Contoocook River – Penacook Upper Falls Dam

Contoocook River - Penacook Upper Falls Dam covers 11 acres in Merrimack County, New Hampshire. At this Contoocook River - Penacook Upper fishery, a dependable maximum-depth figure was not found for the reservoir, so it should not be guessed from a similarly named water.

What to Expect at Contoocook River - Penacook Upper Falls Dam

At 11 acres, the reservoir is small enough to fish methodically but large enough for one shoreline to differ from another.

Fish and Useful Baits at Contoocook River - Penacook Upper Falls Dam

On this 11-acre Contoocook River - Penacook Upper basin, fish reported from the reservoir include brown bullhead, chain pickerel, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch.

Bass

For largemouth at Contoocook River - Penacook Upper in Merrimack County, use a shallow crankbait or swim jig to locate fish, then slow down with a jig or soft plastic.

Crappie, Perch and Sunfish

For sunfish at this Contoocook River - Penacook Upper fishery, keep a cricket or tiny jig close to weed edges and shaded wood. For yellow perch at this 11-acre Contoocook River - Penacook Upper basin, work a light jig slowly along the first firm-bottom break.

Walleye and Larger Predators

For pickerel at Contoocook River - Penacook Upper in Merrimack County, cover weed edges with a flashy moving lure and use a short leader when bite-offs become common.

A Simple Fishing Plan for Contoocook River - Penacook Upper Falls Dam

At this Contoocook River - Penacook Upper fishery, choose three different structural stops before changing sections on the reservoir. On this 11-acre Contoocook River - Penacook Upper basin, compare incoming water, the old channel and a point leading toward the deeper end of the reservoir.

When to Fish Contoocook River - Penacook Upper Falls Dam

For Contoocook River - Penacook Upper in Merrimack County, spring at the reservoir favors warming coves, feeder mouths and protected spawning banks. At this Contoocook River - Penacook Upper fishery, once summer heat settles over the reservoir, work the deepest active cover instead of assuming every fish has moved to the bottom. On this 11-acre Contoocook River - Penacook Upper basin, windblown points on the reservoir become worth checking when autumn baitfish move shallow.