FreeFishFishing in New Hampshire: lake depth maps and where to start
Clear, deep lakes, ponds and trout streams. How to use New Hampshire lake depth maps, notable waters, and where to find the official rules.
New Hampshire packs a lot of fishing into a small state: large, clear, deep lakes, hundreds of ponds, and cold-water trout streams in the mountains. Depth maps for many New Hampshire lakes and ponds are available from the state's Fish and Game Department and Department of Environmental Services, and FreeFish shows them on the map.
What you can fish for
Smallmouth and largemouth bass are the most popular warm-water species. The deep, cold lakes hold lake trout and landlocked salmon. Rivers and streams hold brook, brown and rainbow trout, and many ponds are stocked. Pickerel, yellow perch and panfish are common in shallower waters.
Waters to know
- Lake Winnipesaukee: New Hampshire's largest lake, with smallmouth bass, lake trout and landlocked salmon, and a very popular ice fishing derby in winter.
- Squam Lake: a clear, rocky lake with smallmouth bass and lake trout.
- Lake Sunapee: a deep, clear lake with lake trout, salmon and smallmouth bass.
- Connecticut River: along the Vermont border, with bass, walleye and trout in different stretches.
Using New Hampshire depth maps
New Hampshire's lakes are mostly rocky and clear, so smallmouth bass relate strongly to rock piles, points and humps that show up on depth maps. In summer, lake trout and salmon go deep, below the thermocline, where the water is cold and still has enough oxygen. In spring and fall, they can be found much shallower, especially just after ice-out.
Many lakes have shallow rocky reefs that are hazards to boats. Depth maps help, but they are not navigation charts.
Through the seasons
Ice-out in spring is a famous time for landlocked salmon and lake trout, which feed near the surface for a short time. Late spring and early summer bring outstanding smallmouth bass fishing in shallow rocky areas. Summer pushes trout and salmon deep, while bass and pickerel stay active in weeds and on rock. Winter means ice fishing on lakes and ponds, including for lake trout on some waters.
Before you go
New Hampshire has specific rules for designated trout and salmon waters, as well as seasons and limits that differ by water. Check the official regulations from New Hampshire Fish and Game, linked below.
Official rules
Seasons, limits and license requirements change. The official source is the state agency: New Hampshire fishing regulations and licenses.