Two days, 4 stops on 4 public waters, all within 75 minutes of Manchester. Each stop below has its drive time, its access point and the fish recorded there.
Day 1
Morning: Massabesic Lake
Start the day on Massabesic Lake, launching from the ramp below.
Massabesic Lake is a 7-minute drive from downtown Manchester. Launch at Candia Road Boat Launch, the public ramp on Massabesic Lake closest to downtown (≈ 3.6 mi). Public access on Massabesic Lake: 5 boat ramps. Surveyed depths reach 50 ft. Recorded here: Chain Pickerel, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Smallmouth Bass.
From Candia Road Boat Launch to Pawtuckaway State Park: 31 min by road (18 mi).
Evening: Pawtuckaway State Park
End the day at Pawtuckaway State Park — no boat needed.
Pawtuckaway Pond is a 34-minute drive from downtown Manchester. Pawtuckaway State Park: shore access on Pawtuckaway Pond, ≈ 16.2 mi from downtown. Public access on Pawtuckaway Pond: 2 boat ramps. Surveyed depths reach 45 ft. Recorded here: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, and Black Crappie.
Day 2
Morning: Canobie Lake
Start the day on Canobie Lake.
Canobie Lake is a 23-minute drive from downtown Manchester. Water Treatment Plant: shore access on Canobie Lake, ≈ 17.1 mi from downtown. Surveyed depths reach 40 ft. Recorded here: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Bluegill.
323 min · 18.4 miCanobie Lake
Rockingham
max 40 ft · surveyed
Water pageFrom Water Treatment Plant to Island Pond Canoe Launch: 9 min by road (5.2 mi).
Evening: Island Pond Canoe Launch
End the day at Island Pond Canoe Launch — no boat needed.
Big Island Pond is a 34-minute drive from downtown Manchester. Island Pond Canoe Launch: shore access on Big Island Pond, ≈ 15.8 mi from downtown. Public access on Big Island Pond: 2 boat ramps. Surveyed depths reach 70 ft. Recorded here: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Brown Trout.
When the fish bite here
By our bite calendar, Rainbow Trout is at peak around Manchester in November. Chain Pickerel bites well.
FreshwaterSlowLargemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
Centrarchidae
30 in22 lb16 yr935 watersGame fish
FreshwaterSlowSmallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
Centrarchidae
24 in12 lb10 yr443 watersGame fish
FreshwaterBlack Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Centrarchidae
18 in5 lb6 yr700 watersGame fish
FreshwaterPeakRainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Salmonidae
30 in20 lb7 yr265 watersGame fish
FreshwaterGoodChain Pickerel
Esox niger
Esocidae
30 in10 lb5 yr117 watersGame fish
FreshwaterSlowBluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
Centrarchidae
12 in4 lb6 yr797 watersGame fish
