Lake Run Rainbows Are In!
April 5, 2026
As we roll into early April here in the Lakes Region, Lake Winnipesaukee is right on the edge of one of the most dynamic windows of the year. Ice is either gone or just about gone in certain areas and both lake and tributary fishing are just starting to wake up.
Historically, ice out on Winni falls right around early to mid-April, with recent years often landing in that first or second week . That timing lines up perfectly with what we’re seeing now: cold water, limited but increasing fish activity, and the first real opportunities for fly anglers willing to put in the time.
Lake Conditions
Water temps are still hovering in the upper 30s to low 40s, which means fish are cold, sluggish, and tight to structure. However this is also when some of the best shoreline and tributary fishing opportunities of the year begin.
Lake Winnipesaukee is managed primarily for landlocked salmon, lake trout, and rainbow trout. Right now, those fish are transitioning out of their winter patterns.
What’s happening:
Rainbow trout are swimming up the streams connecting to the lake getting ready to spawn. ( I’ve seen a few spawn already).
Landlocked salmon, Lakers & Rainbows are cruising very shallow (1–5 ft), especially on sunny afternoons
Smelt runs are beginning in certain tributaries, pulling fish tight to mouths
Wind-blown shorelines are key — warmer water + food concentration
Fly tactics:
Streamers are king right now
Gray Ghosts, Black Ghosts, Smelt patterns
White/pearl baitfish imitations
Fish slow and low early, then faster/stripping in the afternoon
Target:
Tributary mouths
Upstream of tributaries
Dark-bottom bays
Rocky shorelines that get sun
Early season salmon are often cruising just under the surface this time of year, sometimes in as little as 1–2 feet of water which makes this one of the best fly only windows before they push deeper.
Tributary Conditions
The tributaries are just starting to come alive, but this is still a timing game.
Current state:
Flows are moderate to slightly elevated from snowmelt and rain
Water temps are still cold, but warming quickly on sunny days
Fish presence is inconsistent but building
What to expect:
Rainbows showing up first
Salmon staging near mouths, pushing in and out
Occasional pushes of fish upriver depending on temps and flow spikes
Fly tactics:
Small streamers and soft hackles
Woolly Buggers (black, olive)
Nymph rigs in deeper pools (if fish are visible but not moving)
Key water to focus on:
Slow pools below riffles
Current seams
Deeper bends and undercut banks
If you’re not seeing fish yet that’s okay, don’t panic. Early April is still the front edge of the push, and it can change fast with one warm rain.
Timing Matters Right Now
This is not a “numbers” game yet—it’s a window game.
Best time of day: 12 PM – 5 PM
Sunny days > cloudy days
Warm rain can kick things into gear overnight
If you’ve been out a few times and haven’t seen any fish, you’re not alone. The lake is just starting to turn on.
Outlook (Next 2–3 Weeks)
As we move further into April:
Tributary action will improve quickly
Salmon will become more consistent at river mouths
Lake fishing will peak shallow before fish drop deeper
Once water temps creep into the mid-40s, things change fast—and fly anglers will start seeing more consistent action both in the lake and moving water.
Final Thoughts
Right now on Winnipesaukee, we’re in that classic early spring grind—cold water, low fish activity, but huge potential if you hit it right. Focus on inlets and outlets of the big lakes. Sight fishing these tributaries is key, as there are 2 outcomes. Either there’s a fish there or there’s not. Also don’t be afraid to cast from the shore of the big lakes, especially near a mouth of a tributary.
This is the time of year where:
One fish can make your whole day
Conditions matter more than anything
Things can and will flip literally overnight
If you’re willing to put the time in, this is the start of some of the best fishing of the year in the Lakes Region. Put in the work and find the fish!
