According to our Fish and Game Department, a handful of water bodies were stocked with trout during the week of April 2 through 6. These included: Silver Lake in Harrisville, Whittemore Lake in Bennington, Hunts Pond in Hancock, Mount Williams Pond in Weare and French Pond in Henniker. But, that’s merely a small beginning. The total stocking of Eastern brook trout will include: 445,645 yearlings (57.2% to streams, 42.8% to lakes and ponds); 15,615 two year-olds (34.7% to streams, 65.3% to lakes and ponds); 1,760 three year plus (35.8% to streams, 64.2% to lakes and ponds).

Over the past few years, the quality of stocked rainbow trout has been excellent. This year 277,105 rainbow trout yearlings will be stocked (40% to streams, 60% to lakes and ponds). In addition, 129,600 brown trout yearlings will be stocked (88,940 into streams and 40,660 into lakes and ponds). Bob Fawcett, Fish Culture Operations Supervisor for the N.H. Fish and Game Department, says, "The brook trout may be between 11 and 12 inches, the rainbow trout are 12 to 14 inches, and the brown trout are between 10 and 11 inches. There will definitely be some great size rainbow trout surprises for anglers in the southwestern region of the state again this year. Look for four-pounders and maybe even larger rainbows, because some fish in these ponds have evaded our seine nets for a number of years."

Fish and Game will also be stocking 5,000 one year-old tiger trout. Tiger trout are a cross breed between a male brook trout and a female brown trout. Because they do not breed, they have the potential to keep growing to a trophy size fish, providing anglers release them. Having caught and released numerous tiger trout in past seasons, I can attest to the fact that they are strong fish and excellent fighters. Tiger trout are stocked into only two waterbodies, Lucas Pond in Northwood and Willard Pond in Antrim. Anglers need to take note that Willard Pond is a "fly-fishing only" pond. Also, boat motor use is restricted to electric motors only. Any boat having a gasoline motor is not permitted on the waters, even if an electric motor is present. The gasoline motor must be removed from the boat. Otherwise, if you’re caught, it is prima facie evidence of illegal use of the gasoline motor and is punishable by a fine and possible loss of fishing privileges.

Locally, Mount Williams Pond in Weare, although open to all legal methods of fishing, also has a restriction on the use of gasoline motors. Only electric motors are allowed. Although the pond does contain other species of fish, it is annually stocked with brook and rainbow trout. The pond was first reclaimed in 1941 and again in 1952. With the exception of the year 1941, rainbow trout have been stocked annually since 1938. Brook trout yearlings were first stocked into the pond in 1938 and annually since 1941.

Unfortunately today, much of the private lands surrounding this pond are now posted against public use, which confines shore anglers to fishing from the boat launch area. Anglers doing so are reminded that they, by law, are not to block the launch site for boats putting in or coming out. 
Land-owners posted their properties against public usage due to the despicable and unwarranted doings of stupid, thoughtless and careless slobs. These are people who continued to leave their litter behind instead of taking it with them and disposing of it properly at home. In years past, being able to utilize these private properties to fish the pond, greatly alleviated angler congestion of the boat launch site.

And even now, people continue to leave their litter all over the boat launch site instead of having respect for the property and taking their trash home and disposing of it properly. Having respect and care for a property and it’s owner, can only improve the fishing area and make for a better day of fishing. 

Bob Harris can be reached via e-mail at: outwriter2@aol.com