Bruce D. Heald Ph.D - Lakes and Ponds of the Granite State

NEW HAMPSHIRES LAKES. The Granite State is endowed with a multitude of brilliant gems of such rare and exquisite beauty that they have stirred the muse of poets and tinctured the writings of historians. These lakes possess an almost supernatural charm that ages ago caused the Native Americans to mutely worship them.

AMMONOOSUC LAKE (4 ACRES), THE CRAWFORD NOTCH AREA. This spruce-shadowed lake, on the plateau north of the gateway to the Crawford Notch, is a small dark body of water enclosed by land within the New Hampshire National Forest. To many it is considered the inner sanctum of the notch. In The White Mountains ( 1890), Julius H. Ward writes, Half an hour alone on this bit of water, with a wild forest around its entire shore, is of my choicest memories of the Crawford Notch. Brook trout fishing is very good in this lake.

BEAR HILL POND (33 ACRES), ALLENSTOWN. The dock at the Bear Hill Camp is shown here. This artificial pond is a watershed for the Merrimack River. Largemouth bass of mixed sizes are stocked here, along with golden shiners and crayfish.

BEAVER LAKE (133 ACRES), DERRY. Near the divide of the Pemigewasset and Ammonoosuc Valleys is Beaver Lake. Teeming with trout, this beautiful tarn has forest-girt shores dotted with small summer cottages.

BLAISDELLS LAKE (158 ACRES), SUTTON. This lovely natural lake acts as a watershed for the Merrimack River. Scattered along its shore are a few select summer residences, but much of its shoreline is still quite wooded and peaceful. This lake is stocked with smallmouth bass, pickerel, and horned pout.

BRADLEY POND (169 ACRES), ANDOVER. This natural pond was raised by damming. As with many beautiful ponds, a small summer colony has been built along its shore. Mixed sizes of smallmouth bass are stocked here, as well as horned pout, rainbow trout, fingerling trout pickerel, and yellow and white perch.

CANOBIE LAKE (373 ACRES), WINDHAM AND SALEM, 1900. Before the incorporation of Salem, this lake was known as Haverhill Pond. It was later called Policy Pond for an Indian chief whose surname was Polis. The name was later changed when the railroad station was built in 1885.

CANOBIE LAKE, 1905. On the northern shore of Canobie Lake is a large and popular recreation park with all types of amusement facilities (above). Boating, fishing, and bathing were very popular for summer tourists who came to this lake (below). The lake is well stocked with fish, including smallmouth and largemouth bass, pickerel, horned pout, and black crappie.

CHOCORUA LAKE (223 ACRES), TAMWORTH. This lake is one of New Hampshires most delightful bodies of water. Enclosed by tall and densely growing pines, it has an air of perfect peace. At its southern end is a parking place from which there is a superb view of Mount Chocorua mirrored on the silver surface of the lake. Swimming, canoeing, and picnicking along the shore are popular for the visitors. Anglers may cast their lines here for smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, horned pout, yellow perch, and rainbow trout.

CHOCORUA LAKE AND MOUNTAIN. This mountain is the most picturesque of all New England peaks, as well as the most alpine. Close to its base lies the lake of the same name, bordered by curving sandy beaches overhung by trees.

THE CONNECTICUT LAKES, PITTSBURG. The First Connecticut Lake, the largest of the four, is approximately 4 miles long, with an area of 3 square miles. Having an irregular shoreline, it is one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the state. Its northern and eastern shores are unbroken forests. On the western shore are a few farms with good pastureland extending down to the lake.

THE FIRST CONNECTICUT LAKE (2,807 ACRES), PITTSBURG. At the lower end of this lake is a large cement dam, constructed to hold back not only the water of this lake, but also that of the other Connecticut Lakes farther north. The drainage area of the lake is 83 square miles. Some 20 smaller bodies of water are located in the immediate vicinity. All of them are well stocked with trout, landlocked salmon, chinook salmon, and lake rainbow trout. The country abounds in deer and other game, making it one of the most popular resorts for sportsmen in the state. Near the highway are numerous camps for fishermen and hunters.