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NH Fishing Seasons

This document is only a synopsis of New Hampshire's fishing seasons and does not contain all the pertinent laws or administrative rules. For additional information, please consult the current New Hampshire Freshwater Fishing Digest.

 

Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout & their Hybrids

 

  • Rivers & Streams: January 1 - October 15
  • Wild Trout Streams: January 1 - Labor Day
  • Trout Ponds: 4th Saturday in April - October 15
  • Wild Trout Ponds: 4th Saturday in April - Labor Day
  • Lake Trout and/or Salmon Waters: January 1 - September 30 (fish can be taken by ice fishing only January 1 – March 31)
  • All Other Waters: No closed season

 

Lake Trout

 

  • All Waters: January 1 - September 30 (Fish can be taken by ice fishing only January 1 – March 31)

 

Landlocked Salmon

 

  • April 1 - September 30
  • Fourth Saturday in April - September 30 (Pleasant Lake, New London only)

 

Largemouth Bass & Smallmouth Bass

 

  • Rivers & Streams: January 1 - October 15; Catch & Release May 15 - June 15
  • Trout Ponds: 4th Saturday in April - October 15; Catch & Release May 15 - June 15
  • Lake Trout and/or Salmon waters: No closed season (Fish can be taken by ice fishing only January 1 – March 31) Catch & Release May 15 - June 15
  • All Other Waters: No closed season; Catch & Release May 15 - June 15

 

Rainbow Smelt: See the current NH Freshwater Fishing Digest

 

All Other Species

 

  • Rivers & Streams: January 1 - October 15
  • Trout Ponds: 4th Saturday in April - October 15
  • Lake Trout and/or Salmon waters: No closed season (Fish can be taken by ice fishing only January 1 – March 31)
  • All Other Waters: No closed season

 

Fishing Seasons for Interstate Waters: See the current NH Freshwater Fishing Digest