1. Use of Cusk Fishing Devices: The use of cusk fishing devices is restricted to the following waters: First Connecticut Lake, Second Connecticut Lake, Third Connecticut Lake and Lake Francis (all in Pittsburg); Newfound Lake (Bristol, Alexandria, Bridgewater and Hebron); Silver Lake (Madison); Big Squam Lake (Holderness, Center Harbor, Sandwich, Moultonboro); Little Squam Lake ((Holderness, Ashland); South Pond (Stark); Sunapee Lake (Newbury, New London, Sunapee); Lake Winnipesaukee (Alton, Center Harbor, Gilford, Laconia, Meredith, Moultonboro, Tuftonboro, Wolfboro) and Winnisquam Lake (Belmont, Sanbornton, Laconia, Tilton and Meredith).
2. Use of a Gaff: Use of a gaff (a hand-held metal hook used on large fish to bring them in) to take any fish in any fresh waters of the state is prohibited.
3. Manmade Openings: This rule clarifies the definition of "manmade opening" to mean a hole in the ice made by an ice-cutting tool, including, but not limited to, augers, chisels and saws. Manmade openings shall not include areas that remain ice-free because of current and movement created by dock aerators and similar devices.
4. Diamond River (Second College Grant): The fishing rules on the Diamond River, from the Dead Diamond and Swift Diamond River confluences down to the mouth of the Magalloway River confluence are now under "catch and release" regulations. There is no closed season.  However, all fish must be immediately released. Only single-hook artificial lures and flies can be used. All hooks must be barbless or have the barbs pinched down. 
5. Dublin Lake (Dublin): The daily limit for brook trout caught from Dublin Lake is 3 fish or a total of 5 pounds of fish, whichever limit is reached first.
6. South Pond (Stark): The minimum length for lake trout is reduced from 18 inches to 15 inches.
7. Umbagog Lake: That portion of Umbagog Lake north of a straight line between Molls Rock (Errol, NH) and the red post between Spillman and Glassby Coves (Magalloway Plantation, Maine) is closed to any ice-fishing.
8. Interstate Waters Between New Hampshire and Maine: The ice-fishing season for all species, except salmon, will run from January 1 through March 31 in these waters.
9. Lower Kimball Pond in Chatham, N.H. and Fryeburg, Maine: During the open season, smelt can be taken from dusk up until midnight.
10. Horn Pond and Salmon Falls River (Wakefield, N.H. and Acton, Maine): The northern terminus of Horn Pond is delineated by signage in Wakefield, N.H. and Acton, Maine. The upper reach of the Salmon Falls River in Wakefield, Milton Rochester, Somersworth and Rollinsford, N.H. and Acton, Berwick and South Berwick, Maine is defined as beginning at the outlet dam of Great East Lake (also known as State Line Canal) and extending to a point downstream marked by signage delineating the northern terminus of Horn Pond.
11. Salmon Falls River in Wakefield, Milton, Rochester, Somersworth and Rollinsford, N.H. and Acton, Berwick and South Berwick, Maine: The open water season now runs from January 1 through December 31.

For further information on New Hampshire fishing rules, readers should consult the 2008 New Hampshire Fishing Digest, available from license agents throughout the state. Hopefully, 2008 will provide us all with a great year of fishing. A happy and healthy New Year to all of our readers.