Canobie Lake Conditions and Access

[rsalotto]

I've done all my ice fishing in mass and maine. I'm making my first trip to NH to ice fish on thursday. Anyone got an update on ice conditions for canobie lake and where the best access to the lake is? (and why I picked canobie no idea other then I have no clue where to go period!) Much appreciated!

Also looking potentially at big island pond? any updates on ice conditions and public access would be great!

[fisherhawk55]

I plan on fishing Thursday and Friday at canobie or beaver if the ice is safe enough to be alone I went by today and the ice looked sketchy with the snow on top

[ADK NH GUY]

Anyone fishing there on Friday?   I might take the day off and fish 1/2 day at Canobie. 

[jmamos52]

I used to live down the road from there and fished it often. for trout, IMO.. GO EARLY.. sounds obvious, but I have had days there where I get solid 24"+ bows but come 9:00 or so, it's over. So I move the traps and go for bass etc. As mentioned, pump house parking for access. I spoke to my buddy who lives near there and said the ice, further out, was solid and after this week you should be fine, but check for yourself of course as we all should always do. It's helpful to hear about ice conditions but always go off of your own checking and thoughts for sure. I know the place blindfolded so PM me if you want some help. good luck!

[Roccus]

same here for the access.... but I've done quite well for trout between 11 and noon...then again late in the day when the shadows hit the shore line... I don't fish there often anymore.. bigger fish to fry ( pun intended)

[jmamos52]

Roccus...  perhaps I was either doing something wrong... or too impatient!!  likely both! 

[Roccus]

Roccus...  perhaps I was either doing something wrong... or too impatient!!  likely both! 

No... I doubt you were doing anything wrong.... those fish move constantly.... they are hunting the shallows early hence the success... if you notice... 90% of the ones you catch there are stuffed with crayfish... I usually leave 2 set up  in the shallows with eggs or power bait/eggs combos... the purple shrimp scent power bait works well there ( and at Cobetts).......I set   2 just under the ice in deep water over the drop offs or rock piles with  small shiners or smelt... and then fish the edge of the weed beds and rock piles deep with a shiner and  keep the last option open for jigging... which I also get a fair amount of rainbows doing. And some days.. it doesn't matter what you do...you earn EVERY fish...and those are few and far between.. if it was easy.. everyone would do it...

[jmamos52]

Agree 100%.. I've had days there where I killed it.. and others where not one bit, flag, etc. but that's how it goes. That can happen just about anywhere but there are certainly quality fish kicking around. Key is movement. I'm all for packing up after a bit, setting up a new base-camp with fresh holes and moving around. When I'm on my boat I don't just sit in one spot all day, I chase the fish... gotta do the same thing on hard water IMO. (although, cracking "a" cold one and sitting in one spot with all your buddies making awesome food all day isn't such a bad thing either!)

[treeguymark]

just got off canobie few hrs ago  was on 51/2  6 inches of ice ! fisherhawk  the beaver is the same,  guy put his shack out there today also ! my shack will be on canobie this weekend if not beginning of the week ! laid off for the winter so i got plenty of tme to fish , also i live on cobbetts if any one wants to get out there during the week just pm me .