Open-Water Landlocked Salmon Season Starts Monday, April 1

CONTACT:
John Viar: (603) 744-5470
Ben Nugent: (603) 744-5470
March 28, 2024

Concord, NH – April 1 marks the official start of the open-water fishing season on New Hampshire’s large lakes, which are managed for landlocked salmon, including Big Squam Lake, Lake Sunapee, and Lake Winnipesaukee. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department also manages other waterbodies for landlocked salmon, including Big Dan Hole Pond, and First and Second Connecticut, Conway, Francis, Merrymeeting, Newfound, Ossipee, and Winnisquam Lakes. Pleasant Lake in New London is also managed for landlocked salmon, but is classified as a designated trout pond with an opening date of the fourth Saturday in April.

Despite winter finally showing up in late March, anglers will not suffer for open-water opportunities on nearly all central Lakes Region water bodies, including Winnipesaukee, which observed its earliest ice-out on record with only a day or two when “The Broads” were lightly covered with ice this winter. Lake Winnipesaukee is completely free of ice, and anglers will have unlimited opportunities via boat, other watercraft, or the shoreline.

Regardless of ice conditions or location within the state, please note the last day for ice fishing lakes managed under the landlocked salmon and lake trout designations is March 31, and no open-water fishing of any kind, for any species, is permitted on these managed lakes until April 1. Landlocked salmon may never be taken through the ice in New Hampshire.

To ensure the future of high-quality landlocked salmon and other fisheries, anglers must take extra care when releasing salmon, as the percentage of hook-wounded fish continues to be a problem. Hook-wounded fish are significantly shorter and in poorer physical condition than non-hook-wounded fish of the same age. Using rubber nets, proper release techniques, and other considerations can minimize the negative effects of hook wounding, thereby increasing the number of quality-sized salmon available in the future. For more information, please visit www.wildlife.nh.gov/fishing-new-hampshire/catching-landlocked-salmon-nh/prevent-hook-wounding.

New Hampshire fishing licenses can be purchased online at www.nhfishandgame.com or from any NH Fish and Game Department license agent. Reel in lots more information on fishing in New Hampshire, from depth maps to tackle tips, by downloading the current Freshwater Fishing Digest at www.wildlife.nh.gov/fishing-new-hampshire.