Craney Pond Fishing Guide, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

• Overview

  In New Hampshire, Craney Pond belongs to Merrimack County. The surroundings are rolling bush. Surface area is around 47 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. Around 1.2 miles of margin, front to back. Henniker sits 2.9 miles from the bank. The big place round here is Manchester, 20 miles distant. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Craney Pond

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Records held for Merrimack County cover rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, brown trout and rainbow smelt. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Treat Craney Pond as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 20°F in January to roughly 68°F in July. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Look for the thaw near early April; the fishing lifts straight after. The season between ice runs from about early April to mid December. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. That is the shape of the year on Craney Pond.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Buehler / Salmen Forest runs up to the bank here, which usually means extra restrictions. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. If the gate is shut, Mud Pond at 1.6 miles is the nearest alternative. Confirm before you fish Craney Pond.