For tourist information, call 1-800- 837-6668.

NEW HAMPSHIRE
Like Vermont, New Hampshire is an ice-fishing mecca. This is especially true in late winter when the big ice-fishing derbies take place. But in December, anglers should look for smaller, shallower ponds that freeze early and provide great fishing.

Highland Lake
During summer, Highland Lake is a popular bass-fishing destination. But come winter, the bass men yield to the ice-fishing crowd. This 697-acre hotspot in the towns of Stoddard and Washington is a long, thin lake running north to south. Because the lake is long and narrow, expect to walk a distance to get to the prime fishing areas in the center of the lake. Most of the lake is less than 10 feet deep.

Even during the winter season, bass are still the primary quarry, as the lake is blessed with good populations of largemouth and smallmouth bass. Pickerel, crappie, sunfish and perch will also provide fishing excitement.

The main access is via a state-owned boat-launching ramp on Route 123 in Stoddard. Anglers will also find walk-in access points on the east side of the lake in William Family Forest and the Pickerel Cove Conservation Area. From the east or west, take Route 9 to Route 123. And then, drive north on Route 123 for about two miles to the lake.

Island Pond
If you don't feel like walking a long way, drive south on Route 123 one mile to Island Pond. This 179-acre lake in Stoddard boasts smallmouth and largemouth bass as the dominant species. Yellow perch, chain pickerel and sunfish should also keep you entertained.

The lake is round with a rocky bottom. It has a maximum depth of about 15 feet, with an average depth of 8 feet. The best fishing is usually off the shoal that runs parallel to Route 123. Another option is to walk across the lake to the deep coves on the lake's northeast side. Access to the pond is via a town-owned right of way on Route 123.

For fishing and licensing information, call the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department at (603) 271-3211.

For tourist information, call 1-800- 386-4664.

MAINE
Anglers in Maine take ice-fishing seriously. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife encourages winter angling by managing specific waters for ice-anglers, and even sponsors a license-free ice-fishing weekend in February.

Knight Pond
Most coldwater lakes and ponds in Maine are closed to ice-fishing until Jan. 1. But Knight Pond gives anglers a jump-start on the season by opening as soon as safe ice forms.

This 102-acre lake in Northport has a good population of smallmouth bass, white perch, chain pickerel and yellow perch.

The pond is rather shallow, with a maximum depth of about 13 feet. Ice- anglers report good fishing in the deeper waters along the southern end of the pond.

The MDIFW maintains an access area on the extreme southern end of the pond. In Northport Center, take Beech Hill Road west off Route 1. Drive for about three miles to Knights Pond Road. Turn left and follow Knights Pond Road to the access point.

Webb Lake
Webb Lake is a 2,146-acre lake in Weld. Because of suspect ice conditions, the lake is closed to fishing during December, opening instead on Jan. 1. It's worth the wait, however, with its good supply of landlocked salmon, trout, smelts, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, white perch and chain pickerel.

Anglers will find a maximum depth of 42 feet and an average depth of about 15 feet. Many small inlets enter all sides of the lake to keep it supplied with clean, fresh water. Be careful when fishing around the inlets: Spring holes and strong currents can affect ice formation and thickness.

Webb Lake is accessible via Mount Blue State Park on the west side of the pond. From Dixfield, take Route 142 north for about nine miles to West Road. Continue northward on West Road for about five miles to the state park.

Because of a rash of illegal transfers of fish, the MDIFW now prohibits the release of unused baitfish into Maine's waters. Unused bait may be frozen and used as dead bait, left on the ice for wildlife for forage, or else it must be thrown away.

For fishing and licensing information, call the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife at (207) 287-8000.

For tourist information, call 1-888- 624-6345.