New Hampshire
Merrimack River at Franklin Junction
Current River Rating
Poor · 40
Conditions are unfavorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Low confidence
Should I Go?
Wait
Limited opportunity
Timing Outlook
No reliable fishing window is recommended while current river conditions remain Poor.
Why
- Recent observed air temperature suggests unfavorable river water temperature for trout.
- Water temperature is unavailable.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Cautions
- Recent observed air temperature suggests unfavorable river water temperature for trout. Verify with a stream thermometer; this is not a measured water temperature.
Timing Evidence
Dawn low light is favorable.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 608 CFS
- Gage Height
- 3.82 ft
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:30 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
61°F
Feels like
62°F
Wind
2 mph NW
Wind gust
7 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 1:15 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.02 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Clear
Temp 59°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 8 AM
Clear
Temp 64°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 12 PM
Overcast
Temp 71°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sat 4 PM
Overcast
Temp 71°F
Chance 21%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 8 PM
Drizzle
Temp 62°F
Chance 9%
Precip 0.02 in
Wind 1 mph
Sun 12 AM
Overcast
Temp 60°F
Chance 16%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Drizzle
High 72°F / Low 58°F
Chance 21%
Precip 0.04 in
Max gust 20 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 71°F / Low 53°F
Chance 19%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 21 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 79°F / Low 49°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 20 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 80°F / Low 58°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 20 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
USGS streamgage MERRIMACK RIVER AT FRANKLIN JUNCTION, NH (01081500). Coordinates are the USGS monitoring-location point. App-supported continuous parameters currently available: streamflow (00060) and gage height (00065). No live water-temperature series at this site. Substituted for inactive Concord site 01088400, which lacks live streamflow/gage-height series. NHFG manages stocked trout reaches on the Merrimack mainstem (Franklin toward the Massachusetts border) alongside warmwater gamefish.
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
Fishery overview
Merrimack River mainstem at Franklin Junction. NHFG manages stocked trout reaches from Franklin toward the Massachusetts border; smallmouth bass also occur. Uses USGS gage 01081500 after Concord site 01088400 lacked live flow/stage series.
Target species
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
NHFG manages Merrimack mainstem reaches from Franklin toward the Massachusetts border as stocked trout water open year-round; brown trout are a primary stocked target. Record uses Franklin Junction gage 01081500 after Concord site 01088400 lacked live flow/stage.
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Rainbow trout occur among Merrimack mainstem stocked trout assemblages on designated Franklin-to-border reaches.
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
NHFG Where to Fish lists the Merrimack among smallmouth bass waters; kept present so stocked trout remain the defining recommendation focus at Franklin Junction.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Regulated flow
Large mainstem river with stocked trout water and established warmwater components. Flows may be influenced by upstream hydroelectric operations.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Fly fishing
- Spinning
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public access exists along the Franklin and Concord mainstem corridors; confirm current sites on the official NHFG boating and access pages.
Stocking information
NHFG stocking reports document Merrimack River Concord-area brown trout stocking within the broader Franklin-to-border stocked corridor. Confirm current stockings on the official NHFG stocking report.
- Stocked
Brown Trout
Stocked · New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
- Stocked
Rainbow Trout
Stocked · New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
Official sources
Regulations can change. Always verify current stocked-trout and mainstem rules on the official NHFG page before fishing.
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; use the Franklin Junction gage for local stage/flow context only.
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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