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New Hampshire · Fishing
Meredith sits on the western shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, which means fishing is less a side activity here and more a reason people show up in the first place.
3 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 3 spots
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Meredith sits on the western shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, which means fishing is less a side activity here and more a reason people show up in the first place. Winnipesaukee is a large, deep glacial lake with a mix of warm and cold water zones, and it holds a genuine variety of species — landlocked salmon and lake trout in the colder depths, smallmouth bass and yellow perch in the shallower bays and coves around town. Little Pond offers a quieter, more contained option if you want to keep things simple or bring younger anglers who don't need the open-water experience. Access to Winnipesaukee around Meredith is reasonable, with public boat launches available, and shore fishing is possible at several points along the waterfront. The lake fishes differently by season — ice fishing draws a serious crowd in winter, spring is productive for salmon and trout before the water warms, and summer shifts the focus to bass and panfish. If you're planning a trip, knowing which species you're after and what time of year you're going will shape almost every other decision you make.
Lake Winnipesaukee holds landlocked Atlantic salmon, lake trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, yellow perch, and white perch, among others. The salmon and lake trout tend to run deeper and are more reliably targeted in spring and fall when water temperatures drop. Bass and perch are accessible to a wider range of anglers throughout the warmer months.
Little Pond is a much smaller, calmer body of water than Winnipesaukee, which makes it a better fit for beginners, kayak or canoe fishing, or anyone who wants to avoid boat traffic. It's a low-pressure option if you're not looking for the full open-lake experience.
Waterville Campground
~33 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Lake Winnipesaukee
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Winnipesaukee River - Franklin
~31 min drive
Easy
Lake Winnipesaukee
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Ossipee Lake
~33 min drive
Easy
Little Pond
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Grassy Pond
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Lake Waukewan
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Lake Winnipesaukee
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Lake Kanasatka
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Lake Kanasatka
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Ledgy Pond
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Yes, a valid New Hampshire freshwater fishing license is required for anyone 16 or older fishing on Lake Winnipesaukee or Little Pond. Licenses can be purchased online through the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department or at local bait and tackle shops in Meredith.
Early morning and late evening are generally the most productive windows for bass and perch in the shallower areas near Meredith. For landlocked salmon and lake trout, time of day matters less than water temperature and depth — trolling in deeper water during cooler parts of the day tends to be more effective.
Shore fishing on Lake Winnipesaukee is possible at public access points around Meredith, though a boat opens up significantly more of the lake. For Little Pond, a small kayak or canoe is a practical option and may actually be more useful than a motorized boat given the pond's size.
