Highland Lake, New Hampshire: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Set in Merrimack County, Highland Lake is a New Hampshire water. Height above sea level is 646 feet. At about 212 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. The full circuit measures close to 2.3 miles on foot. It ranks high for size among our Merrimack County listings. 3.6 miles away sits Andover, the nearest town. After that come Hill at 5.5 miles and Franklin at 5.6 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Highland Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Records held for Merrimack County cover rainbow trout, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Take Highland Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 18°F in January and 68°F in July. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer and winter test it. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly early April. Averages place the thaw at early April and the freeze at mid December. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. That shapes the year on Highland Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Failing this one, try Emory Pond, 1.4 miles away. Check the position at Highland Lake before loading the car.