemadumcook Chain of Lakes, Maine
This 18,000-acre lake complex in Penobscot County offers excellent brook trout fishing, especially in the northern half of the lake. You will also catch salmon, lake trout, perch and pickerel.
JULY
Striped Bass Kennebec River, Maine
The Kennebec River runs for almost 15 miles between the open Atlantic Ocean and Bath. It offers a wide range of habitat from rock points to salt marshes. Striped bass migrate up this river to feed. Anglers will find several launch ramps along the river. To get there from Route 1 in Bath, take Route 209. Head north to find another ramp in North Bath. Traveling south, the first ramp is in Morse Cove about one mile south of Bath. The last ramp is in Phippsburg off Route 209 about five miles south of Bath.
Largemouth Bass Squam Lake, N.H.
Squam Lake is primarily known as a smallmouth bass lake, but it also harbors an excellent largemouth bass fishery. Look for bass in the grassbeds or in shallow coves. Access to the lake is via a renovated launch ramp in Holderness off Route 3/25.
Summer Flounder Napatree Point, R.I.
Each year, Napatree Point produces the largest fluke in New England. The shoal dropoffs and perfect tidal flows make fishing this point easy for novice anglers and experts alike.
AUGUST
Bluefish Cape Ann, Mass.
August is when trophy-class bluefish appear off Cape Ann. Located about 30 miles north of Boston in the towns of Gloucester and Rockport, the area has numerous tidal rifts to attract bluefish. Trolling parachute jigs or drifting bait chunks off the Cape’s many points are effective ways to catch bluefish. Poppers and other surface lures can also pay big dividends. Access is from the launch ramp in Gloucester off Route 127, next to the high school.
Smallmouth Bass Lake Memphremagog, Vt.
Reminiscent of the Canadian boundary waters, Lake Memphremagog offers a tranquil opportunity to enjoy some hot smallmouth bass action. Located in Newport on the Canada border, the lake provides 6,300 acres of fishable water. It is also offers largemouth bass, yellow perch, pickerel and trout. Access to the lake is off Route 5 in Newport.
Bluefish Portsmouth Harbor, N.H.
Like Cape Ann, Portsmouth Harbor produces its fair share of big bluefish.
SEPTEMBER
Bluefish The Norwalk Triangle, Conn
On Long Island Sound, the Norwalk “triangle” provides excellent late-season bluefish action. The deep-water triangle runs between Buoy 28C, Buoy 11B and the Obstruction Buoy. Diamond jigging, trolling and chunking bait are all great ways to catch bluefish. You will also come up with a few striped bass during your outings. For access, use the Norwalk launch ramp in Veteran’s Memorial Park or the state boat ramp under the I-95 Saugatuck River bridge. Both ramps are off Exit 17.
Smallmouth Bass Lake Carmi, Vt.
This lake sits near the Canadian border in the middle of Vermont farm country. Smallmouth bass are plentiful throughout the lake, as are northern pike, yellow perch and sunfish. Weeds line the shoreline and the better smallmouth action is where the weeds meet with main-lake points. Access to the lake is from a launch ramp within Lake Carmi State Park.
Sunfish Webster Lake, Mass.
Webster Lake is one of the state’s largest lakes and is one of its most noted largemouth bass ponds, but it gives anglers plenty of sunfish action, too.
OCTOBER
Largemouth Bass Norton Reservoir, Mass.
This shallow lake has the reputation of producing large numbers of bass. Anglers will have the best luck with spinnerbaits and jerkbaits. Cast parallel to the dying lily pads. Also, the lake is overrun with small white perch, so small that light-colored crankbaits are effective lures. There are several access points around the lake. One launch ramp is off Reservoir Avenue at the north end of the lake in Norton. The second access for shoreline fishing and launching cartop boats is near the dam in the northeast corner of the lake.
Smallmouth Bass Sebego Lake, Maine
Sebego Lake in Casco is a popular vacation lake with plenty of trout, salmon, largemouth bass and crappies. But it is the lake’s smallmouth bass that draw the most attention during the fall. Launch ramps are found off routes 114 and 35.
Walleyes Lamoille River, Vt.
The Lamoille River north of Burlington is a prime walleye spot. Besides walleyes, expect to catch largemouth bass, pike, catfish and panfish.
NOVEMBER
Northern Pike Spofford Lake, N.H.
Spofford Lake is a nice place to fish after the summer vacation crowd has left. Just prior to ice-up, northern pike begin to feed heavily. Live minnows usually provide the hottest action. Slow-moving spinnerbaits or swimming spoons will be close seconds. Expect to see largemouth bass and yellow perch, too. From Route 9 east of Keene, take Route 9A in Spofford village. The launch ramp is off Route 9A.
Brown Trout Hoosic River, Mass.
Test the brown trout fishery in the Hoosic River between Vermont and the Cheshire Reservoir in Cheshire. Much of the river parallels Route 8 where access is provided off an old abandoned railroad bed. Look for holdover brown trout in the deep pools. Live bait and nymphs should produce the desired results.
Atlantic Salmon Shetucket River, Conn.
Each fall, Connecticut’s hatchery personnel release surplus Atlantic salmon brood stock into the river. Often, anglers report catching fish in the 10- to 15-pound range. In November, the salmon fishery is catch-and-release only.
DECEMBER
Yellow Perch Connecticut River, N.H./Vt.
December can be a fickle time for anglers in northern New England. Ice forms early some winters, while other years little ice occurs before Christmas. Whichever climatic condition occurs, you can bet the yellow perch fishing in the southern portion of the Connecticut River between Springfield, Vermont, and Walpole, New Hampshire, will be good. As the water gets colder, perch swim into the numerous “setback” coves off the main river. Small jigs and live minnows are the best perch catchers. Access to the river can be found along Route 5 in Vermont or Route 12 in New Hampshire.
Northern Pike Flat River Reservoir, R.I.
One of the best pike lakes in Rhode Island is Flat River Reservoir in Coventry. This reservoir is shallow and loaded with dense beds of coontail weeds. Northern pike thrive here and will keep anglers busy during the pre-ice period. Public access is along Farm Hill Road, Route 117 and Harkney Hill Road. There is a boat ramp off Route 3.
Striped Bass Housatonic River, Conn
The lower Housatonic River in Stratford is a great late-season striped bass destination. This deep tidal river boasts a variety of bass habitat from muddy salt marsh channels to rocky points.
from NewEngland Game & Fish Magazine
