During last year’s 24th Annual Great Rotary Fishing Derby, put on by the Meredith Rotary Club, all winning fish in the rainbow category averaged 2  3/4 pounds up to 3  1/2 pounds and ran from 18 to 23 inches in length, and all came from the big lake.

This year, the derby will be held Feb. 5 and 6. For more information, contact the Rotary Fishing Derby, P.O. Box 1210, Meredith, NH 03253, call (603) 279-7600, or visit their Web site at www.weirsonline.com/fishingderby.htm/.

Rainbows seem to prefer sandy, graveled bottoms that are not too deep. In recent years, places like Wolfeboro Bay on the lake’s east end (accessible from routes 28 or 108), Gilford Beach and areas around Ellacoya State Park, Leavitts Shore to the west and Lake Shore Park, Spring Haven and West Alton (all to the east) have been hotspots. All are accessible from Route 11 from Alton or the Laconia area.

While rainbows are drawing a lot of the attention these days, don’t forget the big lake is also home to a thriving population of lake trout. During the derby last winter, the biggest laker from Winnipesaukee weighed in at 7  3/4 pounds and measured 27  3/4 inches! The longest measured better than 28 inches. The average fish is running around the 3-pound mark, and there are lots of them.

Winnisquam Lake

Lake Winnisquam has been offering some excellent ice-fishing for rainbows, too. For the past couple of winters, anglers have found plenty of specimens up to more than 20 inches, with fish in the 17- to 19-inch range rather common. Next to Winnipesaukee, the lake is considered one of the best rainbow trout destinations in the region.

At more than 4,200 acres, Winnisquam offers plenty of room to fish. A lot of fishermen head for the northern section where the water is deeper. Although rainbows are generally best sought in 10 to 20 feet of water off tributaries, points, around islands and rocky bottoms close to shore, the north section seems to offer more food, and overall living conditions are better for rainbows.

The lake also has a thriving lake trout fishery. According to biologist Miller, the lake has had a low abundance of smelt the last couple of years, and “there are lots of hungry mouths out there.”

Currently, Winnisquam is experi­encing an overabundance of various age-classes of fish, so fishermen can expect to see lots of lake trout in the 14- to 20-inch range with consistent action. The minimum length limit is 18 inches. However, larger 3- to 5-pound fish are quite possible. The largest lake trout entry in the Great Rotary Ice-Fishing Derby last February weighed over 8 pounds and measured 28 inches. It came from Winnisquam.

In general, lake trout will be found in the 40- to 50-foot range. There is some deep water running down the middle of the lake, and nearby drop-offs are a good place to start. Other popular spots for lake trout include the south end around Mosquito Bridge and Mohawk Island at the mouth of the Winnipesaukee River where it dumps into the lake, and off the Belmont town beach. The ice around Pot Island can be good, too.

Access to these areas and the lake is easy from Laconia going south on Route 11/3 or north on East Shore Road toward Swain State Forest. Access is also possible on the west side.

For information on lodging and other services in the area, contact either the Laconia Chamber of Commerce by calling (603) 524-5531 or visit their Web site at www.laconia-weir.org; call the Meredith Chamber of Commerce at (877) 279-6121, or visit their Web site at www. meredithcc.org; contact Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce by calling (800) 516-5324, or visit their Web site at www.wolfeboro.com.

For more information on regulations or ice-fishing in general, contact the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department at (603) 271-3127, or visit their Web site at www.wildlife.state.nh.us.

VERMONT

Lake Bomoseen

The Northeast Kingdom region of Vermont, and of course Lake Champlain, receive much of the ice-fishing attention in this state, but there are some prime waters in the central part of the state as well.

One of the best is Lake Bomoseen in Castleton and Hubbardton. The lake covers some 2,360 acres, so there is plenty of ice to explore, and below the surface are some large browns. The lake has produced fish exceeding 18 pounds, but examples from 3 to 5 pounds are more the norm. Some fish in the 8- to 10-pound range are also taken.

While trout are common throughout the lake, some top areas include the water off Bomoseen State Park, around Avalon Beach to the south and near Rabbit Island, all on the west shore. These west shore areas can be easily reached from Route 4A via West Side Road west of Hydeville, which leads to the state park.

Neshobe Island, in the middle of the lake off the state park, is another popular trout spot.

For information on lodging and other services in the area, contact the Fair Haven Chamber of Commerce at (802) 265-8600, or visit their Web site at www.fairhavenchamber.com.

For more information or specific regulations and other ice-fishing information, contact the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department at (802) 241-3700.     l

Anything can happen (early ice, or no ice at all), but whenever conditions allow, we head for the lake.