![]() ![]() Headquartered at Hesky Park in Meredith, on the shores of nearby Lake Winnipesaukee, the derby attracts ice anglers from all over the country and is open to the public. This is good fishing for kids at times, you’ll have plenty of flags!Įvery year, about the second weekend of February, is when this major annual event is held. Go with live bait and tip ups for these guys. Largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and pickerel can be found in shallower areas, particularly places where there are weeds and in quieter coves off of the main lake. Live bait suspended in the water column is good, but working a lot of holes in order to find the fish is a better strategy, as is using a jigging rod with a small jig tipped with a grub or worm. These fish, relatives of striped bass, cruise the lake in schools. A tip up with a live shiner presented just off the bottom is also a good bet. ![]() They lower the jig to the bottom and then alternately lift and flutter it to tantalize the trout to strike. Again, the old timers use a jigging rod with a fairly heavy bucktail type lure, baited with a slab of bait fish. Figure on fishing in 30’-60’ of water just offshore and present your bait close to the bottom. These denizens of the deep tend to congregate around “structure”, particularly drop offs and underwater cliffs. They recheck holes and fish the ones where the salmon eggs have been picked up. It is not uncommon to see old timers “seed” several holes in the shallows with a salmon egg or two. Live baits work best – a shiner, smelt, or worm work well, but many experienced anglers also swear by salmon eggs or “Powerbait” – a synthetic bait often formed to look like salmon eggs. To fish for rainbows, set a tip up with bait suspended just under the ice. Tending to cruise just under the ice looking for prey, rainbows frequently patrol the shallows. However, the more abundant rainbow trout are a delightful alternative. According to regulation, during winter, salmon are off limits to protect the population. NH Fish and Game stocks Winnisquam with rainbow trout and salmon. Here’s an overview of Winnisquam fish species sought by ice anglers and how to catch them: Rainbow Trout Watch ice anglers on any given day and you will occasionally hear the cry of “Flag!” followed by a mad dash across the ice as they run to see what may be in store at the end of the line. When a fish grabs the bait, a small flag “tips up” to indicate that a fish is on. A tip up is a device containing a spool of line, hook, and strike indicator that can be baited and set in place. One can use a short jigging rod and reel (purchased at any n earby tackle shop) or you can simply use a “tip up”. There are two primary methods for ice fishing on Lake Winnisquam, both fairly simple. And yes, those little fellows are pursued by some impressive fish. Cut a hole in the shallows and it’s not unusual to see smelt dart past. Under the ice, Winnisquam is full of life. ![]() At times, it is possible to stand in the sunshine on one end of the lake and view a passing snow squall on the other end – a dramatic sight! ![]() Gulls and the occasional bald eagle patrol looking for food. Sunrises and sunsets reflected upon expanses of snow and ice can be breathtaking. During the winter months, fewer people are out on the lake allowing an opportunity to explore in relative solitude. Fishing from the ice provides access to most species and a unique perspective to the beautiful winter environment of the lake. Typically by mid-January, Winnisquam is iced over. Winter fishing for most of these means one thing– ice fishing! It is home to many prized game species: lake trout, rainbow trout, landlocked salmon, bass, and huge white perch. Lake Winnisquam is one of New Hampshire’s top fishing waters. ![]()
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