Goose Pond in Cheshire County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Goose Pond lies in Cheshire County, in New Hampshire. The surface lies 653 feet up. Around 51 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. About 1.2 miles of bank, so nothing stays unexplored for long. Keene lies 2.7 miles from the water. Manchester is the closest city, 42 miles away. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Goose Pond

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. County-wide records name rainbow trout, brown trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and rainbow smelt. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Fish Goose Pond to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 69°F; by January the average is down near 20°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from early April. The water is typically free of ice between early April and mid December. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. It sets the rhythm of the year at Goose Pond.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. You will be walking about half a mile from the nearest car park. Greater Goose Pond Forest takes in this water; protected-area rules will apply. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. If the gate is shut, Surry Mountain Lake at 2.1 miles is the nearest alternative. Ask locally about Goose Pond if anything is unclear.