Broad Bay Fishing in Carroll County, New Hampshire

• Overview

  Out in Carroll County, New Hampshire, sits Broad Bay. The country here is mixed forest. It measures some 459 acres, and wind has room to build across it. Size puts it in the front rank of our Carroll County list. For supplies, Freedom is 3.3 miles out. It is 59 miles to Manchester, the nearest city. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Broad Bay

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Oyster and old piling give the only hard structure in sight. Salt and fresh mix here, and the mixing line is worth finding. Across Carroll County, recorded fish include rainbow trout, brown trout and smallmouth bass. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Broad Bay repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 69°F and January near 18°F on the long-run figures. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Break-up comes around early April, and the run that follows is short and strong. Open water usually runs from early April until about mid December. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. The season on Broad Bay follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. The nearest marina is Ossipee Lake Marina, some half a mile out. Overnight stays are possible half a mile away. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Failing this one, try Duck Pond, 0.9 miles away. The position on Broad Bay is worth confirming on the day.