Discover The Deepest Lake In New Hampshire

Written by Cindy Rasmussen
Updated: August 2, 2023
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New Hampshire may be a small state, but it has some of the most picturesque settings in the northeast. You know those beautiful photos of a lakeside cabin with mountains in the backdrop? That scene could be from a number of lakes in the New Hampshire Lakes Region. This area of lakes is nestled at the base of the White Mountains and contains chains of lakes like Lake Winnipesaukee, Lake Winnisquam, and Squam Lake. These are all good-sized lakes but are any of them the deepest? Deep, cool lakes can provide an ideal habitat for a variety of fish, so is the fishing better in the deepest lakes? Let’s find out all about the deepest lake in New Hampshire.

What Is The Deepest Lake In New Hampshire?

The deepest lake in New Hampshire is Newfound Lake. Newfound Lake is in the Lakes Region, located in Bristol, NH in the middle of the state. The lake is one of the cleanest lakes in the U.S. due to the eight clear springs that continually feed it. The swimming in this lake is pristine! The Wellington State Park on the southwest shore has the largest freshwater swimming beach in the whole state.

Newfound Lake

Newfound Lake is one of the cleanest lakes in the U.S. due to the eight clear springs that continually feed it.

©iStock.com/Eli Wilson

The lake has several hiking trails, including a hike to Goose Pond, Bear Mountain, and Welton Falls.

Where Is Newfound Lake Located On A Map?

Newfound Lake is in the Lakes Region, located in Grafton County, NH in the middle of the state in the towns of Bristol,  Alexandria, Bridgewater, and Hebron. New Hampshire is located in the New England region of the northeast United States and is bordered by Vermont to the west, Maine to the east, Massachusetts to the south, and the Canadian Province of Quebec to the north.

How Deep Is The Deepest Lake In New Hampshire?

The deepest lake in New Hampshire is 183 feet deep. That is the same as 61 yards or a little more than half a football field. Newfound Lake is also a large lake with a surface area of 4,451 making it the fourth largest lake in the state.

Is Newfound Lake a Recreational Lake?

Besides the sandy swimming beach, the Wellington State Park has a boat ramp for boating, kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding. The lake is popular for fishing and wildlife viewing. There are several hiking trails, including a hike to Goose Pond, Bear Mountain, and Welton Falls.

The Paradis Point Wildlife Sanctuary on the north shore has 43 acres to explore with several marked trails. Birdwatching is common along these trails where birders might see thrushes, warblers, and scarlet tanagers. One trail takes you out to “The Point,” which offers a magnificent view of the lake with the mountains in the background.

Most Expensive Birds-Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanagers reside near the banks of Newfound Lake and make a brilliant sight for birdwatchers.

©Stubblefield Photography/Shutterstock.com

How is the Fishing in Newfound Lake?

With some of the cleanest water in the northeast, this lake supports thriving fish and vegetation. The most popular fish to catch are lake trout, landlocked salmon, rainbow trout, and smallmouth bass. The three most common fish caught during ice fishing season are lake trout, rainbow trout, and yellow perch.

What Do Trout Eat - Rainbow Trout Bursting from Surface

Rainbow trout are one of 22 different species of fish that dwell in Newfound Lake.

©FedBul/Shutterstock.com

Are there any Record Breaking Fish from Newfound Lake?

A 1 pound 12-ounce Round Whitefish was caught by Marty Martin on February 5, 2005, while fishing on Newfound Lake. Although this seems small, it is large for the species. There are a few other record-breaking fish that weigh in around 1 pound, like the 1 pound 8-ounce Rock Bass caught on Island Pond and the 1 pound 2-ounce Pumpkinseed caught on Lake Winnipesaukee.

What is the Biggest Lake in New Hampshire?

The biggest lake in New Hampshire is Lake Winnipesaukee. It is also in the Lakes Region of the state on the other side of Hwy 93 from Newfound Lake. A quick glance at a map of New Hampshire and you will see just how big the lake is with a surface area of 45,443 acres, that is more than 10x bigger than Newfound Lake! Lake Winnipesaukee is the sixth largest natural lake in the U.S. The lake stretches for 21 miles and is between 1-9 miles wide at different points.

Lake Winnipesaukee

Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest lake in New Hampshire.

©iStock.com/Gerry Fagan

How does the Deepest Lake in New Hampshire Compare to the Deepest Lake in the US?

The deepest lake in New Hampshire, Newfound Lake, is 183 feet deep. Crater Lake in Oregon is the deepest lake in the U.S., with the deepest spot measuring 1,943 feet! The Crater Lake National Park is managed around the lake located at the top of a dormant volcano. Crater Lake has a crystal blue coloration due to the extremely clear water that only comes from rain or snow.

Volcanic Maar

Crater Lake in Oregon is the deepest lake in the U.S., with the deepest spot measuring 1,943 feet!

©Greg Brave/Shutterstock.com

How does Crater Lake Compare to the Deepest Lake in the World?

The deepest lake in the World is Lake Baikal in Russia. It is located in Siberia and is 5,315 feet deep! That is more than twice as deep as Crater Lake. Lake Baikal is not only the deepest lake, but it is the largest and oldest freshwater lake in the world. The lake is 395 miles long and covers 12,248 square miles of land. There is a vast variety of fish and wildlife that live in its chilly waters, including a seal that can only be found in the lake. Rightly named the Baikal Seal, these are the only kind of seal that can live in freshwater.

Lake Baikal

Lake Baikal is not only the deepest lake, but it is the largest and oldest freshwater lake in the world.

©Katvic/Shutterstock.com

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Alison Leyton/Shutterstock.com


Sources

  1. New Hampshire Lakes, Available here: https://nhlakes.org/wp-content/uploads/1-Lake-Ecology-How-Lakes-Form-NH-LAKES.pdf
  2. New Hampshire State wildlife, Available here: https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/fishing/record-fish.html
  3. New Hampshire Audubon, Available here: https://www.nhaudubon.org/lands/sanctuaries/paradise-point-wildlife-sanctuary/
  4. New Hampshire State Park, Available here: https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/wellington-state-park
  5. (1970)
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About the Author

I'm a Wildlife Conservation Author and Journalist, raising awareness about conservation by teaching others about the amazing animals we share the planet with. I graduated from the University of Minnesota-Morris with a degree in Elementary Education and I am a former teacher. When I am not writing I love going to my kids' soccer games, watching movies, taking on DIY projects and running with our giant Labradoodle "Tango".

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