New Hampshire
Contoocook River near Henniker
Location Snapshot
Contoocook River near Henniker is a central New Hampshire trout reach with fly-fishing-only and stocked-water management. The principal supported targets are rainbow trout and brown trout, with brook trout providing additional species variety within the same fishery.
Current River Rating
Fair · 56
Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Wait
Timing Outlook
This timing outlook is informational only; current river conditions remain Fair.
Why
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
- Water temperature is unavailable.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Timing Evidence
Dusk low light is favorable.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 252 CFS
- Gage Height
- 5.87 ft
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Observation Time
- Oct 20, 2026, 12:30 PM
Updated recently · USGS station 01085000 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
42°F
Feels like
36°F
Wind
4 mph SE
Wind gust
9 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 7:00 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 10 AM
Clear
Temp 53°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Tue 2 PM
Clear
Temp 62°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Tue 6 PM
Clear
Temp 52°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Tue 10 PM
Clear
Temp 45°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Wed 2 AM
Clear
Temp 41°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Wed 6 AM
Clear
Temp 37°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Clear
High 62°F / Low 39°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 15 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Overcast
High 52°F / Low 36°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 19 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Overcast
High 62°F / Low 37°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 26 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Clear
High 54°F / Low 32°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 9 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Brown and rainbow trout are stocked in the Contoocook River near Henniker, along with brook trout.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Contoocook River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Target species
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
Stocking information
- Stocked
Brown Trout
Stocked · New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
- Stocked
Rainbow Trout
Stocked · New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
- Stocked
Brook Trout
Stocked · New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
Official sources
Hatch Match
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Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Merrimack, New Hampshire
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Merrimack
Management Category
Trout stream
Regulation Scope
Contoocook River (including Henniker special-regulation reaches).
Regulation Summary
New Hampshire freshwater fishing regulations apply. Designated Contoocook reaches near Henniker include stocked trout and fly-fishing-only special rules; confirm current seasons, methods, and limits on the official NHFG regulations page.
Target Species
Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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