Lake Winnisquam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Winnisquam |
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 Location in New Hampshire
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| Location | Belknap County, New Hampshire |
| Coordinates | 43°32′42″N 71°30′32″W / 43.54500°N 71.50889°W |
| Type | lake |
| Primary inflows | Winnipesaukee River |
| Primary outflows | Winnipesaukee River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 10.5 miles (16.9 km) |
| Max. width | 1.5 miles (2.4 km) |
| Surface area | 4,214 acres (17.05 km2) |
| Max. depth | 155 feet (47 m) |
| Shore length1 | 30 miles (48 km) |
| Surface elevation | 482 feet (147 m) |
| Islands | Loon Island; Three Islands; Pot Island; Hog Island; Mohawk Island |
| Settlements | Meredith; Laconia; Sanbornton; Belmont; Tilton (villages of Winnisquam and Lochmere) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Lake Winnisquam is a beautiful lake located in central New Hampshire, United States. It's found in Belknap County, which is part of the famous Lakes Region. This lake is surrounded by several towns, including Meredith, Laconia, Sanbornton, Belmont, and Tilton.
Winnisquam is a pretty big lake! It covers about 4,214 acres, making it the fourth-largest lake completely within New Hampshire. It's shaped a bit like a triangle, with points facing north, east, and south. The Winnipesaukee River flows right through it. This river brings water into Winnisquam from Lake Winnipesaukee and then flows out of Winnisquam's southern end, eventually joining the Merrimack River. The deepest part of Lake Winnisquam is about 155 feet deep.
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Exploring Lake Winnisquam
Lake Winnisquam is easy to reach, being only a few miles from Interstate 93. You can get there by taking Exit 20 for U.S. Route 3 and New Hampshire Route 11.
Lake Basins and the Winnisquam Village
The lake has two main parts, called basins. There's a larger basin in the north and a smaller one in the south. A bridge carries Routes 3 and 11 right over the lake, separating these two basins. The small village of Winnisquam is located right at this bridge.
History of the Lake Region
Long before colonists arrived in the mid-1700s, the Abenaki people lived in the areas around Lake Winnisquam and Lake Winnipesaukee. They were the original inhabitants of this beautiful region.
Belknap County's Name
Winnisquam's surrounding county, Belknap County, was created in 1840. It was named after Jeremy Belknap. He was a Congregational minister and a very important historian.
Fish and Wildlife in Lake Winnisquam
Lake Winnisquam is home to many different kinds of fish. It has both cold water and warm water species, making it a great place for fishing!
Cold Water Fish Species
Some of the fish that prefer colder water in Lake Winnisquam include:
- Rainbow trout
- Lake trout
- Landlocked salmon (salmon that live in freshwater)
- Whitefish
Warm Water Fish Species
The lake also has many fish that like warmer water, such as:
- Smallmouth bass
- Largemouth bass
- Pickerel
- Horned pout
- White perch
- Northern pike
- Walleye
- Black crappie
- Bluegill
- Yellow perch
Sometimes, if needed, authorities will add more fish to the lake. This is called "stocking." It helps keep the fish populations healthy, especially for fish like lake trout and brook trout.
Images for kids
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View of Lake Winnisquam c. 1905
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Lake Winnisquam in Ahern State Park, 2018
