New Hampshire Lakes

Description - When it comes to outdoor recreation in New Hampshire, the many lakes, streams and rivers find themselves as popular as lands within White Mountain National Forest. Water recreation may be found at nearly every turn in the road. The First and Second Connecticut Lakes, Lake Francis, Umbagog Lake, Lake Winnipesaukee, Squam Lake, New Found Lake, Winnisquam Lake, Connecticut River, Piscataqua River, and the Merrimack River offer paddling, sight-seeing, warm water and coldwater fishing. Many of the mountain streams are wonderful whitewater boating rivers while clear lakes surrounded by woods and rocky shoreline are a haven for boating and swimming. Marsh wetlands and narrow brooks offer wonderful big-game hunting opportunities. And countless scenic rivers dotted with historic covered bridges are found between the wilderness lakes and freshwater ponds. New Hampshire is also fortunate to have territory stretching to the Atlantic Ocean providing acres of wildlife viewing opportunities within the estuaries, tidal waters and mud flats.

Attractions - Each region of New Hampshire offers abundant opportunity for anglers. The Seacoast area continues to be a bountiful area for the saltwater striped bass. Average size ranges from 15 - 25 inches. New Hampshire's Lakes Region is well known for its 'big water' fisheries. Lakes Winnipesaukee and Squam Lake are very popular outdoor areas offering nearly 65,000 acres of prime fishing waters. Anglers venturing into the Great North Woods Region will discover a variety of excellent fishing choices ranging from mountain stream brookies to reservoir smallmouths. Lamprey and Exeter Rivers in the Merrimack Valley are both stocked with brook, rainbow and brown trout. Also, the Winnicut River in Greenland and the Piscassic River from Newfields to Newmarket receive brook and rainbow trout. The Monadnock Region offers excellent walleye fishing in the Connecticut River.

Recreation - Fishing, paddleboating, windsurfing, motorboating and more may be enjoyed in each region of New Hampshire. Saltwater fishing opportunities abound along the Atlantic Ocean. Striped bass have been particularly plentiful the last few years.

Climate - New Hampshire residents experience four distinct seasons. Winter can be cold with average temperatures reaching 25 degrees F in December, January and February. The cold temperatures humidity bring heavy, water-laden snow to all parts of the state. Spring begins in mid-March and lasts through May. This time of the year is referred to as mud season in the mountains. The sugar is flowing early in the season and wild flowers bloom toward the end of it. Summer is the busiest season of the year for the tourism industry. This is an excellent time to travel, mountain roads are open and most of the mud has dried. Fall brings the leaf lookers to see the spectacular colors of the deciduous trees. Expect to see bus loads of people enjoying the crisp fall New England weather.

Location - First and Second Connecticut Lakes along with Lake Francis are located amidst the northern pine and spruce forests of New Hampshire. Umbagog Lake saddles the state lines of both New Hampshire and Maine. Lake Winnipesaukee, Squam Lake, New Found Lake and Winnisquam Lake dominate the midsection of the state while hundreds of small lakes dot the Vermont / Connecticut River western border over to the eastern Piscataqua River which flows into the North Atlantic Ocean. Also, the well-known Merrimack River bisects the lower region of the state.