Fishing in New Hampshire

Fishing in New Hampshire

New Hampshire is a fisherman's paradise with over 1000 lakes and ponds covering more than 160,000 acres. Whether you enjoy fly fishing in streams, trolling for lake trout, or hitting the shores for bass you will find New Hampshire has what it takes to suit your angling needs.

New Hampshire has over 24 species of fish and often hosts tournaments in both winter and summer. Several fishing clubs dot the state and are always looking for new members. Come fish New Hampshire! And enjoy the outdoors.

Fish Species:
New Hampshire has over 24 species of fish including Atlantic salmon, Bass, Trout, and Walleye. Each species of fish has a certain habitat and trait. Before going out on the water it is wise to learn as much as you can to make your expedition a successful one. The Atlantic salmon for instance, also known as the landlocked salmon, lives in freshwater for up to 3 years before venturing to the Northern Atlantic to live until adulthood. As adults the salmon return to freshwater rivers to spawn. When the water is cold salmon can be as deep as 40 feet, and their willingness to take a fly is considered a reflex.

Large and Small mouth bass are a much different species. Bass are typically found in warmer slower water around vegetation like lily pads and reeds. Bass are a territorial and aggressive fish and are known to strike even when they are not hungry. This species of fish can be caught on a variety of lures and freshwater bait; seasonal conditions dictate the best lures to use.

If you are interested in learning more about New Hampshire fish species and their habitats feel free to visit http://www.nhoutdoors.com/fish_species.htm

Locations:
Any avid fisherman will tell you the best fishing holes are kept secret. With so much water to choose from in New Hampshire we can't tell you the best place to fish, but we can certainly suggest a few places to try.

New Hampshire is broken up into seven regions: Great North Woods, White Mountains , Lakes Area, Dartmouth / Lake Sunapee , Monadnock, Merrimack Valley , and the Seacoast region. Each region has several water bodies to choose from and most contain a state park or fish hatchery. Our favorite place to fish is Lake Winnipesaukee in the Lakes Region because it contains several species of fish and a large area of water to explore. Other appealing locations include Akers Pond in the Great North Woods and Merrymeeting Lake in the Seacoast Region.

For more information on New Hampshire's fishing locations and access restrictions, please visit http://www.nhoutdoors.com/fishing_spots.htm

Fish Report:
For the serious fisherman in New Hampshire it is wise to check out the weekly fish report issued by the NH Fish & Game Department. These reports contain important information on lake temperatures, trends, and stocking locations throughout the state. Our favorite feature of the fishing report is the locations of active fishing holes and the type of bait used. To view the weekly fishing report feel free to visit http://www.nhoutdoors.com/fish_reports.htm

Licenses and Fees:
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department strongly enforces all laws and regulations. It is important to stay abreast of the changes and fees which regularly change every year. Don't be caught fishing without a license! Please visit the below link to get all the information you need for a safe and enjoyable day on the water.
http://www.nhoutdoors.com/nh_hunting_seasons.htm

Seasons:
Although you can fish year round in New Hampshire there are regulations on the species of fish you can catch and when. The regulations can change every year so it is important to keep up to date with the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department.

A general hunting/fishing license is not required for minors under 16 years of age; however special permits are required for certain species. A license is not required for salt water fishing unless taking a species of trout, salmon, smelt or shad in any state waters.

Tournaments and Derbies:
If you are like us you might think you're good enough to win a fishing derby. You may have seen the guys on TV catching monster fish and thought to yourself "I can do that", well New Hampshire has tournaments to suit your competitive desires. During the summer and even winter months several tournaments and derbies are held throughout the state. The ice fishing tournament on Lake Winnipesaukee has lucrative prizes every year with several hundred people gathering to test their luck or just watch the show.

Do you have what it takes to win a prize in NH? Check out the links below and enter in any one of New Hampshire's many exciting fishing tournaments.
Meredith Rotary Fishing Derby - Meredith
Queen City Bass  Lake Winnisquam
WinniDerby - Lake Winnipesaukee Fishing Derby
More - List of various Fishing Tournaments from NH Fish & Game

Guides:
If you are a newcomer to New Hampshire or want to try a different style of fishing New Hampshire offers a number of guide services to help you on your journey. Sometimes the best way to learn an area is to have an experienced guide show you the ropes and fill you in on those secret fishing holes.

For the more adventurous type we recommend a fly-fishing course by Kathy Noonan, and for an overall good time Mark Beauchesne whose popular destinations include our favorite spot, Lake Winnipesaukee.

For more information on great guide services in New Hampshire please visit http://www.nhoutdoors.com/nh_guides.htm

Lodging:
An essential part of any fishing trip is lodging. Unless you're a die hard fisherman whose objective is to camp and wake up at the crack of dawn and hop in the canoe, you're probably looking for a place with at least some of the comforts of home. New Hampshire has a variety of lodging destinations within close proximity to major bodies of water. For more information on available lodging in your area/destination visit http://www.nhoutdoors.com/lodging.htm

NH Homes & Condos NH Homes (13599) NH Real Estate (17748) NH Luxury Homes (1681) NH Estate Homes (327) NH New Construction (6276) NH Condos (3182) NH Active Adult (301) NH Cottages (296) NH Country Homes (1368) NH Equestrian Homes (411) NH Farm Homes (1004) NH Golf Homes (570) NH Vacation Homes (241)   NH Waterfront Property NH Oceanfront (63) NH Waterfront Real Estate (2653) NH Lakefront (1051) NH Land For Sale NH Land (2329) NH Investment Property NH Commercial Property (1652) NH Multifamily (806) NH MLS (233)

NH and VT Towns Stratham NH Real Estate (104) Hooksett NH Real Estate (185) Milford NH Real Estate (170) Wolfeboro NH Real Estate (224) Exeter NH Real Estate (192) Gilford NH Real Estate (236) Bedford NH Real Estate (210) Goffstown NH Real Estate (136) Nashua NH Homes (304) Derry NH Real Estate (390) Dover NH Real Estate (325) Gunstock Ski Homes & Condos (25) Hampton NH Real Estate (354) Hudson NH Real Estate (221) Killington VT Real Estate (209)   Lake Winnipesaukee Real Estate (328) Londonderry NH Real Estate (246) Merrimack NH Real Estate (196) Moultonboro NH Real Estate (213) NH Gated Communities (39) Portsmouth NH Real Estate (184) Amherst NH Real Estate (193) Concord NH Real Estate (390) Laconia NH Real Estate (444) Pelham NH Real Estate (139) Rochester NH Real Estate (366) Salem NH Real Estate (224) Windham NH Real Estate (208) Meredith NH Real Estate (197) Lake Wentworth Real Estate (11)

New Hampshire | Seacoast Real Estate Atkinson NH Brentwood NH Danville NH Dover NH Durham NH East Kingston NH Epping NH Exeter NH Fremont NH Greenland NH Hampstead NH Hampton NH Hampton Falls NH Kensington NH Kingston NH Lee NH Madbury NH New Castle NH Newfields NH Newington NH Newmarket NH North Hampton NH Plaistow NH Portsmouth NH Rochester NH Rollinsford NH Rye NH Rye Beach NH Sandown NH Seabrook NH Seabrook Beach NH Somersworth NH South Hampton NH Stratham NH

New Hampshire | Merrimack Valley Region - South Central NH Real Estate Allenstown NH Amherst NH Auburn NH Bedford NH Boscawen NH Bow NH Brookline NH Candia NH Canterbury NH Chester NH Chichester NH Concord NH Deerfield NH Derry NH Dunbarton NH Epsom NH Goffstown NH Henniker NH Hollis NH Hooksett NH Hopkinton NH Hudson NH Litchfield NH Londonderry NH Loudon NH Manchester NH Merrimack NH Mont Vernon NH Nashua NH New Boston NH Northwood NH Nottingham NH Pelham NH Pembroke NH Raymond NH Salem NH Weare NH Windham NH

New Hampshire | Lakes Region Real Estate Alexandria NH Alton NH Ashland NH Barnstead NH Barrington NH Belmont NH Bridgewater NH Bristol NH Brookfield NH Center Harbor NH Eaton NH Effingham NH Farmington NH Franklin NH Freedom NH Gilford NH Gilmanton NH Hebron NH Hill NH Holderness NH Laconia NH Madison NH Meredith NH Middleton NH Milton NH Moultonborough NH New Durham NH New Hampton NH Northfield NH Ossipee NH Pittsfield NH Plymouth NH Rochester NH Rumney NH Sanbornton NH Sandwich NH Strafford NH Tamworth NH Tilton NH Tuftonboro NH Wakefield NH Wolfeboro NH

New Hampshire | Monadnock Region - South Western NH Real Estate Alstead NH Antrim NH Bennington NH Chesterfield NH Deering NH Dublin NH Fitzwilliam NH Francestown NH Gilsum NH Greenfield NH Greenville NH Hancock NH Harrisville NH Hillsboro NH Hinsdale NH Jaffrey NH Keene NH Lyndeborough NH Marlborough NH Marlow NH Mason NH Milford NH Nelson NH New Ipswich NH Peterborough NH Richmond NH Rindge NH Roxbury NH Sharon NH Stoddard NH Sullivan NH Surry NH Swanzey NH Temple NH Troy NH Walpole NH Westmoreland NH Wilton NH Winchester NH Windsor NH

New Hampshire | Dartmouth Lake Sunapee Region Real Estate Acworth NH Andover NH Bradford NH Canaan NH Charlestown NH Claremont NH Cornish NH Croydon NH Danbury NH Dorchester NH Enfield NH Goshen NH Grafton NH Grantham NH Groton NH Hanover NH Langdon NH Lebanon NH Lempster NH Lyme NH New London NH Newbury NH Newport NH Orange NH Orford NH Plainfield NH Salisbury NH Springfield NH Sunapee NH Sutton NH Unity NH Warner NH Washington NH Webster NH Wentworth NH Wilmot NH

New Hampshire | White Mountains Region Real Estate Albany NH Bartlett NH Bath NH Bean's Purchase NH Benton NH Bethlehem NH Campton NH Carroll NH Chatham NH Conway NH Dalton NH Easton NH Ellsworth NH Franconia NH Gorham NH Hales Location NH Haverhill NH Jackson NH Jefferson NH Landaff NH Lincoln NH Lisbon NH Littleton NH Livermore NH Lyman NH Monroe NH North Conway NH Piermont NH Randolph NH Shelburne NH Sugar Hill NH Thornton NH Warren NH Waterville Valley NH Whitefield NH Woodstock NH

Vermont Real Estate Addison VT Albany VT Alburg VT Andover VT Ascutney VT Averill VT Bakersfield VT Barnard VT Barnet VT Barrecity VT Barretown VT Barton VT Bellows Falls VT Belvidere VT Bennington VT Benson VT Berkshire VT Berlin VT Bethel VT Bloomfield VT Bolton VT Bradford VT Braintree VT Brandon VT Brattleboro VT Bridgewater VT Brighton VT Bristol VT Brookfield VT Brookline VT Brownington VT Brownsville VT Brunswick VT Burke VT Burlington VT Cabot VT Calais VT Canaan VT Castleton VT Cavendish VT Charleston VT Charlotte VT Chelsea VT Chester VT Chittenden VT Clarendon VT Colchester VT Concord VT Corinth VT Coventry VT Craftsbury VT Danby VT Danville VT Derby VT Dummerston VT Duxbury VT East Haven VT East Montpelier VT Eden VT Elmore VT Essex VT Fairfax VT Fairhaven VT Fairlee VT Fayston VT Ferdinand VT Fletcher VT Franklin VT Gilman VT Glover VT Goshen VT Granby VT Grandisle VT Granville VT Greensboro VT Groton VT Guildhall VT Guilford VT Halifax VT Hancock VT Hardwick VT Hartford VT Hartland VT Highgate VT Hinesburg VT Holland VT Hubbardton VT Hydepark VT Ira VT Irasburg VT Jamaica VT Jay VT Johnson VT Killington VT Kirby VT Leicester VT Lemington VT Londonderry VT Lowell VT Ludlow VT Lunenburg VT Lyndon VT Maidstone VT Marlboro VT Marshfield VT Mendon VT Middlesex VT Middletown Springs VT Monkton VT Montgomery VT Montpelier VT Moretown VT Morgan VT Morristown VT Mount Holly VT Mount Tabor VT Newark VT Newbury VT Newfane VT New Haven VT Newport VT Newport Center VT Northfield VT Norton VT Norwich VT Orange VT Orwell VT Other VT Pawlet VT Peacham VT Perkinsville VT Pittsfield VT Pittsford VT Plainfield VT Plymouth VT Pomfret VT Poultney VT Putney VT Quechee VT Randolph VT Reading VT Readsboro VT Richford VT Richmond VT Ripton VT Rochester VT Rockingham VT Roxbury VT Royalton VT Rutland VT Ryegate VT Sharon VT Sheffield VT Shelburne VT Shrewsbury VT South Burlington VT South Hero VT Springfield VT St. Albans VT Stannard VT Starksboro VT St. Johnsbury VT Stockbridge VT Stowe VT Strafford VT Sudbury VT Sutton VT Swanton VT Thetford VT Tinmouth VT Topsham VT Townshend VT Troy VT Tunbridge VT Vernon VT Vershire VT Victory VT Waitsfield VT Walden VT Wallingford VT Wardsboro VT Warren VT Washington VT Waterbury VT Waterford VT Waterville VT Weathersfield VT Wells VT Wellsriver VT West Fairlee VT Westfield VT West Haven VT Westminister VT Westmore VT Weston VT West Rutland VT West Windsor VT Wheelock VT Whitingham VT Williamstown VT Williston VT Wilmington VT Winooski VT Windsor VT Wolcott VT Woodbury VT Woodford VT Woodstock VT Worcester VT

Southern Maine Real Estate Acton ME Adamstown ME Albany ME Alfred ME Andover ME Arundel ME Berwick ME Bethel ME Biddeford ME Bowmantown Twp ME Brownfield ME Buckfield ME Buxton ME Byron ME C Surplus ME Canton ME Cornish ME Dayton ME Denmark ME Dixfield ME East Lebanon ME Eliot-ME Fryeburg-ME Fryefield-ME Gilead-ME Grafton-ME Greenwood-ME Hanover-ME Hartford-ME Hebron-ME Hiram ME Hollis ME Kennebunk ME Kennebunk Port ME Kittery ME Lebanon ME Limerick ME Limington ME Lincoln ME Lovell ME Lower Cupsuptic ME Lyman ME Lynchtown ME Magalloway ME Mason ME Mexico ME Milton Twp ME Newfield ME Newry ME North Andover ME North Berwick ME Norway ME Ogunquit ME Old Orchard Beach ME Other ME Otisfield ME Oxbow Twp ME Oxford ME Paris ME Parkertown ME Parmachenee ME Parsonsfield ME Pembroke ME Peru ME Porter ME Richardsontown ME Riley ME Roxbury ME Rumford ME Saco ME Sanford ME Shapleigh ME South Berwick ME South Lebanon ME Stoneham ME Stow ME Sumner ME Sweden ME Township C ME Upper Cupsuptic ME Upton ME Waterboro ME Wells ME West Andover ME West Lebanon ME West Paris ME Woodstock ME York Beach ME York Harbor ME York ME