Alton Bay

[fessiewig]

I'm looking for someone who could alert us to when we have ice out in Alton Bay. It's doesn't have to be ice out on the lake, just out past the gazebo. Any willing to help us out?

[Steve H.]

This is one of my major annual concerns as well. It seems the last couple years we couldn't fish Alton until the third week of April or so....felt I was getting ripped off with the shortened salmon seasons!! It seems that regardless of when the ice is out (to beyond the gazebo or to Sandy Point), the action in the bay subsides dramatically by the second week of May (about when they have the spring Winni Derby). If the ice is out to Sandy Point on April 1, we get a full six weeks of incredible fishing. If like the past couple years the ice isn't out until late April, we might only have three weeks of hot action. At least that's been my experience, anyway. Winni isn't too thick with ice this year, Wolfeboro Bay was only about 14 - 16" earlier this month (not like 3 feet in previous years), so hopefully it will be an early one this year!! -Steve H.

[LeeG]

We are going to need lots of warmer weather then we are having now for the ice to be out by April 1. Hope the weather changes soon, but I will not expect much untill mid April.

Lee

[munoz6]

If you don't mind me asking, what is all the hype about Alton Bay??
And where is it?

[fessiewig]

Not at all. Alton Bay is at the "bottom" of Winnnipesaukee in the Town of Alton. If conditions line up right, just after ice out the LL Salmon and Rainbows are in the bay and at the top. You can have a great time casting from shore or from a boat and I've landed some very large Salmon in years.

[Birddogtwo]

I usually go by the bay once or twice a week. I'll be happy to let you know. I go out in my kayak and drag around to get out. Is tthat really fly fishing? I don't know but it beats staying home
Dave

PS There are no fish in Alton Bay!! Don't waste your time HA HA!

[fessiewig]

If your using a fly rod, with a fly line and a fly, then it's fly fishing. Thanks, I'll be looking for your reports.

[Steve H.]

Drove by Alton Bay on my way up to Gunstock on Saturday. Actually got out of my truck and walked over to the docks. There is absolutely NO open water, not even directly under the bridge. Just a small wet spot in the snow. Seriously considering buying a Mass license so I can fish the Cape ponds this spring. Or maybe I should just keep skiing!!

[Salmosebago]

Steve,

The ice will melt, and so will the snow! Take advantage of the best spring skiing we've had in years - the fishing will get here! I figure we still got about another 4 weeks if we don't get much rain.

Craig

[fessiewig]

Believe me, we don't want much rain right now.

[sbeausol]

anyone have any predictions....

How soon does Alton go out compared to the rest of the lake?

I see the average ice out for the lake is around Apr 15....

http://mule.med.harvard.edu/images/iceout.gif

[Steve H.]

Having fished Alton Bay for many years now, I generally regard "fishable water" to be open water to Sandy Point. Being the southernmost harbor and having the benefit of current from the incoming Merrymeeting River, Alton Bay opens up earlier than most other spots on Winni. Ice-out to Sandy Point allows the accessing of the bay via the Town Landing and about 30-40 acres or so of water to fish, but can be very crowded. I've fished it in a small boat with much less open water (to only the Gazebo), although this can be a bit of a circus if there are lots of other boats there which is often the case.