Important Laws & Rules

Name: eRegulations
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What’s New

For black bass in the Connecticut River, the General Fishing Rules for Rivers & Streams now applies. See Rivers & Streams: General Rules for details.
For Lake Trout and/or Salmon Lakes: the daily limit for lake trout is now 2 fish, and is separate from the two fish combined daily aggregate limit for other trout and salmon. See Lakes & Ponds: General Rules for details.
The minimum length for lake trout is now 15 inches statewide.
Only live fish identified within the approved list for baitfish shall be legal to possess. See Bait Fish Information for the list of approved baitfish species. All other fish species are not permitted to be kept alive in an angler’s possession.
For Lake trout and/or Salmon lakes: From October 1 through December 31, trolling to take fish is now prohibited. From January 1 to March 31, fish may be taken by ice fishing only. See Lakes & Ponds: General Rules for details.

Possession and use of live fish for bait: Only the following species shall be possessed and used as live fish for bait when fishing any freshwaters of the state: rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax), longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae), blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus), northern redbelly dace (Chrosomus eos), lake chub (Couesius plumbeus), creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus), fallfish (Semotilus corporalis), golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas), common shiner (Luxilus cornutus), emerald shiner (Notropis atherinoides), spottail shiner (Hudsonius hudsonius), silvery minnow (Hybognathus nuchalis), creek chubsucker (Erimyzon oblongus), longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus), white sucker (Catostomus commersonii) and killifish/tomcod (Fundulus sp.).
Approved bait fish species (excluding white suckers) may be taken for personal use by licensed anglers with up to six traps not over 18 inches long each, with an opening not over one inch in diameter, or a circular drop net not over 48 inches in diameter; or a square net of equal area. Each trap must have the angler’s name and address on it. Daily limit 2 quarts (liquid measure). There is no daily limit for white suckers.
Commercial harvesting of bait is permitted with a bait dealer’s license and under specific rules. The license is available from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. More on page 37.
While taking fish in open water, two hooks may be used for bait per line, one with a single hook point and the other with no more than three hook points, except for certain lake trout and salmon lakes, where only a single hook with a single hook point may be used (see Bait Fish Information).
Image of a sliding bait rig used in fishing, showing how hooks, leader line, and swivels are arranged for presenting live or cut bait.
A person may use up to 2 lines for open-water fishing.
Fishing is allowed at any time of the day or night unless otherwise specified (see Freshwater Smelt re: dipping smelt).
Traps, nets, fish houses, holding boxes, or other receptacles used to take, hold, or to keep live bait fish in public waters must be marked with the name and address of the owner and user.
While anglers are being guided, as defined in RSA 207:1 XII and XIII, and taking freshwater fish by trolling (as defined in Definitions) the number of lines being used for angling shall not exceed the legal number of lines allowed for each angler, excluding the guide(s).
Fishing tournaments on New Hampshire waters require a permit. Applications are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are now done online. Find details on fishing events and participation guidelines on the New Hampshire fishing tournaments page.

Unlawful Actions

The sale of freshwater fish is prohibited, other than approved bait fish sold by licensed individuals.
Snagging fish in freshwaters is prohibited. Any fish accidentally snagged must be immediately released to the water.
No fish may be taken by use of a set line (as defined in Definitions) in freshwater, which would include so-called “jug fishing.”
Exceeding daily bag limits of fish is prohibited, whether taken from one or several waterbodies.
No person may have in his possession at one time more wildlife (including fish) than he may lawfully take in 2 days.
No person shall have live fish in their possession except if the species is identified in the approved baitfish list, if the person is a bass permittee, is an aquaculturist permittee and/or has a permit to import, possess, or release these fish.
Release of fish in waters other than where caught is prohibited. Fish must be returned to the water where taken unless otherwise permitted.
Culling of fish, except during permitted bass tournaments, is prohibited.
The water surrounding any dam containing a fishway is closed to fishing. (See Rivers and Streams with Special Rules.)
The use of alewives, carp, or goldfish as live bait while fishing is prohibited. The use of shad or whitefish as bait for cusk is prohibited.
Importation of live fish or their eggs, including bait fish, is prohibited without a special permit.
Except as otherwise specifically permitted, it is unlawful to use or have in possession poisons, explosives, net, set line, fishing otter, trawl, grapple, spear, jack, jack light, or electrical or other device for killing or stunning fish.
To counsel or aid another in violating a fishing rule is prohibited.
The use of lead sinkers and jigs weighing 1 ounce or less, regardless of length, is prohibited in all fresh water. Sale of lead sinkers and jigs (1 ounce or less, regardless of length) is prohibited.
The use of a gaff to take fish in any fresh waters of the state is prohibited.
To continue to take or attempt to take fish after filling the daily bag limit for that species of fish is prohibited.
It is illegal to tag, brand, fin-clip, or otherwise mark any fish prior to release without written permission to do so from the N.H. Fish and Game Executive Director.

Let’s Go Fishing!

Want to learn how to fish, enhance your fishing skills, help turn a friend into a fishing buddy? Check out Let’s Go Fishing classes from N.H. Fish and Game’s Aquatic Resources Education team! Free courses are offered throughout the state by trained volunteer instructors who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to help anglers get started.

Courses are available for adults and children covering fly fishing, saltwater fly fishing, fly tying, ice fishing, and more on the Fish New Hampshire website.

Ban on Lead Sinkers and Jigs

State law prohibits the use of lead sinkers and jigs weighing 1 ounce or less, regardless of length, in all fresh waters of New Hampshire. The sale of these lead sinkers and jigs is prohibited in the state of New Hampshire. Learn more about lead-free fishing practices on the Fish Lead Free website.

Official Fish Lead Free NH logo, representing efforts to reduce lead tackle use and protect wildlife and water quality in New Hampshire.

Catch & Release

Time is of the essence. Play and release the fish as quickly and carefully as possible.
When landing a fish, use a net with fine mesh or rubber net to avoid injury. A net is probably not necessary for small fish. Keep the fish in the water as much as possible. A fish out of water is suffocating and could be injured.
When releasing a fish, handle it as little as possible when removing the hook. When handling the fish, do not let it flop around or squeeze it. Gently hold the fish around the middle and upside down while removing the hook. This position calms the fish and deters it from moving around.
Remove the hook with small pliers or use your thumb and forefinger to loosen and back out the hook. If a hook cannot be easily removed, cut the leader as close as possible to the hook. The hook will rust or fall out in a short time.
To revive a tired fish, hold it in a swimming position with one hand under its bottom jaw and the other hand grasping the fish in front of the tail. Gently move the fish back and forth through the water until it is able to swim away.
Catch and release logo symbolizing responsible fishing practices that help conserve fish populations and support sustainable fisheries.

Landowner Protections

New Hampshire State law provides certain protections for landowners who open their land to those using it for outdoor recreation. Learn more about private land access and cooperation through the New Hampshire Landowner Relations Program.

Help Protect Nongame Wildlife

When you buy your fishing license, consider adding a donation to Fish and Game’s Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program. Nongame projects protect endangered fish, conserve key wetland habitats, and help a wide range of species. Support wildlife conservation by donating through the New Hampshire Nongame and Endangered Species Program.

Official logo of the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program, which supports the conservation and protection of New Hampshire’s nongame and endangered wildlife species.