When is brook trout (native eastern brook trout) season in New Hampshire?

Open fourth Saturday in April – October 15 on most streams; year-round on listed designated trout ponds; year-round catch-and-release on the Trophy Stretch. Those are the 2026 New Hampshire dates; always confirm against New Hampshire Fish & Game Department (NHF&G) — Inland Fisheries Division + Marine Fisheries Division before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.

What is the New Hampshire bag limit for brook trout (native eastern brook trout)?

The New Hampshire daily bag limit for brook trout (native eastern brook trout) is 5 / day combined trout (brook + brown + rainbow) standard waters; 2 / day Trophy Trout Ponds. The possession limit is 10 in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size brook trout (native eastern brook trout) can you keep in New Hampshire?

The New Hampshire size rule for brook trout (native eastern brook trout) is No minimum on stocked waters; 8 in min wild brook trout streams; 18 in min Trophy Trout Ponds. Trophy rule: Trophy Stretch + 2nd / 3rd Connecticut Lakes hold trophy native brook trout to 5+ lb; native subspecies (Salvelinus fontinalis) is NH's STATE FISH.

Do you need a license to fish for brook trout (native eastern brook trout) in New Hampshire?

Yes. New Hampshire requires a valid fishing license to fish for brook trout (native eastern brook trout), with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a New Hampshire license — compare resident and non-resident New Hampshire fees on the state regulations page below.

Are there gear restrictions for brook trout (native eastern brook trout) in New Hampshire?

Yes. In New Hampshire, brook trout (native eastern brook trout) fishing carries these gear rules: Trophy Stretch (Connecticut River between 1st + 2nd Connecticut Lakes): fly-fishing-only catch-and-release artificial-lures-only year-round; Trophy Trout Ponds (2nd + 3rd + 4th Connecticut Lake + listed others): artificial-lures-only year-round; NH does NOT issue separate Trout Stamp — standard freshwater licence covers trout fishing; Felt-soled wading boots banned on NH wild trout reaches since 2011 (whirling disease prevention).

Do specific New Hampshire waters have different brook trout (native eastern brook trout) rules?

Yes. 7 named New Hampshire waters carry rules that override the statewide brook trout (native eastern brook trout) regulation, including Connecticut Lakes 'Trophy Stretch', 2nd Connecticut Lake, 3rd Connecticut Lake, and 4 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

New Hampshire Brook trout (native Eastern brook trout) 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

Salvelinus fontinalis

Last updated May 26, 2026

Brook trout are New Hampshire's STATE FISH and the only native salmonid in most NH streams — every NH freshwater pond + stream within the historic Eastern brook trout range still holds wild + native populations on cold-water headwaters. NHF&G's wild brook trout flagship is the Connecticut Lakes region (Pittsburg, Coös County — the northernmost town in NH), including the legendary 'Trophy Stretch' of the Connecticut River main stem between 1st and 2nd Connecticut Lakes (fly-fishing-only catch-and-release artificial-lures-only year-round). The 2nd + 3rd + 4th Connecticut Lakes operate under Trophy Trout Pond rules (18 in min + 2 / day). Diamond River, Magalloway River, Mohawk River, Indian Stream, and the upper Androscoggin (Errol to Berlin tailwater below Errol Dam outflow of Umbagog Lake) round out NH's most-celebrated wild brook + brown trout headwater tier. Beyond the North Country, the Pemigewasset + Saco + Lamprey + Suncook + Souhegan + Contoocook + Soucook + Cocheco carry wild + stocked brook trout on cold-water reaches. NHF&G's stocking program releases 350,000+ catchable rainbow + brown + brook trout annually across designated stocked streams + ponds via the New Hampton + Berlin + Powder Mill + Milford state hatcheries. NH does NOT issue a separate Trout Stamp — standard freshwater licence covers all trout fishing. Standard regs: open fourth Saturday in April through October 15; year-round on listed designated trout ponds and year-round catch-and-release on the Trophy Stretch.

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Season

Open fourth Saturday in April – October 15 on most streams; year-round on listed designated trout ponds; year-round catch-and-release on the Trophy Stretch.

Apr 25 – Oct 15Standard NH trout streams + ponds
Fourth Saturday in April opener
Jan 1 – Dec 31Trophy Stretch (Connecticut River between 1st + 2nd Connecticut Lakes)
Year-round catch-and-release artificial-lures-only fly-fishing-only
Jan 1 – Dec 31Designated year-round trout ponds (per NHF&G list)
Open year-round under standard regs

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 5 / day combined trout (brook + brown + rainbow) standard waters; 2 / day Trophy Trout Ponds
Possession: 10 in possession

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: No minimum on stocked waters; 8 in min wild brook trout streams; 18 in min Trophy Trout Ponds
Trophy rule: Trophy Stretch + 2nd / 3rd Connecticut Lakes hold trophy native brook trout to 5+ lb; native subspecies (Salvelinus fontinalis) is NH's STATE FISH

Gear restrictions

Trophy Stretch (Connecticut River between 1st + 2nd Connecticut Lakes): fly-fishing-only catch-and-release artificial-lures-only year-round
Trophy Trout Ponds (2nd + 3rd + 4th Connecticut Lake + listed others): artificial-lures-only year-round
NH does NOT issue separate Trout Stamp — standard freshwater licence covers trout fishing
Felt-soled wading boots banned on NH wild trout reaches since 2011 (whirling disease prevention)

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific New Hampshire waters:

Connecticut Lakes 'Trophy Stretch'
Year-round catch-and-release fly-fishing-only artificial-lures-only; premier NH wild brook trout fly-rod reach
2nd Connecticut Lake
18 in min, 2 / day combined; Trophy Trout Pond
3rd Connecticut Lake
18 in min, 2 / day combined; Trophy Trout Pond; native + wild brook trout focus
Diamond River
Magalloway tributary — premier wild brook + brown trout; standard regs
Magalloway River
ME/NH boundary tributary; wild brook + brown trout + landlocked Atlantic salmon migration
Androscoggin River — Errol to Berlin
Premier NH wild brook + brown trout tailwater on cold-water releases from Umbagog Lake
Pemigewasset River
Wild brook + brown trout + stocked rainbow + brown; standard regs

Official source

New Hampshire Fish & Game Department (NHF&G) — Inland Fisheries Division + Marine Fisheries Division publishes the authoritative 2026 New Hampshirefishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.

Visit official New Hampshire fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Brook trout (native Eastern brook trout) closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to New Hampshire Fish & Game Department's emergency-order feed — check it before any New Hampshire trip during the active season.

Frequently asked questions

When is brook trout (native eastern brook trout) season in New Hampshire?: Open fourth Saturday in April – October 15 on most streams; year-round on listed designated trout ponds; year-round catch-and-release on the Trophy Stretch. Those are the 2026 New Hampshire dates; always confirm against New Hampshire Fish & Game Department (NHF&G) — Inland Fisheries Division + Marine Fisheries Division before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.
What is the New Hampshire bag limit for brook trout (native eastern brook trout)?: The New Hampshire daily bag limit for brook trout (native eastern brook trout) is 5 / day combined trout (brook + brown + rainbow) standard waters; 2 / day Trophy Trout Ponds. The possession limit is 10 in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size brook trout (native eastern brook trout) can you keep in New Hampshire?: The New Hampshire size rule for brook trout (native eastern brook trout) is No minimum on stocked waters; 8 in min wild brook trout streams; 18 in min Trophy Trout Ponds. Trophy rule: Trophy Stretch + 2nd / 3rd Connecticut Lakes hold trophy native brook trout to 5+ lb; native subspecies (Salvelinus fontinalis) is NH's STATE FISH.
Do you need a license to fish for brook trout (native eastern brook trout) in New Hampshire?: Yes. New Hampshire requires a valid fishing license to fish for brook trout (native eastern brook trout), with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a New Hampshire license — compare resident and non-resident New Hampshire fees on the state regulations page below.
Are there gear restrictions for brook trout (native eastern brook trout) in New Hampshire?: Yes. In New Hampshire, brook trout (native eastern brook trout) fishing carries these gear rules: Trophy Stretch (Connecticut River between 1st + 2nd Connecticut Lakes): fly-fishing-only catch-and-release artificial-lures-only year-round; Trophy Trout Ponds (2nd + 3rd + 4th Connecticut Lake + listed others): artificial-lures-only year-round; NH does NOT issue separate Trout Stamp — standard freshwater licence covers trout fishing; Felt-soled wading boots banned on NH wild trout reaches since 2011 (whirling disease prevention).
Do specific New Hampshire waters have different brook trout (native eastern brook trout) rules?: Yes. 7 named New Hampshire waters carry rules that override the statewide brook trout (native eastern brook trout) regulation, including Connecticut Lakes 'Trophy Stretch', 2nd Connecticut Lake, 3rd Connecticut Lake, and 4 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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