Skip to main content
New Hampshire

Freshwater Fishing

Freshwater Fishing

Rivers & Streams with Special Rules

Waterbody

Town(s)

Section

Special Rules:

For species not listed under this section, please refer to the General Regulations section for Rivers and Streams.

Alder Brook

Second College Grant

All sections

Jan. 1 - Labor Day season. Catch-and-release, single barbless hook artificial lures/flies. Managed for wild trout.

Androscoggin River

Errol

Errol Dam to the markers at the dead water at Bragg Bay

Fly-fishing only. Daily limit for trout 2 fish; minimum length 12 inches

Androscoggin River

Dummer

Dummer-Cambridge town line to Pontook Dam

No closed season for all species except salmon. Daily limit of 2 trout through the ice.

Androscoggin River

Dummer to Berlin

Wheeler Bay in Dummer boundary line at 44° 36.9011’N 71° 13.3816’W to 44° 36.9341’N 71°13.4449’W using WGS84 map datum to Sawmill Dam in Berlin

Brown trout may be taken any time of day or night during the open season.

Androscoggin River

Berlin to Shelburne

Sawmill Dam in Berlin to ME/NH boundary

No closed season for all species. Single barbless hook, artificial lures/flies. Catch-and-release all species.

Ashuelot River

Surry

Surry Mountain Reservoir

No closed season for all species. Daily limit of 2 trout through the ice.

Ashuelot River, South Branch

Troy to Swanzey

Marlborough Road bridge in Troy to Old Richmond Road bridge in East Swanzey

Fly-fishing only. Daily limit for trout 2 fish; minimum length 12 inches.

Bellamy River

Madbury

Bellamy Reservoir

No closed season for all species. Daily limit of 2 trout through the ice.

Blackwater River

Salisbury to Andover

The Bays and Cilleyville Bog

No closed season for all species. Daily limit of 2 trout through the ice.

Carroll Stream

Whitefield to Carroll

Upstream of its confluence with Airport Pond in Whitefield

Jan. 1 - Labor Day season. Catch-and-release, single barbless hook artificial lures/flies. Managed for wild trout.

Cocheco River

Rochester to Dover

Watson Road dam downstream to head of tide

No closed season for all species. Oct. 16 to 4th Sat. in April - Catch-and-release, single barbless hook, artificial lures/flies. 4th Sat. in April to Oct. 15 - Daily limit for trout 5 fish or 5 lbs., all legal methods.

Connecticut River

Pittsburg

Dam at Second CT Lake to upstream side of logging bridge on Magalloway Road

Fly-fishing only, catch-and-release for all species.

Connecticut River

Pittsburg

Magalloway Rd bridge to inlet at Green’s Point on First CT Lake

Fly-fishing only. Daily limit for trout is 2 fish.

Connecticut River

Pittsburg

First CT Lake dam to the signs on Lake Francis

Fly-fishing only. Daily limit for trout is 2 fish; minimum length 12 inches.

Connecticut River

Pittsburg

Murphy Dam to NH/VT border

Jan. 1 to March 31: Catch-and-release, single barbless hook, artificial lures/flies. April 1 to Oct. 15: Daily limit for trout 5 fish or 5 lbs. All legal methods.

Connecticut River

See also NH-VT Interstate Rules on Interstate Waters.

Contoocook River

Rindge to Henniker

Contoocook Lake downstream to area marked with signs and wire in West Henniker

No closed season for all species. Daily limit of 2 trout through the ice.

Contoocook River

Henniker

From 2,500 ft. above former paper mill dam in West Henniker, marked by signs and wire, upstream 1 mile to a point marked by signs and wire

Jan. 1 through Nov. 30 season. Single hook artificial lures/flies. Daily limit for trout is 2 fish; minimum length 12 inches.

Contoocook River

Henniker to Concord

From 2,500 ft. above former paper mill dam in West Henniker, to confluence with Merrimack River

No closed season for all species. Daily limit of 2 trout through the ice.

Dead Diamond River

Second College Grant

From confluence of Swift Diamond River downstream to Magalloway River

Jan. 1 through Sept. 30 season. Single barbless hook, artificial lures/flies. Catch-and-release for brook trout. No limits for black bass

Dead Diamond River

Second College Grant

Headwaters to confluence with Swift Diamond River

Jan. 1 to Sept. 30 season. Daily limit of 5 brook trout or 5 lbs. All legal methods.

Ellis River

Jackson

From the covered bridge in Jackson to Iron Railroad Bridge in Glen

Fly-fishing only. Daily limit for trout is 2 fish

Exeter River

Brentwood to Exeter

Downstream side of the Cross Road bridge to Route 111 bridge

No closed season for all species. Oct. 16 to 4th Saturday in April: Catch-and-release, single barbless hook, artificial lures/flies. 4th Saturday in April through Oct. 15: Daily limit for trout 5 fish or 5 lbs. All legal methods.

Exeter River

Sandown to Exeter

From Route 121-A to the Pickpocket Dam and from Route 111 to the Squamscott River

No closed season for all species. Daily limit of 2 trout through the ice. Closed to all fishing from the upstream side of the Pickpocket Dam and fishway including a 50 foot radius in front of the fishway on the upstream side to the downstream side of the Cross Road Bridge in the towns of Brentwood and Exeter

Flints Brook

Hollis

All sections

Jan. 1 - Labor Day season. Catch-and-release, single barbless hook artificial lures/flies. Managed for wild trout.

Gulf Brook

Chesterfield

All sections

Jan. 1 - Labor Day season. Catch-and-release, single barbless hook artificial lures/flies. Managed for wild trout.

Isinglass River

Barrington to Rochester

From Route 125 bridge downstream to confluence with Cocheco River

No closed season for all species. Oct. 16 to 4th Saturday in April: Catch-and-release, single barbless hook, artificial lures/flies. 4th Saturday in April through Oct. 15: Daily limit for trout 5 fish or 5 lbs. All legal methods.

Lamb Valley Brook

Second College Grant

All sections

Jan. 1 - Labor Day season. Catch-and-release, single barbless hook artificial lures/flies. Managed for wild trout.

Lamprey River

Raymond to Durham

Raymond/Deerfield town line to Wiswall Dam

No closed season for all species. Daily limit of 2 trout through the ice.

Lamprey River

Durham

Wiswall Dam to first railroad trestle downstream of Packers Falls

No closed season for all species. Oct. 16 to 4th Saturday in April: Catch-and-release, single barbless hook, artificial lures/flies. 4th Saturday in April through Oct. 15: Daily limit for trout 5 fish or 5 lbs. All legal methods.

Lamprey River

Durham

Wiswall Dam area

Closed to all fishing 200 feet below Wiswall Dam between April 1 and July 31. Closed to all fishing in the waters 50 feet above the Wiswall Dam year round.

Long Mountain Brook

Odell to Stratford

All sections

Jan. 1 - Labor Day season. Catch-and-release, single barbless hook artificial lures/flies. Managed for wild trout.

Loomis Valley Brook

Second College Grant

All sections

Jan. 1 - Labor Day season. Catch-and-release, single barbless hook artificial lures/flies. Managed for wild trout.

Lost River

Woodstock

From 100 ft. above parking area entrance bridge to 100 ft below last footbridge in Lost River Gorge

Closed to all fishing

Lyman Brook

Columbia

From headwaters to the upper bridge on Meriden Hill Road in Columbia

Jan. 1 - Labor Day season. Catch-and-release, single barbless hook artificial lures/flies. Managed for wild trout.

Magalloway River

Second College Grant, Wentworth’s Location

All NH sections downstream to the markers at the confluence with Sturtevant Stream at 44º50.41638’N-71º03.03498’W using WGS84 map datum.

Jan. 1 through Sept. 30. Single barbless hook, artificial lures/flies. Catch-and-release for trout. No limits on black bass.

Magalloway River

Wentworth’s Location, Errol

From the markers at the confluence with Sturtevant Stream at 44º50.41638’N-71º03.03498”W to the markers at confluence of Umbagog Lake at 44º47.73612’N-71º03.70758’W using WGS84 map datum.

Jan. 1 through May 31 & day after Labor Day through September 30. Single barbless hook, artificial lures/flies. Catch-and-release for trout. No limits on black bass. Fishing from the ice prohibited.

June 1 through Labor Day. Single hook artificial lures/flies, only a single hook point shall be used with bait, all hooks shall be barbless or have barbs pinched, use or possession of live fish for bait shall be prohibited. Catch and release for trout. No limits on black bass. Closed to all fishing Oct. 1 - Dec. 31.

Mascoma River

Enfield to Lebanon

From Route 4 bridge south of Mascoma Lake Dam downstream to the covered bridge.

Fly-fishing only. Daily limit for trout is 2 fish.

Meadow Brook

Sharon

All sections

Jan. 1 - Labor Day season. Catch-and-release, single barbless hook artificial lures/flies. Managed for wild trout.

Merrimack River

Bow

Garvins Falls Dam from canal wall, including fish bypass plunge pool, to a point 300 feet downstream to main river.

Closed to all fishing.

Merrimack River

Franklin to Mass. border (except closed sections)

All sections

No closed season for all species except salmon. Daily limit of 2 trout through the ice.

Merrimack River

Manchester

Upstream side of Amoskeag Dam to upstream side of Amoskeag Bridge, and between west bank of river and island adjacent to powerhouse for 500 feet downstream of fishway entrance.

Closed to all fishing.

Merrymeeting River

New Durham

Merrymeeting Lake Dam to 200 ft below Powder Mill Hatchery

Closed to all fishing

Merrymeeting River

New Durham to Alton

From 200 ft. below Powder Mill Hatchery to lower dam at Alton

No closed season for all species except salmon. Daily limit of 2 trout through the ice

Merrymeeting River

Alton

From lower dam at Alton to Route 11 bridge at Alton Bay

Jan. 1 - June 15 and Oct. 1-31 fly-fishing only, barbless hooks, catch-and-release. June 16 - Sept. 30 combined daily limit for trout and salmon is 2 fish, minimum length 15 inches, minimum length for lake trout 18 inches

Mohawk River,

West Branch

Colebrook

All sections

Jan. 1 - Labor Day season. Catch-and-release, single barbless hook artificial lures/flies. Managed for wild trout.

Nashua River

Hollis to Nashua

From MA/NH border to confluence with Merrimack River

No closed season for all species except salmon. Daily limit of 2 trout through the ice

Nashua River

Nashua

Jackson Mills Dam 200 ft. above to 200 ft. below

Closed to all fishing

Nashua River

Nashua

Mines Falls Dam to 200 ft. below

Closed to all fishing

Newfound River

Bristol

Area between West Shore Road and dam adjacent to Crescent St

Jan. 1 - October 31 season, fly-fishing only. Jan. 1 - March 31: daily limit for trout is 2 fish and all salmon immediately released; April 1 - Sept. 30: combined daily limit for trout/salmon is 2 fish, minimum length for salmon and lake trout is 15 inches. Oct. 1-31: barbless hooks only, catch-and-release all fish

Pemigewasset River

Bristol

From Route 104 bridge to Ayers Island Dam

No closed season for all species except salmon. Daily limit of 2 trout through the ice

Pemigewasset River

Bristol

From Ayers Island Dam 300 ft. downstream

Closed to all fishing

Pemigewasset River

Bristol to Franklin

From 300 ft. below Ayers Island Dam to the Eastman Falls Dam in Franklin

No closed season for all species except salmon. Daily limit of 2 trout through the ice

Pemigewasset River

Franklin

From Eastman Falls Dam 150 ft. downstream

Closed to all fishing

Pemigewasset River

Franklin

From 150 ft. below Eastman Falls Dam to the confluence of Winnipesaukee River

No closed season for all species except salmon. Daily limit of 2 trout through the ice

Perry Stream

Pittsburg

Happy Corner Bridge to Connecticut River

Fly-fishing only. Daily limit for trout is 2 fish

Piscataquog River

Goffstown

Howe Bridge to Glen Lake

No closed season for all species. Daily limit of 2 trout through the ice

Piscataquog River, South Branch

New Boston

From 300 ft. upstream of the bridge located at 42° 57.447’N 71° 42.494’W using WGS84 map datum on Lyndeboro Road downstream to the first bridge on Route 13 in New Boston

October 16 - June 15: Catch-and-release, single barbless hook artificial lures/flies. June 16 - October 15: Daily limit for trout is 5 fish or 5 lbs.

Pond Brook

Odell to Stratford

All sections

Jan. 1 - Labor Day season. Catch-and-release, single barbless hook artificial lures/flies. Managed for wild trout.

Powwow River

Kingston

All sections

No closed season for all species. Daily limit of 2 trout through the ice.

Saco River

Conway

Lucy Brook downstream to confluence with Artist Falls Brook

Fly-fishing only. Daily limit for trout is 2 fish.

Sand Brook

Hillsborough

All sections

Jan. 1 - Labor Day season. Catch-and-release, single barbless hook artificial lures/flies. Managed for wild trout.

Soucook River

Loudon to Pembroke

From Loudon Village Dam to confluence with the Merrimack River

No closed season for all species. Daily limit of 2 trout through the ice.

Souhegan River

Greenville to Wilton

From 300 ft upstream of green bridge on Old Wilton Road in Greenville to 300 ft downstream of Route 31 bridge in Wilton

October 16 - June 15: Catch-and-release, single barbless hook artificial lures/flies. June 16 - October 15: Daily limit for brook trout is 5 fish or 5 lbs.

Sucker Brook

Auburn

From dam in Auburn Village downstream to Lake Massabesic

No closed season for all species. Daily limit of 2 trout through the ice

Sugar River

Newport

Rte. 11/103 Bridge to the so-called Oak Street Bridge

Jan. 1 - Nov. 30 season. Fly-fishing only. Daily limit for trout is 2 fish.

Suncook River

Barnstead to Allenstown/Pembroke

From Route 126 bridge in Barnstead downstream to confluence with the Merrimack River

No closed season for all species. Daily limit of 2 trout through the ice.

Swift River

Sandwich to Tamworth

From Route 113A bridge downstream to Route 113 bridge

Fly-fishing only. Daily limit for trout is 2 fish.

Swift Diamond River

Dixville to Second College Grant

Headwaters downstream to confluence with Dead Diamond River

Jan. 1 - Sept. 30 season

Taylor River

Hampton Falls

West of Route 95

No closed season for all species. Daily limit of 2 trout through the ice

Turkey River

Concord

All sections

No closed season for all species. Daily limit of 2 trout through the ice

Winnipesaukee River

Laconia to Tilton

From dam at Paugus Bay to 500 ft downstream and Messer Street bridge downstream to Dixon Point; and from old Union Bridge abutment in Tilton/Belmont downstream to a point 1000 ft below Lochmere Dam

April 1 - Sept. 30 season

Winnipesaukee River

Franklin

From Franklin Falls Hydro Dam to confluence with Pemigewasset River

No closed season for all species except salmon. Daily limit of 2 trout through the ice

Witches Spring Brook

Hollis

All sections

Jan. 1 - Labor Day season. Catch-and-release, single barbless hook artificial lures/flies. Managed for wild trout.