About Lamprey River, NH

Lamprey River is located in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. It is a 50.2-mile-long river that flows south from Saddleback Mountains to Meadow Lake in Northwood and ends in Great Bay, a tidal inlet of the Atlantic Ocean. The Lamprey River is an extensive body of water that flowers through 14 municipalities. It also has five main tributaries: North Branch, Pawtuckaway, North, Little, and Piscassic River. 

The Lamprey River has functioned as a water source for the residential areas in its proximity through the years. It is a cultural and historical body of water known for providing water power to sawmills and gristmills. One of the most popular mills that benefited from the Lamprey River is Wiswall Falls Mills in Durham, utilized to make nuts, knives, carriages, pitchforks, and other products. 

Due to its breathtaking sceneries and notable characteristics, Lamprey River is a renowned recreational destination to date. Some parts of the river have streams, while rapids characterize some spots. The Lamprey River also features a waterfall located in Dunham called the Packers Falls. Locals also hold events within the Lamprey River, such as the annual Lamprey River Canoe Race in Epping and several fishing derbies hosted by the towns that the Lamprey River flows through.

All About Fishing in Lamprey River, NH

Lamprey River is known to be Great Bay’s most significant tributary in terms of freshwater volume. The excellent water quality in Lamprey River allows the wetlands and floodplains that surround it to support the extensive range of wildlife species that prosper in it. Among these thriving species are fish species abundant in the Lamprey River, and the river functions as a refuge and spawning habitat for over 30 fish species.

The diverse range of fish species in Lamprey River includes shad, skipjack shad, American eel, Atlantic salmon, and popular game and cold-water fish such as brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout. The lower part of the river houses largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white perch, brown bullhead, and American yellow perch. While some fish are not able to cross from the tidally influenced parts of the water to freshwater, man-made fish ladders are positioned in some parts of the river allowing fish to migrate easily.

Fly fishing is the most common fishing technique used in the Lamprey River. As some parts of the river are shallow, wading into the river is encouraged. During the colder months, ice fishing is popular along the river’s calmer waters. 

Fishing Seasonality

The fishing season in the Lamprey River is between April to October. Although fishing is a year-round activity for anglers, the local government of New Hampshire implements barbless hook, artificial lures only, and catch and release regulations between January and the 4th Saturday of April. As for anglers targeting trout, they are strictly for catch and release between May and June. Some of the more shallow parts of the Lamprey River tend to dry out during the summer season, killing an abundance of trout. As the summer season approaches, trout fishing is more encouraged as they will go to waste if not reeled in.  However, there is still an abundance of fish in the other parts of the river during the warmer months.  

Fishing Seasonality

The fishing season in the Lamprey River is between April to October. Although fishing is a year-round activity for anglers, the local government of New Hampshire implements barbless hook, artificial lures only, and catch and release regulations between January and the 4th Saturday of April. As for anglers targeting trout, they are strictly for catch and release between May and June. Some of the more shallow parts of the Lamprey River tend to dry out during the summer season, killing an abundance of trout. As the summer season approaches, trout fishing is more encouraged as they will go to waste if not reeled in.  However, there is still an abundance of fish in the other parts of the river during the warmer months.  

All About Fishing in Lamprey River, NH

Lamprey River is known to be Great Bay’s most significant tributary in terms of freshwater volume. The excellent water quality in Lamprey River allows the wetlands and floodplains that surround it to support the extensive range of wildlife species that prosper in it. Among these thriving species are fish species abundant in the Lamprey River, and the river functions as a refuge and spawning habitat for over 30 fish species.

The diverse range of fish species in Lamprey River includes shad, skipjack shad, American eel, Atlantic salmon, and popular game and cold-water fish such as brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout. The lower part of the river houses largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white perch, brown bullhead, and American yellow perch. While some fish are not able to cross from the tidally influenced parts of the water to freshwater, man-made fish ladders are positioned in some parts of the river allowing fish to migrate easily.

Fly fishing is the most common fishing technique used in the Lamprey River. As some parts of the river are shallow, wading into the river is encouraged. During the colder months, ice fishing is popular along the river’s calmer waters.