Tilton angler nabs largest lake trout in ice-fishing derby

MEREDITH — The Great Meredith Rotary Ice Fishing Derby concluded Sunday, and Lake Winnipesaukee may be a little lighter through the winter.  

Anglers caught thousands of fish from the lake over the weekend, drilling their holes in the ice, setting tip-ups and biding their time until the traps were sprung.

Around 3 p.m. on Feb. 8, anglers hauled their catches up to derby headquarters near Hesky Park. Others slid around the ice of Meredith Bay, dodging bob houses aboard their snowmobiles. The biggest catches were pinned to a board there, organized according to species.

Other fish, particularly those too small or for which their populations are targeted to be culled, were gathered into bins ahead of their short trip to Squam Lakes Natural Science Center — they’ll be used to feed the animals there.

The unclaimed fish are transported to the science center in Holderness, and support about 45 species of wildlife including river otters, mountain lions and fishers. The Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is open for the exhibit season from May 1 to Nov. 1.

The top cusk fish, a 7.28-pound, 27.5-inch monster, was caught by Adam Hamilton, of Derry, at Francis Lake Murphy Dam. The top lake trout, caught by Jon Chambers, of Tilton, in Winnipesaukee, measured 29.5 inches long and weighed in at 9.89 pounds. A pickerel caught by Kathryn Pasciouto, of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, measured 24.75 inches, and weighed 4.44 pounds.

Lake trout are a prized game fish because of their size and power. Individual trout as large as 10 pounds are not uncommon in New Hampshire.