Pemigewasset River Fishing Guides and Conditions, New Hampshire
The White Mountains river running out of Franconia Notch through Woodstock, Campton and Plymouth, a freestone trout stream up top and a smallmouth river down low.
Guides on the Pemigewasset River
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About the Pemigewasset River
The Pemigewasset starts at Profile Lake in Franconia Notch and runs south along Interstate 93 through North Woodstock, Thornton, Campton and Plymouth to the Winnipesaukee confluence at Franklin, where it becomes the Merrimack. It is the main drainage of the western White Mountains, and it collects a remarkable set of tributaries on the way: the East Branch out of the Pemigewasset Wilderness, the Mad River, Baker River and Smith River, each a fishery in its own right.
The upper river above Woodstock is cold freestone brook trout water in a spectacular notch. Through the middle river brown and rainbow trout are stocked and hold over in the deeper pools and the shaded reaches, and the East Branch and the smaller tributaries hold wild brook trout in the backcountry. Below Plymouth the river widens and warms and smallmouth bass take over, giving the lower reaches a genuinely good summer bass fishery. Landlocked salmon are present in the lowest reaches near Franklin.
The Plymouth gauge reads the middle river and it is entirely weather-driven. Spring melt off the White Mountains makes the river big, cold and fast, and it is not wadeable at peak. It drops quickly once melt is over, and June is typically ideal. A summer thunderstorm in the notch can double the flow for a day. By August the river runs low, warm and clear in the middle reaches and the trout fishing moves to the tributaries and the early hours.
Lincoln, North Woodstock, Campton and Plymouth are the base towns, with easy interstate access, and the tributary streams are what reward a second day.
Access
Franconia Notch State Park: the headwaters and the coldest water.
North Woodstock and the East Branch confluence: upper river access.
Thornton and Campton: roadside pullouts along Route 175 and Route 3.
Livermore Falls: a well-known reach with parking above Plymouth.
Plymouth: town access at the gauge and the Baker River confluence.
Bristol and Ashland: lower river and smallmouth water.
Mad River, Baker River and Smith River: tributary trout fisheries.
Seasons
April and May: heavy snowmelt, high and cold; streamers or wait it out.
June: the best month, dropping clear water and strong hatches.
July and August: low and warm on the main stem; fish the tributaries or the upper notch.
September and October: cooling water, fall trout and excellent smallmouth below Plymouth.
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Questions
What is the current flow on the Pemigewasset River?
As of Sep 3, 10:30 pm, the USGS gauge PEMIGEWASSET RIVER AT PLYMOUTH, NH reads 184 cfs, the 22nd percentile for this date. Conditions update every 15 minutes.
What species can you catch on the Pemigewasset River?
Anglers target Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Landlocked Atlantic Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass on the Pemigewasset River in New Hampshire.
Where are the fishing regulations for the Pemigewasset River?
Regulations change by season and section. Read the current rules on the New Hampshire agency site: https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/laws-and-rules