Fishing

Fishing is a popular recreational activity on the Lake.  Classified as a cold and warm water fishery, Spofford is known for producing quality small- and largemouth bass, rainbow trout, and Northern pike.

Anglers, help us help Spofford Lake by joining the Spofford Lake Association.   Membership can cost as little as $50.00 per year.  For more details, visit our membership page.  Thank you for your support.  

Rainbow Trout:  NH Fish & Game stocked Spofford Lake with 2,000 hatchlings on April 2.   View the stocking report here.  Eggs are provided free of charge from the Federal Government to the Milford Fish Hatchery, where they mature to a size of 8-10 inches in length.  Fish & Game noted that the size of the fish introduced into the Lake has declined over the years.  Rainbow trout under 15 inches in length may not be kept and must be returned to the Lake.   

In 2022, received fewer than half the number (+/- 2,200) of yearling rainbow trout that it has typically received.   Spofford Lake is considered too small to support the 5,000 yearlings of years past.

Bass Tournaments (2025):  According to NH Fish & Game, 12 tournaments have been scheduled for Spofford Lake.  The dates are:  April 19, April 26, April 27, May 3, May 4, May 25, June 7, June 8, June 28, August 7, August 28, and September 4.  Check the SLA calendar for the sponsoring organizations.

General Info: 

• Bathymetry map:  Click here for a lake depth/contour map of Spofford Lake completed by the State in the Autumn of 2022. 
• Obtain a license:  Annual fishing licenses are required for persons 16 years of age and older.  
  
• Lead fishing tackle:  Since 2016, the use of lead fishing tackle (one ounce or less) is prohibited.
• Questions?:  Call NH Fish and Game in Keene (603) 352-9669.

Spofford Fish videos:  Click here.

Boating

• Obtain a license:    NH requires all PWC (personal water craft) or boat operators who are 16 years old and operating a motorboat over 25 hp to pass a boater safety course and to carry a boater education card. 
  
• Boats should arrive at the Spofford boat ramp  Clean, Drained & Dry so as to not spread any invasive species.  Our Lake Host team will inspect your boat just to make sure that all is well.  
• Questions? :  NH Marine Patrol in Keene (603) 293-2037.
  

Boat Lifts

A seasonal personal watercraft lift will qualify for PBN (permit by notification) only if it meets a number of requirements, for example:

• Installed immediately adjacent to a legally existing dock and in a manner that creates no adverse impact,
• Located a minimum of 20 feet from an abutting property line (or the imaginary extension of a property line over the water) and on a parcel of land that has at least 75 feet of shoreline frontage, and
• Removed during the non-boating season.
  
• Questions?:  For complete information visit NH Department of Environmental Services, or call (603) 271-3503.

Kayaking

• The only public location from which kayaks may be launched is the boat ramp.   Kayaks may not be launched at the dam abutment. 
• For reasons of preventing invasive species and per Town regulations, kayaks may not be launched from either Ware’s Grove or North Shore beach.