Trophy Fish Program 2015 Winners

NH Fish and Game’s Trophy Fish Program Coordinator John Viar has announced the winners of the 2015 Trophy Fish Program.  Letters have been sent to advise winners and special certificates of achievement are being prepared. 

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/NH_News.html

Permit Numbers Set for 2016 Vermont Moose Hunt

A total of 135 regular firearms moose season permits and 25 archery moose season permits would be issued for Vermont’s 2016 October moose hunt under a proposed regulation approved by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board at their February 24 monthly meeting in Montpelier.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/VT_News.html

Fishing Report February 21-22 2016 Vermont, New Hampshire

Seems like the ice season just got started here in Massachusetts and warm temperatures, rain and wind has taken it away just as fast. Our ice is gone for the most part and luckily the gas prices are down as road trips to New Hampshire and Vermont are making up for it.

 

Saturday’s trip was to Vermont and learning new water which is always fun trying to figure out the current patterns. Not a lot of structure or cover in this lake, average water depths and seeing that the fish we...aren’t relating to really anything. Most productive water depths were in the 5-10 foot range and certain areas had some better fish in them.

 

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Ice_Fishing_Blog_15_16.html

2016 Governor’s Youth Turkey Hunt Event

Youth hunters are encouraged to sign up for the Fourth Annual Governor’s Youth Turkey Hunt this spring. The event is sponsored by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and is open to any licensed hunter under the age of 16.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/VT_News.html

Four state record fish caught in Vermont in 2015

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has certified four new all-time state record fish, all caught in 2015. New state records were set for the species of yellow perch, redhorse sucker, cisco and bowfin (taken by bow and arrow).

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/VT_News.html

NH Fish and Game Commission Approves Bobcat Season Proposal

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission today voted 5 to 4 to move forward on a proposal to establish a bobcat hunting and trapping season in New Hampshire.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/NH_News.html

Fishing Report February 14 2016 Massachusetts

Post Cold

Front The weather conditions lately have been frigid with subzero temperatures and accompanying high winds. This is making for unfavorable fishing conditions, but for those that are still searching for that next fish, adjustments need to be made.

Typical approach for finding active biting fish is to use a larger bait and see if there are aggressive fish in the area. Once you start marking fish, let them tell you what they want and how they want it and tailor your enticements to their liking.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Ice_Fishing_Blog_15_16.html

Fishing Report February 7 2016 New Hampshire

It is nice having the weekend to chase one species of fish one day and then spend the next day chasing another at a different location. This time out, we are in search of largemouth and smallmouth bass and hopefully some jumbo perch as well.

This particular lake has been good to us in the past and that is what we were hoping happens again today. Conditions were perfect with clear sunny skies, somewhat warm and no traffic in the location we were fishing. For the bass we were dead sticking shiners and for the perch, jigging tungsten jigs with plastics as a trailer.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Ice_Fishing_Blog_15_16.html

Fishing Report February 6 2016 New Hampshire

Searching new waters for crappie is always an adventure and one that I always look forward to. This particular lake has a distinct deep ditch throughout the main part and there was one location where it turned towards shore and that was where we started.

Depth of water in this location was 35 feet deep and it wasn’t long and fish were being marked. Started off with a bigger sized jig and a minnow imitation tail looking for aggressive biters. These fish were always looking at it, but were not committing to taking the bait.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Ice_Fishing_Blog_15_16.html

Fishing Report January 30 2016 Massachusetts

This past weekend the fish were definitely there, but you had to really work at getting them to bite as we are past the first ice phase of this ice fishing season. We weren’t able to locate those suspending fish so you had to work the fish off of the bottom to your bait.

Luckily the flashers are able to show us what the fish are doing and that is allowing us to adjust to getting them to bite. By changing our jig sizes and adding different attractants, this is giving them a different look and giving us a better opportunity at catching them.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Ice_Fishing_Blog_15_16.html

Fishing Report January 23 2016 Vermont

This ice season, we are fishing the Champlain Valley Hardwater Tournament Series in Vermont and this is going to be all new water for us to fish. This trail is very well run and all of those involved are all great people and make everyone feel very welcome.

The week prior I made a day trip up there to scout out some areas and try and put together some sort of a plan for tournament day. The fishing in this location is very shallow, as you are fishing in 4-6 FOW and something that we really aren’t use to.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Ice_Fishing_Blog_15_16.html

Wildlife Events Planned for March

Hunters, landowners and anyone else interested in Vermont’s wildlife should plan on attending one of the three events hosted by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department in late March.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/VT_News.html

Collaring Complete for Third Year of NH Moose Study

A helicopter capture crew has completed the work of collaring additional moose for the third year of a study being undertaken by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department in partnership with the University of New Hampshire (UNH).

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/NH_News.html

Ice Fishing Festival Draws Record Attendance

The third time’s a charm for Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s 3rd annual ice fishing festival. The festival was held recently at Lake Elmore in north-central Vermont and drew over 300 anglers, a high-mark for the Department’s yearly celebration of ice fishing in Vermont.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/VT_News.html

Special Snow Goose Harvest Opportunity

Vermont’s spring snow goose hunt will be held from March 11 through April 22. Since 2009, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has annually issued a “Conservation Order” to allow the reduction of the population of migrating greater and lesser snow geese as well as Ross’ geese. The numbers of these geese have grown so high that they are destroying habitat for themselves and other species.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/VT_News.html

Introductory Fly Tying Course Offered in Concord NH

Interested in learning the art of fly tying?  The NH Fish and Game Department’s Let’s Go Fishing Program is offering a five-week introductory fly tying course on Wednesday evenings in March (March 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30). To sign up, email the program at aquatic-ed@wildlife.nh.gov or call (603) 271-3212. Participants must commit to attending all five sessions. No experience is required. All materials and equipment will be provided. There is no charge for the program.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/NH_News.html

Maine Free Fishing Weekend Approaches; Ice Safety Reminder

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is reminding everyone to take advantage of the upcoming free fishing weekend. On Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14, any person may fish for free without a license on Maine’s waterways, except those who have had their license suspended or revoked. All other rules and regulations, including bag and possession limits, apply.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/ME_News.html

Apply Now for the 2016 Maine Moose Permit Lottery

Hunters who dream about the hunt of a lifetime will be happy to know that Maine moose permit online application process is now open, as the 2016 Moose Permit Lottery is accepting applications.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/ME_News.html

Public Hearing on Proposed Changes in Groundfishing Rules

A public hearing on proposed marine rule changes affecting recreational anglers targeting haddock and/or cod in New Hampshire waters will be held on Thursday, February 25, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. at the Urban Forestry Center, 45 Elwyn Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/NH_News.html