LAKE RESOURCES
From boating to fishing to shopping, here’s how to make the most out of your visit to Lake Winnisquam.
Public areas and things to do
BOATING
Bringing your own boat? Lake Winnisquam has a public launch with easy access to the water.
Lake Winnisquam Public Boat Launch
Near the end of Water Street in Laconia, the launch includes two ramps and a floating dock.
BEACHES
Take a dip in the clear, clean waters at two popular lakeside locations.
Ahern State Park
Enjoy swimming, hiking, picnicking and more at this state park located on 3,500 feet of the Lake Winnisquam shoreline.
Bartlett Beach
Swimming, fishing, picnic sites and a playground are all here at the end of Winnisquam Avenue. No fee.
ISLANDS
Whether by motor or paddle, it’s fun to explore Lake Winnisquam’s five islands: Loon Island, Three Islands, Pot Island, Hog Island and Mohawk Island.
HIKING
Head out onto the trails surrounding the lake for picturesque views and brisk exercise in the clean mountain air.
Lake Winnisquam Scenic Trail
This paved, 1.8-mile rail-trail begins to the east near the Leslie E. Roberts Beach and Recreation area, and to the west at Osborne’s Agway.
RAIL BIKING
Experience one of the most unique tours around by hopping on a four-seater rail bike and heading down the tracks.
Rail Bike Adventures
Enjoy the beauty and history of the region as you pedal state-of-the-art bail bikes along a five-mile round-trip trail.
GOLFING
Lake Winnisquam is ringed by historic golf courses and country clubs that are in full swing during summer months.
Lochmere Country Club
360 Laconia Road, Tilton
Lakeview Golf Course
89 Ladd Hill Road, Belmont
Laconia Country Club
607 Elm Street, Laconia
The Mystic Meadows
2075 Parade Road, Laconia
Oak Hill Golf Course
159 Pease Road, Meredith
THE LAKE WINNISQUAM STORY
A lake restored to its former beauty
In the early 1930s, Lake Winnisquam looked far different than it does today. It was ringed by small cottages and farms in a rural setting with one-lane roads and no electric, telephone or mail service. The lake was pristine, heavy with fish, and it was possible to sit in a rowboat and look to the bottom.
After World War II, however, a boom in development and the growing popularity of motorboats overpowered the ecosystem and led to an overrun of algae, leaving the waters mucky and visitors afraid to swim. The problem continued to escalate until one summer, when all the lake’s fish died en masse. It was the last straw, and the area residents took action. Local sewage treatment facilities were modernized, and the newly formed Lakes Region Clean Waters Association worked diligently with the community to clean up the pollution in Lake Winnisquam. Their efforts helped set the tone for the Environmental Protection Agency, and today, residents and visitors alike enjoy a lake that’s restored to its pristine, spring-fed state.