The Mount Washington Valley is truly one of the hidden secrets when it comes to fishing in the state of New Hampshire. There are few places in all of New England where anglers can fish for all species of fish during the entire fishing season. So whether it’s the wild native brook trout or the colorful pond sunfish, the Mount Washington Valley is the place to bring your anglers.
Brook Trout
The brook trout was the fish that first brought tourists to the Valley. Before hiking trails, before ski slopes, brook trout angling was the magnet that brought folks from +away” to this beautiful region.
Today the brook trout still brings anglers from all corners of the globe. The New Hampshire state freshwater fish is one of earth’s most beautiful creatures and once you hold one in your hand you will understand why folks walk miles in search of a wild brook trout.
New Hampshire Fish & Game supplements the wild brook trout in the bigger rivers, The Saco, the Ellis, The Ammonoosuc, and the Androscoggin with hatchery brook trout as well.
Brown Trout
Imported from Germany, the brown trout is a sought-after species, particularly by the fly fishing community. Brown trout were introduced to the Saco River in the 1930’s and the habitat is suitable for the trout to holdover and reach trophy size. Brown Trout in excess on 20 inches are not uncommon on the Saco River.
Brown trout holdover and grow to trophy sizes in the Androscoggin River as well. Fishing guides drift the river with anglers in pursuit of the trophy of a lifetime.
For the Stillwater angler, Crystal Lake in Eaton has suitable brown trout habitat. Feeding on the smelt and the elvers in the lake, brown trout measured in pounds, not inches, are the target of anglers.
Rainbow Trout
A native of the western United States, rainbow trout have become a staple of the Fish & Game hatchery program. Low cost to raise and genetically modified to grow quickly, rainbow trout are found in a majority of waters in the Valley.
Rainbow trout grow to trophy sizes in the Androscoggin watershed and in our big lakes, Conway Lake and Silver Lake. Spring spawners, rainbow trout run inti the tributary waters where they reproduce. Wild rainbow trout can be found throughout the Androscoggin watershed. These holdover fish can reach sizes more than five pounds.
Floating the river or trolling a lake will bring hours of enjoyment and the chance to catch a fish that will never be forgotten
Salmon & Lake Trout
While the “big” lakes to the south and the north of the Valley get fished hard for these two game fish, Silver Lake in Madison can hold a shine to all of these lakes for trophy salmon and lake trout.
Early season fishing for these salmonids chasing spawning smelt evolved into deep trolling with downriggers and your favorite bait. The “bottomless” hole in Siler Lake is home to monster lake trout. Using fish finders, the salmon hang in their own thermocline and can be caught throughout the season.
Don’t be surprised if a trophy bass grabs your offering. There are some bass that will bring eye popping moments to your fishing in Silver Lake.
Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass
Lakes and ponds in the Valley were stocked with bass during the time period when Fish & Gane was “bassing” New Hampshire. The majority of still waters outside the White Mountain National Forest have bass and some big ones!
Bass fishing in the Valley gets busy after the close of the catch and release season on bass in June. Top water lures fished in rocky coves will bring thunderous strikes from the bass. If you are looking for a low stress, high enjoyment break from hiking or tubing, a day fishing for bass fits the bill.
While there are no river bass in the immediate Valley, river anglers fish the Saco River in Hiram, Maine, the Ossipee River in Ossipee and Freedom, or the Androscoggin River in Shelburne.
Yes, the Valley is a sleeper in New Hampshire as a trophy bass fishery.
Other warm water fish
Pickerel, yellow perch, sunfish, and crappie are all fish species that are available in area lake and ponds. If you have a youngster who is just starting to fish and you need some fast action, nothing beats a spin rod with a worm and a bobber.
Echo Lake, Pequawket Pond, and Purity Lake are all easy to access places to go to catch a fish.
In addition to the hiking, the biking, the amusements, the skiing, and the shopping, you can not go wrong with a day of fishing. Stop in at the North Country Angler, the second longest continually operated fishing shop in New England, for information and gear. Guide services are also available.
Article courtesy of the North Country Angler
To learn more about New Hampshire vacations, go to www.VisitNH.gov
