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New Hampshire · Fishing
Lincoln, New Hampshire sits in the heart of the White Mountains, and while it's better known for hiking and ski season, the area has a handful of stillwater fishing spots worth knowing about.
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Lincoln, New Hampshire sits in the heart of the White Mountains, and while it's better known for hiking and ski season, the area has a handful of stillwater fishing spots worth knowing about. The three lakes and ponds in and around town — Gordon Pond, Lonesome Lake, and the Lincoln Sewage Lagoons — are all lake fishing setups, meaning you're working the shoreline or a small boat rather than wading a river. Lonesome Lake sits up in Franconia Notch State Park and requires a hike to reach, which keeps pressure lower than roadside water. Gordon Pond is more accessible. The Lincoln Sewage Lagoons are a legitimate local fishery that surprises people who overlook them on principle — treatment lagoons in New Hampshire are sometimes stocked and can hold decent fish. None of these are large bodies of water, so light tackle and patience suit them better than heavy gear. If you're driving up from the south, Lincoln makes a reasonable base for a day or two of fishing combined with other activities, but don't expect a wide variety of water types — this is a pond-and-lake destination, not a trout-stream one.
Yes. Anyone 16 or older needs a valid New Hampshire freshwater fishing license. You can purchase one online through the NH Fish and Game Department website or at local sporting goods stores. Non-resident licenses are available by the day or for the full season.
Lonesome Lake is accessed via a trail in Franconia Notch State Park — the most direct route from Lafayette Campground is roughly a 1.8-mile hike with about 1,000 feet of elevation gain, so plan for at least 45 minutes up. Shore fishing is possible once you're there, but the lake is small and the terrain around the edges is uneven. A lightweight packable rod makes the carry easier.
Waterville Campground
~24 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Sugarloaf 2 Campground
~27 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Omni Mount Washington Resort, Bretton Woods
~30 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Pemigewasset River - North Woodstock
~6 min drive
Easy
Sugarloaf 1 Campground
~27 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Russell-Colbath Barn
~33 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Ammonoosuc River - Lisbon Access
~23 min drive
Easy
Radeke Cabin
~31 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Gordon Pond
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Swift River - Kancamagus Highway
~33 min drive
Easy
Covered Bridge
~42 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Lincoln Sewage Lagoons
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
The activity listings cover lake fishing across all three locations but don't specify stocked species for each individual water body. New Hampshire Fish and Game stocks many small ponds in the region with brook trout and rainbow trout, and some waters hold yellow perch or bass. Check the NH Fish and Game stocking report for the current season before your trip — it's updated regularly and will tell you exactly what's been put in and when.
Early morning and the hour or two before sunset are consistently the most productive windows for stillwater fishing, especially for trout. Midday in summer can slow things down significantly as surface temperatures rise on small, shallow ponds. If you're fishing in late spring or fall, midday can be worth your time since water temps stay cooler.
Gordon Pond and the Lincoln Sewage Lagoons are both accessible without a significant hike, which makes them reasonable choices for beginners or families with young kids. Lonesome Lake requires a real trail hike and is better suited to anglers who are comfortable carrying gear on uneven terrain. Small ponds in general are forgiving for newer anglers since you're not managing current and can focus on reading the water near structure like fallen logs or inlet areas.
