Fishing in the Monadnock & Southwest Region
Explore fishing in the Monadnock & Southwest Region of New Hampshire. Spofford Lake, Thorndike Pond, Ashuelot River, Con
Spofford Lake is a 464-acre lake near Chesterfield at the base of Mount Monadnock, offering excellent warmwater fishing for bass and panfish with a public boat launch and state park.
1. Spofford Lake (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Crappie, Yellow Perch)
Spofford Lake, Cheshire CountySpofford Lake is a 464-acre lake at the base of Mount Monadnock offering excellent warmwater fishing for bass and panfish with a public boat launch and state park.
- ⚠ This water: NH special water: 1. This waterbody shall be closed to the taking of all fish October 16 through March 31; | 2. The open season for taking all species except smelt shall be from April 1 through October 15; | 3. From April 1 through October 15, no person shall take fish through the ice, from the ice, or from any object supported by the ice; | 4. The
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · No minimum (some waters 12 in)
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, white perch, horned pout) · Limit: No limit (some waters 25)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, white perch, horned pout) · Limit: No limit (some waters 25)
Boat Launch: Spofford Yacht Club →
2. Thorndike Pond (Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Crappie, Bluegill)
Thorndike Pond, Cheshire CountyThorndike Pond is a 250-acre lake in Jaffrey offering excellent largemouth bass and chain pickerel fishing at the foot of Mount Monadnock.
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, white perch, horned pout) · Limit: No limit (some waters 25)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, white perch, horned pout) · Limit: No limit (some waters 25)
Boat Launch: Frost Pond boat ramp →
3. Ashuelot River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Fallfish)
Ashuelot River, Cheshire CountyThe Ashuelot River flows 60 miles through southwestern New Hampshire to the Connecticut River, offering excellent trout and smallmouth bass fishing with numerous public access points through Keene.
- ⚠ This water: NH special water: trout through the ice.
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · No minimum (some waters 12 in)
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
Boat Launch: Spofford Yacht Club →
4. Contoocook River (northern)
Contoocook River, Hillsborough/Merrimack countiesThe upper Contoocook River flows through southwest New Hampshire offering excellent trout fishing in a scenic valley with state fish hatchery releases.
- ⚠ This water: NH special water: Henniker to Concord From 2,500 ft. above former paper mill dam in West Henniker, to confluence with Merrimack River No closed season for all species. Daily limit of 2 trout through the ice.
- Northern pike · Limit: 5 · Min 24 in
Boat Launch: River Road Boat Launch →
5. Nubanusit Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, White Perch)
Nubanusit Lake, Cheshire CountyNubanusit Lake is a 590-acre lake in Nelson offering excellent rainbow and brook trout fishing in a remote setting at 1,400 feet elevation.
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · No minimum (some waters 12 in)
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, white perch, horned pout) · Limit: No limit (some waters 25)
6. Dublin Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel)
Dublin Lake, Cheshire CountyDublin Lake is a 172-acre lake in the town of Dublin offering good trout and bass fishing in a scenic Monadnock region setting.
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · No minimum (some waters 12 in)
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
7. Highland Lake (Stoddard)
Highland Lake, Cheshire CountyHighland Lake in Hancock offers good trout fishing in a 60-acre lake in the Contoocook River watershed.
Boat Launch: Warren Lake Boat Access →
8. Granite Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass, White Perch)
Granite Lake, Cheshire CountyGranite Lake in Nelson offers good trout fishing in a small 80-acre lake in the Monadnock region.
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · No minimum (some waters 12 in)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, white perch, horned pout) · Limit: No limit (some waters 25)
9. Wilson Lake (Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Rainbow Trout, Crappie, Bluegill)
Wilson Lake, Cheshire CountyWilson Lake is a 100-acre lake in Winchester offering good warmwater fishing in southwestern New Hampshire.
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, white perch, horned pout) · Limit: No limit (some waters 25)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, white perch, horned pout) · Limit: No limit (some waters 25)
Boat Launch: Dockside Marina →
10. Glen Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel)
Glen Lake, Cheshire CountyGlen Lake in Stoddard offers good trout fishing in a small scenic lake in the Monadnock highlands.
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
11. Minnewawa Lake (Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Rainbow Trout, Crappie, Bluegill)
Minnewawa Lake, Cheshire CountyMinnewawa Lake is a 75-acre lake in Marlborough offering good warmwater fishing in the Ashuelot River watershed.
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, white perch, horned pout) · Limit: No limit (some waters 25)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, white perch, horned pout) · Limit: No limit (some waters 25)
12. Halfmoon Pond (Hancock)
Halfmoon Pond, Hillsborough CountyHalfmoon Pond in Hancock offers good trout fishing in a 120-acre pond in the Contoocook River watershed.
Boat Launch: Bradford Town Boat Ramp →
13. Norway Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel)
Norway Pond, Hillsborough CountyNorway Pond in Hancock offers good trout fishing in a small pond historic Hancock village.
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
14. Greenwood Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass, White Perch)
Greenwood Lake, Cheshire CountyGreenwood Lake in Winchester offers good trout fishing in a 80-acre lake.
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · No minimum (some waters 12 in)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, white perch, horned pout) · Limit: No limit (some waters 25)
Boat Launch: Ossipee Lake Marina →
15. Bleached Meadow Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Bleached Meadow Pond, Hillsborough CountyBleached Meadow Pond in Francestown offers good brook trout fishing in a remote pond setting.
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · No minimum (some waters 12 in)
Boat Launch: Bleached Meadow Pond →
16. Scovill Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass)
Scovill Pond, Cheshire CountyScovill Pond in Marlborough offers good trout fishing in a small pond in the Monadnock region.
17. Swanzey Lake (Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Rainbow Trout, Crappie, Bluegill)
Swanzey Lake, Cheshire CountySwanzey Lake is a 90-acre lake in Swanzey offering good warmwater fishing.
- ⚠ This water: NH special water: Trout Pond Cartop
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, white perch, horned pout) · Limit: No limit (some waters 25)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, white perch, horned pout) · Limit: No limit (some waters 25)
Boat Launch: Spofford Yacht Club →
18. Otter Brook Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Otter Brook Lake, Cheshire CountyOtter Brook Lake is a 120-acre impoundment on Otter Brook offering good trout fishing with a public beach and boat launch in Keene.
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · No minimum (some waters 12 in)
19. Ashburnham Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass)
Ashburnham Pond, Cheshire CountyAshburnham Pond in Winchester offers good trout and bass fishing in a small pond setting.
Boat Launch: Ashburnham Pond →
20. Bush Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass)
Bush Pond, Cheshire CountyBush Pond in Swanzey offers good trout fishing in a small pond.
21. Willard Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Willard Pond, Cheshire CountyWillard Pond is a 100-acre pond in Antrim offering good trout fishing in a wildlife sanctuary setting.
- ⚠ This water: NH special water: Trout Pond; Fly-fishing only Ramp No petroleum motors
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · No minimum (some waters 12 in)
22. Stone Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel)
Stone Pond, Cheshire CountyStone Pond in Marlborough offers good trout and bass fishing in a small lake in the Monadnock region.
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
23. French Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Chain Pickerel)
French Pond, Hillsborough CountyFrench Pond in Hancock offers good trout fishing in a small pond setting.
- ⚠ This water: NH special water: Trout Pond Ramp No motors over 5 HP
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
24. Dudley Brook (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Brown Trout)
Dudley Brook, Cheshire CountyDudley Brook offers good trout fishing in the Ashuelot River watershed.
25. South Branch Ashuelot River (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Brown Trout)
South Branch Ashuelot River, Cheshire CountyThe South Branch Ashuelot River offers good trout fishing in the hills of southwestern New Hampshire.
26. North Branch Ashuelot River (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Brown Trout)
North Branch Ashuelot River, Cheshire CountyThe North Branch Ashuelot River offers good trout fishing in the Monadnock highlands and Gilsum.
Boat Launch: North Branch Ashuelot River →
27. Beaver Brook (Cheshire Co.)
Beaver Brook, Cheshire CountyBeaver Brook offers good trout fishing in a small stream in the Ashuelot watershed.
28. Stony Brook (Cheshire Co.)
Stony Brook, Cheshire CountyStony Brook offers good trout fishing in the Monadnock region and Fitzwilliam.
29. Meadow Brook (Cheshire Co.)
Meadow Brook, Cheshire CountyMeadow Brook offers good trout fishing in the Ashuelot River watershed.
- ⚠ This water: NH special water: – Labor Day season. Catch-and-release, single barbless hook artificial lures/flies. Managed for wild trout.
Boat Launch: Echo Lake Boat Launch →
30. West Branch Contoocook River (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Brown Trout)
West Branch Contoocook River, Hillsborough CountyThe West Branch Contoocook River offers good trout fishing in the hills of southwestern New Hampshire.
Boat Launch: West Branch Contoocook River →
31. North Branch Contoocook River (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Brown Trout)
North Branch Contoocook River, Hillsborough CountyThe North Branch Contoocook River offers good trout fishing in the Monadnock highlands and Bennington.
32. Nubanusit Brook (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Nubanusit Brook, Cheshire CountyNubanusit Brook connects Nubanusit Lake to the Contoocook River, offering good trout fishing in a stream setting.
33. Farnsworth Brook (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Farnsworth Brook, Cheshire CountyFarnsworth Brook offers good brook trout fishing in the Nubanusit Lake area of the Monadnock region.
Boat Launch: Farnsworth Brook →
34. Chase Brook (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Chase Brook, Cheshire CountyChase Brook offers good wild brook trout fishing in the southwestern New Hampshire woods.
35. Partridge Brook (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Partridge Brook, Cheshire CountyPartridge Brook offers good trout fishing in the Ashuelot River watershed.
36. Governor's Brook (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Governor's Brook, Hillsborough CountyGovernor's Brook offers good wild brook trout fishing in the hills.
Boat Launch: Echo Lake Boat Launch →
37. Gale Brook (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Gale Brook, Cheshire CountyGale Brook offers good trout fishing in the Monadnock region.
38. Center Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass)
Center Pond, Cheshire CountyCenter Pond in Chesterfield offers good trout fishing in a small 60-acre pond.
- ⚠ This water: NH special water: Trout Pond Ramp No motors
39. Ashuelot Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass)
Ashuelot Pond, New HampshirePopular fishing lake in the Monadnock & Southwest Region region of New Hampshire.
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · No minimum (some waters 12 in)
Boat Launch: Warren Lake Boat Access →
40. Contoocook Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass)
Contoocook Lake, New HampshirePopular fishing lake in the Monadnock & Southwest Region region of New Hampshire.
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · No minimum (some waters 12 in)
41. Dublin Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass)
Dublin Pond, New HampshirePopular fishing lake in the Monadnock & Southwest Region region of New Hampshire.
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · No minimum (some waters 12 in)
42. Eastman Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass)
Eastman Pond, New HampshirePopular fishing lake in the Monadnock & Southwest Region region of New Hampshire.
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · No minimum (some waters 12 in)
43. Franklin Pierce Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass)
Franklin Pierce Lake, New HampshirePopular fishing lake in the Monadnock & Southwest Region region of New Hampshire.
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · No minimum (some waters 12 in)
44. Harrisville Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass)
Harrisville Pond, New HampshirePopular fishing lake in the Monadnock & Southwest Region region of New Hampshire.
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · No minimum (some waters 12 in)
45. Lake Massasecum (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass)
Lake Massasecum, New HampshirePopular fishing lake in the Monadnock & Southwest Region region of New Hampshire.
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · No minimum (some waters 12 in)
Boat Launch: Bradford Town Boat Ramp →
46. Lake Monomonac (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass)
Lake Monomonac, New HampshirePopular fishing lake in the Monadnock & Southwest Region region of New Hampshire.
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · No minimum (some waters 12 in)
47. Lake Solitude (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass)
Lake Solitude, New HampshirePopular fishing lake in the Monadnock & Southwest Region region of New Hampshire.
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · No minimum (some waters 12 in)
Boat Launch: Lake Sunapee State Park Boat Ramp →
48. Little Sunapee Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass)
Little Sunapee Lake, New HampshirePopular fishing lake in the Monadnock & Southwest Region region of New Hampshire.
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · No minimum (some waters 12 in)
Boat Launch: Little Sunapee Dam Boat Launch →
49. Pearly Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass)
Pearly Lake, New HampshirePopular fishing lake in the Monadnock & Southwest Region region of New Hampshire.
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · No minimum (some waters 12 in)
50. Pleasant Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass)
Pleasant Lake, New HampshirePopular fishing lake in the Monadnock & Southwest Region region of New Hampshire.
- ⚠ This water: NH special water: Trout Pond Use or possession of rainbow smelt for bait shall be permitted.Ramp
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · No minimum (some waters 12 in)
Boat Launch: Kezar Lake Boat Ramp →
51. Silver Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass)
Silver Lake, New HampshireSilver Lake in Harrisville offers good trout fishing in a small lake in the Monadnock region.
- ⚠ This water: NH special water: Lake Trout and/or Salmon When trolling to take fish: | 1. Only one artificial bait, one fly, one tandem fly or one bait shall be used per rod; and, | 2. Only one hook with a single hook point shall be used with bait.Ramp No houseboats
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · No minimum (some waters 12 in)
52. Skatutakee Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass)
Skatutakee Lake, New HampshirePopular fishing lake in the Monadnock & Southwest Region region of New Hampshire.
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · No minimum (some waters 12 in)
53. Surry Mountain Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass)
Surry Mountain Lake, New HampshirePopular fishing lake in the Monadnock & Southwest Region region of New Hampshire.
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · No minimum (some waters 12 in)
Boat Launch: Warren Lake Boat Access →
54. Weare Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass)
Weare Reservoir, New HampshirePopular fishing lake in the Monadnock & Southwest Region region of New Hampshire.
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · No minimum (some waters 12 in)
Fishing Tips for the Monadnock & Southwest Region
- Get a licence — All anglers need a valid state fishing licence — check your state's wildlife agency site.
- Check the weather & water conditions — always check forecasts and wind before heading out, especially on big water.
- Know the regulations — size and catch limits vary by water body in New Hampshire; check the local regulations first.
- Best times — early morning and late evening are prime. Many Monadnock & Southwest Region waters fish best in spring and fall.
- Use the right gear — match your rod, line, and tackle to the species you're chasing and the water you're fishing.
More Regions in New Hampshire
- Dartmouth & Upper Valley
- Lakes Region & Lake Winnipesaukee
- Merrimack Valley & Seacoast
- White Mountains & North Country
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