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

• Overview

  Goose Pond sits in Merrimack County, out in New Hampshire. It sits at 1,188 feet above sea level. At roughly 16 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. New London lies 3.2 miles from the water. Sunapee follows at 3.7 miles, then Springfield at 4.5 miles. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Goose Pond

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. County-wide records name rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and brown trout. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Goose Pond responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 67°F; by January the average is down near 18°F. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Break-up comes around mid April, and the run that follows is short and strong. Averages suggest open water from about mid April through to roughly early December. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. On Goose Pond that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Little Sunapee Dam Boat Launch gives a made launch, half a mile off. You will be walking about half a mile from the nearest car park. A jetty or pier is mapped about half a mile from here. Little Sunapee Associates Forest takes in this water; protected-area rules will apply. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Otter Pond sits 0.7 miles off and takes the overflow. Confirm before you fish Goose Pond.