The Best Fishing Lakes In New Hampshire
Guide to top places to fish for bass, catfish, crappie and more in NH.
The purpose of this page is to share basic information about the best fishing lakes in the state, and the species found in each lake. Lake Francis, Lake Sunapee, Lake Winnipesaukee, Moore Reservoir, Newfound Lake, Ossipee Lake, Squam Lake, Umbagog Lake and Winnisquam Lake are the most popular places for fishing in New Hampshire, offering anglers the chance to pursue a variety of fish species. Most of these lakes ice over in winter and ice fishing is popular at many of them.
New Hampshire boasts a diverse range of fishing lakes, offering anglers the opportunity to target various fish species in both warm water and cold water environments. Warm water lakes in the state are known for their abundance of species such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, pickerel, and panfish. Lakes like Lake Winnipesaukee, Bow Lake, and Pleasant Lake are popular destinations for warm water fishing. Anglers can enjoy casting their lines in search of trophy-sized bass or targeting panfish like bluegill, sunfish, and perch. These lakes provide ample opportunities for boating, trolling, and casting from the shore, catering to anglers with different preferences and techniques.
On the other hand, New Hampshire is also home to cold water lakes, which are renowned for their populations of trout and salmon. Lake Sunapee, Lake Winnisquam, and Squam Lake are among the top cold water fishing destinations in the state. These lakes provide excellent opportunities to catch species such as rainbow trout, brown trout, landlocked salmon, and lake trout (togue). Anglers often utilize various techniques like trolling with downriggers, fly fishing, or bait fishing to entice these prized cold water species. The serene beauty of these lakes, surrounded by scenic landscapes, adds to the allure of fishing in these cold water havens.
Additionally, New Hampshire's lakes offer opportunities to catch other popular fish species, including walleye, northern pike, and catfish. Some lakes, such as Lake Francis in the Great North Woods region, are renowned for their walleye fishing. These lakes provide a chance to hook into these elusive predators known for their great taste and challenging fights. Similarly, lakes like Big Squam and Moore Reservoir offer anglers the chance to pursue northern pike, known for their aggressive strikes and thrilling battles.
It's worth noting that different lakes have varying regulations and restrictions, so it is important for anglers to familiarize themselves with the specific rules and obtain the necessary licenses before heading out. Whether you're seeking the thrill of catching bass in warm water lakes or the tranquility of casting a fly in a cold water lake for trout, New Hampshire's fishing lakes cater to a wide range of angling interests and provide memorable experiences for fishing enthusiasts.
Bass Fishing Lakes
Bow Lake, Great East Lake, Lake Sunapee, Lake Wentworth, Lake Winnipesaukee, Newfound Lake, Massabesic Lake, Merrymeeting Lake, Silver Lake, Squam Lake, Umbagog Lake and Winnisquam Lake are considered some of the best options for largemouth and smallmouth bass. More...
Catfish Fishing Lakes
Some of the most popular catfish lakes include Lake Winnipesaukee, Squam Lake, Umbagog Lake and Lake Winnisquam. In addition, river systems with nice populations of catfish include the Connecticut River, Pemigewasset River, Sugar River and others.
Crappie Fishing Lakes
Bellamy Reservoir, Lake Wentworth, Pawtuckaway Lake, Massabesic Lake and Winnisquam Lake are a few of the most popular lakes for black and white crappie. More...
Sunfish, Panfish & Perch Fishing Lakes
Bow Lake, Great East Lake, Lake Sunapee, Lake Winnipesaukee, Newfound Lake, Squam Lake, Great East Lake, Lake Wentworth, Ossipee Lake and Winnisquam Lake are some popular lakes to fish for bluegill, bream, perch and other sunfish. More...
Walleye Fishing Lakes
The Connecticut River, Lake Sunapee, Lake Winnipesaukee, Mascoma Lake and Squam Lake are among the top lakes for walleye fishing. More...
Trout Fishing Lakes
Conway Lake, Great East Lake, Lake Sunapee, Lake Winnipesaukee, Moore Reservoir, Merrymeeting Lake, Newfound Lake, Paugus Bay, Squam Lake, Umbagog Lake, Silver Lake and Winnisquam Lake, plus the Connecticut River are the favorite options for rainbow, brook, brown and lake trout. More...
Salmon Fishing Lakes
Conway Lake, Lake Sunapee, Lake Winnipesaukee, Merrymeeting Lake, Newfound Lake, Ossipee Lake, Paugus Bay, Squam Lake, Umbagog Lake and Winnisquam Lake are the most popular lakes for atlantic and coho salmon fishing. More...
Visit the New Hampshire fishing page for links to information covering a wide variety of fish species and local fishing choices in the state. Visit the New Hampshire map to identify your best route to these top fishing locations.
Best Fishing Lakes By State.
081724*
NEW HAMPSHIRE
