Roger Aziz, Jr.

Ordinarily a clearinghouse for fishing reports, Roger Aziz, Jr., in Methuen said he has not had much news to pass along recently because not that many people have been out and about. However, Rog has been fishing regularly, especially at the Merrimack River. Water level is low there (and in most ponds, lakes and rivers in the Northeast Wildlife District), but he has been doing fine. Last week, he fished the river one day and caught five northern pike and a handful of crappies. Four of the northerns were small, ranging 16 to 23 inches, but one, which was relating to a school of panfish in deep water, was a much nicer water wolf measuring 30 inches. Up north in New Hampshire, the Hooksett stretch of the Merrimack River is still producing largemouth and smallmouth bass, and Canobie Lake in Windham is churning out largemouths.

Roger Aziz, Jr., in Methuen said not much was happening at the Merrimack River. Of the few anglers still plying the river, most are launching at the Methuen ramp and catching some pike but not as many as before. As has been the case for many weeks, waters in New Hampshire including Lake Winnipesaukee, Winnisquam Lake, Newfound Lake, Northwood Lake, Jenness Pond, Canobie Lake, and Great East Lake are churning out big smallmouth and largemouth bass.

Roger Aziz, Jr., in Methuen told everyone that the hottest fishing in the Northeast Wildlife District at this time is for northern pike in the Merrimack River above the dam in Lawrence (Essex Dam). The pike are a bit on the small side averaging 25 inches or so, but they are plentiful. In fact, Rog was planning to fish for them the evening of the day we spoke. News from New Hampshire is that big waters such as Lake Winnipesaukee, Winnisquam Lake, and Newfound Lake are still churning out impressive largemouth and smallmouth bass on live bait and topwater lures.