New member looking to ice fish

Iceman · 02-06-2012, 05:47 PM

Hi everyone, looking to fish the derby for the first time this year. Kind of new to the forum scene but seems like a great place for info. I'm interested in either Ellacoya or Alton Bay. Preferably where their is more ice.
I assume that would be Alton Bay since it seems to have less exposure to the elements than Ellacoya being more open. Really hoping you can help me find a parking spot. Sounds silly but I'm not familiar with the lake at all.
I need access for my ATV to drag my portable out and a place to leave my truck. I should be there late Fri morning if that helps because I might beat a little traffic.
Thank you ahead of time, even a suggestion would help.

GTO · 02-06-2012, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman

Hi everyone, looking to fish the derby for the first time this year. Kind of new to the forum scene but seems like a great place for info. I'm interested in either Ellacoya or Alton Bay. Preferably where their is more ice.
I assume that would be Alton Bay since it seems to have less exposure to the elements than Ellacoya being more open. Really hoping you can help me find a parking spot. Sounds silly but I'm not familiar with the lake at all.
I need access for my ATV to drag my portable out and a place to leave my truck. I should be there late Fri morning if that helps because I might beat a little traffic.
Thank you ahead of time, even a suggestion would help.

Don't leave your valuables in your bobhouse....damn theives out there

RailroadJoe · 02-06-2012, 06:51 PM

If you are early Alton Bay is best.

Slickcraft · 02-06-2012, 07:00 PM

Welcome to the forum Iceman. I'm not a ice fishing person but I do live here. There is plenty of ice in Alton bay along with parking and a ramp to get your ATV onto the ice. Right now there are lots of bob houses out there and the ice runway is open. Perhaps someone like Riverat has more info.

Two days ago walking near Ellacoya we saw ice boats launched from the park and ice skaters on the ice. This was the first activity we have seen on the ice there this winter, no bob houses. So you might be able to fish there but the Bay is a better bet. There is some roadside parking at Ellacoya and an access lane to the lake but you would have to be real early.

RLW · 02-06-2012, 07:50 PM

Iceman, I just noticed that you are fairly new to the forum and glad you have joined us. Have fun and enjoy the Winni Forum while making many new friends. Best of luck locating the right spot for that big one more especially in the derby.

Arubaman · 02-06-2012, 08:07 PM

Iceman,

check out Iceshanty.com under New Hampshire or AJ's Bait & Tackle web site for daily ice reports

Iceman · 02-06-2012, 08:36 PM

Thanks guys! All great info!

EDIT: Can't find the ice reports at AJ's Bait & Tackle. Can someone help me out with a link?

Winnisquamguy · 02-07-2012, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman

Thanks guys! All great info!

EDIT: Can't find the ice reports at AJ's Bait & Tackle. Can someone help me out with a link?

Here you go, its down on the bottom left of the page.http://www.ajsbaitandtackle.com/home

riverat · 02-07-2012, 06:55 AM

Hi Iceman, Welcome to the Forum a great 4 season source of lake region info.

Alton Bay has 12" of solid ice from the ramp out to sandy point, just avoid shoreline aerators around docks. Beyond sandy point ice conditions are sketchy and my advice is check as you go, what was 5" 2 days ago is 4" now and soft. cracks and ridges are starting to move and seperate, worse conditions for derby I have ever seen. Bad reports coming in from all the hot spots like elacoya and gilford beach and meredith also, safety must be your upmost concern this year in particular. If we get a few nights of frigid temps would be nice but forecast does not show that until this weekend and I am afraid it will not be enough for the multitudes this weekend.
The fishing in the inner bay is very slow, lots of yellow perch(smallish) near bottom and consume lots of bait. Rainbows if your lucky in shallow 3-6' areas but be advised the salmon are really in abundance this year and must be released without taking out of water, and they are running anywhere from just below the ice to 12' down. lakers in the inner bay are more prominent as you head towards sndy point.
Hope this info leads you to a winner, good luck!
Stop in a say Hi, and have a cup of coffee. first shack of the ramp near the gazebo. tight lines
Riverat

Belmont Resident · 02-07-2012, 07:38 AM

I hope it is not a case that this year’s derby organizers may be more concerned with what it might loose in tourist dollars to cancel or postpone rather than safety. I think most will say there IS good ice in some spots on the lake, like Alton and 19 miles bays but enough for the crowds? Even several years ago when it was then in question, there was a lot more ice and a lot more bob houses on the lake in the usual easy to reach places then this year. I hope the event goes without any problems but that will require a lot of common sense on the part of those venturing out.
Good luck and stay dry.

02-06-2012, 05:47 PM	#1
Iceman Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New member looking to ice fish Hi everyone, looking to fish the derby for the first time this year. Kind of new to the forum scene but seems like a great place for info. I'm interested in either Ellacoya or Alton Bay. Preferably where their is more ice. I assume that would be Alton Bay since it seems to have less exposure to the elements than Ellacoya being more open. Really hoping you can help me find a parking spot. Sounds silly but I'm not familiar with the lake at all. I need access for my ATV to drag my portable out and a place to leave my truck. I should be there late Fri morning if that helps because I might beat a little traffic. Thank you ahead of time, even a suggestion would help.

02-06-2012, 07:50 PM	#5
RLW Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Alton Bay on the mountain by a lake Posts: 2,023 Thanks: 563 Thanked 444 Times in 311 Posts	A big welcome *Iceman,* I just noticed that you are fairly new to the forum and glad you have joined us. Have fun and enjoy the Winni Forum while making many new friends. Best of luck locating the right spot for that big one more especially in the derby. __________________ There is nothing better than living on Alton Mountain & our grand kids visits.

02-07-2012, 06:55 AM	#9
riverat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alton, NH Posts: 722 Thanks: 337 Thanked 280 Times in 123 Posts	Hi Iceman, Welcome to the Forum a great 4 season source of lake region info. Alton Bay has 12" of solid ice from the ramp out to sandy point, just avoid shoreline aerators around docks. Beyond sandy point ice conditions are sketchy and my advice is check as you go, what was 5" 2 days ago is 4" now and soft. cracks and ridges are starting to move and seperate, worse conditions for derby I have ever seen. Bad reports coming in from all the hot spots like elacoya and gilford beach and meredith also, safety must be your upmost concern this year in particular. If we get a few nights of frigid temps would be nice but forecast does not show that until this weekend and I am afraid it will not be enough for the multitudes this weekend. The fishing in the inner bay is very slow, lots of yellow perch(smallish) near bottom and consume lots of bait. Rainbows if your lucky in shallow 3-6' areas but be advised the salmon are really in abundance this year and must be released without taking out of water, and they are running anywhere from just below the ice to 12' down. lakers in the inner bay are more prominent as you head towards sndy point. Hope this info leads you to a winner, good luck! Stop in a say Hi, and have a cup of coffee. first shack of the ramp near the gazebo. tight lines Riverat __________________ Waking up in the morning is the greatest, everything after that is a bonus

02-07-2012, 07:38 AM	#10
Belmont Resident Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belmont NH but prefer Jackman Maine Posts: 1,857 Thanks: 491 Thanked 410 Times in 251 Posts	great advice I hope it is not a case that this year’s derby organizers may be more concerned with what it might loose in tourist dollars to cancel or postpone rather than safety. I think most will say there IS good ice in some spots on the lake, like Alton and 19 miles bays but enough for the crowds? Even several years ago when it was then in question, there was a lot more ice and a lot more bob houses on the lake in the usual easy to reach places then this year. I hope the event goes without any problems but that will require a lot of common sense on the part of those venturing out. Good luck and stay dry. __________________ "better to have a short life that is full of what you like doing, then a long life spent in a miserable way.."

02-06-2012, 06:51 PM	#3
RailroadJoe Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 620 Thanks: 259 Thanked 158 Times in 100 Posts	If you are early Alton Bay is best.

02-06-2012, 07:00 PM	#4
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,296 Thanks: 1,222 Thanked 2,080 Times in 952 Posts	Welcome to the forum Iceman. I'm not a ice fishing person but I do live here. There is plenty of ice in Alton bay along with parking and a ramp to get your ATV onto the ice. Right now there are lots of bob houses out there and the ice runway is open. Perhaps someone like Riverat has more info. Two days ago walking near Ellacoya we saw ice boats launched from the park and ice skaters on the ice. This was the first activity we have seen on the ice there this winter, no bob houses. So you might be able to fish there but the Bay is a better bet. There is some roadside parking at Ellacoya and an access lane to the lake but you would have to be real early.

02-06-2012, 08:07 PM	#6
Arubaman Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Manchester,NH Posts: 32 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Iceman, check out Iceshanty.com under New Hampshire or AJ's Bait & Tackle web site for daily ice reports

02-06-2012, 08:36 PM	#7
Iceman Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks guys! All great info! EDIT: Can't find the ice reports at AJ's Bait & Tackle. Can someone help me out with a link?

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to riverat For This Useful Post:
Belmont Resident (02-07-2012), Jonas Pilot (02-07-2012)