Took the family skiing on Friday, when I left my house it was 31*, and the entire ride from the NH border up was 17* - 19*. On the way up I saw quite a few hardsides on the ponds. It got me thinking.
I have an old 1994 version of Clark's NH fishing guide, and it's still helpful. That was my go to before smartphones, Navionics, Google earth, etc. Picked a few spots and went for it. Ended up doing ok, nothing big, but plenty of flags and fish. Saturday did the 7-3pm shift, 7 LM & 10 pickeral. Said what the hay, and went back Sunday for a short trip 9-1pm, 6 LM & 8 pickeral. I'm surprised I didn't catch not even one perch or crappie.
Ice was 11" on Saturday, with a 1/2" ice crust and 2" of snow on top, every step sounded like I was walking on broken glass, I still spudded the whole way, but come to find out I could of drove my truck out there if I chose. Pouring rain on the way up, then switched to snow, then the sun came out and it was beautiful. On Sunday the top layer was a nice hard glaze, a jet sled perfect condition. It only lost an inch by the time I left Sunday. Just me and the crows there both days, everyone must be chasing trout somewhere else.
For anyone worried about safe ice, why not go north? It was an hour and 20 minute ride for me, closer than going to Central MA, I'm 5 minutes from the ocean . I think it's about $58 online for a non resident license, and worth every penny. I fish for bass, so I can use 6 traps on a non trout managed body of water. They have plenty of trout waters too, but most are 2 trap lakes, check first.
If you want to make it easy to find ice up there, just head out around 9 am, it's big derby weekend and your bound to see other people out there at many different locations.
A picture from the Summit of Wildcat ski resort of Mt. Washington. There was more ice on those trails than any pond I fished this year. Took a good wipe out, still feeling it!
