Living the Lake – Part 2 of 2
Welcome back! In Part 2 of “Living the Lake” I will tell you all about five different lakes in the region and what each one has to offer. Let’s get started!
Lake Winnisquam
Lake Winnisquam is the fourth largest lake in New Hampshire covering 6.6 square miles and it is 154 feet at its deepest point. There are five towns that have shore frontage on Winnisquam; Sanbornton, Tilton, Laconia, Meredith, and Belmont. Winnisquam potentially offers a bit more privacy than Winnipesaukee. Real estate prices are also slightly lower.
All power water crafts are welcome on Winnisquam, so you can have fun on the water, water skiing, tubing, jet-skiing, etc. Winnisquam has a more laid-back atmosphere for families that also like to sit and enjoy a nice beach along with water sports.
If you like to fish, Winnisquam is known for its excellent fishing for rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, lake trout, and yellow perch.
Squam Lake and Little Squam Lake
Squam Lake is located northwest of Lake Winnipesaukee. Its area is just over 10.5 square miles with a maximum depth of 84 feet. Holderness has the latest town center on the lake with other shorefront towns being Moultonborough, Center Harbor, and Sandwich. The shoreline lacks commercial development and is mostly privately owned. Squam has one free public boat access and one local beach on Little Squam Lake, which is adjacent to Big Squam Lake. Squam is one of the cleanest lakes in the country. Squam Lake does allow power boats however because most of the shorefront is privately owned, the boat traffic is much less than the other lakes. One and two person jet skis are by law, prohibited on Squam Lakes.
You may have heard of the 1981 film “Oh Golden Pond.” The film starring Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda, and Katherine Hepburn was filmed on location on both Big Squam and Little Squam Lake. The Original house still stands and can be viewed from the water.
Squam offers a quiet, relaxed lake experience while still offering all the power boating activities.
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is located in Holderness and offers hiking trails, boat tours, gardens, classes, and an opportunity to learn about the native animals and their habitats of the area up close. Squam Lake is known as one of the most peaceful and pristine lakes in the country offering wonderful lake living.
Newfound Lake
Newfound Lake is located in Grafton County. Its area is just shy of seven square miles. Newfound is considered one of the deepest lakes in New Hampshire with 183 feet being its deepest point. In addition to boating, sailing, and snowmobiling, Newfound is known for its Smallmouth Bass fishing. The lake’s shoreline towns include Alexandria, Bridgewater, Bristol, and Hebron.
The beaches surrounding the lake are private and reserved for their residents. They do require a pass. Wellington State Park is open to the public a fee for entry. A developed boat launch operated by NH Fish and Game adjoins the park providing boaters free year-round access to Newfound Lake. Boat lanes along the beach allow boater access to the park for the regular admission price. The boat launch is open 24hrs / 7days a week.
Some major events are held at Wellington Park and around the lake: Newfound Rendezvous (wooden boat builders festival), Pemi Valley Bluegrass Festival, Hebron Fair, Mooseman Triathlon, and Ice Racing (auto racing on ice) and hiking trails throughout the area.
Lake Opechee
Lake Opechee is a midsized lake with 426 acre of surface and a length of 1.9 miles with a depth of 61 feet at its max. Paugus Bay flows into Lake Opechee at the Lakeport Dam; Opechee flows into Lake Winnisquam in downtown Laconia. Opechee Park is located in Laconia and includes beaches at Opechee Cove and Point, both of which are about 1400 feet.
Lake Waukewan
Lake Waukewan is a 928 acre lake with a maximum depth of 70 feet and an average depth of 22 feet. Power boating is allowed o the lake, however personal watercraft (jetskis) are prohibited on the lake. Waukewan is surrounded by the towns of Meredith, New Hampton, and Center Harbor occupies part of the lake’s northern shoreline. Waukewan is a great fishing lake classified as both a Goldwater and warm water fishery by the NH Fish and Game Department. Popular varieties of fish in the lake are rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, horned pout, and white perch.
Each one of the lakes listed above offers a unique lake experience and all offer a slice of paradise. If you are looking for more information on any of these lakes or any other lakes in the Lakes Region or would like to see what is available for sale, please feel free to contact me at Roche Realty Group, Laconia.