Learn to Catch Stripers from a Kayak!

Join fishing guides Tim Moore and Hope Eagleson as they introduce you to the exciting sport of angling for striped bass from a kayak. Two separate New Hampshire Coastal Kayak Angling Programs (NHCKAP) are being offered - one on May 23 and the other on June 20 - from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., out of Rye, New Hampshire. The programs are presented by the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve/New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.

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

2015 Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Season Opens April 29

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is reminding hunters that the 2015 Connecticut spring wild turkey hunting season runs from April 29 to May 30. This year will mark the 35th consecutive year that sportsmen have hunted turkeys in Connecticut. The statewide turkey population is estimated at approximately 35,000 birds. Healthy and numerous wild turkey populations exist throughout the majority of Connecticut’s woodlands. During the 2014 spring turkey season, 8,850 hunters took 1,118 bearded turkeys.

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

DEM announces free freshwater fishing days May 2 & May 3

The Department of Environmental Management announces that Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3 are free fishing days in Rhode Island. During those two days, all Rhode Islanders and visitors can fish in freshwaters without a fishing license or trout conservation stamp. The free fishing weekend does not apply to saltwater fishing or saltwater licenses.

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

Outlook Good for N.H. Spring Turkey Hunters

Hunting opportunity looks good for the 2015 spring gobbler season, according to N.H. Fish and Game Turkey Biologist Ted Walski. The spring turkey hunt opens Sunday, May 3, and runs through Sunday, May 31, statewide.

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

Game Wardens Seeking Information: Deer Poaching

Maine game wardens and MAINE OPERATION GAME THIEF (OGT) continue to seek the public's assistance in gathering information in hopes to find those responsible for the illegal killing of as many as four deer in the towns of Chesterville, Livermore Falls (East Livermore), Livermore, and Leeds. Since our last attempt to obtain information on April 23, three additional deer have been located. All the deer found have been does which were killed at night and left to waste in open fields. These four doe deer could have produced another five fawns for the area.

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

Volunteers needed for Brook Trout Survey Project

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Maine Audubon (MA), and the Maine Council Trout Unlimited (METU) are seeking volunteer anglers to survey remote ponds and coastal streams for brook trout this fishing season. Information provided by volunteers will be used to identify previously-undocumented wild brook trout populations across the state.

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

Fishing Report April 26 2015 Massachusetts

The weather has definitely gotten cooler the last few days and was hoping for the opposite as we want the crappies to get moving into spring mode. We started fishing where we located the crappies a few days earlier and quickly found out that they have moved out of the area.

The sunfish were fairly thick in their place but in this location but the size was definitely on the smaller side. We were able to catch a couple of crappie but the schools that were here before have vacated the area. This location the water depth was 4 feet deep and there was some weed growth and some current as the exit creek for the pond is here as well.

We were thinking maybe the crappie had moved back into deeper water so moved out and fished somewhat deeper but were still only catching sunfish. At this point our goal was to figure out the crappies and start searching around the lake for them.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Fishing_Reports_2015.html

KIDS OutDoors page updated at BWS OutDoors

We have updated our KIDS Outdoors page at BackWoods Sportsman OutDoors for the upcoming outdoor education classes offered across New England for April 27 – May 6

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

Outdoor Adventure Talk: Get to Know NH Raptors

Learn about birds of prey at a free talk with Kevin Wall of New Hampshire Audubon on Thursday, April 30, 2015, at the N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H. The talk begins at 7:00 p.m. No pre-registration is required.

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

Beginning Fly-Fishing Courses Offered in New Hampshire

Two upcoming workshops offer a chance to learn about the traditional sport of fly-fishing. The classes are free and sponsored by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department's "Let's Go Fishing" Program.

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

Fishing Report April 22 2015 Massachusetts

Target Species: Crappie and Sunfish
Location: Northern Massachusetts
Depth: 4’ to 8’
Air Temp: 66 degrees
Water Temp: 50 degrees

Wind: BreezyRod setup: 6’0 ultralight spinning gear with 2lb test line, Clam OutDoors Jigs and Rocket Bobbers

My son had a birthday earlier this year and what he wanted for a gift was to have his own boat to fish out of. So this week was the week that his wishes were coming true and today was our maiden voyage on a local small pond. By him having this 10’ jon boat, this is allowing us access to so many more ponds that we can’t get our big boat into and gets us out of our kayaks as well.

We fish this particular pond quite frequently on the ice and haven’t fished here much on the open waters lately. The shorelines are fairly undeveloped except one corner has a few houses as the rest of it is state wildlife management area. Half of the pond is less than eight feet deep as the other half has a deeper hole that gets to twenty feet deep.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Fishing_Reports_2015.html

Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Announces Camp North Woods!

The Department has developed Camp North Woods to provide opportunities to youth and their families to learn lifelong outdoor skills as well as the importance of sustaining Maine's natural resources. The camp has also been established to build upon the overwhelming interest by youth who have grown to love our hit TV series on Animal Planet, North Woods Law!

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

Vermont walleye fishing kicks off May 2

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is reminding anglers that some of the best walleye fishing in New England is approaching with the start of the Vermont walleye fishing season on Saturday, May 2.

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

New Hampshire Hatcheries Gearing up for Spring Fish Stocking

Fish culturists at New Hampshire's six state trout hatcheries have been holding on, waiting for Mother Nature to provide conditions favorable for spring stocking. After a brief delay, the stocking trucks are now rolling! New Hampshire hatcheries have close to one million catchable-size trout ready for this season.

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

Fishing Report April 19 2015 Massachusetts

Target Species: Crappies

Location: Massachusetts North Shore

Depth: 16’ to 22’

Air Temp: low 50's degrees

Water Temp: upper 40's

Wind: straight line high winds

The ice on our Massachusetts lakes has been gone for a bit now and wanted to get out and check some local ponds for the crappie action. Since the big boat is in the shop getting ready for the open water season, took out the kayak and did some exploring.

We had record snow fall this past winter and in turn, this is going to take, getting the waters warmed up, a little longer than usual. Today’s exploration, had me on a small crappie pond that we frequent throughout the ice season and I am looking at water in the upper 40’s for temperatures right now.

There have been plenty of cloudy and windy days along with many of them having cold rain falling lately as well. This is not helping the waters warm at all and is keeping the fish deep as of right now. While being in the kayak and searching for fish, I was marking fish in 20 feet of water but with the high winds, this was making staying on top of them basically impossible.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Fishing_Reports_2015.html

Outdoor Adventure Talk: Kayak Fishing with Tim Moore

Learn how you can fish from your kayak for everything from northern pike and walleye on the Connecticut River to striped bass and black sea bass on the Piscataqua River! The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department's spring outdoor adventure series continues with a talk by licensed fishing guide Tim Moore, who will present a wealth of tips and strategies for successful kayak fishing. The talk begins at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2015, at N.H. Fish and Game headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H. No pre-registration is required. Admission is free.

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

State record fish highlight 2014 Master Angler program results

“2014 was a great year for Vermont fishing all around, and the new record fish are a symbol of that,” said Shawn Good, fisheries biologist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife. “Not only did we continue to see trophy fish entries for many of the well-known species like bass, perch, pike and trout, but we also saw an upswing in the number of entries of more non-traditional fish species like bowfin, carp, and longnose gar. This is yet another indicator of the quality and diversity of Vermont’s fishing opportunities, as well as the enthusiasm of anglers to take on new fishing adventures throughout the state.”

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

Lake Champlain Alewife Die-off

Large numbers of small fish called alewives are washing up on the shores of Lake Champlain in Milton and Georgia. State fisheries biologists from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department say it is an example of the kind of problems a non-native invasive species can cause. 

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

Fish Stocking Underway in Vermont

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has started its annual fish stocking work, an effort that will ultimately put over 1,000,000 adult fish, fry and fingerlings – including over 18,000 trophy trout, into Vermont waters in 2015.

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

KIDS OutDoors page updated at BWS OutDoors

We have updated our KIDS Outdoors page at BackWoods Sportsman OutDoors for the upcoming outdoor education classes offered across New England for April 21 – April 29

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

Vermont Reptiles and Amphibians Are on the Move

You may have already heard the spring peepers or wood frogs calling in your backyard. Or perhaps you’ve noticed salamanders crawling over rocks in a nearby stream. The arrival of spring brings the return of reptiles and amphibians to the Vermont landscape.

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

Be Alert to Avoid Moose on the Highway

Drivers need to be alert and cautious because moose are on the move, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Moose are more likely to be crossing roadways at this time of year, especially after dark or early in the morning as they move from wintering areas to spring feeding locations. More moose are hit by motorists in the spring than at any other time of the year. There is another peak of activity in September and October, the breeding season for moose.

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

Herrick’s Cove Wildlife Festival on May 3

If you’re a wildlife enthusiast itching for spring then be sure to check out the 16th annual Herrick’s Cove Wildlife Festival on Sunday, May 3, 2015 in Rockingham, Vermont.

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

New Hampshire Take a Kid Hunting on Youth Turkey Weekend

New Hampshire's tenth annual youth turkey hunt will take place Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26, 2015, the weekend before spring gobbler season gets underway. During the 2014 youth weekend, young hunters took 471 turkeys, about 12% of the total spring turkey harvest.

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

KIDS OutDoors page updated at BWS OutDoors

We have updated our KIDS Outdoors page at BackWoods Sportsman OutDoors for the upcoming outdoor education classes offered across New England for April 13 – April 22

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

Volunteers Needed to Help Create Habitat for New England Cottontails

NH Fish and Game, NH Audubon, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and UNH Cooperative Extension are seeking volunteers for three upcoming events, in Dover and Durham, designed to help restore the habitat of the endangered New England cottontail rabbit.

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

New England Free Fishing Days

We have updated our page for the New England States and their days that they offer free fishing, no license required, to try out the great sport of fishing.

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

Vermont’s Spring Turkey Hunting Starts Soon

Hunters are gearing up for Vermont’s spring youth turkey hunting weekend later this month and getting ready for the regular spring turkey hunting season that starts May 1.

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

Hunt Safely This Turkey Season

In Vermont, May first is the beginning of spring turkey season, a day almost as important as the opening of deer season. While Vermont’s spring turkey seasons are safe (Vermont has not had any incidents in the last five years) precautions are needed to ensure they stay that way. Camouflage or drab colored clothing is almost mandatory to outwit a keen-sighted gobbler. Unfortunately, camouflage often makes it just as hard for hunters to spot one another as it does for turkeys.

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

Spring is here: It's Time to Take Down Birdfeeders!

Despite a deep snow pack across much of the state, the long-anticipated spring has finally arrived to New Hampshire. The strong spring sunshine, longer days and warmer temperatures not only melt the snow, it lures hungry bears out of winter torpor. As bears start to get active, let it serve as a reminder that it is time to put the birdfeeders away until next fall. To help prevent bear visits, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department recommends not feeding birds from April 1 to December 1.

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

Sign Up Now for Vermont Governor’s Youth Turkey Hunt Event

In an effort to promote youth hunting in Vermont, youth hunters are encouraged to sign up for the Third Annual Governor’s Youth Turkey Hunt this spring. Youth hunters will be treated to a luncheon on Sunday, April 19, at the Waterbury Fish & Game Club, where they will take part in a discussion on the importance of the hunting tradition in Vermont.

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

Rhode Island DEM stocks 80,000 trout in advance of April 11 opening day of trout fishing season

The Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish & Wildlife announces that the 2015 Opening Day of Trout Season will begin at 6 a.m. on Saturday, April 11. There are more than 42,000 freshwater anglers in RI, the majority of whom are expected to turn out at dawn on Opening Day. Approximately 80,000 hatchery-raised brook, brown, and rainbow trout with an average individual weight of one and a half pounds are being stocked by Division staff in more than 100 ponds and streams for the start of the fishing season. Several of these areas will be re-stocked with trout later this spring.

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

Fishing Report April 4 2015 New Hampshire

Target Species: Bass, Sunfish and Crappies

Location: Central New Hampshire

Depth: 8’ to 30’

Air Temp: 32-42 degrees

Wind: straight line high winds

Ice Conditions: 24 plus inches of ice, areas of slush pockets through the ice, shorelines eroding quickly

The ice fishing in Massachusetts is over on the Northshore as the warm temps and rain storms had eroded the shorelines. There is still a good amount of ice on the lakes but the surface ice as well and the shorelines are honey combing and melting quickly.

We headed to New Hampshire and started our search in the Southern part of the state at a few of our favorites only to find that the shorelines were open there as well. So we headed to the lakes region and a smaller body of water in hopes of finding some fishable ice.

We went to the lake that we started our ice fishing season at and there was plenty of ice but the shorelines are starting to let go as well. We wanted to fish a different area than the last trip and setup near an island with some lines hugging the island and able to fish a deeper pocket out into the lake.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Ice_Fish_Blog_14_15.html

KIDS OutDoors page updated at BWS OutDoors

We have updated our KIDS Outdoors page at BackWoods Sportsman OutDoors for the upcoming outdoor education classes offered across New England for April 7 – April 15

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

Vermont Trout Season Opens April 11

Despite the late return of spring, Vermont’s traditional trout fishing season is set to open on Saturday, April 11, marking the start of some of the best trout fishing of the year in the Green Mountain State.

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

Winooski fish lift opens, increases angling opportunities

The fish lift at the Winooski One hydroelectric facility on the Winooski River is now operating for the spring season, and that means expanded fishing opportunities for anglers.

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

Inside the Sport of Kings - Free Talk on Hunting with Raptors

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department's spring outdoor adventure series kicks off with a chance to learn the basics of the "Sport of Kings" from Master Falconers Jim and Nancy Cowan. The talk is Thursday, April 9, 2015, at 7 p.m. at N.H. Fish and Game headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H. No pre-registration is required. Admission is free.

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

Vermont Moose Hunting Applications Are Available

Vermont moose hunting permit applications are now available on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com).

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

Enjoy the Fun at Discover WILD New Hampshire Day

Get outside and celebrate spring at Discover WILD New Hampshire Day, N.H. Fish and Game’s biggest community event of the year, on Saturday, April 18, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H. The event is sponsored by the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire. Admission is free.

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

Sign Up Now for Summer Youth Programs at Owl Brook Hunter Education Center

Registration is now open for free youth day programs taking place this summer at the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness. These programs give youth (boys and girls) age 10-15 the chance to learn about shooting sports, bowhunting and other outdoor skills. Sessions will be offered in July and August at Owl Brook, which is operated by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.

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

Maine Ice Anglers Can Continue To Ice Fish After March 31

While many Mainers may be lamenting the length of this year’s winter, ice fisherman should be relieved to know that come April 1, the traditional start to Maine’s open water fishing season, you can still legally ice fish on many waterways throughout the state.

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

Connecticut DEEP Temporarily Closes Bashan Lake State Boat Launch, East Haddam for Renovations

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will close Bashan Lake State Boat Launch, East Haddam from April 6 through early July for renovations and improvements. 

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

Prohibition on the Taking of Alewife and Blueback Herring from Connecticut Waters Extended for another Year

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced that the prohibition on the taking of alewives and blueback herring from most inland and marine waters in Connecticut has been extended for another year. This action was initially taken in April, 2002, and has been extended each successive year because there has been no improvement in population size during the past year. The current action by DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee extends the prohibition through March 31, 2016.

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