Contoocook River Fishing Spot

• County: Merrimack County
• Public Fishing: Yes
• Elevation: 375'
• Shoreline: 71'
• Website: http://www.aa-fishing.com/nh/art-contoocook-river-032506.html
• Last Modified By: carpmaster on 02/22/09 07:38 PM
• Ask about Contoocook River in our Fishing Forums

The Contoocook River is a 71 mile long (114.5 km) river in New Hampshire. It flows from Pool Pond and Contoocook Lake on the Jaffrey/Rindge border to Penacook (just north of Concord), where it empties into the Merrimack River. It is one of only a few rivers in New Hampshire that flow in a predominantly northward direction. Two picturesque covered bridges in Hopkinton and one in Henniker span the Contoocook. Residents and tourists have made the Contoocook popular for fishing and whitewater boating.

The river gives its name to Contoocook, New Hampshire, a census-designated place (CDP) within the town of Hopkinton.

The Contoocook river runs from Contoocook Lake near the Massachusetts border north to the confluence with the Merrimack river in Concord, NH. This river varies from a primarily trout to primarily bass fishery. Trout can be found from Contoocook Lake to Powder Mill Pond. The pond is a the result of one of two dams in Bennington, and is an excellent bass fishery.

After the dams, the river offers good smallmouth fishing until the town of Hillsboro where the prime trout water begins, running until reaching Hopkinton Lake. From the lake to the Merrimack, smallmouth bass is the most common species. Trout can be found in some areas, most notably near the inflows of smaller streams. Special regulations apply to certain sections of this river. Check with the NH fish and game department.

A stream of considerable length and importance, waters most of the towns in the W. part of the county of Hillsborough. It has its origin from several ponds in Jaffrey and Rindge, and in its course north receives numerous streams from Dublin, Peterborough, Sharon, Nelson, Stoddard, Washington, Antrim, Deering, and Hillsborough. In Hillsborough it takes a N.E. and easterly direction, and proceeds through Henniker to Hopkinton, where it receives Warner and Blackwater rivers. From Hopkinton it pursues a meandering course through Concord, and discharges itself into the Merrimack between Concord and Boscawen. Near the mouth of this river is Duston's Island. Principal tributaries From south to north: Nubanusit Brook begins at Nubanusit Lake in Nelson and joins the Contoocook in Peterborough. The North Branch of the Contoocook starts in Stoddard and joins the main stem in Hillsborough. The Warner River starts in Bradford and joins the Contoocook in Hopkinton. The Blackwater River begins at Pleasant Lake in New London and joins the Contoocook in Hopkinton.

Coordinates: 43°17?11?N 71°35?23?W? / ?43.2865°N 71.5898°W? / 43.2865; -71.5898