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New Hampshire · Fishing
Raymond, New Hampshire is a quiet spot for lake fishing, with Dead Pond and Governors Lake making up the bulk of what's on offer in town.
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Raymond, New Hampshire is a quiet spot for lake fishing, with Dead Pond and Governors Lake making up the bulk of what's on offer in town. Neither water is going to draw crowds from across the state, which is exactly the point — these are accessible, low-pressure lakes that work well for anglers who want a relaxed outing without a long drive into the White Mountains. Governors Lake is the larger and more frequently fished of the two, and it holds warmwater species typical of southern New Hampshire lakes. Dead Pond is smaller and worth checking if you want to get off the beaten path even slightly. Both waters are reachable without a boat ramp reservation or a lot of planning, making Raymond a reasonable base if you're staying in Rockingham County and want to wet a line on a weekday morning or an evening after work. New Hampshire Fish and Game manages stocking schedules for many lakes in the region, so checking their current reports before you go will tell you more than any static page can about what's been put in recently.
Both are typical southern New Hampshire warmwater lakes, so largemouth bass, yellow perch, and chain pickerel are reasonable expectations. Governors Lake may also hold some stocked fish depending on the season — check New Hampshire Fish and Game's stocking database for the current year before your trip.
Shore fishing is viable at both locations, though access points vary. Dead Pond in particular is small enough that you can cover a good portion of the fishable water from the bank. A kayak or canoe opens up more of Governors Lake, but it is not required.
Governors Lake
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Governors Lake
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Dead Pond
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Pawtuckaway Lake
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Pawtuckaway Lake
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Dead Pond
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Spruce Swamp
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Muddy Pond
~11 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Hunt Pond
~12 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Lily Pond
~14 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Little Massabesic Lake
~14 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Beaver Pond
~15 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
You need a valid New Hampshire freshwater fishing license. Residents and non-residents can purchase one through the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department website or at local license agents. There is no special permit required for either of these lakes beyond the standard license.
Early morning and the hour or two before sunset are consistently the most productive windows for bass and pickerel in warmwater lakes like these. Midday in summer tends to push fish deeper and slow surface activity considerably.
A medium-light spinning setup handles most of what you will encounter at Dead Pond and Governors Lake. Soft plastics, small spinners, and surface lures work well for bass and pickerel. If you are targeting perch, a simple bobber-and-worm rig is hard to beat.
