Cusk on Lake Francis

[ice fishNH]

Heading up tomorrow and was thinking about throwing some cusk lines in near the boat ramp for the weekend.  Anybody aware of possible good locations in that vicinity for cusk?  Thanks

[surflizard]

We always did better on cusk up at 2nd lake, bigger and more of them ! Check out the area to the left of the ramp where the brook feeds in, good place to set up.

[sweet lou]

x-2 with surf 2nd is the best up there for cusk.

[ice fishNH]

surflizard and sweet lou - thanks for the information!  I was also reading some stuff on F&G website and the article said 2nd CT is one of the best lakes for quantity and quality (along with Winni) so I think that's where I'll be heading tomorrow afternoon.  What about fishing for trout (any species) - which would likely be more productive, 2nd CT or Francis, fishing near launch ramps (on foot with 3 kids)? 

[AQUAASSASSIN]

IMO I like Francis better for trout..........

[sweet lou]

second has lakers and brookies in it but the best is like AA said is Francis better variety.

[surflizard]

The brook discription I posted above is for the ramp area on Francis !

[jamesdissent]

i wish i had time to get up there! didnt even go up to winni this year!

[sweet lou]

headed up the weekend of the 17th can't wait.

[ice fishNH]

The brook discription I posted above is for the ramp area on Francis !

Surf - any good locations near the ramp on 2nd?  I know there is some sort of brook up from the left of the ramp........

[surflizard]

See if you can locate the channel in front of where the brook comes in and set up across it if you can.

[masspike]

i wish we could icefish back lake

[surflizard]

You aren't kidding MP, the winter kill there every year is such a Ridiculous Waste, it is not funny !

[masspike]

i had no idea it was that bad...i have tried fishing it before they stocked it not much luck

[Bushman11]

Def recommend 2nd Conn. Great lake with beautiful views.. Make sure to report back how you do.

[ice fishNH]

Made it up to Pittsburg around 3:00 and proceeded to head out to 2nd CT with 3 boys (7, 9 & 10) in tow.  We made the trek out to the ice to find the snow was pretty deep and very slushy under it which made for some tough walking.  When we got the spot I wanted set the cusk lines, wouldn't you know it, couldn't get the auger to work.  The throttle wouldn't budge at all.  Trekked back and brought the auger inside so I could work on it before heading out on Saturday.  I'm guessing it had got snow in it at some point and froze because after being inside overnight it started up fine on Saturday.  Loaded up the boys and we headed to Lake Francis State Park.  There was one other group already there and set up so we went out past them and set up.  Ended up getting maybe a half dozen or so flags and only managed to hook one fish, a fairly decent pickerel.  The group next to us ended up with a couple of small rainbows.  Set the cusk lines while were there so we could check them the next morning before heading home.  Caught one small cusk and the bait was stripped off all the other lines.  The group next to us on Saturday had set cusk lines as well and they ended up with 3 of them around 2 - 2 1/2 lbs each.  As luck would have it, while we were their chatting with them my 7 year old points out that they had flag go up.  They ended up catching a decent brown trout, probably 2 lbs or so.  The ice where we were fishing was about 6" - 8" with about 4" - 6" of snow on it.  Was only some minor slush when we started on Saturday but as the day went on water was starting to come up through the holes and flooding the area pretty well.  When we left there was probably 3" - 4" of water / slush on top of the ice all around our area.  The group next to us had a few areas where they were breaking the ice with just one hit of the chisel.........  All in all it was still good trip.  The weather was great and the boys had fun building snow forts and having snow ball fights. 

Thanks to all who provided me with information!!  Will definitely head back up again next year and try it again!!! 

[Bushman11]

Great report.. Too bad about the auger the first day.. Its always nice to get up in that area. fish are just a bonus

[meatandmetal]

Great to hear you had a good trip. Always good to get out with the boys. Heading up there Friday morning and staying till Monday. Where you able to get to the boat launch on Second Lake with a vehicle or did you get on at the dam? I heard that there is quite a bit of snow there. I was told that in March they start to fill Second, First & Lake Francais which causes wet/bad ice conditions. We went up last year in mid March and ran into the same situation that you did with the water on the ice. Might bring my waders with me this time.

[ice fishNH]

Where you able to get to the boat launch on Second Lake with a vehicle or did you get on at the dam?

At Second we parked on the road to the ramp, not able to drive all the way down though.  Definitely want to bring tall rubber boots or waders if you're going up this weekend, especially with the temps they're calling for middle of this week!!!  Good luck!! 

[meatandmetal]

Thanks for the info. Hopefully we will have something to post.