Pemigewasset River
The Pemigewasset River flows 65 miles through the heart of New Hampshire's White Mountains, offering diverse fly fishing from small stream headwaters at Profile Lake to broad freestone water in the lowlands. Known for native brook trout, stocked brown and rainbow trout, and Atlantic salmon, the Pemi provides accessible fishing with beautiful mountain scenery, productive hatches, and excellent wade fishing opportunities from Franconia Notch to Plymouth.
Current Conditions
Overview
The Pemigewasset River begins its journey at Profile Lake in Franconia Notch State Park, a fly fishing only lake nestled in one of the most scenic mountain passes in New England. From this high-elevation source at over 1,800 feet, the river flows south for approximately 65 miles through the White Mountain National Forest before joining the Winnipesaukee River to form the Merrimack River near Franklin.
The upper Pemigewasset starts as a small mountain stream with classic pocket water, plunge pools, and cascades holding native brook trout. As the river gains volume from tributaries draining the Franconia Range and other peaks, it grows into a medium-sized freestone river with well-defined riffle-run-pool structure. By the time it reaches Lincoln and Woodstock, the Pemi is a substantial river 40-80 feet wide, easily waded in most sections, and offering a mix of pools, riffles, and diverse fishing conditions.
The river's flow through the White Mountain National Forest means much of the water is publicly accessible with numerous roadside pulloffs along Routes 3 and 112 providing easy entry points. This accessibility combined with regular stocking of brook, brown, and rainbow trout plus Atlantic salmon makes the Pemigewasset a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
The Pemi is a broad freestone river that can be comfortably waded in many locations, particularly in the middle and lower sections around Lincoln, Woodstock, and downstream. The clear, cold water flowing from the White Mountains supports good insect populations including mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies, providing reliable hatches throughout the season. Native brook trout, sometimes called "square tails" locally, remain in the system alongside stocked fish and wild holdovers from previous years' stockings.
Water Characteristics
The Pemigewasset River is a classic White Mountain freestone stream with cold, clean water and good clarity. Visibility typically ranges from 2-4 feet during normal flows to 5-6 feet during stable summer conditions. The river's headwaters in the high peaks ensure cold water throughout the summer, with temperatures remaining in the ideal trout range (50-65 degrees F) even during hot weather.
The substrate is diverse, ranging from gravel and small cobble in the riffles to larger cobble and boulders in the runs and pocket water sections. This varied structure provides excellent habitat for aquatic insects and fish. The insect community includes good populations of mayflies (Blue-winged Olives, Light Cahills, Hendricksons, Blue Quills), abundant caddisflies, and stoneflies in the faster sections. Terrestrial insects contribute to the trout diet from July through September.
The river's character changes significantly from headwaters to lowlands. The upper sections near Franconia Notch are small stream pocket water, the middle sections around Lincoln and Woodstock offer classic riffle-run-pool freestone fishing, and the lower sections broaden into bigger water with longer, slower pools. This diversity means anglers can find water suited to their preferences and skill level along the river's length.
Wading & Float Guide
The Pemigewasset River offers excellent wading conditions in most sections, making it one of the most accessible rivers in New Hampshire for anglers of all skill levels. The broad freestone character means the river spreads out, creating comfortable depths and moderate current speeds. The bottom is predominantly gravel and cobble with occasional larger rocks, providing stable footing with felt-soled or studded boots.
During normal summer and fall flows, the river can be waded confidently in most locations, with depths ranging from ankle-deep in riffles to knee or thigh-deep in runs. The pools can be chest-deep or deeper but are typically fished from the tailouts or by wading the margins. The gradient is gentle to moderate, creating current that is manageable rather than intimidating.
Spring runoff (typically late April through May) can make the river high and fast, limiting safe wading to the margins. Check local conditions and water levels before your trip. The USGS gauge at Plymouth (01076000) provides flow information: optimal wading occurs at flows below 1,500 cfs, while flows above 2,500 cfs make wading challenging. Chest waders are recommended for most of the season, though hip waders work during low summer flows in the shallower sections.
Lincoln to Woodstock
Easy float through the White Mountains with beautiful scenery. The river here offers good fishing access from the boat to productive riffles, runs, and pools. Gentle current and minimal obstacles make this suitable for beginning float anglers.
Rod & Tackle Guide
Upper Pemi (Profile Lake to Lincoln)
- Rod
- 8-9' 4-weight
- Line
- Weight-forward floating
- Leader & Tippet
- 9' tapered to 5X or 6X
Light rod for small stream pocket water and native brook trout. Longer leader for stealthy presentations in clear water. Short rod (8 feet) works well in tighter spaces with overhanging vegetation.
Middle Pemi (Lincoln to Woodstock)
- Rod
- 9' 5-weight
- Line
- Weight-forward floating
- Leader & Tippet
- 9' tapered to 4X or 5X
Standard 5-weight setup is perfect for this water. Handles nymph rigs, dry flies, and occasional streamers. Good all-around rod for wade fishing the main river.
Atlantic Salmon fishing
- Rod
- 9' 5-weight or 6-weight
- Line
- Weight-forward floating
- Leader & Tippet
- 9' tapered to 3X or 4X
Slightly heavier setup for stocked Atlantic salmon. Traditional wet fly and streamer patterns in sizes 6-10. The 6-weight provides extra backbone for larger fish.
Seasonal Fishing Guide
Spring
May and early June offer excellent fishing as the river clears from runoff and fish feed aggressively after the lean winter months. Stonefly nymphs, caddis larvae, and Pheasant Tail Nymphs fished through deeper runs produce consistent results. Watch for the first mayfly hatches of the season, including Hendricksons and Blue Quills, typically emerging in late May. Nymphing is the most consistent technique until hatches intensify in June. Be prepared for fluctuating water levels from snowmelt and spring rains.
Summer
June through August brings the best dry fly fishing of the year. Caddis hatches are prolific throughout summer with evening emergences producing excellent surface action. Mayfly hatches include Blue-winged Olives, Light Cahills, and occasional Green Drakes in some sections. Terrestrial patterns (ants, beetles, small hoppers) become effective along grassy and forested banks in July and August. The best fishing occurs early morning (before 10 AM) and evening (after 5 PM), with midday nymphing through the deeper pools when surface activity slows. The river's cold headwaters keep temperatures favorable even during warm weather.
Fall
September and early October provide outstanding fishing with cooler temperatures, reduced pressure, and aggressive fish. Blue-winged Olive hatches intensify on overcast days, typically emerging between noon and 3 PM. Brook trout and brown trout become more active as spawning season approaches, feeding heavily to build energy reserves. Streamer fishing improves dramatically; swing or strip small sculpins, Woolly Buggers, and traditional Atlantic salmon patterns through deeper pools and runs. The fall foliage in the White Mountains is spectacular, making October trips memorable for scenery as well as fishing. Season closes October 15.
Fishing Pressure & Local Tips
The Pemigewasset River receives moderate fishing pressure, concentrated around the most accessible areas near Lincoln, Woodstock, and along the main highways. The river's location in the White Mountains tourist corridor means summer weekends (particularly July and August) see steady angler activity, especially near popular pulloffs and campgrounds.
However, the river's 65-mile length and numerous access points distribute pressure effectively. Anglers willing to walk 10-15 minutes upstream or downstream from parking areas will find less-crowded water and more cooperative fish. The upper sections near Profile Lake and Franconia Notch receive less pressure due to smaller size and native brook trout that require more stealth and skill.
For the best experience, fish early mornings or late evenings on summer weekends, visit during the shoulder seasons (May-June and September-October), or explore the less-accessible middle sections away from main roads. Weekday fishing is generally uncrowded except during peak fall foliage season. The river is popular with families and novice anglers due to good stocking and accessibility, so be prepared to share the water on busy days.
Local Knowledge
The Pemigewasset rewards a mobile approach. Rather than camping on one pool, move steadily upstream covering different water types. Fish the heads of pools, the seams along current breaks, the pockets behind boulders, and the tailouts where pools dump into riffles. Native brook trout in the upper sections are spooky in the clear water; approach carefully and keep a low profile.
Nymphing with two-fly rigs (weighted point fly with a trailing smaller nymph 18-24 inches behind) is consistently productive. Fish the deeper runs and pool heads with Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs, caddis larvae, and stonefly nymphs in sizes 12-16. During caddis hatches in summer evenings, an Elk Hair Caddis in sizes 14-16 fished to rising fish is deadly effective.
Local fly shops can provide current stocking schedules, hatch information, and water conditions. The White Mountain area has several excellent shops with knowledgeable staff. The USGS gauge at Plymouth (01076000) is useful for checking flows before your trip. Bring a variety of patterns as the river's diverse character requires adapting to the specific water you're fishing. Standard eastern freestone tactics work well: match the hatch when fish are rising, nymph when they're not, and don't be afraid to try streamers in the bigger pools.
Species Present
Brook Trout
The brook trout is widely considered the most beautiful freshwater fish in North America, and catching one in a pristine Montana mountain stream is an experience that captures the essence of backcountry fly fishing. Despite their common name, brook trout are not true trout at all; they are a species of char (genus Salvelinus), more closely related to lake trout and Arctic char than to rainbows or browns. Native to eastern North America from Georgia to Hudson Bay, brook trout were among the first salmonids introduced to Montana's waters in the late 1800s and have since established self-sustaining populations in cold, high-elevation streams and lakes throughout the state. In Montana, brook trout thrive best in small, cold headwater streams and high mountain lakes where competition from larger trout species is minimal. In these environments, they are often the dominant, or only, salmonid present. The trade-off is size: Montana stream-dwelling brook trout typically range from 6 to 10 inches, with fish over 12 inches considered noteworthy in most waters. What they lack in size, however, they more than make up for in beauty and willingness to eat a fly. Brookies are aggressive feeders that will strike attractor dry flies, nymphs, and small streamers with enthusiasm, making them an ideal species for beginning fly anglers and a delightful quarry for anyone who appreciates small-stream fishing. Brook trout do present a conservation paradox in Montana. While they are a beloved and beautiful gamefish, they are non-native and can negatively impact native species, particularly Yellowstone and westslope cutthroat trout. In headwater streams, brook trout often outcompete cutthroats for food and spawning habitat due to their higher reproductive rate and earlier maturation. As a result, Montana FWP has implemented brook trout removal projects on some streams to restore native cutthroat populations. In many waters, liberal harvest limits for brook trout are encouraged to reduce their numbers and benefit native fish. Anglers can enjoy excellent brook trout fishing while actively helping conservation by keeping a few for the pan.
Rainbow Trout
The rainbow trout is Montana's most widespread and popular gamefish, celebrated for its explosive surface strikes, aerial acrobatics, and willingness to take a well-presented dry fly. Native to Pacific Coast drainages from Alaska to Mexico, rainbows were first introduced to Montana's waters in the late 1800s and have since established thriving populations in nearly every major river system in the state. On legendary waters like the Madison, Missouri, and Bighorn, wild rainbow trout grow fat on prolific insect hatches and provide some of the finest dry-fly fishing in North America. Rainbow trout in Montana display remarkable variation depending on their home water. Fish in nutrient-rich tailwaters like the Missouri River below Holter Dam can exceed 20 inches with regularity, their deep bodies and broad tails reflecting the abundant food supply. Freestone river rainbows, such as those in the upper Madison and Gallatin, tend to be leaner and more athletic, shaped by faster currents and colder water temperatures. In many Montana rivers, rainbows spawn in the spring from March through June, and anglers should be mindful of spawning redds during this period to protect future generations of fish. Rainbows are arguably the most versatile trout species for fly anglers. They respond well to dry flies during hatches, aggressively chase streamers, and feed heavily on nymphs subsurface throughout the year. Their fighting ability is legendary: a hooked rainbow will often launch itself completely out of the water multiple times during a battle. Montana's catch-and-release regulations on many blue-ribbon streams have produced exceptional rainbow trout fisheries with high densities of large, healthy fish that continue to draw anglers from around the world.
Brown Trout
The brown trout is the most cunning and elusive trout species swimming in Montana's rivers, and it rewards patient, skilled anglers with some of the state's most memorable catches. Originally native to Europe and western Asia, brown trout were first introduced to North American waters in 1883 and arrived in Montana shortly thereafter. They have since established robust, self-sustaining populations in virtually every major trout stream in the state, from the legendary spring creeks of the Paradise Valley to the sweeping runs of the lower Madison and the deep pools of the Bighorn. Brown trout grow larger than any other trout species in Montana, and fish exceeding 24 inches are caught with regularity on premium waters. The lower Madison River, the Missouri River below Holter Dam, and the Bighorn River are particularly renowned for producing trophy-class browns. Unlike rainbows, brown trout spawn in the fall (October through November), and their aggressive pre-spawn behavior creates an exciting window for streamer fishing as large males become territorial and attack anything that enters their domain. Browns are notably more nocturnal than other trout species, and many of the biggest fish are caught during low-light conditions. What sets brown trout apart from other species is their wariness and selectivity. Large browns are notoriously difficult to fool, often refusing flies that are even slightly off in size, color, or presentation. They tend to establish and defend prime feeding lies (undercut banks, logjams, deep pools, and boulder gardens), and an angler who learns to read water and identify these holding spots will consistently catch more and larger fish. This combination of difficulty, size potential, and intelligence makes the brown trout the most prized quarry for many serious Montana fly fishers.
Landlocked Atlantic Salmon
The landlocked Atlantic salmon is one of New England's most prized gamefish, a freshwater-resident form of the Atlantic salmon that spends its entire life in lakes and rivers rather than migrating to the ocean. Found primarily in the lakes and rivers of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York, landlocked salmon are genetically identical to their sea-run counterparts but have adapted to a completely freshwater life cycle, using large, cold lakes as their ocean substitute and tributary rivers as spawning habitat. Landlocked salmon are the signature gamefish of Maine's sporting camp tradition, where generations of anglers have gathered at remote wilderness lodges to fish for salmon in the Rangeley Lakes, Moosehead Lake, Sebago Lake, and the rivers that connect them. The fish combine the acrobatic fighting ability of their anadromous relatives with the accessibility of a freshwater species, leaping repeatedly when hooked and running with the kind of power and endurance that makes them one of the most exciting fish available on a fly rod in the northeastern United States. In rivers, landlocked salmon behave much like large resident trout, holding in classic lies and feeding on aquatic insects during hatches. They are particularly responsive to caddis and mayfly emergers, and the sight of a 3-pound landlocked salmon rising to a dry fly in a New England river is one of the defining experiences of northeastern fly fishing. In lakes, salmon are targeted with streamers that imitate smelt, their primary forage fish, trolled or cast from boats during the spring and fall when salmon cruise near the surface in cold-water conditions.
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Suggested Fly | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hendrickson afternoon | Parachute Adams | ||||||||||||
Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) afternoon | BWO Emerger | ||||||||||||
Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) afternoon | BWO Emerger | ||||||||||||
Caddisflies (various) evening | Elk Hair Caddis | ||||||||||||
Light Cahill evening | PMD Comparadun | ||||||||||||
Stoneflies (various) all day | Pat's Rubber Legs | ||||||||||||
Terrestrials (ants, beetles, hoppers) afternoon | Chubby Chernobyl |
Hendrickson: Late spring Hendrickson hatch. Size 12-14. Good dry fly opportunity.
Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis): Spring BWOs on overcast days. Size 16-20.
Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis): Fall BWOs intensify as temperatures cool. Size 18-20.
Caddisflies (various): Prolific summer caddis hatches. Size 14-18. Evening fishing excellent.
Light Cahill: Summer evening mayfly hatch. Size 12-16.
Stoneflies (various): Good stonefly activity in faster sections. Size 8-12.
Terrestrials (ants, beetles, hoppers): Terrestrials effective along grassy and forested banks. Size 12-18.
Recommended Flies
Parachute Adams
Top PickVersatile dry fly for Hendrickson and general mayfly hatches. Size 12-16.
Best in spring
Elk Hair Caddis
Top PickEssential for prolific summer caddis hatches. Evening fishing. Size 14-16.
Best in summer
BWO Emerger
Top PickBWO emerger for fall Baetis hatches. Size 18-20.
Best in fall
Pheasant Tail Nymph
Top PickPheasant Tail nymph effective year-round. Size 14-18.
Best in spring
Woolly Bugger
Top PickStreamer for fall browns and Atlantic salmon. Size 4-8.
Best in fall
Access Points & Boat Launches
Profile Lake Outlet
Wade AccessEasyAccess to the headwaters of the Pemigewasset River at the outlet of Profile Lake (fly fishing only lake) in Franconia Notch. Small stream fishing for native brook trout in a scenic mountain setting. This upper section offers intimate water with pocket pools and small cascades.
Lincoln Area Access
Wade AccessEasyMultiple access points around Lincoln where the Pemi has grown into a substantial river. Roadside pulloffs along Route 112 and Route 3 provide wade access to productive riffles, runs, and pools holding brown, rainbow, and brook trout plus stocked Atlantic salmon. Good facilities and easy access.
Woodstock Area
Wade AccessEasyAccess to the middle Pemigewasset River with broad freestone character and diverse water types. The river here features long riffles, deep pools, and good structure holding a mix of wild and stocked trout. Less pressure than the Lincoln area with excellent fishing for anglers willing to walk a bit.
Regulations
Regulations
Profile Lake: Fly fishing only. River sections: Standard New Hampshire trout regulations apply (5 fish daily limit, check minimum sizes). Season: January 1 through October 15. New Hampshire fishing license required. Some sections may have special regulations; verify at wildlife.nh.gov.
Always verify current regulations with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks before fishing.
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Quick Facts
- Region
- White Mountains / Grafton County
- Water Type
- Freestone
- River Length
- 65 miles from Profile Lake to Merrimack River confluence
- Difficulty
- Beginner-Intermediate
- Best Seasons
- spring, summer, fall
- Trout Per Mile
- 800-1,500 (mix of wild, stocked, and holdover fish)
- Record Trout
- Brown trout to 18 inches; Atlantic salmon to 16 inches
- Species
- Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Landlocked Atlantic Salmon
- USGS Gauge
- 01076000
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