Highland Lake / Andover

[Thumber]

Did not see anything posted about Highland Lake in Andover. Did anyone go this winter?

[NH Fishin Fool]

Hard to get access. Locals have it pretty well locked up. I tried once and the cops told me if I parked where I was my truck would be gone before my holes were drilled. Nice people out there!

[Thumber]

wow That's happening more and more around the state. They did some nice stocking there.

[BrianNH]

We used to ice fish there without any problem but I drove by once this winter and got some nasty looks from the locals so I didn't even bother trying it.  They stock some nice fish for the kids derby in the spring and a few manage to survive the heavy pressure that the derby brings.  I'd say the larger fish they stock are 2 to 3 lb rainbows and brookies.  Those fish must put a huge smile on the kids faces at the derby.  I've fished there after the derby to hook into some of the leftovers and they are enough to get me excited!

[Thumber]

I thought there's a public boat ramp

[NH Fishin Fool]

Nope, no public access. Fish and Game site doesn't have a ramp listed either. I hear there are a some mosters in there too. It is terrible when a community thinks they are better then erveryone  who does not live there. Unfortunatly until F&G can get a ramp there we are all shut out!   

[Thumber]

So the Town Ramp is for Town Res. only?

[jigginWiggin]

grew up in that town and I don't feel like anybody there thinks that they are better than anybody else I believe that there is parking near the andover fish and game club and over by the town beach I may be wrong but that was always how we got on.

[BrianNH]

The Fish and Game website does not list a public access site for Highland Lake in Andover because they themselves do not own a ramp.  However, I have confirmed with F&G that the town ramp is in fact open to the public.  The bathymetric map on the F&G website incorrectly shows the town ramp on the west side of the channel - it is actually on the east side of the channel.  The town permits parking at the Fish and Game club on Dodge Lane/Channel Road.

[Thumber]

Brian

Thanks for the info. Looks like a long walk from the ramp to the main body of water for ice fishing.

[BrianNH]

Brian

Thanks for the info. Looks like a long walk from the ramp to the main body of water for ice fishing.

Yes, it would be a long walk to the deeper section of the lake but I have had some success at the head of the channel which would only be about a 200 yd walk from the ramp.  That area seemed to be the busiest when I drove by earlier this winter.  The main body of water would require a sled or quad.  There were also some trucks on the ice but I didn't look to see if they were getting on at the ramp or not.  That could open up the access but I myself never drive on the ice.

[KissMyBassNH]

plenty of parking there? sounds like a good place i wonder how the bass fishing is, is this Andover NH ?

[KissMyBassNH]

is it a long walk from the F&G club? i wonder how the ice conditions are i would park my corolla on the ice as long as theres not much snow where you get on and trucks still out there, when did you see the trucks?

[ice fishNH]

I live in town and have parked at the town beach and the Andover F&G Club for the past 4 years without a problem.  There was a truck out on the ice last Thursday out to the back bay and the island, although the access at the boat ramp was getting pretty rutted up and watery then, so I can't imagine it is very good now.  Highland Lake has some good bass and trout in it.  They typically fish around the island for bass around ice out. 

[BrianNH]

plenty of parking there? sounds like a good place i wonder how the bass fishing is, is this Andover NH ?

Yes, it is Andover, NH.  Parking at the Fish and Game Club is limited (and quite muddy now) but I've never seen it full.  I've never targeted bass but have caught a few incidentally.

is it a long walk from the F&G club? i wonder how the ice conditions are i would park my corolla on the ice as long as theres not much snow where you get on and trucks still out there, when did you see the trucks?

I drove by today and driving on the ice is out of the question now.  The channel ice looks spotty and there is water at the ramp.  The Fish and Game Club is right across the road from the channel and is closer to the head of the channel than the ramp.  You can walk onto the ice from the road as it runs right along the channel and there are several openings in the brush along the bank.