New England’s 2011 Fishing Calendar

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Early season trout streams, deep summer hot spots, fall foliage river fishing and hardwater action through the auger holes — New England has it all! Here’s a roundup of some best-bet destinations to fish and enjoy during 2011.

 

JANUARY
Lake Trout – Big Diamond Pond, N.H.
Fishing for lake trout is open January 1 to March 1. Hardwater anglers are allowed two lines at Big Diamond, which is managed specifically for lake trout and has given up several trophy fish. Regulations vary by waterbody; check the current New Hampshire Freshwater Fishing Digest. The lake is just north of Coleman State Park in Stewartstown.

Northern Pike – Quaddick Reservoir, Conn.
This 408-acre lake within Quaddick State Park provides early action for hardwater anglers seeking monster fish. The minimum length for pike is 26 inches with a daily creel of two fish. The Nutmeg State has several water-specific regulations; check the current angler’s guide before heading out. The entrance to the park, which offers access to the middle section of the lake, is located off Quaddick Town Farm Road in Thompson.

Landlocked Salmon – Kezar Lake, Maine
Above-average fish earning angler bragging rights are not uncommon at this 2,510-acre lake in Lovell. Regulations vary by waterbody; check the current rule book before heading out. Access can be had on the North Lovell end of the lake, and at the “Narrows.”

 

FEBRUARY
Walleyes – Lake Champlain, Vt.
Walleyes can be found anywhere in the big lake, with the northern end in Swanton and Alburg being some of the more productive areas anglers should try. Safe ice doesn’t always form on the deeper portions of Champlain; stick to coves, bays and other shoreline areas.

Brown Trout – Candlewood Lake, Conn.
Candlewood is stocked spring and fall with rainbow and brown trout. Last winter, fisheries biologists were getting many reports of fat trout in the 3- to 4-pound range being pulled up through the auger holes at the 5,064-acre lake. Access can be found off Forty Acre Road on the southern end of the lake or via Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield.

Yellow Perch – Webster Lake, Mass.
This 1,270-acre, two-story lake is a popular destination for jigging yellow perch up through the ice. Northern pike and tiger muskellunge have been stocked since 1981. Twenty-pound pike are taken annually. Access is off Lakeside Avenue in Webster.

 

MARCH
Northern Pike – Jericho Lake, N.H.
This is one of the Granite State’s more popular pike waters. There is no closed season on pike in New Hampshire. Anglers may keep three pike per day with a minimum length of 20 inches. Access to the 215-acre lake is off Route 110 in Berlin.

Rainbow Trout – Carbuncle Pond, R.I.
This 35-acre pond in Coventry is stocked just before frigid temperature set in. The daily creel limit is two trout; no minimum length requirement. Regulations vary by species and water; always check the current freshwater fishing regulations before heading out. Access is located off Route 14.

Largemouth Bass – Lake Fairlee, Vt.
This 457-acre lake in Thetford is open for ice fishing from the third Saturday in January to March 15. There’s an aggregate creel limit of two fish total on largemouth and smallmouth bass, with a minimum length of 10 inches. Access is off Route 244.

 

APRILWhite Catfish- Chapman Pond, R.I.
White catfish have been introduced to several Ocean State waters to provide anglers with additional sport fishing options. There are no size or daily creel limits on the species. Access to the 164-acre pond in Westerly is situated off Route 91.

Rainbow Trout – Lake Winnipesaukee, NH
This 44,586-acre lake is managed for lake trout and salmon, so special regulations apply. Rainbow trout may be taken from April 1 to September 30 with a minimum length of 15 inches and an aggregate daily limit of two salmon or trout. There are multiple access areas, especially along routes 11, 11B and 109.

Landlocked Salmon – Lake Dunmore, Vt.
Dunmore is one of the region’s premier coldwater fisheries, and a popular springtime destination for salmon anglers. The 985-acre lake in Salisbury is open for salmon fishing from the second Saturday in April through October 31, and again during ice fishing season. There’s a concrete boat ramp located off West Shore Road. Check DeLorme’s VAG, map 33.

 

MAY
Atlantic Cod – Hampton Harbor, N.H.
About nine miles offshore from Hampton is a favorite fishing spot known as “The Mudhole” that traditionally gives up big white-belly cod when groundfish move inshore each spring. The Hampton Harbor State Marina is open year-round and has a launch ramp and a place to buy supplies, ice and bait.

Brook Trout – Mountain View Pond, Maine
This remote water in T-A R11 is a favorite with locals who know it’s worth the one-mile hike. Natural barriers along the outlet prevent other species from getting into the 13-acre pond. With no competition for forage, brookie growth rates are better than average.

Smallmouth Bass – Lake Lillinonah, Conn.
This 1,547-acre water is an impoundment of the Housatonic River. Lillinonah has abundant numbers of smaller bronzebacks, and a fair number of larger fish. Access is available on the western shore in Newtown, the northeastern shore in Bridgewater and via Waldo State Park on the eastern shore.

 

JUNE
Largemouth Bass – Pleasant Pond, Maine
This 746-acre lake in Gardiner features perfect largemouth bass habitat and fast fishing. Mature males guarding nests mean plenty of quality-sized fish to catch. There’s a boat launch at the southern end of the pond.

Carp – Connecticut River, Vt.
The stretch of the mighty Connecticut that flows though Brattleboro recently gave up a new state record carp weighing 42.46 pounds.

Atlantic Cod – Sandy Bay, Mass.
As water temperatures rise, cod can be fished from shore early in the morning or late evening into the night. Excellent shoreline access can be found all along the Bay State’s rocky shore. Try fishing from the granite pier in Rockport.

 

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