New member looking to ice fish
 

Hi everyone, looking to fish the derby for the first time this year. Kind of new to the forum scene but seems like a great place for info. I'm interested in either Ellacoya or Alton Bay. Preferably where their is more ice.
I assume that would be Alton Bay since it seems to have less exposure to the elements than Ellacoya being more open. Really hoping you can help me find a parking spot. Sounds silly but I'm not familiar with the lake at all.
I need access for my ATV to drag my portable out and a place to leave my truck. I should be there late Fri morning if that helps because I might beat a little traffic.
Thank you ahead of time, even a suggestion would help.

first piece of advise
 

Don't leave your valuables in your bobhouse....damn theives out there

If you are early Alton Bay is best.

Welcome to the forum Iceman. I'm not a ice fishing person but I do live here. There is plenty of ice in Alton bay along with parking and a ramp to get your ATV onto the ice. Right now there are lots of bob houses out there and the ice runway is open. Perhaps someone like Riverat has more info.

Two days ago walking near Ellacoya we saw ice boats launched from the park and ice skaters on the ice. This was the first activity we have seen on the ice there this winter, no bob houses. So you might be able to fish there but the Bay is a better bet. There is some roadside parking at Ellacoya and an access lane to the lake but you would have to be real early.

A big welcome
 

Iceman,

check out Iceshanty.com under New Hampshire or AJ's Bait & Tackle web site for daily ice reports

Thanks guys! All great info!

EDIT: Can't find the ice reports at AJ's Bait & Tackle. Can someone help me out with a link?

Here you go, its down on the bottom left of the page.http://www.ajsbaitandtackle.com/home

Hi Iceman, Welcome to the Forum a great 4 season source of lake region info.

Alton Bay has 12" of solid ice from the ramp out to sandy point, just avoid shoreline aerators around docks. Beyond sandy point ice conditions are sketchy and my advice is check as you go, what was 5" 2 days ago is 4" now and soft. cracks and ridges are starting to move and seperate, worse conditions for derby I have ever seen. Bad reports coming in from all the hot spots like elacoya and gilford beach and meredith also, safety must be your upmost concern this year in particular. If we get a few nights of frigid temps would be nice but forecast does not show that until this weekend and I am afraid it will not be enough for the multitudes this weekend.
The fishing in the inner bay is very slow, lots of yellow perch(smallish) near bottom and consume lots of bait. Rainbows if your lucky in shallow 3-6' areas but be advised the salmon are really in abundance this year and must be released without taking out of water, and they are running anywhere from just below the ice to 12' down. lakers in the inner bay are more prominent as you head towards sndy point.
Hope this info leads you to a winner, good luck!
Stop in a say Hi, and have a cup of coffee. first shack of the ramp near the gazebo. tight lines
Riverat

great advice
 

I hope it is not a case that this year’s derby organizers may be more concerned with what it might loose in tourist dollars to cancel or postpone rather than safety. I think most will say there IS good ice in some spots on the lake, like Alton and 19 miles bays but enough for the crowds? Even several years ago when it was then in question, there was a lot more ice and a lot more bob houses on the lake in the usual easy to reach places then this year. I hope the event goes without any problems but that will require a lot of common sense on the part of those venturing out.
Good luck and stay dry.