What fish are in Lake Winnipesaukee?

Lake Winnipesaukee, the crown jewel of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, isn’t just famous for its stunning scenery, boating, and islands—it’s also a top destination for anglers. Spanning over 44,000 acres with depths reaching up to 212 feet, this massive lake supports a diverse, healthy fishery that draws fishing enthusiasts year-round.

Whether you're casting a line from shore, trolling the deep waters, or setting up a bobhouse for ice fishing, knowing what species swim beneath Lake Winnipesaukee’s surface can help you plan a more successful trip. So, what fish can you catch in Lake Winnipesaukee? Let’s dive in.

🐟 1. Lake Trout (Togue)

Lake Winnipesaukee is well-known for its robust lake trout population, often referred to locally as “togue.” These deep-dwelling predators thrive in the lake’s cold, oxygen-rich waters.

Size: Commonly 2–6 pounds, but fish over 10 pounds are caught each year.

Best Season: Spring and fall for shallower trolling; summer jigging in deep water.

Where to Fish: Deep basins like The Broads, Alton Bay, or Center Harbor.

Lake trout are popular targets for anglers seeking a challenging fight and a prized catch.

🐟 2. Landlocked Salmon

Another star species in Lake Winnipesaukee is the landlocked Atlantic salmon. Stocked annually by New Hampshire Fish and Game, these sleek, silvery fish are prized for their acrobatic jumps and tasty fillets.

Size: Typically 3–5 pounds, occasionally larger.

Best Season: Ice-out (early spring) through June, when salmon feed near the surface.

Where to Fish: Troll along drop-offs, rocky points, and near tributary mouths like Alton Bay and Meredith Bay.

Anglers often troll with streamer flies, spoons, or live smelt to entice salmon bites.

🐟 3. Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout are also stocked in Lake Winnipesaukee and nearby smaller lakes connected to it. Though not as abundant as salmon or lake trout, they provide exciting fishing in early spring or near stocked tributaries.

Size: Usually 1–3 pounds.

Best Season: Spring and fall.

Where to Fish: Near river mouths, coves, and cooler spring-fed areas.

Rainbows are known for their beautiful coloration and energetic fights on light tackle.

🐟 4. Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass

Bass fishing is hugely popular on Lake Winnipesaukee, with both smallmouth and largemouth bass thriving in its varied habitat. While smallmouth bass dominate in rocky, clear water, largemouth prefer the weedy coves and shallows.

Smallmouth Size: Commonly 1–4 pounds; trophy fish exceed 5 pounds.

Largemouth Size: Typically 1–3 pounds, with larger specimens in weedy bays.

Best Season: May through September.

Where to Fish: Smallmouth around rocky points, ledges, island shorelines; largemouth in Moultonborough Bay, Braun Bay, and sheltered coves.

Bass tournaments are regularly held on the lake, drawing anglers from all over New England.

🐟 5. White Perch

Lake Winnipesaukee boasts a healthy population of white perch, a fun and abundant species often targeted for eating. White perch school together, making for exciting action when you find them.

Size: 8–12 inches, sometimes larger.

Best Season: Spring spawning runs, summer evenings, and winter ice fishing.

Where to Fish: Around docks, rocky points, and shallow flats in early spring; deeper humps and basins in summer.

Many anglers enjoy filling a cooler with tasty white perch for a fresh fish fry.

🐟 6. Yellow Perch and Sunfish

For family-friendly fishing, yellow perch, pumpkinseed sunfish, and bluegill are readily available and willing to bite. These panfish are great for beginners and kids, offering steady action with simple rigs.

Size: 5–10 inches.

Best Season: Spring and summer.

Where to Fish: Near docks, weedy shallows, or sandy shorelines.

They’re also popular ice-fishing targets, often caught alongside white perch.

🐟 7. Chain Pickerel

Though not as commonly sought after as bass or trout, chain pickerel lurk in weedy coves and shallows around the lake. Their aggressive strikes and toothy mouths make them a fun challenge on light tackle.

Size: Usually 1–3 pounds.

Best Season: Spring and summer.

Where to Fish: Weedy backwaters, shallow bays, near submerged vegetation.

Pickerel are often caught incidentally while fishing for largemouth bass.

🐟 8. Other Species

In addition to the major gamefish listed above, anglers may encounter:

Burbot (cusk) – a unique, eel-like fish caught during winter at night in deep water.

Smelt – a small forage fish (also used as bait).

Rock bass – common along rocky shorelines.

🧊 Year-Round Fishing Opportunities

Lake Winnipesaukee offers fishing throughout all four seasons:

✅ Spring: Ice-out salmon, rainbow trout, spawning bass and perch.

✅ Summer: Bass tournaments, trolling for deep lake trout, warmwater panfish.

✅ Fall: Feeding frenzies before winter, trophy smallmouth action.

✅ Winter: Ice fishing for lake trout, salmon (early season), white perch, and cusk.

Whether you’re a trophy hunter, casual angler, or family looking for a fun day on the water, Lake Winnipesaukee delivers a fishing experience for everyone.

🎣 Final Thoughts

With its diverse fishery, stunning surroundings, and variety of fishing methods, Lake Winnipesaukee is truly an angler’s paradise. From trolling for salmon at sunrise to jigging for lake trout in a cozy ice fishing shanty, each season offers its own magic.

Before fishing, remember to check New Hampshire fishing regulations, size limits, and daily bag limits to stay compliant and help conserve this incredible fishery for generations to come.

Pack your rods, tie your favorite lure, and cast into the beautiful waters of Lake Winnipesaukee—you never know what’s waiting below!