Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Portsmouth, NH (Full Guide)
Portsmouth is one of the best fishing destinations on the east coast and abounds with huge numbers of gamefish. Knowing the best time of year and of the day to fish Portsmouth can make a huge difference for you and lead to more fun fishing.
The best times to fish Portsmouth is between May and mid-June when the largest variety of species is available but also prior to the busy summer tourist season. In general, the fishing is great here all through summer and into early fall.
| Fish Species | Best Time of Year for Portsmouth Fishing |
| Striped Bass | May through August |
| Bluefin Tuna | Late May through August |
| Bluefish | June through September |
| Flounder | June through September |
| Cod | Available Year-round; winter can be best |
| Haddock | Available Year-round; winter can be best |
Portsmouth has been a top choice fishing location for many anglers and fishing enthusiasts. It houses several fish species, aquatic creatures, beautiful people, and lovely scenery. You can visit Portsmouth for your trip and fishing operations, but you have to visit at the right time.
The best time to visit Portsmouth is during its fishing season in the summer and autumn months. Although fishing is supported all-round the year in Portsmouth, the summer and autumn months provide the best conditions for fishing. You should visit and fish the waters of Portsmouth from June through November.
Fishing in Portsmouth will provide great results, and fishing during the fishing season will provide you with more successes and results. You should make sure you visit the waters of Portsmouth at the right time to get the best results. You can give yourself a memorable and worthwhile fishing trip by visiting Portsmouth.
Best Times to Fish Portsmouth
The fishing season in Portsmouth runs from summer through the autumn season. You should visit the waters of Portsmouth during these to get the best fishing results. Begin your fishing operations in Portsmouth from June through November for the best fishing experience.
Another thing you need to know is the best time of the day to fish the waters of Portsmouth. Fishing Portsmouth at the right time of the day gives you easy access to the fish species you want to catch. It enhances your fishing operations towards higher productivity.
You should fish the waters of Portsmouth during the active times of the fish species you want to catch. Different fish species have their active times, but most fish species in the waters of Portsmouth are active during the morning hours. You should visit the waters of Portsmouth during the morning and evening hours to enjoy the best fishing operations and get the best fishing experience.
Portsmouth Species Breakdown: Best Times
The waters of Portsmouth house varieties of fish species that you should not miss out on. These fish species range from large to small, slow to fast swimmers, common to scarce, etc. You can visit the waters of Portsmouth to catch these fish species.
Here are some of the fish species you will find in Portsmouth.
Walleye
Fishing walleye in the waters of Portsmouth provide the best results during the summer and fall months. These times of the year hold the best conditions for walleye fishing in Portsmouth. You should visit the waters of Portsmouth from June through October to make the best catch.
Whether you are a professional or amateur angler, you need to know the best time to fish the waters of Portsmouth for walleye. You should target the morning and evening for the best result when fishing walleye in Portsmouth. You can catch several walleye during this time and experience successful fishing.
Fishing walleye can occur at several places in Portsmouth. One of the places you should visit is Oak Grove Lake Park, where you can catch several walleyes. You can enjoy your walleye fishing at this location and give yourself a memorable fishing trip.
Bluefish
The best season to catch bluefish in Portsmouth is summer and fall. The high season for fishing bluefish runs from mid-summer through early autumn. You should visit the waters for your fishing operations from July through September to make a good catch.
When fishing bluefish in Portsmouth, you should target the early hours of the day. You should begin your bluefish fishing during the morning till noon. You can also resume your fishing operations at dusk and catch numerous bluefish.
You should visit the Sleepy Hole Park for your bluefish fishing operations. You can also visit several other places for fishing bluefish in Portsmouth, like the City Park of Portsmouth. You can catch several fish species and add bluefish to your fishing trophies by fishing the waters of Portsmouth.
Rainbow Trout
The best time to catch rainbow trout is in summer and autumn. Fishing during the warm seasons will provide you with the best rainbow trout fishing operations. You should begin your rainbow trout fishing from June through November for the best results.
Fishing rainbow trout in Portsmouth is best done during two times of the day, morning and evening. You should fish the waters of Portsmouth from dawn till about two hours after sunrise. You should also fish rainbow trout from about 3 hours before sunset till dusk for the best fishing experience.
The Elizabeth River Park is one of the numerous fishing spots in Portsmouth where you can catch rainbow trout. You should fish the waters of the Elizabeth River Park to catch rainbow trout. Enjoy your fishing trip to the fullest and give yourself a memorable fishing experience in the waters of Elizabeth River Park.
Flounder
You should begin your flounder fishing from autumn through winter for the best fishing operation in Portsmouth. You should target the months of September through February for the best flounder catch. Fishing flounders during these seasons will provide you with the best flounder fishing experience in Portsmouth.
The best time to fish flounders in Portsmouth is during the early hours of the morning when the tide is high. You can also fish flounders during the late afternoons between tides to make a good catch. You can give yourself a worthwhile fishing experience by fishing the waters of Portsmouth at the right time.
You should visit certain places when fishing flounders in Portsmouth to get the best results. One of the best places for you to visit when fishing flounders in Portsmouth is the Stumpy Lake Natural Area. This area provides the best conditions for successful fishing in Portsmouth.
Atlantic Salmon
Portsmouth’s fishing salmons are highly promising and productive, especially when you fish during the appropriate season. You should begin your salmon fishing in Portsmouth as early as late spring till early autumn. Fish the waters of Portsmouth from May through September to make the best catch.
You should enjoy the magic of the morning when fishing salmon in Portsmouth. You should target the early morning hours, just before sunrise, for your salmon fishing. You can also target the evening hours and fish before it gets dark.
There are several places in Portsmouth where you can fish salmon and make a good catch. One of these places is the Bennetts Creek Park that houses numerous fish species. You can fish salmon and other fish at this park. Enjoy your fishing trip in Bennetts Creek Park and create an unforgettable experience.
I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic if you want to create your combo.
Recommended Fishing Charters near Portsmouth, NH
These Portsmouth-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Type of Fishing Offered |
| Sea Time Fishing Charters | River, Inshore & Offshore |
| The Charter Doctor | Offshore |
| F/V Meredith Jean | Nearshore, Wreck & Offshore |
| Vintage Fish Company | Nearshore, Wreck & Offshore |
| Savage Charters | Inshore, Nearshore & Offshore |
Best Time of the Day to Fish Portsmouth
Fishing the waters of Portsmouth can provide you with the best results only if you fish during the right time. The best time for you to fish the waters of Portsmouth is during the early morning and evening hours. Fish the waters of Portsmouth during this time to get the best results from your fishing trip.
Portsmouth Fishing & Tidal Impacts
While you are fishing the waters of Portsmouth, you should consider certain factors like the tidal movements of the waters. The tides can affect your fishing, which is why you have to consider them well before embarking on your fishing journey. You should fish during the slack tides that run for hours before and after a low and high tide. Fish during this time and enjoy your fishing trip to the fullest.
Storms & Portsmouth Fishing
The storms are one of the things you cannot overlook when fishing the waters of Portsmouth. You have to consider them well before you begin your fishing operations. The best time to fish is after a storm. Many fish species become more active after a storm, making them easy to catch.
Is Winter Fishing Good or Bad in Portsmouth?
There are several fish species you can catch in Portsmouth during the winter. Catching these fish species makes winter fishing interesting and full of fun in Portsmouth. You should visit the waters of Portsmouth during the winter to enjoy your fishing operations and make them memorable.
Night Fishing in Portsmouth
The night is also one of the times you can fish Portsmouth and get good results. Several fish the waters of Portsmouth at night, making night fishing a common fishing practice. You can also participate in night fishing and catch several fish species during the nights.
Shore/Surf Fishing: Best Times & Seasons
Another common fishing practice in Portsmouth is shore fishing. Fishing the shores of Portsmouth is highly productive, especially when you do it during the right season. Enjoy and make your fishing trip in Portsmouth a memorable one by fishing the shores during the fishing season.
Top 5 Fishing Spots in Portsmouth
One of the things that make fishing in Portsmouth interesting is the presence of numerous fishing spots. You can visit several places in Portsmouth to enjoy your fishing operations. Here are some of the fishing spots you will find in Portsmouth.
- Oak Grove Lake Park: This is one of the fishing spots you want to visit on your trip to Portsmouth. It houses several fish species and provides the best conditions for a successful fishing operation.
- Sleepy Hole Park: The Sleepy Hole Park is another fishing spot you do not want to miss on your fishing trip. You should prepare your fishing gear and fish the waters of Sleepy Hole Park for the best fishing experience.
- Elizabeth River Park: Elizabeth River Park is one of the most popular fishing spots among anglers. Several anglers visit the park for their fishing trip. You can create the best fishing adventure at this fishing park.
- Stumpy Lake Natural Area: This is also one of the popular fishing spots in Portsmouth. You can visit the Stumpy Lake Natural Area waters for the best fishing operations in Portsmouth.
- Bennetts Creek Park: The Bennetts Creek Park is also one of the places you can explore your fishing skills and practices. You can fish the waters and make a good catch. You can enjoy your fishing trip to Portsmouth by visiting Bennetts Creek Park for your fishing operations.
Booking Charters in Portsmouth (Best Times)
You need to do several things if you want your fishing trip in Portsmouth to be a successful one. And one of these things is booking a charter. Many anglers tend to underestimate the function of a good charter on a fishing trip, and the results are not always a tale worthy of telling.
Booking a charter on your fishing trip enhances your fishing operations and provides you with easy but worthy success. You can book your preferred charter in Portsmouth and make your fishing operations a highly successful one.
Best Season to Go
You should not just book your charter in Portsmouth without considering some factors. You need to know the best season to book your charter. You should book your charter during the season that best supports fishing in Portsmouth.
The best time for you to book your charter in Portsmouth is fishing. Booking your charter during the fishing season will enhance your fishing operations in Portsmouth. You will have access to numerous fish species and a high chance of catching them.
You should book your charters during the summer and autumn seasons for the best fishing operations in Portsmouth. Book your charters any time from June through November to make a perfect catch. You can give yourself the ideal fishing experience just by booking your charters at the appropriate time.
The time you book your charters does not only improve your fishing operations but can also influence how well you enjoy your stay in Portsmouth. Summer and autumn are some of the busiest seasons in Portsmouth. Booking your charters during this time will provide you with the best experience.
You can enjoy your fishing operations and create a memorable fishing trip by booking the right seasons. Enjoy your trip to Portsmouth, catch several fish species, and give yourself a memorable fishing experience.
Morning vs. Afternoon
The mornings and afternoons are both great times to book charters and fish the waters of Portsmouth. But which is the better option? Morning or afternoon? The answer to this question depends on the fish species you want to catch.
The best time to book your charters is during the active times of the fish species you want to catch. There are several fish species in the waters of Portsmouth. And these fish species each have their active times.
Some fish species are active during the morning hours, while some choose the afternoon hours for their active time. But most of the fish species in the waters of Portsmouth are active during the morning hours. This makes the morning hours the best time to book your charters.
Booking your charters in the morning will give you access to the most fish species in Portsmouth. You will be able to make successful catches of these fish species, making your fishing operations interesting. You can also book your charters in the afternoon, especially if you have a particular fish you are targeting.
There are fish species that are active during the afternoon hours. You can decide to catch these fish species and book your charter in the afternoon. However, booking your charters during the morning hours gives more results and productivity than booking in the afternoon hours.
For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish Nantucket, please check this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish Cape Cod, please check this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish Boston, please check this helpful guide.
