Best trout lakes in the Northeast: 12 lakes to fish

The lakes

1. Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire

Lake Winnipesaukee covers 44,600 acres of water. It holds lake trout, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and largemouth bass.

Lake Winnipesaukee today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Seneca Lake, New York

Seneca Lake spreads over some 42,800 acres. Expect lake trout, trout, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. It goes down to about 618 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove to work.

Seneca Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Moosehead Lake, Maine

At 75,500 acres of water, Moosehead Lake is a huge piece of water. Expect lake trout, trout and smallmouth bass. At about 246 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three steep ledges and an upper arm: good places to start.

Moosehead Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Lake George, New York

At some 28,800 acres, Lake George is a big lake. It holds lake trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and yellow perch. At about 196 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Lake George today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Quabbin Reservoir, Massachusetts

At some 24,700 acres, Quabbin Reservoir is a big lake. It holds lake trout, trout, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. The deepest water is around 151 ft.

Quabbin Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Sebago Lake, Maine

Sebago Lake covers some 30,500 acres. The fish here are lake trout, trout, smallmouth bass and northern pike. It goes down to about 316 ft.

Sebago Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Candlewood Lake, Connecticut

At 5,420 acres of water, Candlewood Lake is a good-sized lake. Expect trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. The deepest water is around 90 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Candlewood Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Flagstaff Lake, Maine

Flagstaff Lake is a reservoir of 20,300 acres of water. You will find it about 12 miles south of Kingfield. It is the Dead River behind Long Falls Dam. Expect trout. At about 48 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Flagstaff Lake was created in 1950 when Long Falls Dam flooded the town of Flagstaff and other settlements along the Dead River.

Flagstaff Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Cayuga Lake, New York

Cayuga Lake is a natural lake of some 42,800 acres. You will find it right by Union Springs. It holds lake trout, trout, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. At about 435 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove worth a first look. Cayuga Lake is the longest of New York's Finger Lakes.

Cayuga Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Allegheny Reservoir (Kinzua Lake), Pennsylvania

Allegheny Reservoir (Kinzua Lake) covers 12,100 acres. The lake is about 7.1 miles north of Randolph. Kinzua Dam holds it on the Allegheny River. It holds trout, walleye, muskie and catfish. It goes down to about 130 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Allegheny Reservoir is impounded by Kinzua Dam, one of the largest dams east of the Mississippi River, and is surrounded by the Allegheny National Forest.

Allegheny Reservoir (Kinzua Lake) today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

11. Lake Bomoseen, Vermont

At some 2,400 acres, Lake Bomoseen is small enough to learn in a few trips. It lies about 1.8 miles southwest of Fair Haven. Expect trout, catfish, yellow perch and northern pike. It goes down to about 65 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Lake Bomoseen is the largest lake located entirely within Vermont.

Lake Bomoseen today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

12. Winnisquam Lake, New Hampshire

Winnisquam Lake is a natural lake of 4,210 acres of water. You will find it right by Laconia. The fish here are trout, lake trout, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. The deepest water is around 155 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Lake Winnisquam is part of the Winnipesaukee River chain of lakes and offers both warmwater bass and coldwater trout fishing.

Winnisquam Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Trout through the year in the Northeast

Use these as a starting point and let the water temperature decide: the lake pages show it every morning.

• Spring: Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines.
• Summer: Too warm up top. Fish deep and cool, or near cold inflows.
• Fall: Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines.
• Winter: Cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.