Winter opportunities abound for anglers

Eagle Times Staff
CONCORD, NH — Winter anglers in New Hampshire had some trout stocked especially for them during 2023. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department stocks trout during the fall to bolster the winter ice fishery, translating into some exciting fishing action this winter.

Winter anglers chasing trout can find lists of waters that remain open to the taking of these fish year-round on the Fish and Game website:

For lakes and ponds, visit tinyurl.com/435sm975.

For rivers and streams, see tinyurl.com/4mamjb6r.

Rules for waterbodies with special regulations are listed in the NH Freshwater Fishing Digest, available from license agents or on the Fish and Game website at tinyurl.com/5n6skbu5.

“The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s hatcheries stock post-spawn brook and brown trout into selected waterbodies without a closed season before winter,” said NH Fish and Game Inland Fisheries program supervisor John Magee. “These fish can range from two to three pounds each. Numbers, dates and stocking locations vary annually. I would encourage anglers of all skill levels to take advantage of this season’s stocked opportunities throughout New Hampshire when weather conditions are favorable and once the ice is safe.”

“The Granite State’s rivers and streams open to fishing on Jan. 1, and there are some quality fish to be caught in some of the tailwater fisheries such as the Newfound River,” said Magee. “When water levels are drawn down on larger lakes for the fall, prize-sized fish often drop down below dams creating opportunities for savvy winter anglers. This winter’s free fishing day is Jan. 20, so why not try your luck through the ice this year.”

Learn more about ice fishing in New Hampshire at tinyurl.com/k7drzyfh.

To learn more about fisheries management in New Hampshire, which is funded in part by the federal Sport Fish Restoration Program, visit tinyurl.com/4dw9s8p7.