A Guide to the Lakes Regions Largest Lakes
The Lakes Regions offers many options to start your lifestyle on the lake today we will cover the four largest: Lake Winnipesaukee, Squam Lake, Lake Winnisquam, & Newfound Lake.
Lake Winnipesaukee
Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest lake in New Hampshire covering about 46,080 acres and is 180 feet at the deepest point. There is a total of eight towns surrounding Lake Winnipesaukee: Alton, Meredith, Wolfeboro, Gilford, Laconia, Tuftonboro, Center Harbor & Moultonborough. 244 islands are scattered around the lake with the following connecting to the mainland:
Governors (Gilford, NH)
Black cat (Moultonborough, NH)
Long (Moultonborough, NH)
Oak (Meredith, NH)
Plummer (Laconia, NH)
Worcester (Wolfeboro, NH)
With a total of 24 public boat launches you have got easy access to the lake but, make sure you check the lake regulations on the marine patrol website. If you enjoy fishing on the lake, you will find about 12 different species Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Lake Trout, Small/Largemouth Bass, Pickerel, Yellow/White Perch, Hornpout, Cusk, Smelt, Bluegill, & Whitefish. Lake Winnipesaukee is a popular destination for many ice fishers with an annual ice fishing derby hosted by the Meredith Rotary Club. Get with local divers and discover dive sites including an old steamer located in Wolfeboro. Take a ride on the Mount Washington for a scenic cruise or a dinner on the lake.
There are 9 hiking trails spread across the area with the longest being the Cotton Valley Trial, a 12-mile scenic hike with views of Crescent Lake & Lake Wentworth in Wolfeboro. Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford offers 227 skiable areas and 48 trails as well as an Adventure Park in the summer months. Stay involved year-round with 9 major events as well town specific events. Lake Winnipesaukee has a lot to offer for many different lifestyles and with the most surrounding towns you have got plenty of options to call home.
Squam Lake
Squam Lake is the third largest lake in New Hampshire. Big Squam is 98 feet at the deepest point covering 6,791 acres and draining through a small channel into Little Squam which covers 408 acres and is 84 feet at its deepest point. A total of five towns surround Squam Lake- Ashland, Holderness, Sandwich, Center Harbor, & Moultonborough. 28 islands are located throughout this lake with the largest being High Haith at 243 acres. Squam Lake is a common nesting ground for the common loon, some other birds that have been seen nesting there are the Bald eagles and great blue herons.
Squam Lake offers one public boat launch in Holderness, kayaks and canoes are available to rent here through the Squam Lakes Association . Squam Lake offers about 9 different species of fish including brown bullhead, lake trout, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, white perch, chain pickerel, inland salmon, & lake whitefish. Take a scenic cruise around the lake through Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. Unlike Lake Winnipesaukee this lake gives you a more natural feel and although it can pick up during peak seasons there is access to many small coves to get some privacy.
There are 6 hiking trails around Squam Lake with views of Squam Lake and Lake Winnipesaukee from the Red Hill Fire Tower in Moultonborough. Chamberlain-Reynolds Memorial Forest is a 157-area forest with 4 miles of hiking trails and 1 mile of waterfront. Squam Lake has five major events with several hosted by Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. Squam Lake highlights the beauty of New Hampshire’s lakes and the wildlife that lives there.
Newfound Lake
Newfound Lake is the fourth largest lake in New Hampshire covering 4,100 acres it is 183 feet deep at its deepest point making it one of the deepest lakes in New Hampshire. A total of four towns surround Newfound Lake- Bridgewater, Bristol, Hebron, & Alexandria. Two lighthouses are located around Newfound Lake-Reed Lighthouse in Bristol and Newfound Lighthouse in Bridgewater. Fed by 8 springs Newfound Lake is the cleanest lake in New Hampshire.
Newfound Lake offers two public boat launches both have limited parking so make plans beforehand. The Wellington boat launch is part of the Wellington State Park which is the largest freshwater swimming beach in the New Hampshire park system. Newfound Lake offers 22 different species of fish and is typically restocked every year mid-March to early July. Newfound offers a kayak and sailing club as well as whitewater kayaking in Bristol.
You will find a total of 12 hiking trails scattered around Newfound Lake including Mount Cardigan which is part of 6,000 acres of reserved land. Take a moderate to easy hike on Big or Little Sugarloaf for spectacular lake views. There are 12 major event held annually including the New Hampshire marathon which is a pre qualifier for the Boston marathon. Newfound Lake gives you a taste of everything with plenty to do around the lake and the white mountains a short distance a way where will you start your adventure?
Lake Winnisquam
Covering 4,254 acres Lake Winnisquam is the fifth largest lake in New Hampshire reaching 170 feet at its deepest point. You will find five towns surrounding this lake Meredith, Belmont, Laconia, Sanbornton, & Tilton. Lake Winnisquam has 5 Islands and a public beach Ahern State Park which offers a variety of trials and a small swimming area. You will also find yourself close to all Lake Winnipesaukee has to offer as well as a shopping outlet in Tilton, New Hampshire.
On Water Street in Laconia you will find a public boat launch that offers two ramps and a floating dock. At 10 miles long Lake Winnisquam is a favorite for long boating ventures. You will also find about 14 different species of fish in this lake including rainbow trout, lake trout, landlocked salmon, whitefish, small- and largemouth bass, pickerel, horned pout, white perch, northern pike, walleye, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch. Lake Winnisquam puts, you close to the heart of the Lakes Region will make a commute to southern New Hampshire less draining.
For more information regarding the Lakes Region I suggest visiting the Lakes Region Tourism Association's website!