Webster Lake and Chance Pond Fishing in Merrimack County, New Hampshire

• Overview

  Set in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, this is Webster Lake and Chance Pond. Elevation runs to 410 feet. Head to Franklin, 1.2 miles away, for anything you forgot. Beyond it, Tilton-Northfield at 3.9 miles and Northfield at 4 miles. Others close at hand: Webster Lake after 1.6 miles, Giles Pond at about 3 miles, Emory Pond after 3.2 miles, Highland Lake at about 4.4 miles and Sondogardy Pond after 5.2 miles. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on Webster Lake and Chance Pond

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Across Merrimack County, recorded fish include rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, brown trout and rainbow smelt. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Webster Lake and Chance Pond the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 68°F, with January the cold end at about 19°F. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near early April. From about early April to around mid December, expect open water on the long-run figures. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. It holds true on Webster Lake and Chance Pond more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. The slipway at Franklin Public Boat Ramp is half a mile away. The closest car park is half a mile away, so pack accordingly. A toilet block sits half a mile away. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. If the gate is shut, Webster Lake at 1.6 miles is the nearest alternative. Where Webster Lake and Chance Pond is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.