If you’re looking for a great spot to fish in New England, you’re in luck because the area is full of excellent freshwater fishing spots. You’ll have a choice of rivers and lakes and plenty of different fish species, like bass, trout, and pickerel. These top fishing spots can be found from Maine down through New Hampshire and Vermont.
Top New Hampshire Fishing Spots
There are many options for fishing in New Hampshire. One of the go-to spots is Massabesic Lake, just outside Manchester, NH. This lake is packed with bass, white perch, and pickerel. Boating is allowed, and you can access the lake through various public boat ramps and the shoreline.
Another New Hampshire spot is Squam Lake. This lake is known for its scenic mountains and clear waters. Here, you’ll get a variety of fish, including lake trout, salmon, and smallmouth bass. Squam Lake is known for being the setting of On Golden Pond.
Arguably, the most famous of NH lakes is also the biggest. Lake Winnipesaukee is a top favorite all year round for those who want to fish for rainbow trout, lake trout, salmon, and white perch. You can also ice fish here during the winter months.
In Western NH, there is Lake Sunapee. This deep, clear lake features big lake trout and landlocked salmon. You can also find smallmouth bass and perch in Lake Sunapee, making it a great spot to target multiple species. It’s only an hour’s drive from Manchester, NH.
Top Maine Fishing Spots
Maine is also packed with top fishing spots, including the Rangeley Lakes Region in the western part of the state. This includes Mooselookmeguntic Lake and Rangeley Lake, which are famous for brook trout and landlocked salmon. It’s a top destination for those who love fly fishing and scenic solitude.
Another spot is Great Pond in Belgrade, ME. This is one of the famous Belgrade Lakes and offers quality fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and northern pike. It’s an excellent family-friendly lake with an accessible shoreline.
The Androscoggin River goes through both New Hampshire and Maine. It’s been revived after decades of pollution and is now a prime spot for fishing. You can find plenty of smallmouth bass and brown trout in areas near Berlin, NH, and Bethel, ME.
Other Top New England Fisheries
Even though New Hampshire and Maine have arguably the best freshwater fisheries in New England, you can also find top spots in Massachusetts and Vermont. The Quabbin Reservoir in Western Massachusetts is one of these with a thriving fishery of lake trout, landlocked salmon, and smallmouth bass.
Meanwhile, in Vermont, Lake Memphremagog and Otter Creek are two top spots. The former is a deep glacial lake in Northern Vermont with excellent opportunities for lake trout, yellow perch, and burbot. It’s also a great ice fishing spot. Otter Creek is Vermont’s longest river and has several species, like brown trout and smallmouth bass. It’s generally within walking distance of Middlebury.
Finally, the Connecticut River follows the NH/VT/MA/CT Border and has a wide range of fish species, including northern pike, catfish, and largemouth bass. The area near Hanover and Lebanon, NH, is particularly productive.