Biggest lakes in New Hampshire: the top 10 by size

The list

Sizes are the published surface area where one exists; the others are our own measure of the water's outline and read "about". Reservoirs shrink and grow with their level, so a dry year shows less water.

1. Lake Winnipesaukee

Lake Winnipesaukee covers 44,600 acres. It holds smallmouth bass, lake trout, yellow perch and largemouth bass. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

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

2. Umbagog Lake

Umbagog Lake covers some 7,850 acres. The lake is about 11 miles southwest of Milan. Like most lakes its size in New Hampshire, it should hold smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill. At about 45 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Umbagog Lake straddles the New Hampshire–Maine border and is the centerpiece of a national wildlife refuge known for nesting bald eagles and loons.

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

3. Squam Lake

At some 6,790 acres, Squam Lake is a good-sized lake. You will find it right by Holderness. Like most lakes its size in New Hampshire, it should hold smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill. It goes down to about 99 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Squam Lake, the filming location for the movie On Golden Pond, is one of New Hampshire's largest lakes.

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

4. Newfound Lake

Newfound Lake spreads over some 4,450 acres. It lies next to Bridgewater. The usual New Hampshire mix applies: smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill. At about 183 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove: good places to start. Newfound Lake is one of the deepest and clearest lakes in New Hampshire.

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

5. Winnisquam Lake

Winnisquam Lake is a natural lake of 4,210 acres of water. You will find it next to Laconia. It holds trout, lake trout, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. It goes down to about 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

6. Lake Sunapee

Lake Sunapee covers 4,140 acres. You will find it right by Newbury. Like most lakes its size in New Hampshire, it should hold smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill. The deepest water is around 105 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Lake Sunapee is one of New Hampshire's largest lakes, with Mount Sunapee rising along its shore.

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

7. Moore Reservoir

Moore Reservoir is a reservoir of some 3,490 acres. It lies near Littleton. Samuel C. Moore Dam holds it on the Connecticut River. The usual New Hampshire mix applies: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and trout. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove to work. Moore Reservoir is a Connecticut River hydroelectric impoundment straddling the New Hampshire–Vermont border.

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

8. Ossipee Lake

At 3,260 acres of water, Ossipee Lake is a good-sized lake. The lake is about 4.2 miles east of Freedom. Expect largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, lake trout and trout. It goes down to about 73 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start. Ossipee Lake supports both warmwater bass fishing and a coldwater lake trout fishery.

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

9. Lake Wentworth

At 3,100 acres, Lake Wentworth is a good-sized lake. You will find it about 1.2 miles west of Wolfeboro. The usual New Hampshire mix applies: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and trout. It goes down to about 80 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look. Lake Wentworth connects to Lake Winnipesaukee via the short Smith River channel.

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

10. First Connecticut Lake

First Connecticut Lake covers 3,070 acres of water. The lake is near Colebrook. The usual New Hampshire mix applies: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and trout. It goes down to about 163 ft. First Connecticut Lake, in far northern New Hampshire, is the uppermost headwater lake of the Connecticut River.

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

Big water, big days

The bigger the lake, the more the wind matters. Plan the day around the forecast, start on the sheltered side and give yourself a way home if it builds.