Fishing Season: This water reopens 4/1/2024

Merrimack River - NH

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

74

David Kolesar's Tip of the Week

Water levels have been slowly dropping. Much of the river is easily accessible to waders. Unweighted streamers and surface patterns will all work now. Fish seem eager to chase a fast moving fly.

Directions open in app

Map of Merrimack River

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 8/17/26

Heavy rain is forecast for the coming days. Water levels will most likely rise to unwadeable levels by mid-week

Techniques & Tips as of 8/17/26

Target shoreline and around structure to find fish.

Local Species Available This water reopens 4/1/2024

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    Smallmouth bass

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    trout

David Kolesar's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
May's Full Motion Crayfish N/A 2
Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer black 4
Tungsten Jig Bugger black/olive/tan 8
Sneaky Pete Popper chartreuse/white/bla 4
Lefty’s Deceiver white/chartreuse 2
Clouser Minnow white/chartreuse 2
Black-nose Dace N/A 2
Black Ghost N/A 2
Wulff Patterns various 6
Deer hair bugs various 4

May's Full Motion Crayfish

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Item #1X5L

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David Kolesar's Recommended Gear

Description: About Merrimack River

The upper Merrimack river from Franklin to Concord NH is a large freestone river formed by the confluence of the Pemigewasset and Winnipesaukee rivers in Franklin. The river continues flowing southeast ward through Nashua NH into Massachusetts before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. The upper river has a good current flow with long stretches of calm water interrupted by shallow rapids. While trout are stocked in parts of the river high summer water temperatures prevent trout from thriving. This is a smallmouth bass river.

Nearest Airport:

Manchester -Boston Regional Airport

Hatches:

alder fly hatch in mid-June

Best Time to Fish:

Anytime. Low sun conditions and shade are usually better than bright sun.

Best Stretch:

Franklin to Concord

Best Access:

Boscawen Boat Launch. Shore access can be found at various locations along route 3 and a rail trail that crosses the boat launch in Boscawen.