Fishing Report For Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

By Rick Seaman

March 6, 2025

Popular Fish Species Reports
Lake Winnipesaukee Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
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Fishing Report Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

Fishing Reports

Popular Fish Species Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

Rainbow Trout

Current Report:Fair To Good
Outlook: Good To Very Good

Stocked rainbow trout populations are maintained to offer a rainbow fishery for anglers of all skill levels. These tasty trout can be caught on bait and small lures, year round. The diet of these rainbow trout consists of insects, small fishes and crustaceans. Small spinners, miniature crankbaits and swimbaits are catching rainbows, as are nightcrawlers, salmon eggs and prepared baits.

Lake Trout

Current Report: Good
Outlook: Good To Excellent

During the warmest months of the year, vertical jigging with jigs and spoons, in deep water, is the most popular way to locate lake trout in Lake Winnipesaukee. The same is true for ice fishing. The rest of the year, trolling with spoons, jigs and crankbaits is often the ticket. Drop-offs are a key feature to look for whether these trout are in 20 feet of water ar 75 feet. Lake trout feed on small fish like perch, so lures imitating baitfish, perch or small trout are good choices. Other options include nightcrawlers or Berkeley Power Crawlers, fished on drop-shot rigs. Flashy spoons can be fished at any depth, either jigging, trolling or cast and retrieve. For big lakers, use larger size baits.

Smallmouth Bass

Current Report: Fair
Outlook: Very Good To Excellent

Lake Winnipesaukee is well-known as a great smallmouth bass fishery, both for size and numbers. The clear water here dictates a bit of stealth, especially when the bass are spawning. Locals report jerkbaits are a go-to bait in Spring, and will catch smallies pretty much anytime they are shallow. Mid-range crankbaits, and topwater are always a good way to cover lots of water. Summer warmth pushed the bass deeper where they typically hold on ledges and points, nearby deeper water. Drop-shot rigs and ned rigs are popular on light line in these deep holding areas. In Winter, the fishing is often good on cold, windy, cloudy and rainy days.

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, brook trout, lake trout, pumpkinseed sunfish, redbreast sunfish, white perch, yellow perch, landlocked salmon and chain pickerel at Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.

Lake Winnipesaukee is a 44,000-acre lake with nearly 250 miles of shoreline. The lake is populated with bass, trout, sunfish, perch, salmon and pickerel. For those seeking to fish from the bank, there are multiple areas with public access. During winter, once the ice is safe, the lake is very popular for ice fishing.

Primary fish species to catch

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Click here for fishing boat rentals available at this lake.

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Click here for boat ramps available at this lake.

Fishing License

Click here for a New Hampshire Fishing License.

Map - Fishing & Access

Rick Seaman is a fishing enthusiast with over five decades of fishing experience, a retired tournament fisherman, author of numerous published articles on fishing, and co-author of the book "Bass Fishing - It's not WHAT you throw, It's WHERE you throw it".