FishKillFlea New Hampshire packs incredible fishing diversity into a small state — Lake Winnipesaukee's 72 square miles with 253 islands and trophy lake trout, Squam Lake's "On Golden Pond" setting, the Connecticut River's 291-mile border fishery, White Mountain native brook trout streams, and 18 miles of Atlantic coast for stripers and blues. A NH fishing license at $45 opens all of it.
The Lakes Region
| Lake | Size | Species | Limit | Why Famous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winnipesaukee | 72 sq mi | Lake trout, salmon, bass, perch | 2 lakers, 2 salmon | NH's largest — 253 islands, trophy lakers! |
| Squam Lake | 6,791 acres | Lake trout, smallmouth, perch | 2 lakers | On Golden Pond — pristine & scenic |
| Lake Sunapee | 4,085 acres | Lake trout, salmon, bass | 2 lakers | Sunapee trout — rare native char |
| Newfound Lake | 4,106 acres | Lake trout, bass, perch | 2 lakers | One of NH's clearest — Secchi 30+ ft |
Trout Streams
| Stream | Region | Species | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Ammonoosuc | White Mountains | Brook trout | Wild natives in mountain setting |
| Swift River | Kancamagus Hwy | Brook, rainbow trout | Scenic — roadside access along the Kanc |
| Connecticut River | W NH border | Brown, rainbow, brook trout | 291 miles — upper reaches = quality trout |
| Androscoggin River | N NH | Brown, brook trout | 13-Mile Woods — remote & productive |
Seacoast — Saltwater ($11 License)
| Spot | Species | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hampton Beach | Striped bass, bluefish | Surfcasting — stripers to 40 lbs! |
| Rye Harbor | Striper, mackerel, pollock | Charter port — offshore trips |
| Great Bay Estuary | Striped bass, flounder | Kayak fishing — tidal estuary |
Seasonal Guide
| Season | Best Targets | Prime Spots | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Apr–May) | Trout opener, bass pre-spawn | Stocked streams, lakes | April trout opener = NH tradition! |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Bass, saltwater stripers peak | Lakes Region, Hampton Beach | July stripers on the coast — incredible |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Salmon run, brown trout spawn | Winnipesaukee tribs, CT River | Oct salmon run into tributaries |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Ice fishing! Lake trout, perch, pike | Winnipesaukee, Squam, Sunapee | NH ice fishing on big lakes = epic |
Fishing in Neighboring States
Vermont for Lake Champlain salmon and Battenkill trout, Maine for Sebago and 6,000 lakes, or Massachusetts for Quabbin Reservoir and Cape Cod surfcasting.
An NH fishing license is $45 freshwater + $11 saltwater. See full costs or buy yours.