Lake Winnipesaukee Ice Fishing Derby

As in to work in partnership with the NH Fish and Game Department, as they’re directly accountable for the fishery we use. We’re continuing  to extend our support with a pledge to help Fish and Game with the upgrade of better feed for the hatchery. This past year we were again able to give another $2, 000 towards the special Bio-Oregon fish food for the salmon. This will continue to let for a better quality of fish to be stocked in the lake yearly. And we continue to help increase awareness about the Landlocked Salmon Angler’s Pledge initiative. (winniderby.com)

The Winni Derby began in 1980 as an try to decrease the number of Landlocked Salmon in Lake Winnipesaukee. The lake had been overstocked, and it tipped mother natures fragile balance, leading to a decline in population of other species of fish and aquatic wildlife. Other rumored ideas for lowering the population was a lowering the minimum legal length to 14 or 12 inches or possibly raising the fishing bound, the derby was the solution that happy everyone, and it continues to fisherman and the local economy today. (lakewinnipesaukee.net)

The rules of the Great Meredith rotating Fishing Derby have changed somewhat over the years. The great prize-winner is chosen at random out of a pool of the biggest fish of each group for the weekend. Taking away second place, and $5, 000, was David Young of Boylston, Mass. He caught a 15-inch, 2. 61-pound black crappie. 3rd place went to Elijah Pitkin of Fremont, who received $3, 000 for his 14. 5-inch, 1. 6-pound yellow perch. (citizen.com)

The Meredith rotating Club is the host of one of the biggest winter events in the Lakes Region, the Great rotating Ice Fishing Derby. If you aren’t fishing, the fishermen, their gear and their quirky bob houses supply for great spectator fun. The lake becomes an ice-top midway with carnival-like atmosphere, food, cigars and the chance to chat with anglers about their bob houses, some equipped with wood stoves yes on the ice! and televisions. (parentingnh.com)

For the row, Meredith and the complete Lakes Region were booming with lots of activity. Last weekend it was the New England Pond Hockey and this weekend anglers from all over were out there in full force all over the lakes, bringing in all kinds of trophy fish as you may be able to see from some of the pictures. Also to different prizes for the biggest catch, many bob houses appeared to be competing against each other with all kinds of amenities. It s an eye-popping cottage business out there. Many of them appear like real doll houses with wood stoves, sleeping adjustments and a home brewing building in one. (rocherealty.com)

The Black Crappie is a big sunfish, though not as big as the Largemouth Bass. It grows up to 16 inches long and can weigh five pounds, however they’re typically much smaller. This species was added for the 2012 Derby. The Black Crappie has a rounded body. The back of this fish is greenish and the sides are silvery with black markings. The stomach is silvery without the markings. Black Crappie are schooling fish, so they like to stay in groups. (instrukciiskachatbarcode.weebly.com)

Brings anglers to New Hampshire from all over the country in hopes of snagging the heaviest tagged rainbow trout and stating the great prize. The Meredith rotating Club, in interview with the N. H. Fish and Game Department as part of an continuing fisheries management plan, stocks tagged fish in some number of New Hampshire lakes for this event. Waters stocked have included Little Squam, Mascoma, Ossipee, Waukewan, Wentworth, Winnipesaukee and Winnisquam. Throughout the derby, N. H. Fish and Game fisheries biologists Don Miller and John Viar gather priceless fish data at the derby weigh-in. (worldfishingnetwork.com)

Fisheries Biologist Don Miller notes, ‘ although the winter of 2013-2014 was cold so far, ice conditions on Lake Winnipesaukee are greatly variable. One area of note where extreme caution should be exercised extends from Lakeshore Park in Gilford, east to Welch Island and across to Long Island, Moultonborough. The area extends south to Diamond and Rattlesnake islands and west to the Gilford shore line. This will include the surrounding area usually called ‘the Broads. ‘ While caution should be exercised on the ice at all times, this area of Winnipesauke has seen poor ice conditions steadily over the past few years. (onthewater.com)

Crystal Lake also made good numbers of rainbow trout. Sabbathday Lake offers some fast fishing for browns. The biggest brookie checked here last January tipped the scales at 3. 5 pounds. Worthley Pond in Peru yields 9- to 11-inch brookies, while close Trickey Pond steadily produces trophy-sized salmon, as indicated by Francis Brautigam, a regional fishery biologist for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s Sebago Region. (gameandfishmag.com)

But not everyone is counting down the minutes till the ice melts. Ice fishermen love the ice and come out in droves for the The Great rotating Ice Fishing Derby, which takes place on the lake the weekend of February 8 and 9. The fishing extravaganza draws players from across the country also as Canada. The ice takes on a carnival-like atmosphere, and the town joins in with many festivities also. (boston.com)