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New Hampshire Fishing Reports
| Fishing Reports for New Hampshire. If you have a fishing report for your area send it to us at reports@bobberstop.com. Please put "Fishing Report" in the subject line of your e-mail and please don't forget to include the location. |
** Last Update was made on 5 - 10 - 08 ***
NEW HAMPSHIRE FISHING REPORTS - LICENSES - REGULATIONS.
STATEWIDE - TROUT PONDS The weather was very cooperative on opening day (April 26) for
those who showed up at one of the trout ponds in southeastern New Hampshire. The size and catch
rates of all trout species, including tiger trout, appeared to satisfy anglers fishing from both boat and
shore. Rest assured, there will still be plenty of trout to sustain respectable catch rates for quite
some time in these ponds. Remaining trout will continue to become acclimated to the specific pond
environment so more experimentation may be necessary to maintain high catch rates. Visits to
Lucas Pond (Northwood), Clough Pond (Loudon), Hot Hole Pond (Concord/Loudon), Barbadoes
(Dover/Madbury), Archery Pond (Allenstown), and the Exeter Reservoir (Exeter) revealed a great
start to the 2008 fishing season.
RIVERS AND STREAMS Rivers stocked with trout can be found in all areas of southeastern New
Hampshire. The delay in stocking several rivers and streams (because of anticipated high flows
from heavy snowmelt and spring rains) is now over. Stocking trucks are now on the road every
weekday. Reports from the Lamprey, Soucook, Winnicut, and Exeter rivers as well as Beaver Brook
(Derry/Pelham/Windham) indicate good catch rates. As the season moves along, it is recommended
that anglers try less-easily accessed sites where fish may have redistributed. To help ensure future
access, please be respectful of landowners.
Flow and water temperature are approaching ideal conditions for Atlantic salmon brood stock to be
released into the Merrimack and lower Pemigewasset rivers. Because of the higher-than-normal
number of fish plan to be released this spring, this year should be a memorable one. For more
information about this program and fishing access sites along the Merrimack and lower
Pemigewasset rivers, go to: http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/atlantic_salmon.htm.
BASS, PANFISH, PICKEREL, PERCH, ETC. Several waterbodies in the Merrimack Valley and
southeastern New Hampshire are often overlooked when it comes to fishing for these species.
Massabesic, Pawtuckaway, Bow, Big Island Pond, and Northwood lakes are the "tried and true"
locations for many bass anglers. Yet virtually any other waterbody in this area provides the
opportunity to catch warmwater fish species. Often the waterbodies less frequently fished can
produce more aggressive and larger fish. Get out your map and try sliding a canoe in one of the
region's lesser-known waters.
The window for catching warmwater fish at pre-spawn stages is getting narrower as water
temperatures gradually rise. At this time, yellow perch and chain pickerel have likely finished
spawning and current water temperatures and timing are suitable for the white perch spawning.
There's still a little time to target both largemouth and smallmouth bass at prespawning conditions.
Reports of bass nesting in this region are slowly starting to come in. Try focusing on dropoffs
directly adjacent to warmer, shallower water. Jerkbaits, spinner baits, and crankbaits retrieved at
varying speeds should work well. After a few follows or chases you should get a sense for what
speed the bass want.
Panfish species including black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and red-breasted sunfish are
beginning to move into the shallows and river setbacks to seek out warmer water temperatures and
a few meals before spawning. You should find these species near shorelines exposed to sun.
Downsizing to small poppers and a variety of swim baits with ultra-light gear can bring a new respect
for the strength of these smaller fish.
NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN SOUTHEASTERN NEW HAMPSHIRE A collaborative effort between Fish
and Game's Landowner Relations and Aquatic Education programs, the Great Bay Chapter of Trout
Unlimited, several entities within the city of Dover, the New Hampshire Wildlife Federation and the
Dam Bureau of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services have led to the
restoration of public access to the Cocheco River in Dover. It has been quite some time since this
waterbody has been stocked in the spring. This river has the potential to become a popular fishery
for anglers. Although this river is in close proximity to urbanized areas, the forested landscape
provides the backdrop for a natural experience. This spring, the Cocheco River will receive both
brook trout and rainbow trout, which will go nicely with the quality-sized brood stock brown trout that
went into the river in January.
Meadow Lake in Northwood is also slated to be stocked with rainbow trout this spring. This
waterbody has ideal access for small children and disabled anglers. The rainbow trout along with
the fish species already present in this waterbody should provide for plenty of action to keep
everyone busy throughout the day. Meadow Lake is inside Northwood Meadows State Park (no fee).
NEW HAMPSHIRE FISHING REPORTS - LICENSES - REGULATIONS.
STATEWIDE - TROUT PONDS The weather was very cooperative on opening day (April 26) for
those who showed up at one of the trout ponds in southeastern New Hampshire. The size and catch
rates of all trout species, including tiger trout, appeared to satisfy anglers fishing from both boat and
shore. Rest assured, there will still be plenty of trout to sustain respectable catch rates for quite
some time in these ponds. Remaining trout will continue to become acclimated to the specific pond
environment so more experimentation may be necessary to maintain high catch rates. Visits to
Lucas Pond (Northwood), Clough Pond (Loudon), Hot Hole Pond (Concord/Loudon), Barbadoes
(Dover/Madbury), Archery Pond (Allenstown), and the Exeter Reservoir (Exeter) revealed a great
start to the 2008 fishing season.
RIVERS AND STREAMS Rivers stocked with trout can be found in all areas of southeastern New
Hampshire. The delay in stocking several rivers and streams (because of anticipated high flows
from heavy snowmelt and spring rains) is now over. Stocking trucks are now on the road every
weekday. Reports from the Lamprey, Soucook, Winnicut, and Exeter rivers as well as Beaver Brook
(Derry/Pelham/Windham) indicate good catch rates. As the season moves along, it is recommended
that anglers try less-easily accessed sites where fish may have redistributed. To help ensure future
access, please be respectful of landowners.
Flow and water temperature are approaching ideal conditions for Atlantic salmon brood stock to be
released into the Merrimack and lower Pemigewasset rivers. Because of the higher-than-normal
number of fish plan to be released this spring, this year should be a memorable one. For more
information about this program and fishing access sites along the Merrimack and lower
Pemigewasset rivers, go to: http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/atlantic_salmon.htm.
BASS, PANFISH, PICKEREL, PERCH, ETC. Several waterbodies in the Merrimack Valley and
southeastern New Hampshire are often overlooked when it comes to fishing for these species.
Massabesic, Pawtuckaway, Bow, Big Island Pond, and Northwood lakes are the "tried and true"
locations for many bass anglers. Yet virtually any other waterbody in this area provides the
opportunity to catch warmwater fish species. Often the waterbodies less frequently fished can
produce more aggressive and larger fish. Get out your map and try sliding a canoe in one of the
region's lesser-known waters.
The window for catching warmwater fish at pre-spawn stages is getting narrower as water
temperatures gradually rise. At this time, yellow perch and chain pickerel have likely finished
spawning and current water temperatures and timing are suitable for the white perch spawning.
There's still a little time to target both largemouth and smallmouth bass at prespawning conditions.
Reports of bass nesting in this region are slowly starting to come in. Try focusing on dropoffs
directly adjacent to warmer, shallower water. Jerkbaits, spinner baits, and crankbaits retrieved at
varying speeds should work well. After a few follows or chases you should get a sense for what
speed the bass want.
Panfish species including black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and red-breasted sunfish are
beginning to move into the shallows and river setbacks to seek out warmer water temperatures and
a few meals before spawning. You should find these species near shorelines exposed to sun.
Downsizing to small poppers and a variety of swim baits with ultra-light gear can bring a new respect
for the strength of these smaller fish.
NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN SOUTHEASTERN NEW HAMPSHIRE A collaborative effort between Fish
and Game's Landowner Relations and Aquatic Education programs, the Great Bay Chapter of Trout
Unlimited, several entities within the city of Dover, the New Hampshire Wildlife Federation and the
Dam Bureau of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services have led to the
restoration of public access to the Cocheco River in Dover. It has been quite some time since this
waterbody has been stocked in the spring. This river has the potential to become a popular fishery
for anglers. Although this river is in close proximity to urbanized areas, the forested landscape
provides the backdrop for a natural experience. This spring, the Cocheco River will receive both
brook trout and rainbow trout, which will go nicely with the quality-sized brood stock brown trout that
went into the river in January.
Meadow Lake in Northwood is also slated to be stocked with rainbow trout this spring. This
waterbody has ideal access for small children and disabled anglers. The rainbow trout along with
the fish species already present in this waterbody should provide for plenty of action to keep
everyone busy throughout the day. Meadow Lake is inside Northwood Meadows State Park (no fee).
