Print it. Bag it. Bring it.Phones die, screens crack, and most of this water has no signal. Print this map, fold it into a zip-top bag or dry bag with your license, and you have a backup your electronics can’t give you. Every marker is numbered so you can say exactly where you are.
| # | Point | Type | Lat, Lon | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surry Mountain Lake US Army Corps of Engineers | Park / conservation area | 43.01612, -72.31563 | Impoundment immediately above the dam; recreation area and the source of the tailwater's flow. |
| 2 | Surry Mountain Dam US Army Corps of Engineers | Dam / hazard | 42.99776, -72.30882 | Head of the tailwater. Releases here set the whole reach. |
| 3 | USGS streamgauge - Ashuelot River below Surry Mountain Dam USGS | USGS gauge | 42.99480, -72.31120 | Sits just below the dam; the release gauge for this reach. |
| 4 | Court Street Keene | Bridge crossing | 42.96051, -72.30300 | |
| 5 | Ashuelot River Dam (Keene) Keene | Dam / hazard | 42.93353, -72.28907 | Dam in Keene; the practical downstream end of the tailwater reach. |
| 6 | West Street Keene | Bridge crossing | 42.93279, -72.28977 | |
| 7 | Hickey-Desilets Pocket Park Keene | Park / conservation area | 42.92728, -72.28730 | Small riverside park in Keene. |
| 8 | Winchester Street Keene | Bridge crossing | 42.92712, -72.28664 | |
| 9 | Ashuelot Rail Trail Rail trail | Bridge crossing | 42.92463, -72.28455 | Former railroad bridge, now the Ashuelot Rail Trail crossing. |
Gauge: USGS 01158000 — ASHUELOT RIVER BELOW SURRY MT DAM, NEAR KEENE, NH. Live flow on the web page.
Species: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Chain Pickerel, Fallfish, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, White Sucker, Yellow Perch
Regulations: www.wildlife.nh.gov/fishing-new-hampshire/fishing-rules-and-regulations
Emergency: call 911 and give the number of the nearest point on this map plus its coordinates.
Surry Mountain Dam - the Corps flood-control structure at the head of the reach, with a recreation area and parking.
Surry Mountain Lake - the impoundment above the dam, offering warmwater fishing and a boat launch.
Keene - the city downstream, with tackle shops, lodging, groceries and full services.
Surry - the small town alongside the upper reach, with road access to the river.
Otter Brook - a neighbouring Corps-regulated stream east of Keene, a useful alternative when releases are high.
Connecticut River - the main stem the Ashuelot joins at Hinsdale, with a large and varied fishery.
Gilsum - upstream of the impoundment, giving access to the free-flowing upper Ashuelot.
Spring: the main stocking season and the best trout fishing of the year, though releases can run high after storms.
Summer: the reach below the dam holds cooler than the open river, but the lower water turns toward bass and fallfish.
Fall: cooling water brings trout back on well, and settled autumn releases make for the most pleasant wading.
Winter: cold and largely dormant, with limited opportuni