Photo by Bill Banaszewski.

Northern New England’s spring salmon anglers have so many destinations to choose from that your biggest challenge is deciding which one to try! Here’s a roundup of some excellent waters to try this season:

MAINE
Grand Lake Stream
Grand Lake Stream originates at the outlet of 14,000-acre West Grand Lake, which was one of the original homes of landlocked salmon in Maine. The eastern shore from Big Falls down to the meadow is owned by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. On the west bank below Big Lake, the MDIFW has negotiated conservation easements that provide additional access.

Wassookeag Lake
This 1,170-acre lake in Dexter is known for its voracious salmon in the 3- to 5-pound range.

A bridge, under which small boats may pass, divides the lake into Big Lake Wassookeag and Little Lake Wassookeag. Shoreline access is in several locations along or off Route 23, where a boat launch also provides access to Little Lake Wassookeag.

Long Pond
In Belgrade, 2,700-acre Long Pond offers some of the best salmon fishing to be had in central and southern Maine. There are plenty of fish ranging from 5 to 7 pounds.

From Augusta, take Route 27 and drive north for about 20 minutes. There’s a state-owned launch off Castle Island Road. Shoreline access may be had from the Castle Island causeway or the picnic facility near Great Pond Dam in Belgrade Village.

Long Lake
This St. Agatha and T17R4 WELS lake gives up world-class landlocked salmon. In 1990, an ice-fishing world record was set here when a 12-pound salmon was taken on a tip-up.

In 2007, the lake gave up a salmon reputed to measure over 30 inches long and weigh in at 12 pounds, 14 ounces — verification is underway.

For more information, call the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife at (207) 287-8000, or visit www.maine.gov/ifw .

For information on travel, you can visit www.visit maine.com , or call the Maine Office of Tourism at 1-888-624-6345.

NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Granite State, landlocked salmon may be caught from April 1 to Sept. 30 in most waters. Broodstock Atlantic salmon are open to catch-and-release fishing from Oct. 1 to March 31, and then there is a limit of one fish per day and five fish per season from April 1 to Sept. 30. A special permit is required, and regulations vary. Be sure to check the 2008 New Hampshire Freshwater Fishing Digest before heading out.

Lake Winnipesaukee
Some of New Hampshire’s largest landlocked salmon have been pulled from 44,586-acre Lake Winnipesaukee. This big lake consistently produces salmon in the 18- to 20-inch range. From Alton to Wolfeboro, there are more than 20 boat launches to accommodate any vessel.

While Winnipesaukee is the Granite State’s crown jewel, there are plenty of other treasuries to explore.

Big Squam Lake
According to John Viar, a New Hampshire Fish and Game Department fisheries biologist, fall netting at Big Squam yielded salmon that were up to 7 years old, a good number of those in the 5- to 6-pound range.

There is excellent state-owned access in the channel connecting Big Squam to Little Squam Lake, with a double-lane concrete launch, a dock and parking for up to 25 vehicles.

For access off Interstate Route 93, take Exit 24 and then Route 3/25 to Route 113. For other ways to access this 6,765-acre salmon water, check DeLorme’s New Hampshire Atlas and Gazetteer, page 40.