The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department completed its annual aerial stocking of remote trout ponds this past week.

Fish and Game contracts for a helicopter to stock remote ponds across the Granite State, from the Sunapee Region to Pittsburg. During this one-day event, nearly 50 remote ponds are stocked with brook trout fingerlings from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s hatcheries to ensure residents and visitors enjoy a successful remote fishing experience.

The stocking of remote ponds in the back country of New Hampshire provides a unique angling opportunity for people seeking a true wilderness experience.

Serene remote ponds not only produce beautiful brook trout and increased catch rates but they also offer the outdoor enthusiast an opportunity for wildlife viewing, hiking, camping, or just simple solitude.

Many of these remote ponds are located off popular hiking trails. As with any hiking trip, always follow safe hiking guidelines. Visit www.hikesafe.com to learn more.

Brook trout that have spent all winter under the ice become voracious as the first insects start to hatch, and fishing with small nymphs can be exciting for

anglers.

With water temperature increases slowed by a cool and delayed spring this year, June and July should feature abundant mayfly hatches and provide outstanding surface action.

Fish stocked last June will have reached 5-6 inches in most areas, with 2-year-olds reaching 8 inches or more, and 3-year-olds often reaching 10 or more inches.

In fact, the fishing in these picturesque remote ponds is one of New Hampshire’s best-kept angling secrets.

A few of these remote ponds are designated as “special regulations only,” so be sure to check the regulations for specific water bodies prior to your trip.

To see the entire list of stocked remote ponds, visit www.fishnh.com/fishing/trout-aerial.html.

All anglers should include a few “fishing holes” in their plans for the day this season as some locations may be crowded. To increase your chances of success, and to maintain the recommended six feet of social distancing between people, it may be necessary to get your line in the water at an alternate destination.

Aerial trout stocking is made possible through fishing license sales and Federal Sportfish

Restoration dollars.

Tracking wild

turkeys

The Fish and Game Department is asking for the public’s help in tracking wild turkey broods this spring and summer.

If you observe groups of turkeys with poults (juvenile birds) between up to Aug. 31, report your sightings on New Hampshire Fish and Game’s web-based turkey brood survey.

“The information survey participants provide helps us monitor the turkey population,” said Daniel Bergeron, NH Fish and Game Wildlife Programs Supervisor. “This survey results in reports from all over the state and adds to the important information biologists gather to monitor changes in turkey productivity, distribution, abundance, turkey brood survival, and the timing of nesting and hatching.”

Biologists are especially interested in getting more reports of turkey broods in the three northernmost New Hampshire counties: Coos, Carroll, and Grafton.

The term “brood” refers to a family group of young turkeys accompanied by a hen.

New Hampshire hens generally begin laying eggs sometime from mid-April to early May and complete their clutch of about 12 eggs in early to mid-May. Incubation lasts for 28 days, and most eggs hatch from late May to mid-June.

If incubating turkey eggs are destroyed or consumed by predators, hens often lay a replacement clutch of eggs that hatch later in July and August. Reports of adult male turkeys are not being requested at this time.

Many factors can affect turkey productivity in any given year. Young turkey chicks are extremely sensitive to cool temperatures and rain, both because it can impact their health and also because these conditions can adversely affect insect populations that are a critical source of nutrition for young turkeys. Since spring weather is highly variable, survival of the annual hatch of wild turkeys is also.

Turkey populations depend on a large annual influx of young turkeys to sustain them over time, so the number of young turkeys that survive to be “recruited” into the fall population is of great interest to turkey managers.

A large sample of turkey brood observations collected throughout the summer provides biologists with insight into the size of the “graduating class” of turkeys that will become adults.

Hiker fatality

On May 30, shortly before noon, 911 received a call regarding a hiker who was experiencing chest pain on the Wentworth Trail in Sandwich. New Hampshire Fish and Game, Sandwich Fire Department, Tamworth Fire Department, Moultonborough Fire Department, Center Harbor Fire Department, and Stewarts Ambulance Service all responded to the call for assistance.

The subject was a 48-year-old female from Massachusetts. She was hiking with several friends and started experiencing chest pain approximately one half mile from the trailhead. Her friends called 911 for assistance.

Rescuers arrived on the scene and attempted to resuscitate her, but were unsuccessful. She was pronounced deceased and carried to the trailhead parking area. The incident is still under investigation and no further information is available.

The public is encouraged to help support search and rescue activities in the state by purchasing a Hike Safe card. New Hampshire Fish and Game also reminds hikers to prepare themselves before venturing out into the wilderness, including packing essential items.

: map, compass, warm clothing, extra food and water, headlamp, fire starter, first aid kit, whistle, rain/wind jackets & pants, and a knife. For additional information, please visit www.hikeSafe.com.