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The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (back of a cove) is open for everyone; the other 6 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen

Squam Lake

Belknap County, New Hampshire · 6,790 acres (10.6 sq mi)

37°F water, calm this morning.

Water37°F
Level—no gauge
Wind today5 mphNW
Best bite2:45 pmto 4:15 pm

About Squam Lake

In Belknap County, New Hampshire, Squam Lake covers 6,790 acres; it is a natural lake. It sits on the Squam River. Squam Lake, the filming location for the movie On Golden Pond, is one of New Hampshire's largest lakes.

It stretches about 6 miles end to end and its shoreline adds up to about 49 miles. Its surface is about 560 ft above sea level. It reaches about 99 ft at its deepest. Holderness sits right on the water.

Size
6,790 acres (10.6 sq mi)
Deepest
About 99 ft
Shoreline
About 49 miles
End to end
About 6 miles
Elevation
About 560 ft
Type
Natural lake
River
Squam River
County
Belknap County

The lake from above

1 2 miles N
Spot 1 is open for everyone; grey dots are the PRO spots.

Best fishing times

Friday Good

  • 6:00 am – 8:15 amsunrise
  • 2:45 pm – 4:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 5 mph

Saturday Good

  • 6:00 am – 8:15 amsunrise · wind 5 mph
  • 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 5 mph

Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.

Fish to expect

Expect the usual New Hampshire mix for a lake this size: smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill and sunfish and trout. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. With the surface at 37°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.

  • Slow
    Smallmouth bass

    Cold. Slow presentations on deep rock.

  • Slow
    Largemouth bass

    Cold and sluggish. Fish slow and deep near steep banks.

  • Fair
    Yellow perch

    Cold. Deep schools; small jigs or minnows.

  • Slow
    Bluegill and sunfish

    Cold. Deep and hard to tempt. Use tiny baits.

  • Fair
    Trout

    Cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.

From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.

Fishing spots

  1. 1
    Back of a cove

    Sheltered, shallower water where baitfish gather.

  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7

6 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.

Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.

Water temperature

37°F

At the surface, seen .

Water level

No daily level reading for this lake.

Ice

Open water

Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.

Weather and wind

Friday 44° / —° 5 mph NW Mostly Cloudy · 4% rain
Saturday 43° / 32° 5 mph NW Partly Sunny · 20% rain
Sunday 43° / 34° 10 mph NW Partly Sunny · 2% rain

Sunrise 6:38 am · sunset 4:22 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).

Towns and places to stay near Squam Lake

  • Holdernesson the shore
  • Center Harborabout 2.2 mi southeast
  • Meredithabout 3.2 mi south
  • Sandwichabout 3.2 mi northeast

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Questions about Squam Lake

What fish are in Squam Lake?

Lakes like Squam Lake usually hold smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill and sunfish and trout. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.

How deep is Squam Lake?

About 99 ft at the deepest point. The 3-D view shows where the deep water is.

How big is Squam Lake?

6,790 acres, with about 49 miles of shoreline.

What town is near Squam Lake?

Holderness is on the shore; Center Harbor is about 2.2 miles southeast.

What is the water temperature at Squam Lake today?

The surface was about 37°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.

Squam Lake on your phone

The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.

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