Winnipesaukee Summer Pattern
Lake Winnipesaukee the Jewel of New Hampshire Part 2
Submitted by: John Cowan // John/NH
June 10, 2002

The Summer Adventure


As many of you have already read and those of us that are fortunate enough to live and fish in New Hampshire, the big lake provides extremely good fishing in pre-spawn, spawn and post spawn. With the Summer pattern starting about the end of June and lasting into early September, it’s time for an amazing change and new adventures.

Just when we all had patterns figured out they change dramatically. Those days of 50 or more fish are now a memory. The best way to describe a successful day on the lake in the summer is to tell you all about how I approach an average day on the lake in the warm weather.

First of all, you must understand that I know the lake very well and rarely have to look at a navigation map. Don’t fall victim to that unless your insurance is paid up.

I make my headquarters to start my days at the Ames Farm - Inn Launch Facility in Gilford, NH.

I always start the day be deciding early if I am going after Smallmouth or Largemouth. Most of this decision is driven by wind speed and boat traffic. As I mentioned in my first article the lake is just over 44,000 acres and the wind can be a beast. Summer boat traffic can be over 1,000 boats of all sizes on most weekends. Note: the largest private boats on the lake are Carvers = a 55 footer and a 60 footer – and boy do they leave big holes in the water.

If it’s both ( that’s normal), then I start with Largemouth. From Ames it’s a long – long ride to the best Largemouth area on the lake at Lee’s Mills. At high speed (60 to 70) I can make it in about 20 minutes – it’s about an 18 mile ride. If your new to the lake, plan on ½ hour to an hour. As you look at the map ( that map you purchased in the spring), Lee’s Mills is in the far Northeast section of the lake. The trip there is protected by several major hazards: The Graveyard, Twin Islands and Gull Ledges. Once you have navigated these areas you have another 4 to5 miles until your first cast.

Once you reach Lee’s Mills, you will find endless grass beds, stumps, tree’s in the water, docks, boat houses, rock piles ( a good friend of mine has named one of these John’s Rock on his map - = great day of fishing – that’s another story), drop offs and islands. I normally start at a place called Evergreen Island and work my way along the North end of the lake into Greens Basin. In this entire area the best baits are: Top Water = Pop-R, Spitt’n Image, Spook and Devils Horse ( best colors are Black-Silver, Black-Blue or Clown) / Plastics: Black/Gold Slugo on a 5.0 EWG hook with no weight, Watermelon Lizard on a short Carolina Rig -= 18”, Watermelon Senko on a 2.0 EWG and no weight, Black or Craw Gitzit on a 3/8 oz. jig head. If you like Buzzbaits, this is a great area to use them and put on a good size plastic trailer ( 5” craw is fine). The best performer in this area is a ½ Oz. Brown Jig with rattle and a 5” Craw trailer / cast this at every piece of structure at least twice.

If you don’t want to drive that far, go to the Basin which is in Winter Harbor. Winter Harbor is directly across the Broads from Ames Farm and can be reached in less than 10 minutes. This area is about 5% of the size of Lee’s Mills but can be a blast.

Other areas that shouldn’t be overlooked are any docks in the main lake and especially those in coves. The lake is loaded with Largemouth and you could easily spend all day for a month and still not get to every dock.

Now let’s move to those Smallmouth:

My most productive baits in the Summer for Smallies are:
Carolina Rig with various size weights ( will discuss later), Grubs or Tubes on ½ oz to ¾ oz jig heads, Spook, Devils Horse, Long A Gold Bomber, Deep Cranks, Suspending Jerk Bait ( Clown or Blue/Silver Rouge, Senkos, and Spinnerbaits.

With all those tied on, now let’s target some decent spots.

Stop #1) Go straight across the Broads ( straight between Diamond and Rattlesnake Islands) and you will see the opening to Winter Harbor. As you enter the harbor go straight to the far shore. Just a bit left as the Harbor opens you will see a large dock with steel cross beams. Start there with various top water, suspenders, jigs and spinner baits (3/4oz with Chartreuse Blades and skirt). Work the entire shoreline for about a mile to your right. Stay in about 10 to 12’ feet of water and work the shallows and drops.

Stop #2) Using Ames Docks as a reference point, go just about due North with Diamond Island on your right and travel about 5 miles to Sandy Island and Ragged Island. I fish a very long underwater ridge that goes about a mile Southeast from the Southern tip of Sandy Island. This can be a real productive Carolina Rig area. I use two rigs. One with a ¾ Oz for shallow to 20’ and one with a 1oz. Brass weight for depths from 20’ to 50’ and a 6 or 7” Lizard ( Watermelon Seed with Chartreuse tail works nicely). You will be rigging in water depth from 12’ to 50’ – up and down. The grass will be thick and then light and back again. Often times the best results are when there is a slight breeze and you can just drift and drag the rigs. This area is a bit rough due to heavy boat traffic and you will likely get wet – but they normally wave at you – Haven’t figured that one out yet – are they pleased that they got you wet or just ignorant.

Stop #3) Just East of Sandy Island is Ragged Island. The back side ( toward Cow Island) is a test of your boat control as you will have to navigate around hundreds of rocks and boulders. This is a good area for Senkos, Spinnerbaits, Tubes, Long A Bomber and Suspending cranks. You can fish this entire area up to a place called The Hole In The Wall ( opening between Cow & Little Bear Islands.

Stop #4) At the North end of Sandy Island there is an opening between Sandy and Long Islands. Go through there and continue straight ahead to an area called the Forty Islands ( just North of Welch Island (large island)). This is another rocky area. Once again, fish this area the same as you fished behind Ragged.

Stop #5 and that should fill your day) Travel Southwest toward Ames Farm and go inside Diamond Island. There is a pair of Black Top Markers inside Diamond. This is marking a fair size shelf that has rock and grass. Good location for more Carolina Rigs.

I hope these areas provide everyone with as much enjoyment as they have for me. I have brought many friends to these spots and more often than not, they have produced some fine memories.

Good Luck and enjoy your outing.

John/NH