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

• Overview

  Within Merrimack County, New Hampshire, you have Upper Pond. The water sits 515 feet up. With some 27 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. For a base, Henniker sits 2.2 miles out. For a city, Manchester is 22 miles off. Nearby, in order: Middle Pond at 0.3 miles, Long Pond roughly 0.7 miles, Grassy Pond at 1.3 miles, French Pond roughly 1.4 miles and Colleague Pond at 1.7 miles. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Upper Pond

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Merrimack County records list rainbow trout, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass among the fish reported. The county list is broader than any single water. On Upper Pond the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 69°F in July and bottoms out near 20°F in January. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. After early April the shallows warm and the fish move up. Break-up near early April, freeze-up near mid December: that is the shape of an average year. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. The season on Upper Pond rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Foster Conservancy covers ground next to the water; its rules will apply on that side. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. If the gate is shut, Middle Pond at 0.3 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position at Upper Pond before loading the car.