Contoocook River Reservoir, New Hampshire: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  New Hampshire holds Contoocook River Reservoir, in Hillsborough County. It stands 679 feet above sea level. At 24 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Start from Antrim, 2.2 miles down the road. Greenfield follows at 4.3 miles, then Francestown at 5.8 miles. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Contoocook River Reservoir

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Across Hillsborough County, recorded fish include rainbow trout, largemouth bass, brown trout and smallmouth bass. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. Contoocook River Reservoir gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 68°F in July and bottom out at 20°F in January. Hard water is a season in its own right here. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near early April. Expect the water usable from around early April until roughly mid December. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. It sets the rhythm of the year at Contoocook River Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. The nearest car park is half a mile from the water. The water borders Bruce Edes Memorial Forest, so expect the reserve rules to apply. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Whittemore Lake, 1.4 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Confirm before you fish Contoocook River Reservoir.