Spring Weather Playing Games

What a crazy spring we have been having this year and that has been messing with the fish as well and making the fishing very interesting. Water temps rise, then heavy rains and cold temps come through and drop those temps back down again.

With the rise and fall of weather, soft plastics fished in the emerging vegetation has been producing a variety of fish. Been fishing an open Nature Jig with the Northland Impulse Core Swimbait and by working this slowly through the vegetation, this has been getting to where the fish have been hiding.

Short hops with the jig, will send the Core Swimbait tail into action as with this little movement, the paddle moves side to side very easily. There are three different sizes of these Swimbaits, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 inches in length and the 3.5 has been producing very well on the Bluegill, Crappie, Pickerel and Bass.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/reports-1.html

Residents Help Release Endangered Turtles Back into the Wild

Despite the dreary weather, local residents helped MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program staff release 55 Northern Red-bellied Cooters at Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area in Hanson on Friday, May 27. These turtles are federally and state listed as Endangered.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

1998 Lake Sturgeon Recaptured and Released

Fisheries staff from Vermont Fish & Wildlife received a pleasant surprise recently while completing survey work on Lake Champlain in the form of a 48-year old lake sturgeon that biologists first studied and tagged nearly two decades ago. 

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Maine’s Fish Stocking Program: What It’s All About

We receive lots of questions regarding fish stocking in Maine. Why do we stock? Why don’t we stock more? What species do we stock and why? Why do we stock varying sizes and ages of fish? Read on to learn more about Maine’s fish stocking program.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Maine Bumble Bee Workshop Still Still Seeking Volunteers In Northern and Downeast Maine

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is seeking volunteers from the Downeast and Northern areas of Maine to assist in the Maine Bumble Bee Atlas.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Sign up for NH Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Fall Workshop

Women interested in learning outdoor skills in a beautiful setting can sign up for New Hampshire's fall Becoming an Outdoors-Woman weekend workshop, which will take place September 8-10, 2017, at Rockywold / Deephaven Camps on Squam Lake in Holderness, N.H.  The workshop fee of $335 includes two nights of lodging, plus all meals, instruction and equipment use. Participants must be age 18 or older.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Public Can Help Slow The Spread Of Gypsy Moth

As campers and other vacationers prepare for their upcoming getaways, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is urging residents to inspect their vehicles and equipment to be sure they are not inadvertently transporting gypsy moth caterpillars to and from other areas.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

VT Summer Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 10

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is reminding the public that Vermont’s annual, statewide summer Free Fishing Day is set to take place on Saturday, June 10 and will be highlighted by the 17th annual Grand Isle Family Fishing Festival, as well as the opening of the state’s traditional bass fishing season.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Spring Panfish Tactics

As spring progresses forward, the crappies are wrapping up their ritual and coming right in behind them are the bluegill. The bluegill, inch for inch in size, is one of the hardest fighting freshwater fish with their side digging and unwillingness to giving up.

The sandy shorelines are starting to show the round disk shaped depressions where these fish are preparing to spawn. There may be areas that look like a land mine field went off with so many of these beds visible in the very shallow water.

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

http://www.northlandtackle.com/spring-panfish-tactics

Freshwater Fishing Workshops This Month

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced it is hosting a series of free fishing fly-tying workshops for novice and experienced fly-tiers and a fly-fishing clinic this month.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

NH Moose Hunt Lottery Drawing Is Friday, June 16, 2017

The annual drawing to select the lucky hunters who will be offered a permit to hunt moose in New Hampshire this fall will be held on Friday, June 16, at 9:00 a.m. at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive in Concord, N.H. The public and interested media are invited to be on hand to watch the excitement as the names are drawn.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Free Fishing Weekend is June 3 & 4

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is encouraging everyone to get out on Maine’s waters this weekend to take advantage of free fishing days.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Spring Brings Multi Species

Spring is a fun time to be on the water fishing, as many varieties of fish can be caught while fishing the same typical areas. Waters are warming and fish are moving into their spawning ritual, making for a great time to be out there catching them.

Certain bodies of water harbor different species at some different times and after keeping track of these things over the last few years, this allows you to predict what they are doing and where they may be a little bit easier. Busy day planned with 3 bodies of water to fish and fishing for three different fish.

Morning trip; weather has been cool, wet and windy to say the least, water temps are behind a bit compared to normal. Water clarity is very dark and water depths shallow allowing for higher temps compared more than others.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/reports-1.html

Take a Friend Fishing on Free Fishing Day, June 3

Get out that fishing gear and take advantage of New Hampshire's Free Fishing Day, Saturday, June 3, 2017. On Free Fishing Day, you can fish anywhere in New Hampshire -- freshwater or saltwater -- without a fishing license. Both state residents and nonresidents may participate. All other fishing regulations must be followed, including season dates and bag limits.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Annual Wild Turkey Brood Survey Participate in a Citizen Science Project for CT DEEP

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) urges residents to keep a tally of all sightings of hen turkeys and poults (young-of-the-year) from June 1 through August 31 as part of the Wildlife Division’s Annual Wild Turkey Brood Survey. Results from this survey allow DEEP biologists to accurately determine turkey productivity and reproductive success by estimating the average number of turkey poults per hen statewide, assessing annual fluctuations in the turkey population, gauging reproductive success each year, and evaluating recruitment of new birds into the fall population.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Learn More About Small Game Hunting, Free Seminar

Interested in cooking up locally sourced grouse, squirrel or rabbit in your kitchen this fall? Vermont Fish and Wildlife will be holding a “Small Game Hunting with Dogs” seminar focusing on bird, rabbit and squirrel hunting. 

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

'Take A Hike' On National Trails Day This Weekend

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is teaming up with partners to offer guided hiking tours this weekend as part of National Trails Day. The tours are eligible activities for the Department's annual Great Outdoors Pursuit. Now in its ninth season, the annual Great Outdoors Pursuit invites families to participate in a broad range of outdoor activities throughout the summer season and earn rewards along the way.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Monitoring Black Racers, The Largest Snake In Maine

Nearly anyone who has spent any time in the woods or fields in their lifetimes has had the eye-opening experience of startling a snake underfoot. This can be particularly shocking if it happens in a part of the country where venomous species dwell.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

DEEP Completes 2017 Catfish Stockings

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced that for the eleventh consecutive year, one of the most sought after freshwater game fish species in the country, the Channel Catfish, has been stocked into twenty-four water bodies across Connecticut (see list of locations below.)

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

ATV Riders Reminded of 60” Maximum Width Limit On Portions Of Maine ATV Trail Network

ATV Riders Reminded of 60” Maximum Width Limit On Portions Of Maine ATV Trail Network AUGUSTA, Maine -- Maine has a 6,000 mile ATV trail system, the largest in New England, thanks to the generosity of private landowners who allow the use of ATVs on their land.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Fish and Game's Online Survey: Report Wild Turkey Brood Sightings

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is asking for the public's help in tracking wild turkey broods in New Hampshire this spring and summer. It's easy to take part.  The survey will be open on June 1. If you observe groups of turkeys with young between June 1 through August 31, 2017, report your sightings on Fish and Game’s web-based turkey brood survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/2017_Brood_Survey.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Antlerless Deer Permit Applications Available

Vermont’s muzzleloader season antlerless deer hunting permit applications are now available on Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s website at www.vtfishandwildlife.com. The deadline to apply for a muzzleloader antlerless deer permit is August 24.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

DEM Kicks Off 9th Annual Great Outdoors Pursuit This Weekend

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced its annual Great Outdoors Pursuit will kick off this Saturday on National Kids to Parks Day with a scavenger hunt and guided hike. As part of the Pursuit, now in its ninth season, families earn rewards for participating in scheduled outdoor events throughout the summer season.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Public Notice: Proposed Public Boat Access Area on Lake Sunapee

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is proposing to build a Public Boat Access Area at its Wild Goose Property on Birch Grove Road in Newbury, NH.  An Environmental Assessment (EA) of the project was prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Sea Lamprey in Connecticut River Drainage

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is reminding anglers and the general public as a whole to avoid disturbing spawning sea lamprey that may currently be found in the Connecticut River and several of its tributaries. 

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Wade Right in: A Guide to Choosing the Right Fishing Waders

Charlie Robinton

​

A good pair of waders can be the difference between spending the day with boots full of mud or with dry toes. This article will offer answers to your questions about selecting the right waders to get the most out of your experience on the water.

Choosing The Right Type of Waders For You

There are several different wader designs available to anglers today, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the kind of fishing activity you are involved in or the type of water you fish most often in, you might prefer one over another. The most common types you will see in fly shops and tackle stores are hip waders, waist high waders or wading pants, and chest high waders.

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

Last Chance to Enter the NH Moose Hunt Lottery

If you haven't submitted an application yet and want a chance to hunt moose in New Hampshire this fall, then you better get moving! The deadline for entering the New Hampshire moose hunt lottery is Friday, May 26, 2017.  The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is proposing to offer permits to 51 lucky winners for New Hampshire's 2017 moose hunt, which runs from October 21-29. Last year's statewide hunter success rate for moose was 72%.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Keeping an Eye out for Turtles

It’s springtime and Vermont’s turtles on are on the move. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is asking for the public’s help in keeping them safe. Female turtles are looking for places to deposit their eggs, sometimes choosing to lay along the shoulders of roads, which can end tragically. 

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Spawning Can Take Its Toll On Wild Brook Trout

As my grandfather, the incredible Mr. Henry “Limpet” Obrey used to say: “Never judge a fish until you swim a mile in his fins.”  Well… I might have that a little mixed up, but the point I would like to make is that it’s tough to be a wild brook trout.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Celebrate New Hampshire's Great Outdoors with NH Wildlife Journal

Have you ever caught a crappie?  If not, it’s time to get in on the nonstop action. You’ll find some tips and tricks for catching this schooling game fish, which is fun on the rod and tasty in the pan, in the latest issue of New Hampshire Wildlife Journal magazine (May/June 2017).

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Kids Fishing Events Underway Across Vermont

Over three dozen children’s fishing events are scheduled for May and June throughout Vermont, creating a variety of opportunities for kids and families to enjoy the sport of fishing as well as the state’s natural resources. 

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Deer Ages Available on VT F&W Website

Hunters who provided the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department with a tooth from their deer can now find out how old their deer was by visiting the department’s website, vtfishandwildlife.com. The department is requesting addition information from hunters who harvested a buck three years or older.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Wild “Orphans:” To Rescue or Not?

Spring and summer are busy times for people and animals. Many animals are setting up territories, building nests, or finding den sites to give birth and raise their young. At the same time, people are spending more time outdoors and the chances are greater that someone may come across a young bird or mammal that may appear to be orphaned or injured. It is normal for many animals to leave their young alone for long periods of time, so your help may not be needed. In all likelihood, the adult is nearby watching and waiting to return.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Enjoy New Hampshire's Free Fishing Day - Saturday, June 3

Take advantage of New Hampshire's Free Fishing Day, Saturday, June 3, 2017. On Free Fishing Day, you can fish anywhere in New Hampshire -- freshwater or saltwater -- without a fishing license. Plan to get out and enjoy the day fishing with your family and friends. Both state residents and nonresidents may participate. All other fishing regulations must be followed, including season dates and bag limits.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Cliff Tops Closed to Protect Nesting Peregrines

Hiking Vermont’s hillsides is a great way to enjoy a spring day, but the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and Audubon Vermont recommend you check to see if the area you’re planning to hike or climb is open. Several cliff areas are currently closed to protect nesting peregrine falcons.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Update: New Location For Public Hearing On Draft Regulations For Fishing, Hunting, Falconry, Recreational Areas

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) will hold a public hearing this month in Providence to discuss proposed changes to regulations governing freshwater fishing, falconry, hunting, and parks and management areas.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Last Call: Moose Photo Survey Closes May 15

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s spring moose survey will be closing soon.  The public is being asked to submit photos of moose taken in New Hampshire from May 1 through May 15.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Brake for Moose: It Could Save Your Life

Remember to brake for moose when traveling New Hampshire roadways. There were 116 moose/vehicle collisions in New Hampshire in 2016; in the last five years the state has averaged 136 per year.  The months May through October are high-risk months for encountering moose on the roads, as moose come out to the roads to eat salt during these months. 

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Antlerless Deer Proposal, Hearings May 11 and 16

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board recently voted on the Fish & Wildlife Department’s proposal for antlerless deer hunting for 2017. Public hearings will be held May 11 in Randolph and May 16 in Manchester. 

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Registration Opens for North Country Fly-Fishing Workshop

Learn to fly fish while visiting beautiful northern New Hampshire! The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is offering a beginning fly-fishing weekend course called "Fly-fishing, A-Z" on June 3-4, 2017, at Coleman State Park in Stewartstown, NH.  The course is presented by the Department’s “Let’s Go Fishing” program. It is open to anyone age 13 and older, however, those 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

DEM Seeks Input On Draft Regulations For Fishing, Hunting, Falconry, Recreational Areas

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) will hold a public workshop and public hearing this month to discuss proposed changes to regulations governing freshwater fishing, falconry, hunting, and parks and management areas.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Read the latest NH Fishing Report

First I want to thank those anglers who responded to my call for help in getting information for this report.  Drop me a line anytime at scott.decker@wildlife.nh.gov to let me know what’s going on in your fishing world and if it’s timely, I will get in the Fishing Report.  It’s spring and the suckers are spawning!

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Make Plans to Stay Tick Smart

As more Vermonters venture outside to enjoy warming weather, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department reminds hikers, hunters and others to be tick smart while fishing, turkey hunting, or watching birds. 

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

2016 Testing Shows No Evidence of CWD in NH; Hunters Urged to Avoid Urine-Based Deer Lures

New Hampshire’s white-tailed deer population once again showed no evidence of chronic wasting disease (CWD), based on monitoring data gathered during the 2016 hunting season.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Moose Photo Survey Open Through May 15

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s spring moose survey is now underway.  The public is being asked to submit photos of moose taken in New Hampshire from May 1 through May 15, 2017. 

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Learn to Fish this Spring For Free!

Celebrate the arrival of warm weather by attending one of the many MassWildlife Angler Education Program events being held across the state this spring. There are events for adults and for kids and families looking to learn how to fish in a non-competitive environment.  Fishing equipment and bait are available to use at most events, and no fishing license is required to participate in the event. Most events are also free to attend. Find an event near you.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

With ice-out nearing, Rangeley, Mooselook and Richardson Lakes Should Offer Some Fine Fishing

While the lakes in the Rangeley area are still locked up with ice, open water fishing will begin soon. Based on our records, the average ice-out for Rangeley Lake is about May 3rd, but this year it will most likely linger on for a time after that date. The latest ice-out date for the lake in our dataset (going back to 1979) is May 14, 1992. This spring could be similar to that year.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Keep Wildlife Wild -- Leave Young Animals Alone

With the arrival of spring, many species of wildlife are giving birth to their young. Finding young wildlife can be exciting, but in most cases, even if it appears abandoned, the mother is not far off. If you encounter young wildlife -- even young animals that appear to need help -- the kindest and safest thing to do is to leave them alone and let nature take its course.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Antlerless Deer Proposal Voted on by F&W Board

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board voted on the Fish & Wildlife Department’s proposal for antlerless deer hunting for 2017 at its meeting on April 26 in Montpelier. 

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Turkey Season Starts Monday Throughout The State

Spring turkey season starts on Monday, May 1 throughout the state, and youth hunters have their own day this Saturday, April 29. IFW biologists believe that hunters are in for a successful season.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html