12-21-2007, 09:10 PM
CONCORD, N.H. - As the start of the new year approaches, the New Hampshire
Fish and Game Department wants anglers to be aware of several administrative<br />
rule changes that will take effect in 2008.
"These new rules don't reflect major statewide changes for anglers," said<br />
Scott Decker, Inland Fisheries Program Supervisor for N.H. Fish and<br />
Game. "However, the use of certain types of fishing gear has changed - the<br />
use of cusk fishing devices will be limited to specific waterbodies with<br />
cusk populations, and the use of a gaff to take fish in any fresh waters of<br />
the state is now prohibited. It's also important for anglers who fish<br />
certain waters to be aware of specific changes affecting those<br />
waterbodies."
The following 2008 administrative rule changes affecting anglers take effect<br />
January 1:
Use of Cusk Fishing Devices: The use of cusk fishing devices is restricted<br />
to the following waters: First Connecticut Lake, Second Connecticut Lake,<br />
Third Connecticut Lake and Lake Francis (all in Pittsburg); Newfound Lake<br />
(Bristol, Alexandria, Bridgewater, Hebron); Silver Lake (Madison); Big Squam<br />
Lake (Holderness, Center Harbor, Sandwich, Moultonboro); Little Squam Lake<br />
(Holderness, Ashland); South Pond (Stark); Sunapee Lake (Newbury, New<br />
London, Sunapee); Lake Winnipesaukee (Alton, Center Harbor, Gilford,<br />
Laconia, Meredith, Moultonboro, Tuftonboro, Wolfeboro); and Winnisquam Lake<br />
(Belmont, Sanbornton, Laconia, Tilton, Meredith).
Use of a gaff: Use of a gaff (a hand-held metal hook used on large fish) to<br />
take fish in any fresh waters of the state is prohibited.
Manmade Openings: This rule clarifies the definition of "manmade opening" to<br />
mean a hole in the ice made by an ice-cutting tool, including, but not<br />
limited to, augers, chisels and saws. Manmade openings shall not include<br />
areas that remain ice-free because of current and movement created by dock<br />
aerators and similar devices.
Diamond River (Second College Grant): The fishing rules on the Diamond<br />
River, from the Dead Diamond River and Swift Diamond River confluences down<br />
to the mouth at the Magalloway River confluence will change to<br />
catch-and-release regulations. This means there is no closed season, all<br />
fish must be immediately released; only single-hook artificial lures and<br />
flies can be used; and, all hooks must be barbless or have all barbs<br />
pinched.
Dublin Lake (Dublin): The daily limit for brook trout caught from Dublin<br />
Lake will be modified to 3 fish or a total of 5 pounds of fish, whichever<br />
limit is reached first.
South Pond (Stark): The minimum length for lake trout will be reduced from<br />
18 inches to 15 inches.
Umbagog Lake: The portion of Umbagog Lake north of a straight line between<br />
Molls Rock; Errol, N.H.; and the red post between Spillman and Glassby<br />
Coves, Magalloway Plantation, Maine, is closed to ice-fishing.
Interstate waters between New Hampshire and Maine: The ice fishing season<br />
for all species except salmon will run from January 1 to March 31 in these<br />
waters.
Lower Kimball Pond in Chatham, N.H., and Fryeburg, Maine: During the open<br />
season, smelt can be taken up until 12 midnight.
Horn Pond and Salmon Falls River in Wakefield, N.H., and Acton, Maine: The<br />
northern terminus of Horn Pond will be delineated by signage in Wakefield,<br />
N.H. and Acton, Maine. The upper reach of the Salmon Falls River in<br />
Wakefield, Milton, Rochester, Somersworth and Rollinsford, N.H., and Acton,<br />
Berwick and South Berwick, Maine, will be defined as beginning at the outlet<br />
dam of Great East Lake (also known as State Line Canal) and extending to a<br />
point downstream marked by signage delineating the northern terminus of Horn<br />
Pond.
Salmon Falls River in Wakefield, Milton, Rochester, Somersworth, and<br />
Rollinsford, N.H. and Acton, Berwick and South Berwick, Maine: The open<br />
water season will run from January 1 to December 31.
For more information on New Hampshire fishing rules, consult the 2008 New<br />
Hampshire Fishing Digest, available at<br />
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fishing.htm (click on the blue<br />
publication cover) or from license agents across the state.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state's<br />
fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit<br />
http://www.FishNH.com.
Fish and Game Department wants anglers to be aware of several administrative<br />
rule changes that will take effect in 2008.
"These new rules don't reflect major statewide changes for anglers," said<br />
Scott Decker, Inland Fisheries Program Supervisor for N.H. Fish and<br />
Game. "However, the use of certain types of fishing gear has changed - the<br />
use of cusk fishing devices will be limited to specific waterbodies with<br />
cusk populations, and the use of a gaff to take fish in any fresh waters of<br />
the state is now prohibited. It's also important for anglers who fish<br />
certain waters to be aware of specific changes affecting those<br />
waterbodies."
The following 2008 administrative rule changes affecting anglers take effect<br />
January 1:
Use of Cusk Fishing Devices: The use of cusk fishing devices is restricted<br />
to the following waters: First Connecticut Lake, Second Connecticut Lake,<br />
Third Connecticut Lake and Lake Francis (all in Pittsburg); Newfound Lake<br />
(Bristol, Alexandria, Bridgewater, Hebron); Silver Lake (Madison); Big Squam<br />
Lake (Holderness, Center Harbor, Sandwich, Moultonboro); Little Squam Lake<br />
(Holderness, Ashland); South Pond (Stark); Sunapee Lake (Newbury, New<br />
London, Sunapee); Lake Winnipesaukee (Alton, Center Harbor, Gilford,<br />
Laconia, Meredith, Moultonboro, Tuftonboro, Wolfeboro); and Winnisquam Lake<br />
(Belmont, Sanbornton, Laconia, Tilton, Meredith).
Use of a gaff: Use of a gaff (a hand-held metal hook used on large fish) to<br />
take fish in any fresh waters of the state is prohibited.
Manmade Openings: This rule clarifies the definition of "manmade opening" to<br />
mean a hole in the ice made by an ice-cutting tool, including, but not<br />
limited to, augers, chisels and saws. Manmade openings shall not include<br />
areas that remain ice-free because of current and movement created by dock<br />
aerators and similar devices.
Diamond River (Second College Grant): The fishing rules on the Diamond<br />
River, from the Dead Diamond River and Swift Diamond River confluences down<br />
to the mouth at the Magalloway River confluence will change to<br />
catch-and-release regulations. This means there is no closed season, all<br />
fish must be immediately released; only single-hook artificial lures and<br />
flies can be used; and, all hooks must be barbless or have all barbs<br />
pinched.
Dublin Lake (Dublin): The daily limit for brook trout caught from Dublin<br />
Lake will be modified to 3 fish or a total of 5 pounds of fish, whichever<br />
limit is reached first.
South Pond (Stark): The minimum length for lake trout will be reduced from<br />
18 inches to 15 inches.
Umbagog Lake: The portion of Umbagog Lake north of a straight line between<br />
Molls Rock; Errol, N.H.; and the red post between Spillman and Glassby<br />
Coves, Magalloway Plantation, Maine, is closed to ice-fishing.
Interstate waters between New Hampshire and Maine: The ice fishing season<br />
for all species except salmon will run from January 1 to March 31 in these<br />
waters.
Lower Kimball Pond in Chatham, N.H., and Fryeburg, Maine: During the open<br />
season, smelt can be taken up until 12 midnight.
Horn Pond and Salmon Falls River in Wakefield, N.H., and Acton, Maine: The<br />
northern terminus of Horn Pond will be delineated by signage in Wakefield,<br />
N.H. and Acton, Maine. The upper reach of the Salmon Falls River in<br />
Wakefield, Milton, Rochester, Somersworth and Rollinsford, N.H., and Acton,<br />
Berwick and South Berwick, Maine, will be defined as beginning at the outlet<br />
dam of Great East Lake (also known as State Line Canal) and extending to a<br />
point downstream marked by signage delineating the northern terminus of Horn<br />
Pond.
Salmon Falls River in Wakefield, Milton, Rochester, Somersworth, and<br />
Rollinsford, N.H. and Acton, Berwick and South Berwick, Maine: The open<br />
water season will run from January 1 to December 31.
For more information on New Hampshire fishing rules, consult the 2008 New<br />
Hampshire Fishing Digest, available at<br />
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fishing.htm (click on the blue<br />
publication cover) or from license agents across the state.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state's<br />
fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit<br />
http://www.FishNH.com.