Directions

Fishing

The Plymouth area sits in the middle of some of the best fishing in New Hampshire. For deep, cold water fishing, there’s Newfound Lake just to the south. To the southeast in Holderness, there’s the legendary Golden Pond known around here as Squam Lake. Between those two bodies of water you’ll find some great Lake Trout, Salmon and Rainbow Trout fishing.

Across the Route 25 bridge in Holderness is Little Squam Lake. It may be overshadowed by its larger namesake, but the Salmon, Rainbow, Laker and Smallmouth fishing don’t take a backseat to any lake.

To the west in Rumney, there’s Stinson Lake which offers both cold and warm water fishing. From Brookies and Rainbows to Perch, Pickerel and Smallmouth Bass.

For sheer beauty, head a little further west on Route 25-C and savor a day on Lake Tarleton. In a recent joint effort between government and conservation groups, the lake was forever protected from development, so that it’s undeveloped, natural shorelines will stay that way. The 315 acre lake provides opportunities for Rainbows, Browns, Lakers, Brookies and Smallmouths. Boat access to the lake is through a somewhat primitive, rutted dirt launch, which could be a deterrent to putting in large boats.

On your way back from the lake, stop at the State Fish Hatchery in Warren...just to see what you would like to have caught!

For river fishing, look no further than the Pemigewasset River...or Pemi. This 63 mile stretch of water starts in Franconia Notch and merges with the Wiinipesaukee River in Franklin to form the Merrimack River. The Pemi features some fine Brookie and Rainbow action. Of course, the more you can get away from the popular spots, the better the fishing.

One of the feeder rivers into the Pemi is the Mad River which runs from Waterville Valley to Campton. Pick a spot along Route 49, and wet your line for Brookies and Rainbows. The scenery alone makes it worth your time.

The Newfound River (outlet of Newfound Lake) offers some fine fly-fishing-only water for Salmon and Rainbow Trout. This fishery depends on strong spring water releases from the lake to draw fish down from the lake's outlet. This fly-only stretch has a two-fish daily limit, with a 15" minimum length on Salmon, Lake and Rainbow Trout. Rumor has it that it is currently producing some nice catches of Rainbow Trout. The state record Rainbow was taken in Newfound Lake a couple of years ago.

At the time of year when the water is high and cold, try using a heavily weighted Wooly Bugger, or Stonefly nymph. To one of those add an 18" dropper leader to the larger fly’s hook, and then tie on a small nymph.

In addition to the larger lakes and rivers, there are smaller ponds and streams, accessible by canoes and float tubes, that very easily could become your "secret fishing hole" for Brookies and Rainbows.

Among the spots frequented by locals, but bypassed or unknown by visitors, are : Perch Pond, Campton Pond, Peaked Hill Pond, Swain Pond, Ellsworth Hill Pond, Wachipauka Pond, Oliverian Pond, and the Baker River.

Special thanks to Peter St. James from the Peter St.James & Co., LLC for the extensive help with the text for this page.

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