Loading trail…
New Hampshire · Fishing
Harrisville sits in the Monadnock Region of southwestern New Hampshire, and the fishing here is almost entirely stillwater.
4 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 4 spots
No additional spots match this filter.
Harrisville sits in the Monadnock Region of southwestern New Hampshire, and the fishing here is almost entirely stillwater. The four lakes and ponds in and around town — Howe Reservoir, Nubanusit Lake, Beaver Pond, and Chesham Pond — each fish a little differently, but all are accessible without a boat shuttle or long hike in. Nubanusit Lake is the largest of the group and tends to hold warmwater species like largemouth bass and yellow perch alongside whatever the state has stocked. Howe Reservoir and Chesham Pond are smaller and quieter, which makes them good options if you want to fish from shore without competing for space. Beaver Pond is the most intimate of the four and rewards anglers who are willing to work the edges carefully. New Hampshire Fish and Game manages stocking on many of these waters, so checking the current stocking report before you drive up is worth the two minutes it takes. A valid New Hampshire freshwater fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older. This is not a destination for fly anglers chasing wild trout in fast water — it's relaxed lake fishing, and it's better for it.
Nubanusit Lake is your best bet for variety, with largemouth bass, yellow perch, and chain pickerel commonly reported. Howe Reservoir, Beaver Pond, and Chesham Pond are smaller warmwater fisheries where perch and bass are the most consistent targets. New Hampshire Fish and Game stocks some of these waters with trout in spring, so checking the NH Fish and Game stocking report close to your visit will tell you exactly what has been put in recently.
Shore fishing is viable at all four waters. Chesham Pond and Beaver Pond are small enough that you can cover productive water without ever launching anything. Nubanusit Lake has more shoreline to work but a canoe or kayak will open up the coves and weed edges where bass hold in summer. Howe Reservoir also fishes well from the bank, particularly near the dam structure.
Edward MacDowell Lake Day Use Facilities
~11 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Howe Reservoir
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Otter Brook Lake Recreation Area
~13 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Nubanusit Lake
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Chesham Pond
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Dark Pond
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Nubanusit Lake
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Beaver Pond
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Center Pond
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Dinsmore Pond
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Minniwawa Brook Reservoir
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Edward MacDowell Reservoir
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Late April through early June is productive for trout if stocking has occurred, and bass fishing picks up as water temperatures climb through May and June. Midsummer fishing slows during the heat of the day — early morning and the last two hours of light are your best windows from July through August. Fall brings active feeding from bass and pickerel before ice-up, which typically arrives in December.
A light to medium spinning rod in the 6- to 7-foot range covers most situations across these four waters. For bass and pickerel, soft plastics, small spinnerbaits, and inline spinners all work. If you are targeting perch, a simple slip-bobber rig with a small jig or live minnow is hard to beat. Bring waders if you plan to fish Beaver Pond or Chesham Pond from the bank, since the edges can be soft and marshy.
A valid New Hampshire freshwater fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older and can be purchased online through NH Fish and Game or at local license agents. Specific size and bag limits vary by species and water body, so reviewing the current NH Freshwater Fishing Digest before your trip is the right move. Regulations on Nubanusit Lake may differ from the smaller ponds, so do not assume the same rules apply across all four waters.
