Mascoma Lake covers 1,154.8 acres in Grafton County, New Hampshire. At this Mascoma fishery, the recorded maximum depth at the reservoir is 79 feet. The documented storage volume is about 640 acre-feet.
The reservoir supports a varied fishing plan built around atlantic salmon, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, black crappie, and yellow perch. On this 1,154.8-acre Mascoma basin, its size, depth and exact basin shape matter because those fish do not use the same water in the same season.
What Makes Mascoma Lake Different
The reservoir is a long Grafton County lake whose outlet continues through the Mascoma River to the Connecticut River. Its river influence, rocky points and 79-foot basin create both warmwater and trout patterns.
Mascoma covers 1,154.8 acres. Salmon, brown trout and rainbow trout are separately stocked, while bass, crappie, pickerel, perch and bullheads make up much of the reported community.
Fish and Baits at Mascoma Lake
Fish reported from the reservoir include black crappie, brown bullhead, brown trout, chain pickerel, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, rainbow trout, rock bass, smallmouth bass, white perch, and yellow perch. For Mascoma in Grafton County, atlantic salmon is separately identified as stocked in the reservoir. At this Mascoma fishery, stocking also supports brown trout and rainbow trout already reported from the reservoir. On this 1,154.8-acre Mascoma basin, stocking describes management activity at the reservoir; it does not guarantee those fish at every spot or on every trip.
Bass
For Mascoma in Grafton County, begin the largemouth search on the reservoir with a moving bait, then pick apart wood or weeds with a worm. At this Mascoma fishery, a small paddletail or crayfish imitation fits the open, rocky water used by smallmouth.
Crappie, Perch and Sunfish
For crappie at this 1,154.8-acre Mascoma basin, hold a 1/16-ounce jig or minnow beside wood instead of dragging it through snags. For Mascoma in Grafton County, bluegill in the reservoir are practical targets with a worm or small jig suspended beside shallow cover. At this Mascoma fishery, yellow perch in the reservoir are commonly caught with a small jig tipped with a minnow or worm near bottom.
Walleye and Larger Predators
On this 1,154.8-acre Mascoma basin, chain pickerel in the reservoir can be found with spoons, spinnerbaits and small swimbaits along vegetation.
Catfish, Bullheads and Carp
For Mascoma in Grafton County, brown bullheads in the reservoir are best approached with a worm or small piece of cut bait on bottom.
Trout
For rainbow trout and brown trout at this Mascoma fishery, use a small spoon, inline spinner, trout magnet or natural bait on light line. On this 1,154.8-acre Mascoma basin, trout often move from shallow spring water toward cooler or deeper water in the reservoir as temperatures rise.
Reading the Water at Mascoma Lake
For Mascoma in Grafton County, the reservoir has enough depth for fish to separate by temperature and forage. At this Mascoma fishery, identify the working band instead of treating the deepest basin as the automatic target. On this 1,154.8-acre Mascoma basin, change lure depth before abandoning a promising point or break.
How the Seasons Change Mascoma Lake
For Mascoma in Grafton County, early spring on the reservoir calls for a slow presentation near the first break outside protected water. At this Mascoma fishery, at midday in summer, anglers there should slow down beside shade, weeds or a nearby depth change. On this 1,154.8-acre Mascoma basin, fall on the reservoir is a good time for small crankbaits and swimbaits around moving forage.
A Practical Plan for Fishing Mascoma Lake
Fish small spoons around cool inflow and the first deep break for trout. Use tubes on rock for smallmouth, jigs around protected cover for largemouth or crappie and light bottom rigs for perch.
Useful Tackle for Mascoma Lake
For Mascoma in Grafton County, a medium spinning rod with 8- to 10-pound line handles jigs, small crankbaits and live-bait rigs on the reservoir. At this Mascoma fishery, a second outfit suited to controlled-depth trolling or vertical jigging covers the coldwater fish at the reservoir.
How to Narrow Down Mascoma Lake
On this 1,154.8-acre Mascoma basin, compare incoming water, a channel bend and the first point toward the dam. For Mascoma in Grafton County, if water level or current has changed, move with the active edge instead of casting at cover that no longer has useful depth.
Mascoma Lake FAQs
Where does Mascoma Lake drain?
Its outlet enters the Mascoma River, which continues west to the Connecticut River.
Which Mascoma fish are separately stocked?
At this Mascoma fishery, landlocked salmon, brown trout and rainbow trout appear in current stocking information.
What separates Mascoma bass habitat?
Smallmouth favor firm points, while largemouth use protected vegetation, wood and softer cover.