jigging for cusk

[nhpikeking]

in our state are we allowed to stay out at night and jig for cusk ive heard there a good fighter when jigged up ive only caught them on cusk lines any tips on what to use would be good too i figured id just put a dead smelt on my jig and slowly jig the bottom

[Thumber]

in our state are we allowed to stay out at night and jig for cusk ive heard there a good fighter when jigged up ive only caught them on cusk lines any tips on what to use would be good too i figured id just put a dead smelt on my jig and slowly jig the bottom

Your are more apt to catch an Lake Trout than a cusk,  Cusk are more bottom feeder that feeds at night.

The law on cusk traps is pretty clear:

Cusk fishing device: A device for storing line in a manner which is
not free-running and is securely attached to the device and to which
is attached a sinker, weighing at least one ounce, not more than
6 inches above, and independent of, an attached single hook for bait.
The weight must rest on the bottom of the lake.

I think you would have some explaining to do if a CO came along.

[nhtroutfreak]

I'm pretty sure this topic was gone over last year and IIRC, it is perfectly legal to jig for cusk at night in addition to your 6 cusk lines.  Glow jigs with shiners or smelts tend to work pretty well.

[Thumber]

NHtroutfreak

Why is it the rule for cusk says "cusk fishing device, no bobbing or jigging, I would think a jig rod while fishing for cuck is a device unless I am interpreting it wrong. 

[nhpikeking]

i think that rule is so ppl dont use moving devices like an auto jigger or those jigging tip ups i think its alright if your physically there jigging i know id love to try it

[NH Fishin Fool]

Best thing to doin doubt would be to email F&G and find out. If they say you can I would keep the email just in case you get questioned by a CO who reads the rules differently. That way if you get a ticket you would have a fighting chance.

[Thumber]

Best thing to doin doubt would be to email F&G and find out. If they say you can I would keep the email just in case you get questioned by a CO who reads the rules differently. That way if you get a ticket you would have a fighting chance.

I would recommend the same.
I know F&G was trying to get this rule for 2009.

Readopt with amendment Fis 405.04, effective 1/1/2008 (Doc #9005) to read as follows:
Fis 405.04 Cusk Fishing.
(a) In addition to angling and ice fishing cusk may be taken through the ice by the use of a cusk
fishing device as follows:
(1) All cusk fishing devices shall be plainly marked with the name and address of the person
setting, using and having control of it;
(2) The sinker of the cusk fishing device shall rest on the bottom of the waterbody being fished;
Initial Proposal 4/21/08 2
(3) A person fishing for cusk through the ice with cusk fishing devices, may set such devices
and leave them unattended except that once during each 24 hour period said person shall visually
inspect the bait end of the line; and
(4) While fishing with a cusk fishing device the activity of "bobbing," "jigging," or any activity
so as to attract fish by movement of the bait by the user shall be prohibited.
(5) Cusk fishing devices shall only be used in:
a. First Connecticut Lake in Pittsburg;
b. Second Connecticut Lake in Pittsburg;
c. Third Connecticut Lake in Pittsburg;
d. Lake Francis in Pittsburg;
e. Newfound Lake in Bristol, Alexandria, Bridgewater, and Hebron;
f. Silver Lake in Madison;
g. Big Squam Lake in Holderness, Center Harbor, Sandwich, Moultonboro;
h. Little Squam Lake in Holderness, Ashland;
i. South Pond in Stark;
j. Sunapee Lake in Newbury, New London, Sunapee;
k. Wentworth Lake in Wolfeboro;
l. Lake Winnipesaukee in Alton, Center Harbor, Gilford, Laconia, Meredith, Moultonboro,
Tuftonboro, and Wolfeboro; and
m. Winnisquam Lake in Belmont, Sanbornton, Laconia, Tilton, and Meredith; and
n. Merrymeeting Lake in New Durham;
o Waukewan Lake in Meredith;
p. Lovell Lake in Wakefield;
q. Wentworth Lake in Wolfeboro; and
r. Ossipee Lake in Freedom and Ossipee.
(b) Any fish other than cusk taken on a cusk fishing device shall be immediately liberated by cutting
the line without removing the fish from the water.

[nhtroutfreak]

NHtroutfreak

Why is it the rule for cusk says "cusk fishing device, no bobbing or jigging, I would think a jig rod while fishing for cuck is a device unless I am interpreting it wrong. 

The term "cusk fishing device" refers to something that can only be used to catch cusk with (not lakers, etc).  The sinker must rest on the bottom, must have fixed line, not free-running spool, etc.

Any other ice fishing device (jig pole/stick, etc) may be also used to catch cusk.  Since a jig stick or pole is not a cusk fishing device, it is perfectly legal to jig or bob it to catch cusk.

Hope this helps.

[wallydiven]

what is a cusk? got any pics?

[Thumber]

what is a cusk? got any pics?

Photo from NH F&G web site

[wallydiven]

we callem dog fish round here. any difference?

[FISHAHOLIC-19]

A cusk is a cod and a dogfish is trash. Two totaly different species.

[wallydiven]

do we have these cusk in northern indiana?

[nhpikeking]

dogfish is a bowfin fun to catch taste like garbage cusk is a freshwater cod and from what i hear taste amazing thats a hog in that pic i havent caught them like that..yet

[FISHAHOLIC-19]

do we have these cusk in northern indiana?

Maybe in Lake Michigan. Not real sure though. I think there called eelpout and burbot also.

[Thumber]

Maybe in Lake Michigan. Not real sure though. I think there called eelpout and burbot also.

Cusk, also known as burbot, lawyer, ling and many other common names, are native to New Hampshire's large, glacial, oligotrophic (high-oxygen, low organic content) lakes - yet even some experienced anglers have never seen them. The only freshwater member of the cod family, this species is most active under the ice in cold water and actually spawns over shoal areas during the winter. Thus, it is a favorite among ice anglers and has developed a reputation as one of the finest eating fish, either fried or in hearty winter chowder. Adult cusk are essentially dormant in the deepest, coldest waters in the summer months and thus rarely caught by open water anglers.

[rockhound57]

Maybe in Lake Michigan. Not real sure though. I think there called eelpout and burbot also.

 Weeelllll, that's a big 10/4, there, good buddy. My first experiences with them was on Lake of the Woods in Mn, the guys I fished with used to dismember them, such was their aversion and ignorance to their true value. they thought anything aside from walleye and...... _________.......   AAAAARRRRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!! BRAIN CRAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   , their smaller whiter cousin .................. were a waste of time and bait!! Oh, if I'd only known back then what I know now!!!


   (Next day)     Sauger, that's it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[KissMyBassNH]

its perfectly legal to jig for cusk on a jig rod, and even have tip ups out for them threw the night
so technicly you can have your two tip ups and 6 cusk lines or you can have 1 tip up 1 jig rod and 6 cusk lines
*as long as your going for cusk, no going for or keeping trout half hour after sunset

the rule you speak of is so nobody can jig there cusk lines ,pull it up , check it , send it back down.
theres even a rule that you have to release any fish caught due to the movement

[MaineFishah]

As stated earlier, use a glow jig tipped with a minnow or smelt. I like to use old smelly smelt that I freeze and thaw throughout the winter whenever I go out. The smell makes me nauseous but the cusk love it. Also bounce your jig right off bottom to get their attention.

[KissMyBassNH]

I would recommend the same.
I know F&G was trying to get this rule for 2009.

Readopt with amendment Fis 405.04, effective 1/1/2008 (Doc #9005) to read as follows:
Fis 405.04 Cusk Fishing.
(a) In addition to angling and ice fishing cusk may be taken through the ice by the use of a cusk
fishing device as follows:
(1) All cusk fishing devices shall be plainly marked with the name and address of the person
setting, using and having control of it;
(2) The sinker of the cusk fishing device shall rest on the bottom of the waterbody being fished;
Initial Proposal 4/21/08 2
(3) A person fishing for cusk through the ice with cusk fishing devices, may set such devices
and leave them unattended except that once during each 24 hour period said person shall visually
inspect the bait end of the line; and
(4) While fishing with a cusk fishing device the activity of "bobbing," "jigging," or any activity
so as to attract fish by movement of the bait by the user shall be prohibited.
(5) Cusk fishing devices shall only be used in:
a. First Connecticut Lake in Pittsburg;
b. Second Connecticut Lake in Pittsburg;
c. Third Connecticut Lake in Pittsburg;
d. Lake Francis in Pittsburg;
e. Newfound Lake in Bristol, Alexandria, Bridgewater, and Hebron;
f. Silver Lake in Madison;
g. Big Squam Lake in Holderness, Center Harbor, Sandwich, Moultonboro;
h. Little Squam Lake in Holderness, Ashland;
i. South Pond in Stark;
j. Sunapee Lake in Newbury, New London, Sunapee;
k. Wentworth Lake in Wolfeboro;
l. Lake Winnipesaukee in Alton, Center Harbor, Gilford, Laconia, Meredith, Moultonboro,
Tuftonboro, and Wolfeboro; and
m. Winnisquam Lake in Belmont, Sanbornton, Laconia, Tilton, and Meredith; and
n. Merrymeeting Lake in New Durham;
o Waukewan Lake in Meredith;
p. Lovell Lake in Wakefield;
q. Wentworth Lake in Wolfeboro; and
r. Ossipee Lake in Freedom and Ossipee.
(b) Any fish other than cusk taken on a cusk fishing device shall be immediately liberated by cutting
the line without removing the fish from the water.

Dont forget guys : its not listed here but the weight you use on you "cusk fishing device"
has to be No More Than 6 inches from the hook and has to be at least 1 ounce
and has to be resting on bottom of waterbody as stated.

[Thumber]

Thanks KMB

Cusk fishing device: 2009 Freshwater Fishing Digest

A device for storing line in a manner which is
not free-running and is securely attached to the device and to which
is attached a sinker, weighing at least one ounce, not more than
6 inches above, and independent of, an attached single hook for bait.
The weight must rest on the bottom of the lake.

NOTE: Cusk Fishing Device - See definitions. No "bobbing" or "jigging", must be checked once
every 24 hours, fish caught due to movement of bait must be immediately released. Name and
address of angler must be marked on all cusk fishing devices.

[NH Trout Fisherman]

Kiss my Bass is correct....You are allow to catch cusk on a jig rod or a cusk line, However...any other fish other than cusk caught on a cusk line/device must be immediately released...