Fishing Report March 29 2015 New Hampshire

Target Species: Bass and Perch

Location: Southern New Hampshire

Depth: 8’ to 20’

Air Temp: 28-42 degrees

Wind: Calm turned to blustery

Ice Conditions: 20 inches of solid ice and shorelines opening a little

We are losing shorelines here fairly quickly on most of the northern Massachusetts lakes and with rains and warmer weather, we may be done with Massachusetts fishing. With that happening, we start chasing ice towards the north and making trips into New Hampshire following that.

Today we made a trip to a Southern New Hampshire lake that we started fishing last season and has come to be one of our favorites on the ice. With all of the snow we had this winter, we were never able to drive on the lake but made many treks to our fishing location.

The shoreline at the access location was opening a little but that is because there is a creek coming into the lake right at the point. The ice is still at 20 inches thick with most shorelines locked up and only a little snow on the surface. Luckily we have been fortunate that the slush never became an issue and this will allow us to prolong our season some.

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

Vermont remind us It’s Time to Remove Bird Feeders

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department recommends taking down bird feeders from April 1 through November 30 to avoid attracting black bears that will be coming out of their winter dens to seek an early spring meal.

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

Connecticut DEEP Reminds Anglers that Opening Day is Saturday, April 11th

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is reminding anglers that recent changes to sport fishing regulations included moving the date of Opening Day of trout season forward by one week, from the third to the second Saturday in April. This means Opening Day for the 2015 season is April 11. “We are excited about the additional fishing opportunities provided to anglers with this change to an earlier Opening Day,” said DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee. “This change provides an additional week of fishing opportunities for both resident and non-resident anglers targeting trout or fishing for other species such as largemouth and smallmouth bass found in trout waters.”

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/CT_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 Mar 30 – April 8

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

Fishing Report March 22 2015 Massachusetts

Target Species: Crappies and Bass

Location: Northern Massachusetts

Depth: 8' to 19’

Air Temp: 26-32 degrees

Wind: Strong

Ice Conditions: 13 inches of ice with a 3 inch slush pocket

The weather change from yesterday was very dramatic as today the temps are in the upper 20’s and there are high winds blowing as well. We only had a few hours so stayed close to home and fished a small pond that has a good population of crappies and sunfish with bonus bass thrown in.

So far the ice and shorelines are holding up but our access point has a little open water and you had to watch where you step to stay on the ice. The little snow we had yesterday was froze on the ice surface and made for walking a lot easier. Ice conditions have 10-11 inches of surface is and then a 2-3 inch slush pocket and then a couple of inches of good ice underneath.

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 Mar 25 – April 1

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

Fishing Report March 21 2015 Connecticut

My fellow HSM Outdoors and Clam Outdoors Staff partner Michael Jasensky and I had been planning on a fishing trip on his home waters in Connecticut. March 21 was the day that we would meet and fish his lake for crappies and also try for the large pike that are there.

Mike, his son and his friend were on the ice at daybreak and had targeted a small shallower cove, dead-sticking big minnows fishing for pike. When I arrived the snow had started to fall once again and at times visibility across the lake was almost non-existent.

Mike and I started fishing off the end of a point and it didn’t take us long to find the bluegill. They were of a variety of sizes with more small fish than better fish. The abundance of gills in this location helped to keep us busy while working for the bigger bites.

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

Twelve Deer Killed by Winter Feeding In South Hampton NH

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department today reported that twelve deer were discovered dead in South Hampton, N.H., on March 20, 2015, most likely the victims of well-intentioned, but tragically fatal, supplemental feeding by local residents.

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

Spring Outdoor Adventure Talks at N.H. Fish and Game

Get inspired for outdoor adventures this spring at a series of evening talks offered by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. No pre-registration is required. Unless otherwise specified, the talks start at 7 p.m. at Fish and Game headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H. Admission is free (except film festival). Come learn something new about wildlife and outdoor recreation!

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

Free Turkey Hunting Workshop offered in New Hampshire

A free workshop covering the basics of hunting wild turkeys is being offered by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department on Saturday, April 18, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center at 387 Perch Pond Road in Holderness, N.H. Pre-registration is required. Space is limited. To sign up for the workshop, or for more information, call 603-536-3954.

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

DEM files regulations for Rhode Island recreational striped bass fishery for 2015

The Department of Environmental Management today filed new regulations governing the Rhode Island recreational striped bass fishery for 2015. They establish a bag limit of one striped bass per person per day, at a 28-inch minimum size. The season will be open year-round.

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

Fishing Report March 15 2015 Massachusetts

Conditions: Cloudy and rain/snow skies, air temperatures mid 30's, moderate winds, bait of the day tip-ups with medium shiners

We only had a few hours to fish today and wanted to stay local as the weather was not favorable as there was light rain going to the lake that after on the lake, turned over to snow. The snow cover on the ice is totally gone with the previous week’s warm weather and that makes for foot travel so much easier once again.

There were a few anglers on the ice when we arrived but they didn’t stay long and we had the lake to ourselves. We were on the same lake from the previous weekend as the late ice fishing there tends to pick up much better than early ice is.

We made our way to the location that we fished last and started placing our dead stick fishing rods and some tip-ups closer to shore as the better fish seem to be following the shoreline closer. We weren’t finished setting the lines up yet and the first flag went off as my son raced over there.

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

Vermont offering Turkey Hunting 101 on April 12

Never tried turkey hunting before but want to learn how? Here’s your chance to get started at a First-Time Turkey Hunting Seminar being held Sunday, April 12, in Berlin.

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 Mar 16 – Mar 25

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

Fishing Report March 8 2015 massachusetts

Conditions: Cloudy Snowy skies, air temperatures low to mid 30's, light winds, bait of the day was shiners on traps

My son has wanted to bring a friend along for a long time and today it worked out as to where we were going to fish and how we were going to fish. Between my son and his friend, they wanted to set all traps out and chase flags for a few hours.

The lake that we fished is a local city water supply lake and the only real pressure that it receives is during the winter months. This particular lake, is fairly shallow throughout the majority of the lake. Average depth's are in the 6-8 foot range and it has a lot of weed growth so the traps are only set around 6 feet deep.

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

Winners of 2014 New Hampshire Trophy Fish Program Announced

NH Fish and Game Department’s Fisheries Biologist and Trophy Fish Program Coordinator Don Miller has announced the winners of the 2014 Trophy Fish Program. Four new state records were set in 2014. Mike Radziszewski of Campbell Hall, New York, set a record with his 3-pound, 3.68-ounce winter flounder. A new record black sea bass was caught in Portsmouth by former Fish and Game Commissioner, G. Ritchie White of Rye. Jooson Kim of North Hampton caught a new record common white sucker from Pawtuckaway Lake in Nottingham.

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

Deer, Moose Hearings to be Streamed Online

Hunters, landowners and anyone else interested in Vermont’s deer and moose who are unable to attend the hearings in person may watch the March 23 hearing on Vermont PBS’s live web stream, available at vermontpbs.org/outdoorjournal.

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

Fishing Report March 7 2015 Massachusetts

Conditions: Sunny skies, air temperatures low to mid 20's, light winds, bait of the day Clam Outdoors Half Ant tipped with spikes and Duckbill Drop with a Maki Plastics Mino

Only had a few hours to get out this morning and wanted to fish a lake that we usually can find the pods of crappies, nothing really huge but nice numbers. Upon getting to the lake I had it to myself and that allows me to target where ever I want to go.

My plan was to fish one of the deeper holes and see if I can tap into the better schools of crappies that have been known to swim in this lake. Using the Navionics lake maps, this allows me to pinpoint and get right into the area without even drilling a hole for searching.

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

New Hampshire Big Game Processing Workshop

Learn how you can process your own big game animal from field to freezer at a free workshop being offered at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness, N.H., on Saturday, April 4, 2015. The workshop will take place from 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. To sign up, call the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center at 603-536-3954.

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

Three Public Hearings Set for Proposed Vermont Moose Hunt

Three public hearings will be held on March 23, 24 and 26 on Vermont’s proposed 2015 moose hunting permits and moose hunting regulations.

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

Fishing Report March 1 2015 New Hampshire

Conditions: Cloudy skies, air temperatures mid 20's, light winds, bait of the day Clam Outdoors Half Ant tipped with spikes and dead sticking a shiner

We are having to make at least one trip day a weekend further north so that we can find the best ice conditions that are available currently. So we stayed within an hour’s drive and that allows us to have more time on the ice chasing fish.

The last time that we were here we fished an underwater hump and even though we were able to catch perch and a smallmouth, it didn’t prove to what this lake has to offer. So we headed to an area that we frequent a lot on the ice as well as the open water and it comes down to comfort in a location that we fish.

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 Mar 9 – Mar 18

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

Bass Pro Shops Sponsors Fishing Seminar for High School Students

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association (NHIAA) are pleased to announce that Bass Pro Shops (Hooksett, NH) will be hosting a “Spring High School Bass Fishing Seminar” on March 25, 2015.

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

Hunter Education Instructor Training Course Taking Place April 11

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is offering a New Instructor Training Course for people interested in volunteering to teach Hunter Education, Trapper Education or Bowhunter Education courses in Vermont.

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

Ice Shanties Must Be Removed Before Ice Weakens

Vermont state law requires that ice fishing shanties must be removed from the ice before the ice becomes unsafe or ice loses its ability to support the shanty out of the water, or before the last Sunday in March (the 29th this year), whichever comes first.

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 Mar 4 – Mar 11

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

CT DEEP Presents “Angler of the Year” Awards

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) recently presented “Angler of the Year” awards to three freshwater and five saltwater anglers who submitted entries to the Trophy Fish Award Program and earned awards for catching the widest assortment of fish during 2014.

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

RI DEM reminds anglers that fishing in trout stocked waters is prohibited from Sunday March 1 until opening day on April 11

The Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish & Wildlife is reminding anglers that Saturday is the last day of the 2014-2015 freshwater fishing season, and that fishing in trout-stocked waters is prohibited from March 1 until Opening Day on Saturday, April 11.

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

Vermont Permit Numbers Set for 2015 Moose Hunt

A total of 225 regular firearms moose season permits and 40 archery moose season permits would be issued for Vermont’s 2015 October moose hunt under a proposed regulation approved by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board at their February 25 monthly meeting in Montpelier.

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

Fishing Report February 22 2015 Massachusetts

Conditions: Cloudy skies with snow falling, air temperatures upper 20's, no winds, bait of the day Clam Outdoors Half Ant tipped with spikes

After fishing for bass yesterday, I wanted to head to my favorite crappie pond and see what these fish are up to. Haven't fished in Massachusetts in a while and it didn't take long to see why we are having to drive north to find good ice.

 It didn't take long to see that the ice was still a mess as there was 8 inches of snow on top, then a layer of 2-3 inches of ice crust with and pocket of slush, with another layer of ice crust then slush pocket and finally good ice at the bottom. Also, with all of the snow, all lake access points are non-existent right now as nothing is plowed out and finding any place to park for fishing is a major pain.

Report at BWS OutDoors

Basil Shrimp with Feta and Orzo Recipe

We have added a new recipe to our Saltwater Fish Recipe page at BWS OutDoors

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

Mississippi Duck Gumbo Recipe

We have added a new recipe to our Wild Game Bird Recipe page at BWS OutDoors

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

Fishing Report February 21 2015 New Hampshire

Conditions: Cloudy skies, air temperatures mid teen's, light winds

The lakes in Massachusetts are very hard to get around still and planned on heading to New Hampshire in hopes that the snow is less of a nuisance. Luckily this was a good call as the lake that we were fishing the snow is hard and not that deep so it is a lot easier getting to our fishing location and working the area and not being in knee deep of snow.

The lake was empty of anglers and that seems to be the case lately with the extensive snow that we have been getting. Luckily in New Hampshire there isn't any slush to deal with like there is in Massachusetts which always makes for a much more enjoyable day.

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 Feb 24 – Mar 4

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

Connecticut DEEP Selects Youth “Fishing Challenge” Top Angler Awards

Top angler awards were presented last week to four Connecticut youth during DEEP’s 7th annual Trophy Fish Awards Ceremony.  Each young angler participated in the “Fishing Challenge,” part of Connecticut’s Youth Fishing Passport program.  The “Fishing Challenge” requires the participants to try and catch one of each of twenty common Connecticut game fish.  After a successful catch, a digital photo of the angler with the fish is emailed to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) for verification. 

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

Discover WILD New Hampshire Day Set for Saturday, April 18, 2015

You might be surrounded by mountains of snow, but spring is on the way, and so is Discover WILD New Hampshire Day.  The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s biggest community event of the year is set for Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the Fish and Game Department at 11 Hazen Drive in Concord, N.H.  The event will be extra special this year, as Fish and Game celebrates its 150th anniversary. New attractions for 2015 include an entire tent devoted to hunting and fishing exhibitors.

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

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept Expands Southern Vt Wildlife Management Area

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department recently expanded a wildlife management area (WMA) in Windham County. An 80-acre land donation has been added to Atherton Meadows Wildlife Management Area in the town of Whitingham, bringing the total area to nearly 900 acres.

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

CT DEEP Selects Winning Photo for Cover of Annual Angler’s Guide

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has selected a photo of Immanuel “Manny” Smyrnow, age 10, of Ashford for the cover of the 2015 Connecticut Angler’s Guide.  In the photo, Smyrnow is shown holding an Atlantic Salmon which he caught and released on October 30, 2014 from the Shetucket River.  The Broodstock Atlantic Salmon weighed about 5-6 pounds and was approximately 26” in length.

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

Fishing Report February 7 2015 New Hampshire

Conditions: Partly cloudy skies, air temperatures low 20's, light winds

With all of the snow that we have been receiving in Massachusetts creating slush conditions on the ice, we headed north in search of less snow and no slush. We were able to find no slush but still had snow to deal with but at least with the snowshoes we are able to get around as some of the snow is easily knee deep.

This particular lake has a good population of both largemouth and smallmouth bass as well as large perch. The lake has no crappie population and haven’t been easily able to crack the sunfish population. The area that we generally fish is a small underwater point that has rock on top and is laden with gravel.

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

CT Seventh Annual Trophy Fish Award Ceremony

Connecticut’s Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) will host its Annual Trophy Fish Award Ceremony at the Northeast Fishing and Hunting Show in the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford at 10:00 am on Saturday, February 14. Sixty-five anglers will be presented certificates recognizing their achievement of having caught or landed the largest fish in one of several species categories during 2014. The winner of DEEP’s “2015 Angler’s Guide” Photo contest will also be announced at the ceremony.

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

Time to Sign Up for New Hampshire Hunter Education

Hunter Education courses are underway around the state, so get set for the 2015 spring gobbler season and more by visiting the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department website to sign up for a class. The Hunter Education course now covers both hunting and bowhunting.

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

VT TU's Annual Fly Fishing Summer Camp for Teens

Vermont Trout Unlimited announces year five of their “Fly Fishing Camp for Vermont Teens,” ages 13 to 16. 
 

Teens interested in learning the art of fly-fishing or improving their basic skill level alongside some of Vermont’s most accomplished fly anglers, are invited to apply. The 2015 camp is scheduled for Sunday June 21st through Thursday June 25th at Quimby Country Lodge & Cottages, in Averill, Vermont.

 

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

Fishing Report February 1 2015 New Hampshire

Conditions: Sunny skies, air temperatures mid teen's, high winds, bait of the day - traps with shiners

Today's trip found us back in New Hampshire as the snow depths are less and little to no slush to have to deal with like Massachusetts. Was hoping that the snowmobiles had ran the lake compacted the snow that is there but no such luck and snowshoes were a necessity.

We had found an underwater island that larger fish were using last fall and wanted to pepper that location with traps and see if they are using it in the winter months. It didn't take long and the first flag was flying and upon setting the hook, could tell that it was a large fish. didn't take long and it came off and for that location, it never went back up the rest of the day.

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

Fishing Report January 25 2015 Massachusetts

Conditions: Sunny skies, air temperatures mid 20's, little wind, bait of the day – Clam Pro Tackle Duckbill Drop jig with the Maki Plastics Mino bait and Clam Drop Jig tipped with spikes

We took a day off as a winter snow storm had come through and after fishing for 5 of the last 6 days, need a bit of time to let everything relax and defrost. We didn't have a lot of time and wanted to stay close to home and with that we went to our favorite crappie pond and the quality is some of the best that we have around this area.

So glad that I had spent some time out here before the waters froze up and located the better crappies that swim in this pond. As we are working the same general area and it doesn't produce huge numbers of fish but the fish that we are catching are of a much nicer size which is a lot of fun on the short rods.

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

KIDS OutDoors page updated

We have updated our KIDS Outdoors page at BackWoods Sportsman OutDoors for the upcoming outdoor education classes offered across New England for Feb 16 – Feb 25

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

Happy 150th, N.H. Fish and Game!

This is a big year for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, as the state's wildlife agency celebrates 150 years of fish and wildlife conservation in the Granite State. A growing collection of stories and photos celebrating Fish and Game's fascinating history is being gathered on the Department's website at wildnh.com/150. Visit often!

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

Maine's MDIF&W Holding Free Fishing Weekend

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is reminding everyone to take advantage of the upcoming free fishing weekend.

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

Fishing Report January 23 2015 Massachusetts

Conditions: Sunny skies, air temperatures upper 20's, little wind, bait of the day – Clam Pro Tackle Duckbill Drop jig with the Maki Plastics Mino bait and Clam Drop Jig tipped with spikes

Our trips close to home continue on as well as a new body of water that we fish regularly on the open water but have never been on the ice. There are two main structures in the lake and one of them was occupied by a couple of anglers already, but we didn't want to fish that one as it isn't that big of an area.

The structure we fished was an underwater hump that had a variety of depths from 6 feet deep to 15 feet on the outer edges. Also, off to the side there is a underwater point that comes out so we also setup in the saddle area between these two structures.

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

Apply now for the 2015 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 2015 Moose Permit Lottery is accepting applications.

ME Outdoor News at BWS OutDoors

KIDS OutDoors page updated

We have updated our KIDS Outdoors page at BackWoods Sportsman OutDoors for the upcoming outdoor education classes offered across New England for Feb 9 – Feb 18.

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