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23°C · Clear
Today
25° / 11°
Sun
06:18 – 19:09
Moon
Waning Crescent · solunar good
Fishing around Concord
AI field guide · refreshed weeklyConcord-Area Fishing: Early Fall Transition
What's biting
Largemouth Bass
Where: Shallow weed edges and structure in Penacook Lake, Horseshoe Pond, and the Merrimack River backwaters; transition zones between deep and shallow water.
Early fall bass move to intermediate depths as water cools. Work soft plastics (4–5 inch worms or craws) along weed lines at 1.5–3 m (5–10 ft) depth; topwater early morning and late evening when air temps drop below 15°C (59°F).
Caution: Confirm current size and bag limits with NH Fish and Game; regulations vary by water body.
Smallmouth Bass
Where: Rocky shorelines, drop-offs, and current breaks in the Merrimack River and Penacook Lake; granite-lined pools and ledges.
Smallmouth are active in 17–20°C (63–68°F) water. Cast tube jigs or crankbaits to hard structure; focus on current seams in the river where baitfish concentrate.
Caution: Check local regulations for slot limits or catch-and-release zones before fishing.
Chain Pickerel
Where: Weedy shallows and marshy inlets of Penacook Lake, Horseshoe Pond, and slow-moving Merrimack backwaters.
Pickerel are aggressive in fall. Use 10–15 cm (4–6 inch) shiners or small spinnerbaits; retrieve steadily through vegetation. Early morning and dusk are most productive.
Caution: Pickerel have sharp teeth—use a wire bite leader to avoid line breakage.
Yellow Perch
Where: Deeper holes (2–4 m / 6–13 ft) in Penacook Lake and Horseshoe Pond; sandy or muddy bottoms near structure.
Perch school heavily in fall. Drop small jigs (1/8–1/4 oz) tipped with live minnows or waxworms vertically; work slowly and pause frequently.
Caution: None; excellent table fish and good for beginners.
Walleye
Where: Merrimack River main channel and deeper pools; active at dawn and dusk around current breaks and submerged logs.
Walleye feed aggressively as water temperature drops. Cast or troll live shiners 1–2 m (3–6 ft) deep; night fishing with live bait or crankbaits is highly effective.
Caution: Walleye are nocturnal in fall—plan evening and early-morning trips. Verify season and size limits before fishing.
Best times
Early morning (6–8 a.m.) and late evening (6–8 p.m.) when air temps are coolest and light is low. Overcast days with light wind (under 16 km/h / 10 mph) are ideal. Avoid midday sun when water temps peak. The waning crescent moon (10% lit) favors low-light feeding; expect improved action after the new moon on 11 September.
Waters to try
- Penacook Lake (largest local impoundment, mixed structure and weed beds); Horseshoe Pond (shallow, weedy, excellent for pickerel and perch); Merrimack River main channel and backwaters (walleye, smallmouth, and pickerel habitat); Silk Farm Pond (small but productive for bass and perch); Concord Pond (urban access, mixed warm-water species); Bow Lake (nearby, 8 km south, deeper structure for walleye and smallmouth).
Regulations
New Hampshire has specific season dates, size limits, and bag limits that vary by species and water body. Consult the New Hampshire Fish and Game website (https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/fishing-new-hampshire) for current regulations, license requirements, and any special restrictions on these waters before you fish. A valid NH fishing license is required for all anglers 16 and older.
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