McIndoe Reservoir

McIndoe Reservoir covers 545 acres on the New Hampshire-Vermont border in Grafton County. At this McIndoe fishery, a dependable maximum-depth figure was not found for the reservoir, so it should not be guessed from a similarly named water.

On this 545-acre McIndoe basin, the reservoir supports a varied fishing plan built around largemouth bass and yellow perch. For McIndoe in Grafton County, its size, depth and exact basin shape matter because those fish do not use the same water in the same season.

What Makes McIndoe Reservoir Different

The reservoir is a five-mile Connecticut River impoundment on the New Hampshire-Vermont line. Its main channel, bends and changing flow create a narrow but mobile warmwater fishery.

The operator lists about 543 acres, 3.5 feet of usable storage and 11 megawatts of generating capacity. The New Hampshire-side boundary measurement covers 545 acres.

Fish and Baits at McIndoe Reservoir

At this McIndoe fishery, fish reported from the reservoir include brown bullhead, chain pickerel, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch.

Bass

On this 545-acre McIndoe basin, begin the largemouth search on the reservoir with a moving bait, then pick apart wood or weeds with a worm.

Crappie, Perch and Sunfish

For McIndoe in Grafton County, bluegill in the reservoir are practical targets with a worm or small jig suspended beside shallow cover. At this McIndoe 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 545-acre McIndoe basin, chain pickerel in the reservoir can be found with spoons, spinnerbaits and small swimbaits along vegetation.

Catfish, Bullheads and Carp

For McIndoe in Grafton County, brown bullheads in the reservoir are best approached with a worm or small piece of cut bait on bottom.

Reading the Water at McIndoe Reservoir

At this McIndoe fishery, the reservoir is too large to fish as one uniform body. On this 545-acre McIndoe basin, divide it into several sections, then stay with the zone showing forage and useful cover. For McIndoe in Grafton County, wind direction can make distant sections fish differently on the same day.

How the Seasons Change McIndoe Reservoir

At this McIndoe fishery, spring fish often move onto protected banks before the open basin warms. On this 545-acre McIndoe basin, summer fishing on the reservoir is usually best at low light, beside shade or along the outside edge of healthy cover. For McIndoe in Grafton County, during fall at the reservoir, revisit creek mouths and main points with baitfish-sized lures.

A Practical Plan for Fishing McIndoe Reservoir

Fish eddies and current seams with a spinnerbait for largemouth or pickerel. Use small jigs for pumpkinseed and yellow perch, and a nightcrawler on bottom in quiet water for brown bullheads.

Useful Tackle for McIndoe Reservoir

At this McIndoe fishery, a medium spinning rod with 8- to 10-pound line handles jigs, small crankbaits and live-bait rigs on the reservoir. On this 545-acre McIndoe basin, a medium-heavy rod with 12- to 15-pound line covers bass jigs and bottom rigs at the reservoir.

How to Narrow Down McIndoe Reservoir

For McIndoe in Grafton County, compare incoming water, a channel bend and the first point toward the dam. At this McIndoe fishery, if water level or current has changed, move with the active edge instead of casting at cover that no longer has useful depth.

McIndoe Reservoir FAQs

What is McIndoe Reservoir’s main operating role?

It smooths streamflow coming from the larger hydropower plants upstream.

How much usable storage does McIndoe manage?

The operator lists 3.5 vertical feet of usable storage.

Why is its fish plan narrower than Comerford’s?

The documented community contains five warmwater species and no trout entry.