New Hampshire not only borders the Atlantic Ocean in the southeastern part of the state, it is also home to some of the cleanest and clearest freshwater bodies in the U.S. The cold waters of this small state, tucked away near the Canadian border, are a haven for many massive fish. In this article, we will discuss 10 of the largest fish ever caught in New Hampshire, from the massive bluefin tuna to the amazing bluefish. Let’s dive in.
10. Bluefish – 21 Pounds
Bluefish are migratory fish along the Atlantic Coast.
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The bluefish is a stout-bodied fish with a greenish-blue back and silvery sides and belly. They have large mouths and sharp teeth. They prefer warm and temperate waters and are known to migrate along the U.S. Atlantic Coast. These schooling fish generally inhabit the water column. They can weigh up to 31 pounds and reach 39 inches, or 3.25 feet, in length.
The largest bluefish in New Hampshire was exactly 39 inches long and weighed in at 21 pounds. It was landed by Henry S. Krook back on August 23, 1975. He caught the record-breaking fish in Great Bay, near Durham.
9. Northern Pike – 26 Pounds and 9.44 ounces
The longest freshwater fish ever caught in New Hampshire was a northern pike.
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The northern pike is a long, olive-green fish with a white belly and unique side markings. They have flat snouts, large mouths, and sharp teeth. In the U.S., they are typically found in Alaska and the northern Midwest. While they usually grow between 16-24 inches long, they can sometimes be much larger, reaching a whopping 54 inches, or 4.5 feet, and weighing a maximum of around 62 pounds. These aggressive fish inhabit clear freshwater lakes and rivers with dense vegetation.
On February 16, 2013, Kevin Phelps caught the largest northern pike in New Hampshire at Moore Reservoir in Dalton. This fish weighed an impressive 26 pounds and 9.44 ounces. It measured 44.5 inches long, or 3.7 feet.
8. Saltwater Cusk – 31 Pounds
Cusks live in the deep, cold waters of the North Atlantic.
Saltwater cusks look similar to eels, but they are part of the cod family. They can range in color from reddish-brown to greenish-brown to yellow, with paler undersides. These bottom-dwelling fish are generally found in the North Atlantic in relatively deep water of about 60-90 feet. They typically do not grow larger than 3 feet long or weigh more than 20 pounds.
However, the largest cusk ever caught in New Hampshire shows that these fish can grow even larger. On June 10, 1996, Richard F. Hincman caught a giant saltwater cusk in the Gulf of Maine near Hampton. The fish weighed 31 pounds and measured 39.50 inches long, which is about 3.3 feet.
7. Carp (Rod and Reel) – 35 Pounds and 13.12 ounces
The largest carp caught on a rod and reel in New Hampshire was 35 pounds.
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Carp vary in color from olive or reddish-brown to a brassy or golden color on their sides with paler bellies. They have rounded backs and whiskers similar to catfish. These bottom-feeding fish prefer warm, sluggish water. They average about 12-25 inches in length and weigh between 5-25 pounds. However, weights of over 75 pounds and lengths of around 48 inches have been reported.
On May 16, 2015, Donald St. Lawrence caught an impressive carp in the Merrimack River near Manchester. This big fish weighed 35 pounds and 13.12 ounces. It measured 37 inches long, which is just over 3 feet. The record-breaking catch was not only a testament to how big carp can grow in the region, but also highlighted the angler’s skill.
6. Lake Trout – 37 Pounds and 10.4 ounces
The largest trout species in the U.S. is lake trout, which generally weigh up to 40 pounds.
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Lake trout are found in Canada, Alaska, the Great Lakes, New England, and parts of the Rocky Mountains. These elongated, greenish-gray fish are covered in pale yellow to white spots. They usually grow 17 to 27 inches. However, they can reach an astonishing 50 inches, which is over 4 feet. They typically weigh up to about 40 pounds. These trout naturally favor the deeper, colder parts of lakes, usually swimming around 60 to 200 feet deep.
On February 25, 2020, Thomas Knight caught the largest lake trout in New Hampshire’s Big Diamond Pond in Stewartstown. This giant fish weighed 37 pounds and 10.4 ounces. It measured 42.125 inches, or 3.5 feet long.
5. Carp (Bow Harvested) – 41 Pounds and 0.04 ounces
Carp can grow to astonishingly large sizes.
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Another of the largest fish ever caught in New Hampshire is a carp. As noted above, the average length is about 12-25 inches and they typically weigh between 5-25 pounds. However, much larger carps have been documented, including this record-breaking catch from New Hampshire.
Kevin Martin, using just a bow, caught a massive carp in the Connecticut River in Hinsdale on June 2, 2013. This fish was 41 pounds and 0.04 ounces. It measured 40.5 inches, or 3.38 feet, in length. This is the heaviest freshwater fish ever caught in New Hampshire.
4. Pollock – 47 pounds
A pollock is a schooling fish that lives near the ocean floor.
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Pollock are long, slender fish with silvery-gray to brownish-green bodies and paler bellies. Atlantic pollock inhabiting the Northwest Atlantic are greener in color. They can grow up to 3.5 feet long and weigh up to 35 pounds. These schooling fish live offshore, close to the ocean floor.
The largest pollock ever caught in New Hampshire was landed by angler Noborv Murakami on July 1, 1981. It was caught in the Atlantic Ocean near Portsmouth. This record-breaking fish was an incredible 47 pounds and measured 50 inches, which is just over 4 feet in length.
3. Striped Bass – 60 Pounds
The striped bass has dark, horizontal stripes that run down the sides of its body.
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Striped bass are distinguished by dark, horizontal stripes along their silvery-colored bodies. These fish are anadromous, meaning they can tolerate both saltwater and freshwater, and are found along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. They can reach a maximum length of 6.5 feet, although around 4 feet is more common. The average weight is between 10-30 pounds.
On June 26, 1980, Robert A. Lindholm caught the largest striped bass ever recorded in New Hampshire. The fish was caught in Great Bay near Dover. It weighed 60 pounds and measured 50 inches, which is just over 4 feet long.
2. Atlantic Cod – 98 Pounds and 12 Ounces
The Atlantic cod typically weighs up to 77 pounds.
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Atlantic cod have greenish to grey-brown bodies with paler bellies. They have one long whisker, or barbel, similar to a catfish on their chins. They prefer the cold waters of the North Atlantic, living near the ocean floor at depths of 200 and 440 feet. These fish can grow up to 51 inches, or 4.25 feet in length. They typically weigh up to 77 pounds.
Angler Alphonse Bielevich caught the largest Atlantic cod in New Hampshire on June 8, 1969. This fish was caught in the Isle of Shoals near Hampton. This massive cod weighed 98 pounds and 12 ounces. It measured 63 inches, which is 5.25 feet long.
1. Bluefin Tuna – 962 Pounds
Bluefin tuna can reach weights over 1,500 pounds.
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The largest fish that has ever been caught in New Hampshire is a bluefin tuna. Bluefin tuna are the largest tuna species, typically growing to an average of around 78 inches, or 6.5 feet. However, they have been recorded to reach lengths of 180 inches, or 15 feet, and weights over 1,500 pounds. These dark blue to silver, torpedo-shaped fish inhabit subtropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic and Pacific.
On August 10, 2013, Richard Green caught a massive 962-pound bluefin tuna in the Gulf of Maine near Newcastle. This monster fish was 119 inches long, which is nearly 10 feet. In addition to being the largest fish ever caught in New Hampshire, this fish also holds the state record for the largest saltwater or anadromous fish ever caught.
