Pillsbury Lake in Merrimack County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Pillsbury Lake stands in Merrimack County, New Hampshire. Height above sea level is 410 feet. It runs to roughly 67 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. About 1.8 miles of bank, so nothing stays unexplored for long. Webster sits 3.9 miles from the bank. Boscawen is 3.9 miles away, with Contoocook at 4.3 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Pillsbury Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. County-wide records name rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, brown trout and rainbow smelt. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Pillsbury Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 69°F, while January sits near 20°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around early April. The water is typically free of ice between early April and mid December. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Plan around that when you fish Pillsbury Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Pillsbury Lake Hunting Preserve covers this ground, which means extra rules to check. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. The nearest alternative is Flaghole Pond, 2.1 miles out. Confirm before you fish Pillsbury Lake.