NEW HAMPSHIRE
“The predominance of trout stocked in New Hampshire are yearlings, which measure eight to 10 inches,” said Dianne Timmins, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Coldwater Fisheries Project leader. “In 2007, we stocked about 129,600 brown trout yearlings and 277,105 rainbow trout yearlings.

“A total of 620,265 brook trout were stocked in four different age classes: 159,000 three- to four-inch fingerlings; about 445,000 yearlings; 15,000 eight- to 10-inch 2-year-olds; and about 1,800 3-year-old brook trout measuring greater than 11 inches.”

Timmins said weather conditions should contribute to a great 2008 fishing season. She noted that 2005 was a hot, dry year, “while 2006 featured a wet spring and fall.

In 2007, we had wet periods in spring, but fortunately we did not experience any flooding. 2007 has been a really neutral year. Conditions have not gone beyond the critical zone,” she said.

“With these weather conditions, the fish have been able to swim where they want, when they want. That makes it hard for anglers, so a lot more fish out there are going to hold over unless we have a hard winter. 2008 has the potential for a better over-wintering population than in the past.”

Timmins noted that New Hampshire, too, has been busy with brook trout studies over the 2007 season. The state was selected to develop methods for sampling wild brook trout and habitat for the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture, using special maps created to predict where brook trout populations should be extinct, moderate or intact.

The department is also studying the passability of culverts along Nash Stream in Stark by implanting passive, integrated transponder tags in brook trout, slimy sculpins and dace. Only two culverts, at Long Mountain Brook and Johnson Brook, were studied the first year. The department will focus on less accessible culverts in 2008. Information is gathered each time a tagged fish swims past antenna located upstream and downstream of the culverts, and the information is later downloaded to department computers for analysis.

It didn’t take extra research for Timmins to recommend some best-bet trout holes for 2008.

“The Connecticut River is always good,” she said. “The upper section is more prized. Some sections are fly- fishing only. The lower end, below Murphy Dam, is open to all anglers. And then north of Murphy, there are special regulations areas, fly-fishing-only stretch and some sections that are catch-and-release only.

“Signs were put up but sometimes people pull then down, so I would encourage anglers to reference their law books,” she advised.

Above Murphy, there are brook trout predominately. Below Murphy, there are brookies, browns and rainbows.

“And don’t neglect the tributaries,” Timmons concluded. “Some northern hotspots include the Mohawk River in Colebrook and Simms Stream in Columbia. Both have multiple trout species and good access. For central New Hampshire, try the Mascoma River in West Lebanon and the Sugar River in Clearmont, which has wild rainbow trout as well as a population of stocked trout.”

RHODE ISLAND
The Ocean State’s Department of Environmental Management, Fish and Wildlife Division stocks over 180,000 trout annually, according to Christine A. Dudley, supervising biologist for freshwater fisheries.

Fish are stocked at nearly 100 sites, and stockings take place three times each spring, twice in the fall and once again over the winter for hardwater anglers.

“We stock approximately 40 percent brown trout, 40 percent brook trout and 20 percent rainbow trout statewide,” Dudley said. “In addition, the division provides fish for children’s programs through the Aquatic Resource Education Program.

Opening Day is April 12, 2008, Dudley noted, and it’s “always a big day for Rhode Island’s families, with numerous children’s programs and opening day breakfasts being offered by various organizations.

“We have great opportunities all over, but anglers can consistently find excellent fishing on the Wood River in Hope Valley, Meadowbrook Pond in Richmond, Carbuncle Pond in Coventry, Saint Mary’s Pond in Middletown and the Pawcatuck River in Westerly. The Blackstone River has also become popular for a variety of fishing experiences in many fine access points. We have children-only sites as well.