Union Meadows, New Hampshire: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Look for Union Meadows in the Carroll County part of New Hampshire. It stands 492 feet above sea level. At about 98 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. The edge runs 2.3 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. The closest town, Sanbornville, is 3.4 miles away. Then Wakefield, 4.3 miles, and Acton, 6 miles. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Union Meadows

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Survey and observation records for Carroll County include rainbow trout, brown trout, smallmouth bass, rainbow smelt and Atlantic salmon. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. On Union Meadows that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 68°F in July and bottom out at 19°F in January. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around early April. The water is typically free of ice between early April and mid December. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Union Meadows.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. The water borders Middleton Town Forest, so expect the reserve rules to apply. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Lily Pond, 0.6 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Confirm before you fish Union Meadows.