NEW HAMPSHIRE
Bass are plentiful in more than half of the Granite State's lakes and ponds. Last year, Gabe Gries, a New Hampshire Fish and Game Department fisheries biologist, reported that surveys are turning up excellent numbers of young-of-the-year bass in Winnipesaukee, Squam Lakes and the Connecticut River. Those fish will yield catch-worthy mature bass within the next three to five years.

But don't wait to fish the Connecticut River -- there are three-pound-plus smallmouth bass there right now! This is a great early-season water. By June, topwater baits will elicit big bass strikes at Lake Massabesic in Manchester.

"Experienced anglers can land large smallmouth from Spoonwood Pond in Nelson, Swanzey Lake in Swanzey, Stone Pond in Marlborough and Gilmore Pond in Jaffrey this spring," Gries said.

"Try drifting crawfish along bottom to tempt trophy fish."

But after the spring rush, don't put your bass gear away.

"Otter Lake in Greenfield has plenty of aquatic vegetation and numerous logs to provide homes for both largemouth and smallmouth bass," Gries said.

"Sampling here revealed many bass in the 12- to 15-inch range. Better yet, high catch rates of smaller bass mean that the fish will continue to be good in years to come!"

Other great summer bass waters include Winona Lake, Forest Lake, and Mirror Lake in Whitefield. Both bronzebacks and largemouth bass can be had in Laurel Lake, with most fish being less than 15 inches long.

Bass populations here would benefit from more harvesting of 10- to 12-inch bass. Also worth a try during the hot summer months is Potanipo Lake in Brookline. Access is a paved boat ramp off Route 13.

As waters cool, smallmouth bass congregate near the mouths of rivers flowing into ponds and lakes. Try the Warner River in the southwest corner of Webster, the North Branch Piscataquog in the Hopkinton-Everett Army Corps land in Weare and the Contoocook River in Henniker.

Hardwater destinations for bass include Island Pond in Washington, Lake Potanipo in Brookline, Crescent Lake in Acworth and Drew Lake in Hopkinton.

For more fishing information, you can call New Hampshire Fish and Game at (603) 271-2501, or go to www.wildlife.state.nh.us. For travel information, call the Office of Travel and Tourism at (603) 271-2665 or visit www.visitnh.gov.