Where to fish early Salmon

itchin for fishin · 03-21-2010, 06:52 PM

Looks like ice will cooperate for some early April salmon fishing. Historically, I have always fished around the Long Island bridge. I really don't feel like trucking to Moultonborough and would like to launch around Meredith. How is Meredith Bay for early season salmon and trout? Am I better off launching by Sheps? Appreciate your thoughts.

fatlazyless · 03-21-2010, 07:33 PM

If you launch at Shep Brown's, the town will most likely have a sign posted up, telling boaters to pay a twenty dollar town launch fee inside at Shep's. The right ramp belongs to Shep's. The left ramp belongs to the town.

For twenty bucks, last year's price, you can go launch at Ames' Farm Inn on the Gilford-Alton line and go help poor old Ames www.amesfarminn.com with their $43,686. annual Gilford property tax bill. Correct? ....Is the Ames' ramp now going to be open to day-use, trailer-boaters since Ames just whooped a big victory on the town warrant article vote?

If you launch from Meredith town docks on Route 3 in April or May, most likely the town will not have anyone there collecting the twenty dollar launch fee or just have someone there on Saturdays.

Centre Harbor has an excellent ramp and was charging ten dollars last year but probably do not bother collecting until June, sometime...

Understand that fishing for trout or salmon in Winnipesaukee before April 1 is a
finable fishing violation by NH Fish & Game. Anyone know what's the violation cost?

topwater · 03-21-2010, 09:00 PM

FLL the violations cost, LOL, such a diplomatic way of saying FINE, is $85 fine and loss of licence for either 90 or 120 day. Just to take this one step further, it is againest the law to fish out of a boat on winnie or any other lake that is classified as a ( Salmon and or Lake Trout Lake ) for any type of fish. No exceptions. Hope this helps. Trust me on this !!! Thats all I'll say.

Thats what it was 4 years ago, fines might be higher now.

itchin for fishin · 03-22-2010, 05:32 AM

Not too worried about launch fees now since like you said, I never see anyone until Memorial Day. I'm just wondering if the fishing is worth it in those two bays early in the season for salmon or lakers. I don't want to be just washing fishing line- LOL.

FLL- surprised what you said about Ames, thought that was still shut down to day launch.

topwater · 03-22-2010, 07:03 AM

Hey itchen, , Saunders bay is always a good bet for salmon in the spring !

itchin for fishin · 03-22-2010, 11:03 AM

Where can you launch by Saunders bay? I just want to take my small 14' skiff out so I don't want to be running a lot of open water.

topwater · 03-22-2010, 06:51 PM

Maybe SIVER SANDS MOTEL would let you launch out of thier facility, that is right in Saunders Bay, give them a call, the most they can say is "NO".

farechofisherman · 03-23-2010, 11:04 AM

hey itchin for fishin, you will have good success fishing in center harbor. launch right there and fish the entire harbor, always spring salmon in this area. concentrate on the shorelines about 100 yards out and you should do fine. good luck

itchin for fishin · 03-23-2010, 07:17 PM

Thanks guys. Now just need for April 1 to show up.

MAXUM · 03-24-2010, 09:20 AM

Just be careful out there in such a small boat. Seems like every year there are a few of those small boats that run into big problems usually cause the weather and wind is so unpredictable this time of year. I can't tell you how many times I've passed small boats like that out in areas where if the wind kicks up they'd be in big trouble. No fish is worth risking your life for that's for darn sure!

Jonas Pilot · 03-24-2010, 09:35 AM

I like to keep in mind the salmon’s relationship with it’s primary prey, the rainbow smelt. If you know where the smelt are salmon should be near. Smelt spawn in spring soon after ice out. Casting smelt imitating flies or lures or trolling similar lures close to these spawning areas will help increase you chances of success.

Jonas Pilot · 03-26-2010, 03:54 PM

In 2010, spring anglers will be treated to something very odd for N.H., ice-out has occurred already on Lake Winnipesaukee (March 24), and most other central N.H. lakes will be mostly clear of ice for the April 1 opener! Thanks to recent rains, the flows in the Winnipesaukee watershed (Winnipesaukee Lake, and the Winnipesaukee River, which flows through Opechee, Winnisquam and Silver lakes) will tend to attract fish to high flow areas; angling for “drop-down” salmon (and rainbow trout) in the vicinity of the dams will be hot once again this season, with time-honored locations such as Lakeport Dam/Opechee Lake, the Winnipesaukee River through Laconia to Dixon Point at Lake Winnisquam, and Lochmere Dam at Silver Lake producing fish on the opener. Don’t forget, N.H. Fish and Game’s new boat access facility on the Winnipesaukee River in downtown Laconia, offering great access to Winnisquam Lake and some terrific rainbow and lake trout fishing.
Additionally, several popular Winnipesaukee shore fishing locations exist at the Merrymeeting River (fly-fishing-only, barbless, catch and release), and the mouth of the Merrymeeting River as it enters Alton Bay, downstream of the famous stone arch bridge. Other good sites to visit include the Weirs Channel in Laconia, Long Island Bridge in Moultonborough, Governors Island Bridge in Gilford, Smith River inlet at Wolfeboro Bay, and Meredith and Center Harbor town docks. At these locations, everything from smelt, shiners and worms under a slip bobber to small jigs will take salmon, as well as rainbows. The Newfound River/Bristol (fly-fishing-only) may have salmon and rainbows that have overwintered in its many pools and runs.
Because of the early ice-out, anglers need to be aware of changing weather conditions, as winds can increase quickly over large stretches of open water. Early spring ice-out salmon are successfully caught by trolling with everything from spoons (such as DB Smelt, Sutton, Mooselook, Top Gun, and Smelt Gun) to traditional streamer flies (for example, Maynard’s Marvel, Pumpkinhead, Mickey Finn, Joe’s Smelt, and the countless Grey Ghost variations), and an early season favorite, live smelt or shiners. Most early season fish are caught from the surface to about 15 feet down, with everything from planer board set-ups to the simplest of monofilament flat lines 50-150 feet behind the boat. When the wind kicks in, drifting live smelt or shiners in the waves can be highly effective.
Although it can be challenging to “pattern” lake fish at this time of year, finding warmer water (even a degree or two), windy shorelines, inside turns and bays, shallow flats near deeper water, tributary inlets and, of course, smelt schools (shallow this time of year, as they are running shorelines and tributaries to spawn) are all keys to improving success. A previously unsuccessful effort can provide several fish in less than an hour, once you find them and offer a convincing presentation.
To ensure the future of high-quality landlocked salmon fisheries, anglers must take extra care when releasing salmon, as the percentage of hook-wounded fish continues to climb in all lakes (as shown in our netting survey results above). Hook wounded/scarred fish are significantly shorter and poorer in body condition than non-hook-wounded counterparts of the same age. Using rubber nets and proper release techniques (for example, don’t “shake” fish off the hook) -- and releasing lightly hooked healthy salmon, while choosing to harvest previously hook-wounded fish – are some ways to minimize the negative effects of hook wounding, thereby increasing the number of trophy salmon available in the future.
Purchase your fishing license online at www.fishnh.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent.

fatlazyless · 03-28-2010, 08:02 PM

Lake Waukewan, which is a very big lake in Meredith, is open for trout & salmon now before the April 1 Winnipesaukee opening, and has an excellent boat launch ramp and parking.

Jonas Pilot · 03-28-2010, 09:05 PM

Are you sure about that?

fatlazyless · 03-29-2010, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonas Pilot

Are you sure about that?

Just learned this info about Lake Waukewan from a fishing article in yesterday's Union Leader from the back pages of the sports section. Will go dig it out of the trash basket.....hmmm.....where is that...let's see here...ok...March 28, page C4, Union Leader; Guide Lines by Dick Pinney.

"What a start: Open water everywhere

Salmon opener: While opening day for designated trout waters is still four weeks away, there are plenty of places to wet a line right now."

........

"The Laconia area has plenty to offer besides big Winnipesaukee. At Winni you have the April 1 opener, but at Waukewan in Meredith and Winona in New Hampton, you have a year-round fishery and some big rainbows and brookies."
........

And, that is the total of my info....that's what the newspaper says..... fll

jmen24 · 03-29-2010, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Just learned this info about Lake Waukewan from a fishing article in yesterday's Union Leader from the back pages of the sports section. Will go dig it out of the trash basket.....hmmm.....where is that...let's see here...ok...March 28, page C4, Union Leader; Guide Lines by Dick Pinney.

"What a start: Open water everywhere

Salmon opener: While opening day for designated trout waters is still four weeks away, there are plenty of places to wet a line right now."

........

"The Laconia area has plenty to offer besides big Winnipesaukee. At Winni you have the April 1 opener, but at Waukewan in Meredith and Winona in New Hampton, you have a year-round fishery and some big rainbows and brookies."
........

And, that is the total of my info....that's what the newspaper says..... fll

But you cannot take salmon prior to April 1st regardless of the water body being fished.

Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout & their Hybrids

Rivers & Streams: January 1 - October 15
Wild Trout Streams: January 1 - Labor Day
Trout Ponds: 4th Saturday in April - October 15
Wild Trout Ponds: 4th Saturday in April - Labor Day
Lake Trout &/or Salmon Waters: January 1 - September 30
All Other Waters: No closed season

Lake Trout

All Waters: January 1 - September 30

Landlocked Salmon

4th Saturday in April - September 30 (Pleasant Lake, New London)
All Other Waters: April 1 - September 30

03-21-2010, 06:52 PM	#1
itchin for fishin Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 105 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Where to fish early Salmon Looks like ice will cooperate for some early April salmon fishing. Historically, I have always fished around the Long Island bridge. I really don't feel like trucking to Moultonborough and would like to launch around Meredith. How is Meredith Bay for early season salmon and trout? Am I better off launching by Sheps? Appreciate your thoughts.

03-21-2010, 07:33 PM	#2
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,736 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,007 Times in 735 Posts	If you launch at Shep Brown's, the town will most likely have a sign posted up, telling boaters to pay a twenty dollar town launch fee inside at Shep's. The right ramp belongs to Shep's. The left ramp belongs to the town. For twenty bucks, last year's price, you can go launch at Ames' Farm Inn on the Gilford-Alton line and go help poor old Ames www.amesfarminn.com with their $43,686. annual Gilford property tax bill. Correct? ....Is the Ames' ramp now going to be open to day-use, trailer-boaters since Ames just whooped a big victory on the town warrant article vote? If you launch from Meredith town docks on Route 3 in April or May, most likely the town will not have anyone there collecting the twenty dollar launch fee or just have someone there on Saturdays. Centre Harbor has an excellent ramp and was charging ten dollars last year but probably do not bother collecting until June, sometime... Understand that fishing for trout or salmon in Winnipesaukee before April 1 is a finable fishing violation by NH Fish & Game. Anyone know what's the violation cost? __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake! Last edited by fatlazyless; 03-22-2010 at 05:14 AM.

03-23-2010, 07:17 PM	#9
itchin for fishin Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 105 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Thanks guys Thanks guys. Now just need for April 1 to show up.

03-24-2010, 09:35 AM	#11
Jonas Pilot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wolfeboro, New Hampshire is my home, 24-7-365 Posts: 1,686 Thanks: 1,047 Thanked 336 Times in 189 Posts	Early fishing I like to keep in mind the salmon’s relationship with it’s primary prey, the rainbow smelt. If you know where the smelt are salmon should be near. Smelt spawn in spring soon after ice out. Casting smelt imitating flies or lures or trolling similar lures close to these spawning areas will help increase you chances of success.

03-26-2010, 03:54 PM	#12
Jonas Pilot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wolfeboro, New Hampshire is my home, 24-7-365 Posts: 1,686 Thanks: 1,047 Thanked 336 Times in 189 Posts	From NH Fish & Game In 2010, spring anglers will be treated to something very odd for N.H., ice-out has occurred already on Lake Winnipesaukee (March 24), and most other central N.H. lakes will be mostly clear of ice for the April 1 opener! Thanks to recent rains, the flows in the Winnipesaukee watershed (Winnipesaukee Lake, and the Winnipesaukee River, which flows through Opechee, Winnisquam and Silver lakes) will tend to attract fish to high flow areas; angling for “drop-down” salmon (and rainbow trout) in the vicinity of the dams will be hot once again this season, with time-honored locations such as Lakeport Dam/Opechee Lake, the Winnipesaukee River through Laconia to Dixon Point at Lake Winnisquam, and Lochmere Dam at Silver Lake producing fish on the opener. Don’t forget, N.H. Fish and Game’s new boat access facility on the Winnipesaukee River in downtown Laconia, offering great access to Winnisquam Lake and some terrific rainbow and lake trout fishing. Additionally, several popular Winnipesaukee shore fishing locations exist at the Merrymeeting River (fly-fishing-only, barbless, catch and release), and the mouth of the Merrymeeting River as it enters Alton Bay, downstream of the famous stone arch bridge. Other good sites to visit include the Weirs Channel in Laconia, Long Island Bridge in Moultonborough, Governors Island Bridge in Gilford, Smith River inlet at Wolfeboro Bay, and Meredith and Center Harbor town docks. At these locations, everything from smelt, shiners and worms under a slip bobber to small jigs will take salmon, as well as rainbows. The Newfound River/Bristol (fly-fishing-only) may have salmon and rainbows that have overwintered in its many pools and runs. Because of the early ice-out, anglers need to be aware of changing weather conditions, as winds can increase quickly over large stretches of open water. Early spring ice-out salmon are successfully caught by trolling with everything from spoons (such as DB Smelt, Sutton, Mooselook, Top Gun, and Smelt Gun) to traditional streamer flies (for example, Maynard’s Marvel, Pumpkinhead, Mickey Finn, Joe’s Smelt, and the countless Grey Ghost variations), and an early season favorite, live smelt or shiners. Most early season fish are caught from the surface to about 15 feet down, with everything from planer board set-ups to the simplest of monofilament flat lines 50-150 feet behind the boat. When the wind kicks in, drifting live smelt or shiners in the waves can be highly effective. Although it can be challenging to “pattern” lake fish at this time of year, finding warmer water (even a degree or two), windy shorelines, inside turns and bays, shallow flats near deeper water, tributary inlets and, of course, smelt schools (shallow this time of year, as they are running shorelines and tributaries to spawn) are all keys to improving success. A previously unsuccessful effort can provide several fish in less than an hour, once you find them and offer a convincing presentation. To ensure the future of high-quality landlocked salmon fisheries, anglers must take extra care when releasing salmon, as the percentage of hook-wounded fish continues to climb in all lakes (as shown in our netting survey results above). Hook wounded/scarred fish are significantly shorter and poorer in body condition than non-hook-wounded counterparts of the same age. Using rubber nets and proper release techniques (for example, don’t “shake” fish off the hook) -- and releasing lightly hooked healthy salmon, while choosing to harvest previously hook-wounded fish – are some ways to minimize the negative effects of hook wounding, thereby increasing the number of trophy salmon available in the future. Purchase your fishing license online at www.fishnh.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent.

03-21-2010, 09:00 PM	#3
topwater Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 302 Thanks: 85 Thanked 116 Times in 48 Posts	FLL the violations cost, LOL, such a diplomatic way of saying FINE, is $85 fine and loss of licence for either 90 or 120 day. Just to take this one step further, it is againest the law to fish out of a boat on winnie or any other lake that is classified as a ( Salmon and or Lake Trout Lake ) for any type of fish. No exceptions. Hope this helps. Trust me on this !!! Thats all I'll say. Thats what it was 4 years ago, fines might be higher now.

03-22-2010, 05:32 AM	#4
itchin for fishin Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 105 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Not too worried about launch fees now since like you said, I never see anyone until Memorial Day. I'm just wondering if the fishing is worth it in those two bays early in the season for salmon or lakers. I don't want to be just washing fishing line- LOL. FLL- surprised what you said about Ames, thought that was still shut down to day launch.

03-22-2010, 07:03 AM	#5
topwater Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 302 Thanks: 85 Thanked 116 Times in 48 Posts	Hey itchen, , Saunders bay is always a good bet for salmon in the spring !

03-22-2010, 11:03 AM	#6
itchin for fishin Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 105 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Where can you launch by Saunders bay? I just want to take my small 14' skiff out so I don't want to be running a lot of open water.

03-22-2010, 06:51 PM	#7
topwater Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 302 Thanks: 85 Thanked 116 Times in 48 Posts	Maybe SIVER SANDS MOTEL would let you launch out of thier facility, that is right in Saunders Bay, give them a call, the most they can say is "NO".

03-23-2010, 11:04 AM	#8
farechofisherman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: moultonborough & harrison, ny Posts: 62 Thanks: 131 Thanked 37 Times in 14 Posts	hey itchin for fishin, you will have good success fishing in center harbor. launch right there and fish the entire harbor, always spring salmon in this area. concentrate on the shorelines about 100 yards out and you should do fine. good luck

03-24-2010, 09:20 AM	#10
MAXUM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kuna ID Posts: 2,755 Thanks: 246 Thanked 1,942 Times in 802 Posts	Just be careful out there in such a small boat. Seems like every year there are a few of those small boats that run into big problems usually cause the weather and wind is so unpredictable this time of year. I can't tell you how many times I've passed small boats like that out in areas where if the wind kicks up they'd be in big trouble. No fish is worth risking your life for that's for darn sure!

03-28-2010, 08:02 PM	#13
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,736 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,007 Times in 735 Posts	Lake Waukewan, which is a very big lake in Meredith, is open for trout & salmon now before the April 1 Winnipesaukee opening, and has an excellent boat launch ramp and parking. __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

03-28-2010, 09:05 PM	#14
Jonas Pilot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wolfeboro, New Hampshire is my home, 24-7-365 Posts: 1,686 Thanks: 1,047 Thanked 336 Times in 189 Posts	Are you sure about that?

The Following User Says Thank You to Jonas Pilot For This Useful Post:
jmen24 (03-29-2010)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode