Fishing at Surry Mountain Lake, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

• Overview

  Surry Mountain Lake is set in Cheshire County, New Hampshire. Beyond the shoreline you have lake country bush. At some 353 acres it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. Around 3.3 miles of bank, which is a long day on foot. It ranks high for size among our Cheshire County listings. The town to know is Keene, 4.7 miles out. The nearest city of size is Manchester, 43 miles away. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Surry Mountain Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Cheshire County records list rainbow trout, brown trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and rainbow smelt among the fish reported. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Surry Mountain Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 20°F in January up to 69°F in July. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Count the season from break-up, usually early April. Averages suggest open water from about early April through to roughly mid December. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. On Surry Mountain Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. A toilet block sits half a mile away. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. For a change of water, Lily Pond is 1.8 miles distant. Check the position on Surry Mountain Lake before loading the car.