Manchester anglers can reach 30 of the waters in our guide in 75 minutes or less by car — 20 reservoirs and 10 lakes. Our records list no fewer than 22 species of fish for them.
Closest to Manchester: Massabesic Lake, 7 minutes away
Starting from Manchester, the nearest water is Massabesic Lake, a reservoir, at 7 min (4 mi). The drive time is measured to the shore access point: Massabesic Lake Picnic Area.
Also within a short drive:
- Canobie Lake (reservoir) — 23 min (18.4 mi)
- Cobbetts Pond (lake) — 27 min (20.1 mi)
- Big Island Pond (reservoir) — 34 min (19.2 mi)
Launching near Manchester: 72 ramps
The waters within reach of Manchester have 72 boat ramps and 44 shore-fishing spots. Nearest to the center for launching: Candia Road Boat Launch on Massabesic Lake, roughly 3.6 mi as the crow flies.
Where to start: Massabesic Lake
Our ranking for Manchester weighs the drive, the depth map, the fish on record and the ramps; it puts these 3 first:
- Massabesic Lake (reservoir): 2,564 acres, 9 fish species on record, max depth 50 ft (surveyed), 5 ramps and 3,710 fish stocked.
- Canobie Lake (reservoir): 381 acres, 7 fish species on record, max depth 40 ft (surveyed) and 2 ramps.
- Lake Winnipesaukee: 44,559 acres, 10 fish species on record, max depth 180 ft (surveyed), 45 ramps and 32,776 fish stocked.
Deepest nearby: Lake Winnipesaukee, 180 ft
Lake Winnipesaukee has the greatest depth on our map near here, 180 ft (surveyed). It is followed by Newfound Lake (180 ft), Lake Winnisquam (140 ft) and Merrymeeting Lake (120 ft). Maximum depths are known for all 30 waters.
22 fish species around Manchester
The most widespread fish is Smallmouth Bass, recorded in 28 of the 30 waters. It is followed by Largemouth Bass (25), Rainbow Trout (22), Atlantic Salmon (9) and Brown Trout (8).
Where to find them closest to town:
- Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout: Massabesic Lake, 7 min (4 mi)
- Atlantic Salmon: Lake Winnisquam, 46 min (39.3 mi)
Stocking records around Manchester
Stocking records name 17 of these waters — the most fish at Lake Winnipesaukee (32,776 fish), Lake Winnisquam (9,120 fish) and Newfound Lake (6,450 fish).
8 campgrounds near the water
8 campgrounds sit by the waters around Manchester. Nearest to the city: Youth Group Campground (16.2 mi, by Pawtuckaway Pond), Neal's Cove Camping Area (16.2 mi, by Pawtuckaway Pond) and Horse Island Campground (16.3 mi, by Pawtuckaway Pond).
