Largemouth Bass

Dover, New Hampshire, offers some surprisingly good largemouth bass fishing, especially in the tidal portions of the Bellamy and Cocheco Rivers, and in nearby freshwater bodies like Willand Pond. The unique aspect here is the mix of brackish and freshwater environments, leading to healthy, aggressive bass. Spring (late May/early June) is prime time, as the bass are spawning and highly active in the shallows. Fall (September/October) can also be productive as they feed up before winter. A local tip: target submerged timber and weed edges with crankbaits or Texas-rigged worms in the rivers during outgoing tides. For Willand Pond, the public boat launch provides easy access, but be aware of the potential for heavy recreational use during summer weekends. The bass in this area tend to be opportunistic feeders, so experiment with different presentations to find what they're hitting.