Fishing Seasons in NH
Notable Season Openers and Dates for Freshwater Fishing in New Hampshire
Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Brown Trout
- 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 and 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