Fishing

Fishing the Connecticut Lakes Region

At the northern tip of New Hampshire you'll find the headwaters of the mighty Connecticut River. Starting as a trickle near the Canadian border in Pittsburg, NH, the river forms a chain of lakes, the Connecticut Lakes, before making it's 400 mile journey to Old Saybrook, Connecticut. The Connecticut Lakes are deep, cold water lakes, home to lake trout and landlocked salmon.

The river itself holds native brook trout, rainbow trout, and large brown trout. Landlocked salmon make their way into the river during spring spawning runs of bait fish and during their fall spawn. The river has fly-fishing only regulations on five miles of river. Most of the river is open to lure and bait as well. Two tail-water dams provide cold river water for miles downstream making summer fishing on the Connecticut River excellent.

Remote ponds with good brook trout populations, some with fly-fishing only regulations, dot the wilderness and are accessible by car using well maintained logging roads. Diversity and abundance of quality fishing water make Pittsburg, and the Connecticut Lakes Region a favorite fishing destination.

Summer Fishing

We are blessed to have two, large tailwater dams on our river system. Water comes from the bottom of these dams, keeping our river water cool all summer long. What does this mean for the fishing? It makes it great all summer long! Fishing below the First Connecticut Lake dam is ‘fly fishing only’ and is home to Rainbow, Brook and Brown Trout as well as young Landlocked Salmon.

Hatches of Caddis, Stoneflies and several Mayfly species keep the dry fly action happening all summer long. Below Lake Francis it is open regulation fishing with the area’s coldest river water. Murphy Dam’s bottom release keeps river water cold for miles down stream. Fishing is good using lures and bait as well as caddis and mayfly patterns. The ponds and lakes are best fished in the early morning or just before dark when the water is the coolest.

Fishing during the summer is a very pleasant pastime. The weather is warm and the area is beautiful! Summer is a great time to be here!

Click here to see lists of local Fishing related businesses and Guide Services as well as business that issue Fish & Game Licenses

Text courtesy of Lopstick Outfitters