New England’s bass anglers can expect more bigger fish this year, thanks to new regulations designed to protect the fishery. Photo by Ron Sinfelt.

Like it or not, largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing has taken the New England states by storm. Over the past decade or so, these popular “perch” have displaced trout and salmon as the region’s most popular sport species. Now, anglers from around the world travel to the Northeast seeking quality bass fishing.

In response to the demand for more and better bass fishing, biologists throughout New England are working to improve the region’s warmwater fisheries. To their credit, the bass-fishing forecast for 2005 is good to excellent throughout the region. Here’s a look at what’s in store for New England’s bass anglers as we enter the 2005 open-water fishing season:

NEW HAMPSHIRE

New Hampshire is one of New England’s most scenic states. It offers mountain views, exquisite lakes and loads of wildlife. Adding to the state’s wonders are healthy largemouth and smallmouth bass fisheries, which should make anglers very happy this coming season.

“I can fish anywhere I want,” noted Mark Beauchesne, a New Hampshire Fish and Game Department biologist. “But I choose to fish in New Hampshire because we have some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in the country.”

As proof of this, Beauchesne offered tournament results and the state’s trophy fish awards program. Bass of both species weighing over 5 pounds continually grace the award honor rolls.

“Currently, we manage our bass fisheries through fishing regulations,” Beauchesne said. “We also conduct ongoing research to monitor the health of the bass population.”

To promote the bass fishery and preserve natural spawning stock, biologists have implemented several new special regulations. Between first ice and May 14, the daily creel limit is two fish. During the peak spawning period (generally from May 15 through June 15), the bass fishery is limited to catch-and-release fishing.

After the spawn, from June 16 to June 30, the creel limit goes back to two fish. Come summer, the creel limit is five fish from July 1 to first ice. Additionally, anglers may use artificial lures only from May 15 to June 15.

New Hampshire has over 1,300 lakes and ponds. Most of these ponds are tarns supporting native trout fisheries. But according to Beauchesne, about half of the state’s ponds hold smallmouth or largemouth bass.

Picking the best place to fish for bass can be difficult, but Beauchesne recommends Lake Winnipeasaukee as the state’s premier bass lake for smallmouth and largemouth bass.

He also said that Lake Massabesic and Lake Winnisquam are two sleeper waters worth exploring.

“But if I had to go to one place, it would be the Connecticut River just because of the variety of fish. If the smallmouths are active, the fishing is fast. When the smallmouths are not on, there are always northern pike, or you can jig for walleyes,” he said.

New Hampshire anglers may not use lead sinkers weighing 1 ounce or less, or jigs less than 1 inch in length. This law was imposed to prevent lead poisoning in loons and other waterfowl.

A New Hampshire resident fishing license costs $35 for the season. Non-resident license fees are $53 for the season, $35 for a seven-day pass, $28 for a three-day permit, and $15 for a one-day license.

For additional fishing information, call the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department at (603) 271-3211. For tourist information, call (800) 386-4664.

CONNECTICUT

Most New England bass visitors would normally overlook Connecticut, but this relatively small state has a lot to offer. Until about 10 years ago, most of the state’s efforts centered on its trout-stocking program. But biologists and fisheries managers have realized that largemouth and smallmouth bass also have significant drawing power.

To address the growing demand for quality bass fishing, the state’s Department of Environmental Protection developed a comprehensive management plan to enhance its bass population. Biologists increased the size limits and lowered the creel limits on lakes that had the potential to produce large fish, and the regulations worked wonders.

For example, Moodus Reservoir had an over-abundance of edible forage and good bass growth rates. But the lake also had a high number of stunted largemouth bass. To counter this, biologists enacted a protective slot limit requiring the release of bass between 12 and 15 inches.

“We quickly saw an increased number of 12- to 15-inch fish. Within five years, there was a clear change in the fish population,” noted Bill Hyatt, the DEP’s supervising inland fisheries biologist.