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Lake Winnipesaukee Fishing Report

|Lake Winnipesaukee, NH
75% confidence 49°F Clear 7 mph

If that fails, downsize to a **Ned rig** (1/8-ounce, green pumpkin) and fish it super slow on the bottom.

comprehensive plan Analyze Hourly Conditions Analyze Solunar Timing Analyze Weather Conditions
Lake troutWhite perchYellow perchBrook troutRainbow troutLargemouth bassSmallmouth bassBrown trout

THE CALL
Fish the midday major solunar window from 11:57 AM to 2:27 PM – that’s your best shot today. The warming trend (water up 9.4°F recently), stable rising pressure, and a new moon align for a solid feeding period. Target pre-spawn staging areas on the first breaks off spawning flats.

WHY IT WINS

  • Water at 49°F is still cold, but the rapid warming trend is pulling fish shallower each day. The midday window gives the warmest surface temps (air hitting 70°F) and a slight wind bump (7 mph) that adds oxygen and breaks up the surface.
  • Rising pressure after a front means fish tighten to cover and become less aggressive, but the major solunar period overrides that – they’ll feed for a 2.5-hour window.
  • New moon means darker nights, which often pushes feeding into daylight hours, especially midday.

START HERE
Head to the northwest side of the lake – the protected coves and creek arms off Alton Bay or the Moultonborough Neck area. Look for the first hard break (rock, gravel, or sand) in 8–15 feet of water adjacent to shallow flats. These are pre-spawn staging zones where bass and walleye will hold before moving up.

THROW THIS

  • Primary: A 1/2-ounce white or chartreuse chatterbait with a matching paddle-tail trailer. Slow-roll it just off the bottom – steady retrieve with occasional pauses. The vibration and flash will trigger reaction strikes in the cold, clear water.
  • Backup: A 3/8-ounce football jig in green pumpkin or brown with a craw trailer. Drag it slowly along the break, pausing on any rock or wood.
  • For trout/walleye: A 1/4-ounce jig head with a 3-inch minnow-style soft plastic (smoke or pearl) – cast and hop it along the bottom.

BEST WINDOW
11:57 AM to 2:27 PM – the major solunar period. Be on the water by 11:30 to settle in. The wind will be light (5–7 mph) from the southwest, so you can fish the wind-blown banks without losing boat control. The sun will be high, but the slight breeze and warming water will keep fish active.

NEXT MOVE
If the midday window is slow (unlikely but possible), slide to the evening minor solunar from 8:01 PM to 9:31 PM. The light will drop, and the water will have warmed all day. Switch to a topwater walking bait (like a Zara Spook) in bone or silver – work it over the same staging flats and points. If that fails, downsize to a Ned rig (1/8-ounce, green pumpkin) and fish it super slow on the bottom.