New Hampshire
Merrimack River at Franklin Junction
Location Snapshot
Merrimack River at Franklin Junction is an upper mainstem reach where stocked trout overlap a larger warmwater river. The principal supported target is brown trout, with rainbow trout and smallmouth bass 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 · Low 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
Dawn low light is favorable.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 1060 CFS
- Gage Height
- 4.47 ft
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Observation Time
- Oct 20, 2026, 9:30 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 01081500 · 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
39°F
Feels like
33°F
Wind
4 mph NE
Wind gust
5 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 5:45 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 6 AM
Clear
Temp 40°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Tue 10 AM
Clear
Temp 52°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Tue 2 PM
Clear
Temp 62°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Tue 6 PM
Clear
Temp 53°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Tue 10 PM
Clear
Temp 44°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Wed 2 AM
Clear
Temp 39°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Fog
High 63°F / Low 36°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 17 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Overcast
High 54°F / Low 35°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 20 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Overcast
High 63°F / Low 37°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 22 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Clear
High 55°F / Low 31°F
Chance 6%
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 trout are in the mixed, regulated-flow fishery on the Merrimack River at Franklin Junction, along with rainbow trout.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Merrimack 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
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Regulated flow
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Fly fishing
- Spinning
Stocking information
- Stocked
Brown Trout
Stocked · New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
- Stocked
Rainbow 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
Merrimack River (Franklin Junction corridor / mainstem stocked reaches).
Regulation Summary
New Hampshire freshwater fishing regulations apply on the Merrimack mainstem. Designated reaches from Franklin toward the Massachusetts border are managed as stocked trout water open year-round (with salmon exceptions where posted); confirm current seasons, methods, and limits on the official NHFG regulations page.
Target Species
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass
Flow Regulation
Mainstem flows may be influenced by upstream hydroelectric operations.
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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