Lake Winnipesaukee

Central NH, Lakes Region, USA

A crown jewel of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Lake Winnipesaukee sprawls at the foothills of the White Mountains with big-water views, classic resort towns, and 250+ islands to explore.

44,586 acres

Surface Area

180 ft

Max Depth

288 miles

Shoreline

Natural

Lake

Susan Bradley

Susan Bradley and Associates, Coldwell Banker Realty

With over $1 Billion in sales and 40+ years of trusted experience, Sue is ranked in the top 1% of Coldwell Banker agents worldwide. A true leader in the Lakes Region market, she delivers results with unmatched expertise and dedication.

603-493-2873

SusanBradley@Metrocast.net

www.SueBradley.com

Find Your Lake Home

About Lake Winnipesaukee

Lake Winnipesaukee is New Hampshire’s largest lake—about 21 miles long and up to 9 miles wide—with roughly 71 square miles of surface area (including Paugus Bay), a maximum depth around 180 feet, and a surface elevation near 504 feet. Its middle expanse, “The Broads,” serves up wide-open horizons to the Sandwich and Ossipee ranges. Outflow is managed by the Lakeport Dam on the Winnipesaukee River.

Nature does the heavy lifting here: Winni is an oligotrophic (clear, low-nutrient) waterbody with ongoing monitoring for clarity, chlorophyll-a, and phosphorus. You’ll find bustling harbor towns—Meredith, Wolfeboro, Alton Bay, Laconia/Weirs Beach, Center Harbor, Moultonborough, Tuftonboro—plus island communities dotted among at least 258 natural islands.

Key Features

Swimming Areas

Boating & Water Sports

Fishing (Diverse Species)

Marinas & Boat Services

Parks, Trails & Peaks

Picnic Areas & Outdoor Leisure

Managed Water Levels

Wildlife Viewing

Quick facts (at-a-glance)

Location: Central NH, Lakes Region — at the base of the White Mountains.
Size: ~71 sq mi surface area (incl. Paugus Bay).
Dimensions: ~21 mi long; up to ~9 mi wide.
Shoreline: ~288 miles (incl. islands).
Islands: At least 258 (many inhabited/seasonal).
Elevation: ~504 ft above sea level.
Water quality: Generally high/oligotrophic; monitored by LWA & NHDES.
Signature cruise: M/S Mount Washington (scenic & dinner cruises).

Lake Winnipesaukee Vacation Homes For Rent

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Lake Winnipesaukee EVENT GUIDE

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Lake Winnipesaukee DINING GUIDE

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What you can do there

Swim & beach-hop: Spend a day at Ellacoya State Park’s long sandy strand (showers, changing area, day-use; RV campground by reservation). Weirs Beach and town beaches around the lake offer additional spots to splash, sun, and picnic.

Cruise & sightsee: Take a narrated tour or sunset dinner cruise on the M/S Mount Washington, with routes touching ports like Weirs Beach, Meredith, and Wolfeboro—great for foliage season, too.

Fish year-round: Target salmonids in spring/fall, bass and white perch in summer, and cusk/white perch through the ice. Check current NH fishing regulations and seasonal advisories. (Winter brings major derbies.)

Paddle & explore islands: Kayak calm coves, skirt granite ledges, and hop between near-shore islands (respect private property and posted rules).

Hike with views: Hit Mount Major (Alton) for a relatively short, rewarding summit panorama over The Broads; pair it with a post-hike dip. Explore Castle in the Clouds trails and waterfalls.

Family fun: Arcades and boardwalk vibes at Weirs Beach, mini-golf, ice cream cruises, and the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad along the shore (seasonal).

Access, marinas & ramps

Public day-use & swimming: Ellacoya State Park (parking/day-use reservations in peak season; small boat ramp for cartop and select trailered craft).

Cruise ports: Weirs Beach (primary), with additional calls (seasonal schedules) depending on the cruise.

Launch & town access: Multiple municipal ramps/docks are distributed around Alton Bay, Center Harbor, Wolfeboro, Meredith, Moultonborough/Long Island, and Laconia (check local/municipal pages for fees, hours, and trailer parking).

Marinas & services: Full-service marinas with fuel, slips, valet and rentals encircle the lake; book ahead for peak summer weekends.

Safety & regulations

Headway/No-wake: Within 150 ft of shore, docks, mooring fields, swim areas, rafts, swimmers, or other vessels, you must operate at headway speed (the slowest speed to maintain steerage, ~6 mph).
Life jackets: One wearable USCG-approved PFD per person is required; children 12 and under must wear one while underway. (Additional rules apply to PWCs and towing.)
Navigation lights, BUI, and local zones: Standard night-lighting is required after sunset; New Hampshire’s .08 BUI law applies on the water; observe posted local speed/no-wake zones and any temporary advisories.
Water quality advisories: Check NHDES’s Healthy Swimming Mapper for current bacteria or cyanobacteria notices before you swim.
TVA Water Levels: Check TVA updates for water level changes, navigation notices, and flood control operations.
Weather Precautions: Monitor forecasts and avoid boating during severe weather or high-wind conditions.

Gallery

Nearby highlights & suggested day trips

Castle in the Clouds (Lucknow estate, gardens, waterfalls, hikes) and Mount Major (half-day hike with iconic lake views).
Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad (shoreline rides from Meredith/Weirs).
White Mountains loop (Kancamagus Highway) or Squam Lake Science Center day trip—pair wildlife learning with a short lake cruise.
Historic Wolfeboro (claims “America’s Oldest Summer Resort”) for museums, boutiques, and a classic waterfront stroll.

Events & community

Lake culture runs deep here. The region hosts scenic and dinner cruises all season, summer festivals (including a new Lake Winnipesaukee Day celebration in August at the Weirs), and marquee happenings like Laconia Motorcycle Week on the Weirs boardwalk. Winter brings the Great Meredith Rotary Ice Fishing Derby, while spring’s famous “Ice-Out” is declared when the M/S Mount Washington can reach all its ports—a ritual locals track with pride.