New Hampshire

[tkhour]

Going up with family from Aug 2-9 and was wondering if there are any places I could hit. Going to need a escape for a few hours a day. Heard about the Saco and Ellis as I will be in the Moultonborough area. Anyone have experience up there? Thanks in advance

 

[Stevester]

Trout fishing is not at its best at this time of year. Smallmouth should be good in the early morning and sundown. I would ask around about streams or ponds in the White Mountain park just north of there. You will likely have to do some driving around unless you can find friendly local to take you out.

Steve

 

[tkhour]

Trout fishing is not at its best at this time of year. Smallmouth should be good in the early morning and sundown. I would ask around about streams or ponds in the White Mountain park just north of there. You will likely have to do some driving around unless you can find friendly local to take you out.

Steve

Thanks Steve. Was going to fish toward dark or early morning especially if it is hot. Going to check out North Country Angler and see what they say.

 

[pduane44]

I lived in New Hampshire for two years and fished quite a bit. That being said, I have no interest in fishing there again. I'd take NJ over NH any day, actually. Wild trout are pretty scarce even in the northern half of the state. There are some wild brook trout streams in the mountains, but almost every river in the state is put and take. Here's a freebie: Carroll Stream. It's a publicly listed WTS so this isn't really spot burning.

This time of year, you still might be able to find some stockers in the rivers. If that doesn't interest you, you can head for the mountains or fish warm water. The Pemi in Bristol is great for smallmouth. You also have many lakes and ponds that are decent for bass and panfish. Sorry if this wasn't the info you were looking for, but IMHO the fishing in New Hampshire is pretty lame.

 

[tkhour]

I lived in New Hampshire for two years and fished quite a bit. That being said, I have no interest in fishing there again. I'd take NJ over NH any day, actually. Wild trout are pretty scarce even in the northern half of the state. There are some wild brook trout streams in the mountains, but almost every river in the state is put and take. Here's a freebie: Carroll Stream. It's a publicly listed WTS so this isn't really spot burning.

This time of year, you still might be able to find some stockers in the rivers. If that doesn't interest you, you can head for the mountains or fish warm water. The Pemi in Bristol is great for smallmouth. You also have many lakes and ponds that are decent for bass and panfish. Sorry if this wasn't the info you were looking for, but IMHO the fishing in New Hampshire is pretty lame.

Wasn't expecting much anyway. Thanks for the info.

 

[Stevester]

While I wouldn't call NH trout fishing world class I am not as down on it as Pduane. Yes, there is a lot of put and take but that is no different from most other states, especially in the northeast. I spent a few years on the VT/NH border and fished both states a fair amount. If you want wild fish you really need to get off the beaten path and if you want bigger fish you really need to fish the ponds and lakes. The geology and pine forests of the area do not lend themselves to high productivity streams for the most part. Yes there are exceptions but with the exception of the upper part of the Connecticut River they tend to be near more populous areas. The bigger streams and rivers usually have a road running along them so that always has an impact both aesthetically and environmentally. The larger streams and rivers also have become more smallmouth fisheries than trout fisheries, much to the consternation of a lot of the locals. This has also been happening in Maine. In fact most of what I have noted above for VT/NH is true of Maine to one degree or another. I still have a soft spot in my heart for the region even though I haven't been able to fish there in over a decade.

 

[Trout Nazi]

While I wouldn't call NH trout fishing world class I am not as down on it as Pduane. Yes, there is a lot of put and take but that is no different from most other states, especially in the northeast. I spent a few years on the VT/NH border and fished both states a fair amount. If you want wild fish you really need to get off the beaten path and if you want bigger fish you really need to fish the ponds and lakes. The geology and pine forests of the area do not lend themselves to high productivity streams for the most part. Yes there are exceptions but with the exception of the upper part of the Connecticut River they tend to be near more populous areas. The bigger streams and rivers usually have a road running along them so that always has an impact both aesthetically and environmentally. The larger streams and rivers also have become more smallmouth fisheries than trout fisheries, much to the consternation of a lot of the locals. This has also been happening in Maine. In fact most of what I have noted above for VT/NH is true of Maine to one degree or another. I still have a soft spot in my heart for the region even though I haven't been able to fish there in over a decade.

Plenty of places to catch trout in Northern VT. Most every trickle that runs year round has at least Brookies. This year has been pretty good on the bigger water also. Moultonborough is in eastern NH, totally different geology than the northern part of the state. I would burn a day and hit the upper CT, cool tailwater.