New Hampshire fishing reports
178 reports for New Hampshire — what's biting, water temps, and where to focus.
Lake Winnipesaukee Bass Moving Offshore as Early June Arrives
The Winnipesaukee River outlet at Franklin registered 1,930 cfs on USGS gauge 01081000 as of June 7, reflecting healthy lake levels heading into summer. Bass are the early-June story on Winnipesaukee. Tactical Bassin reports that post-spawn bass are transitioning off shallow spawning flats and setting up on offshore structure, with chatterbaits, neko rigs, and drop shots producing multiple quality fish in comparable early-summer conditions. Their go-to combination of a wobble head jig paired with a shaky head worm has been dialed in for June bass staged outside weed flats and on deeper transition areas. Fishing the Midwest recommends targeting weedline edges as a high-percentage June tactic for anglers willing to cover water and adapt. Lake trout and landlocked salmon receive limited coverage in current national feeds; both species typically begin their seasonal retreat toward cooler, deeper water as surface temps climb through June on a lake of Winnipesaukee's scale. The Last Quarter moon favors low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk this weekend.
Big Stripers Push into Gulf of Maine as Summer Season Builds
Water temps at NOAA buoy 44007 sat at 55°F off the NH coast as of early Sunday morning, running a few degrees cooler than a normal early-June baseline. That reading aligns with On The Water's June 5 striper migration map, which notes temperatures are still below average across the region. The cool water has not stopped the fish, though. OTW Saltwater's June 2 migration report put 40-pound bass on bunker just outside Boston, placing large stripers within striking distance of the NH Gulf of Maine. On The Water confirms fish are beginning to settle into summer territories, though cooler conditions are slowing that process in some pockets. Light winds around 6 knots at buoy 44007 set up clean, fishable conditions this weekend. The striper action is the story: big bass are tracking bunker, squid, and river herring northward per the May 29 On The Water migration update, and the bait is moving with them. Rip lines, rocky points, and inlet mouths are the places to focus.
Post-Spawn Bass Come Alive on Winnipesaukee as Merrimack Clears
USGS gauge 01073500 on the Merrimack registered 115 cfs on June 7, a low, clear-water reading that is pushing the river into prime summer conditions ahead of most years. With the Merrimack running lean and transparent, fish are retreating to deeper pools and structure, making precise presentations critical. On Lake Winnipesaukee, bass have mostly cleared their spawning beds by early June, and the post-spawn feed-up period is underway. Tactical Bassin notes that June bass respond well to a one-two punch of wobble-head jigs and shaky head worms worked along offshore structure, tactics that translate directly to Winnipesaukee's rocky points and submerged ledges. On the Merrimack, low flows concentrate smallmouth in the deeper runs and eddies below dams; a chatterbait or drop shot along current seams can be productive this time of year. Water temperature data was unavailable from the gauge this cycle, but June typically puts surface temps in the mid-60s across the region.
Winnipesaukee bass enter post-spawn prime as June arrives
The Winnipesaukee River outflow is running at 1,940 cfs as of June 2 (USGS gauge 01081000), indicating stable lake levels heading into the early-summer window. No buoy water temperature reading is available this cycle, though surface temps on Winnipesaukee typically reach the low-to-mid 60s°F by early June, warm enough to push bass firmly out of spawn and into post-spawn recovery patterns. Tactical Bassin notes that post-spawn bass are targeting isolated offshore structure and outside flats right now, responding well to chatterbaits, neko rigs, and dropshot presentations. Lake trout (togue) and landlocked salmon typically retreat to deeper, cooler water as surface temps climb through this month. No NH-specific shop or charter reports were captured in this cycle; conditions on the lake should be confirmed locally before heading out. Check current NH Fish and Game regulations before harvesting any species.
Spring Striper Run Peaks on the NH Gulf of Maine Coast
Water at 52°F on NOAA buoy 44007, and the NH Gulf of Maine coast is locked into one of the stronger striper springs in recent memory. The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME reports the Merrimack River mouth as a top producer, with bait anglers soaking clams working well through the day and pluggers cleaning up after dark on soft plastics, darters, and bucktails. Beaches along Joppa and adjacent to the river are delivering fish from 30 to 40 inches, with bombers to 47 inches in the mix. Atlantic mackerel are thick on the nearshore ledges, and bigger bass are keying on that large bait. OTW Saltwater's June 2 striper migration report confirms the momentum: big fish are pushing north and feeding heavily on bunker, squid, and river herring, with 40-pound bass reported outside Boston Harbor — the next stop heading up the coast toward NH.
Merrimack stripers stacking at the mouth as shad run builds
Big stripers from 30 to 47 inches are stacking at the mouth of the Merrimack right now, per The Fisherman's regional network, with clam-soaking producing fish through the day and pluggers taking over after dark on SP minnows, darters, bucktails, and lead-headed soft plastics. The Fisherman also notes a notable uptick in shad reports on the Merrimack this week, suggesting the run is building toward its peak. On The Water's May 29 migration map confirms big fish are still pushing north, feeding heavily on bunker and river herring. The USGS gauge at site 01073500 shows 383 cfs on June 2, a moderate flow that has opened up solid access along the lower river. No water temperature reading is available from current gauges. Reports specific to Lake Winnipesaukee are absent from this week's feeds; standard early-June bass and landlocked salmon patterns serve as the working baseline until local intel surfaces.
Winnipesaukee bass in post-spawn mode as lake turns toward early summer
The USGS gauge on the Winnipesaukee River (site 01081000) recorded outflow at 2,180 cfs this morning, consistent with late-spring drainage. No water temperature data was available from today's gauge read. With a full moon on May 31, bass activity windows are worth timing carefully this weekend. Tactical Bassin reports that post-spawn bass across the Northeast are producing well on isolated offshore structure, with chatterbaits, swimbaits, and drop-shots all in the mix. Those techniques translate directly to Winnipesaukee's rocky points and mid-lake humps. The Fisherman — New England Freshwater notes active freshwater action across the broader region, with trout responding to Roostertails, Kastmasters, and Mepps spinners in stocked waters. Lake trout and landlocked salmon, which crowd Winnipesaukee's shallows through the ice-out season, are likely transitioning toward deeper, cooler holds as late-May surface temps climb, a typical early-summer shift for this fishery. Check state regulations for current slot limits on all species before heading out.
Stripers Flooding the NH Coast in Force as Late-May Migration Peaks
Water at NOAA buoy 44007 reads 48°F off the NH coast this morning, cold for late May but well within the striper comfort zone. Per The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME, Surfland Bait and Tackle reports the striper season is 'in full swing,' with fish up to the 40-inch class from both the Merrimack River and the front beaches. Belsan's Bait and Tackle confirms the bite went 'full tilt' this past week as large mackerel and sea herring moved in, pulling bass to the low 40-pound class along beaches and estuaries. Capt. Tom at Beauport Fishing Adventures notes stripers in the 20-pound class are chasing mackerel on inshore grounds. The herring run in the Merrimack is still very much on, keeping bigger fish anchored in the river. Flounder are also producing decent catches as a secondary option worth your time.
Stripers Push the Merrimack as the Herring Run Peaks
Striped bass are commanding attention on the Merrimack River this week. Surfland Bait and Tackle, reported in The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME, is hearing accounts of fish up to the 40-inch class running the river with the herring migration still fully active. Rod Teehan's report in the same outlet confirms that the Merrimack mouth fishes best on either side of low tide: paddletails on leadheads lead the way, with SP Minnows and bucktails also drawing strikes. That surge aligns with On The Water's May 29 striper migration map, showing big fish continuing to press north and feed heavily on river herring. USGS gauge 01073500 puts the Merrimack at 540 cfs, moderate and wading-friendly, with no water temperature recorded this cycle. No source in this reporting window specifically covered Lake Winnipesaukee conditions, so lake intel is based on typical late-May seasonal patterns for the region.
Big stripers on the NH coast as the Merrimack herring run peaks
Water temperatures of 53°F at NOAA buoy 44007 and an active herring run have pushed striper fishing on the NH coast into high gear. Surfland Bait and Tackle (per The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME) calls it plainly: "it's really good up here right now." Clam-fishing off the front beaches is producing slot and over-slot stripers, while the Merrimack mouth stands out as the most consistent producer. Paddletails on leadheads on either side of low tide are the go-to, with SP Minnows and bucktails also drawing strikes. Reports of fish into the 40-inch class are coming in from both the river and the front beaches. Capt. Tom at Beauport Fishing Adventures (The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME) confirms 20-plus-pound bass chasing mackerel on the inshore grounds, with early signs of pogies showing in lobster gear. The Fisherman (Northeast) adds that this spring push of 20-to-30-pound fish is "the likes of which we haven't seen in many years."
Merrimack stripers tracking the herring run as moon peaks
Surfland Bait & Tackle reports stripers up to the 40-inch class working the Merrimack River with the herring run still fully active, per The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME. The most consistent action on bigger fish is coming from inside the river. The USGS gauge on the Merrimack recorded 225 cfs on the afternoon of May 26, a moderate and fishable flow that keeps presentations clean for anglers working NH's stretch of the system. At the river mouth, paddletails on leadheads are the leading presentation, with SP Minnows and bucktails also drawing bites, according to The Fisherman — New England Freshwater. Heading into the weekend, the waxing gibbous moon sets up a favorable feeding push: On The Water's striper migration map as of May 22 noted the spring run peaks around moon phases, making the next several days a prime window. No fresh Lake Winnipesaukee reports are available for this cycle.
Winnipesaukee bass in post-spawn transition for Memorial Day weekend
The Winnipesaukee River outlet registered 1,660 cfs on May 25 (USGS gauge 01081000), reflecting solid lake levels heading into Memorial Day weekend. Bass are the headline species right now: The Fisherman — New England Freshwater reports largemouths across comparable New England lakes are "proving trickier to entice than they were in prespawn" as spawning gets underway, while a regional shop in the same outlet describes smallmouth and largemouth action as "steadily improving" as water temperatures slowly climb. Keitech swim baits, Lunker City paddletails, and live shiners are the top producers on regional bass lakes per The Fisherman — New England Freshwater; an angler in that same report pulled largemouth to 6 pounds on wakebaits after dark at a comparable southern New England lake, a twilight pattern worth testing on Winnipesaukee's protected coves. Lake trout and landlocked salmon typically retreat toward thermocline depth this time of year as surface temps approach seasonal highs. Yellow perch remain a consistent option near weed edges and rocky structure.