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New Hampshire · Fishing
Moultonborough sits on the northern shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, and that alone puts it on the map for New Hampshire anglers. Three separate access points on Winnipesaukee appear in the local listings, which tells you how much of the town's shoreline touches that water.
9 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 9 spots
Moultonborough sits on the northern shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, and that alone puts it on the map for New Hampshire anglers. Three separate access points on Winnipesaukee appear in the local listings, which tells you how much of the town's shoreline touches that water. Beyond the big lake, you have a handful of smaller ponds worth knowing about: Lake Kanasatka, Lees Pond, Berry Pond, Wakondah Pond, Ledgy Pond, and Grassy Pond. The smaller ponds tend to fish differently than Winnipesaukee — less boat traffic, shallower structure, and in some cases better early-season warmwater action when the big lake is still cold. Winnipesaukee itself holds landlocked salmon, lake trout, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch, and it fishes year-round including through the ice in winter. Most of the water here is accessible by small boat or kayak, though Winnipesaukee rewards anglers who can cover ground. If you are driving up from out of state, a New Hampshire freshwater fishing license is required for anyone 16 or older, and you can purchase one online through New Hampshire Fish and Game before you arrive.
Lake Winnipesaukee holds landlocked Atlantic salmon, lake trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and yellow perch. The smaller ponds in town — including Lees Pond, Berry Pond, Wakondah Pond, and the others — typically hold warmwater species like bass and perch, though individual pond composition varies. Check the New Hampshire Fish and Game stocking reports for the current season to see which ponds have received recent stockings.
Both options exist. Lake Winnipesaukee has public boat launches, and the smaller ponds like Grassy Pond and Ledgy Pond are often fishable from shore or by canoe and kayak. A small car-top boat or kayak opens up the most water across all nine listed spots, but you can have a productive day without one if you focus on the ponds.
Waterville Campground
~29 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
White Ledge Campground
~34 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Lake Winnipesaukee
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Ossipee Lake
~28 min drive
Easy
Ledgy Pond
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Grassy Pond
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Lake Winnipesaukee
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Lake Kanasatka
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Lees Pond
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Lake Kanasatka
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Lake Winnipesaukee
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Lake Winnipesaukee
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Late May through June is strong for bass and salmon on Winnipesaukee as water temperatures come up and fish move shallower. Fall, particularly September and October, is a reliable window for landlocked salmon and lake trout on the big lake. Ice fishing on Winnipesaukee runs roughly January through early March depending on ice conditions, and it is a legitimate option worth planning around.
Early morning and the last two hours before sunset are the most consistent windows for bass across the ponds and shallower areas of Winnipesaukee. For lake trout and landlocked salmon on Winnipesaukee, time of day matters less than depth and water temperature — trolling deeper structure midday can be just as productive as an early start.
Yes, a New Hampshire freshwater fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older. You can buy one online through the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department website before your trip, which is the easiest option. Some local bait shops in the Lakes Region also sell licenses in person if you prefer to pick one up on arrival.
