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CONCORD, N.H., Sept. 1, 1999 --Trout, salmon and other fish feed even more voraciously in the fall than in the spring. Combine that with crisp, cool weather; bright, blue skies; fewer boats on the water; and no bugs to contend with, and you^ve got awesome autumn angling.
"In the fall, water temperatures are dropping to a level more preferred by fish, causing them to be more active," says Fisheries Biologist Donald Miller from New Hampshire Fish and Game Department^s Region 2 office in the heart of the Lakes Region. "The fish are more frenzied in their feeding activity as they prepare for spawning and the approaching winter," adds Scott Decker, fisheries biologist for the northern part of the state.
When water temperatures cool to the mid-60s, fish begin to feed closer to the surface. Miller says rainbows and brookies attack colorful flies, like the red ghost. Those that imitate young-of-the-year smelt also work well.
Water in small streams are generally too low for good fall fishing, so concentrate on larger rivers, ponds and lakes. And here^s a tip from Decker: wear drab clothing and use stealth when stream fishing to avoid spooking the fish.
Early fall is a great time to fish for white perch - a truly delectable fish to eat - and yellow perch. There^s no closed season for perch, perch, crappie, horned pout, sunfish or rockbass. Take the kids and have a blast!
Open water fishing for landlocked salmon and lake trout ends September 30. In general, brook, brown and rainbow trout may be taken through October 15. However, there are some exceptions, so check your 1999 New Hampshire Freshwater Fishing Digest for regulations on the water body you^re fishing. The digest is available at Fish and Game offices and where fishing licenses are sold.
Uploaded: 9/2/1999
Uploaded: 9/2/1999