The Lakes Region offers over 270 lakes and ponds and nearly 70,000 acres of water. Lakes Winnipesaukee, Waukewan, Squam, Newfound, and Winnisquam all offer you the fishing adventures you crave.
Fishing License Fees
Buy Your Official NH License Online from the NH fish and game department, or see this List of License Agents to pick up a license in person.
1 Day of Fishing: $15.00
3 Days of Fishing $28.00
7 Days of Fishing $35.00
1 Year of Fishing $63.00
NH Resident fee $45 per year.
Fishing Guides
Bait & Tackle
New Hampshire Fish & Game (603) 271-3422
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources. We work to conserve, manage and protect NH’s wild resources for public education and use. The New Hampshire Fish and Game’s web site is your best source for New Hampshire fishing and hunting info; online license sales; and wildlife and nongame programs, events, educational materials and general information.
Lake Winnipesaukee: Surrounded by the towns of Laconia, Gilford, Meredith, Center Harbor, Moultonborough, Tuftonboro, Wolfeboro, Alton
Size: 44,586 Acres with 264 islands
Max Depth: 180 feet (Depth Map)
Elevation: 504′
Fish: Salmon, cusk, smelt, rainbow trout, brook trout, yellow perch, lake trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, pickerel, white perch, hornpout, sunfish, whitefish.
Squam Lake: Surrounded by the towns of Holderness, Center Harbor, Moultonborough, and Sandwich.
Size: 6,791 Acres with 30 islands
Max Depth: 98 feet (Depth Map)
Elevation: 561′
Fish: Salmon, rainbow trout, lake trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, pickerel, white perch, yellow perch, hornpout, whitefish, cusk, smelt
Lake Waukewan: Surrounded by the towns of Meredith and New Hampton.
Size: 928 Acres with 1 island
Max Depth: 76 feet (Depth Map)
Elevation: 540′
Fish: Rainbow trout, lake trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, pickerel, white perch, yellow perch, hornpout, smelt, and sunfish.
Lake Winnisquam: Surrounded by the towns of Meredith, Laconia, Sanbornton, Belmont, and Tilton.
Size: 4214 Acres with 5 islands
Max Depth: 170 feet
Elevation: 482 feet
Fish: Salmon, pickerel, lake trout, rainbow trout, smelt, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, white perch, hornpout.
Newfound Lake: Surrounded by the towns of Alexandria, Bridgewater, Bristol, and Hebron.
Size: 4451 Acres with 5 island
Max Depth: 183 feet
Elevation: 588 feet
Fish: Salmon, rainbow trout, lake trout, brook trout, smallmouth bass, pickerel, yellow perch, shad, suckers, whitefish, cusk, smelt.
Fishing Seasons
Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout & their Hybrids
Rivers & Streams: January 1 – October 15; Wild Trout Streams: January 1 – Labor Day; Trout Ponds: 4th Saturday in April – October 15; Wild Trout Ponds: 4th Saturday in April – Labor Day; Lake Trout and/or Salmon Waters: January 1 – September 30 (fish can be taken by ice fishing only January 1 – March 31); All Other Waters: No closed season
Lake Trout
All Waters: January 1 – September 30 (Ice fishing only January 1 – March 31)
Landlocked Salmon
April 1 – September 30; Fourth Saturday in April – September 30 (Pleasant Lake, New London only)
Largemouth Bass & Smallmouth Bass
Rivers & Streams: January 1 – October 15; Catch & Release May 15 – June 15; Trout Ponds: 4th Saturday in April – October 15; Catch & Release May 15 – June 15; Lake Trout and/or Salmon waters: No closed season (Fish can be taken by ice fishing only January 1 – March 31) Catch & Release May 15 – June 15; All Other Waters: No closed season; Catch & Release May 15 – June 15
All Other Species
Rivers & Streams: January 1 – October 15; Trout Ponds: 4th Saturday in April – October 15; Lake Trout and/or Salmon waters: No closed season (Fish can be taken by ice fishing only January 1 – March 31); All Other Waters: No closed season