Baker River
river in New Hampshire
Runs through the Lakes Region into the Pemigewasset, offering productive spring and summer trout fishing with accessible public reaches around Franklin and Wentworth.
What's working on Baker River
- 01Brook Trout are keying into egg patterns as some fish begin their spawning activities.
- 02Expect intermittent Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches, especially on warmer, overcast afternoons, providing dry fly opportunities.
- 03Subsurface nymphing with Pheasant Tails, Baetis nymphs, and midge imitations remains consistently productive.
- 04Streamers like Woolly Buggers and Muddler Minnows are effective for targeting larger, aggressive Brook Trout in deeper pools and runs.
- 05October Caddis dry flies can attract attention during the mid-day hours.
Past reports week by week
13 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Flashback Pheasant Tail Nymph
An excellent general searching nymph, mimicking various active aquatic insects including emerging Blue-Winged Olive nymphs, which are prominent in fall.
Muddler Minnow
Brook Trout are predatory fish, and streamers imitating baitfish and sculpins are excellent for eliciting aggressive strikes in cooler fall waters.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Black)
A versatile streamer pattern, effective year-round, that imitates leeches and baitfish. Its dark profile is good for colder, potentially stained water and targeting larger trout.
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Blue-Winged Olives often have active hatches in the fall, particularly on overcast days, making this low-profile dry fly excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults.
October Caddis (Dry)
October Caddis are a significant hatch in the fall, providing a larger dry fly opportunity for rising trout.
Buy at AmazonZebra Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source for trout year-round, and this weighted nymph is highly effective for subsurface feeding.
Buy at AmazonScud (Pink/Orange)
Freshwater shrimp (scuds) are a consistent food source in many river systems, and a pink or orange variation can be very effective in fall.
Buy at AmazonBlood Dot Egg
Fall is spawning season for many trout and salmon, making egg patterns a highly effective food source for opportunistic Brook Trout.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Franklin Falls Access
Good wading stretches and tailwater-like conditions near the confluence with the Pemigewasset.
Garfield / Dorchester Road Crossings
Multiple public pull-offs with access to smaller riffles and spring-fed pockets holding brook trout.
Wentworth / Plummer Brook Confluence
Quiet, productive pools and pocket water favored by local anglers.
Fly shops within 40 miles
White Mountain Anglers
TBC Guides
Get Baker River reports by email
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New Hampshire season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
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Quick answers
Common questions about Baker River.
What flies work best on Baker River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Baker River right now are Flashback Pheasant Tail Nymph (80% confidence), San Juan Worm (80% confidence), Muddler Minnow (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Baker River?
Baker River holds Brook Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Baker River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Baker River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.