Local Waters
Cocheco River (Dover)
Dover, NH · about 25 min from Portsmouth (typical, off-peak)
Dover's public trout river without leaving town.
Salt River / stream Lake / pond Shop (desk) Guide only Parking Stay State access Private — ask first
Around now
Most likely in this drive this week. Not a guarantee — confirm the official rule.
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Smallmouth bass
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Trout
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Sunfish and crappie
Also worth a thought: Largemouth bass, Chain pickerel.
- Season
- NH general-law streams are open Jan 1–Oct 15. Wild trout streams close Labor Day. Confirm the digest for this water. Official rule
- License
- New Hampshire freshwater license
- Park
- Henry Law Park canoe launch and Cochecho Waterfront Park. City lots.
- Walk in
- Minutes from the city parks.
- Wading
- Small urban river. Trees. Stay public.
- Usual window
- Spring stocking and cool mornings.
- Tuesday conditions
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SSW 3 mph around dawn. Fine to go.
- Sky
- ⛅ 84° partly
- Sun and moon
- Rise 5:59 · 🌔 Waxing gibbous · Set 7:32
- Wind at dawn
- SSW 3 mph · Clear · 61°F
- Wind later
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- dawn: SSW 3 mph
- 10am: SSW 2 mph
- 2pm: WSW 3 mph
- dusk: W 7 mph
- Flow
- 6.7 cfs · 2.46 ft · 6:00 pm · Cocheco River near Rochester · USGS gauge
- A setup that belongs here
- 4- or 5-wt, nymphs and small streamers.
- Notes
- NHFG special from Watson Road dam to head of tide. Year-round with winter C&R artificials. Confirm the digest.
Log this trip
Private. On this phone, and in your test book if you signed in on Journal.
Shops
Guides
Shop desks, plus a few independents who fish public water. We do not take a cut. Call them.
Eldredge Bros. — seacoast
Cape Neddick, ME · shore / wade · Half or full day — ask the shop
Good for: York, Hampton, first Maine striper, seacoast trout
The southern Maine / NH seacoast desk. Call before you hire anyone off Instagram.