Lake Winnipesaukee Fishing Offers Year-Round Joy

A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work, as many people say. As for our team at The Naswa Resort, we’d have to agree! Lake Winnipesaukee fishing is always a great idea. The 21-mile long lake boasts a wide variety of fish, including rainbow trout, salmon, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, yellow perch, and more. If you’re looking to reel in a good time, read the Naswa Resort staff’s guide on how to have a thrilling Lake Winnipesaukee fishing affair.

Lake Winnipesaukee Ice Out Season

Many Naswa guests find luck catching smallmouth bass during May and June since they typically spawn near the start of June. Start by trolling near the rocky hump or island, and your odds of catching a lunker will soar through the roof! The Naswa Resort suggests you use lures such as gold-tinted Long-A Bombers, deep-diving crankbaits, quarter-ounce Buddies, suspending Rogues, and perhaps jig-and-pigs. The smallmouth bass won’t be able to resist! However, we’ve also found great success in fishing the drop-off regions while using spider jigs, grubs, Carolina-rigged lizards, and six-inch Senko worms. The heavy tackle will make way down to the strike zone.

Winni Derby

After you’ve found the jackpot of fishing holes, sign up for the Winni Derby. This family-friendly event is recognized as the largest landlocked salmon and lake trout tournament in the northeast. Every year, thousands of guests vacation in Lake Winnipesaukee towns for a chance to win an assortment of prizes. Daily prizes along with best overall in categories such as Adult Salmon, Lake Trout, and Junior Salmon have a fair chance at winning an award! However, you must familiarize yourself with the rules to secure your seat in the tournament.

While The Naswa Resort can’t guarantee a winning fish, we can promise you a winning rate and a fun NASWA Fishing Pool Event. When traveling with a fellow fisher, consider renting our AquaVista Beachfront Beachfront room. For just $139 per night, you and one other adult can lodge just steps away from the beach. This way, you’ll never be too far away from the action! With a 3 night reservation, you also get to enter The NASWA Fishing Pool. A fun way to win some cool prizes. Awards are given not old for the biggest fish, but also for the prettiest, ugliest and more. Contact our front desk for further information on Winni Derby’s room rates.

Lake Winnipesaukee Ice Fishing

Ice fishing on Lake Winnipesaukee is a great way to take in the winter scenery while enjoying peace and quiet. Some years, Lake Winnipesaukee freezes as early as Christmas. While other years, it freezes well after New Year’s Eve. The ice conditions vary from year to year, so it’s crucial to check the Lake Winnipesaukee ice forecast before your fishing trip. During New Hampshire’s winter months, you’ll likely encounter Lake Winnipesaukee fish such as trout, pickerel, white/yellow perch, and black crappie. Visitors love ice fishing on Lake Winnipesaukee because it’s the best time to catch massive lake trout. Some nights you can even catch up cusk weighing over 10 pounds! Many visitors experience such successful Lake Winnipesaukee ice fishing that they return for the annual Meredith Rotary Ice Fishing Derby.

Ice Fishing Derby

The famous ice fishing tournament attracts fishers from around the world for a chance to win big prizes. Yes, it is frigid this time of the year; however, many anglers find the cold and potential frostbite well worth the chance of their catch being hung on the wall of fame. This family-friendly event takes place at Meredith Bay, which nearly turns into a small town during the ice fishing tournament. Several vendors and ice shanties form a rainbow of colors around the tournament’s grounds. This annual affair is a must-see experience for fishing enthusiasts.

Bait and Tackle Shops Near Me

Swing by one of the many bait and tackle shops in Lake Winnipesaukee to purchase your ticket to the ice fishing derby. Traditionally, AJ’s Bait and Tackle, Winnisquam Trading Post, Alton Circle Grocery, and Skelly’s Market, all sell tickets for the event. But these shops are also here to satisfy your summertime Lake Winnipesaukee fishing needs. Stop by for lure recommendations, a refresher on NH fishing regulations, or to purchase your New Hampshire fishing license. Word of advice, AJ’s Bait and Tackle also sell NH fishing license online.

Now that you’re ready to have an unforgettable Lake Winnipesaukee fishing experience, it’s time to book your stay at Naswa Resort. Our team looks forward to meeting you during the Lake Winnipesaukee ice out season, so we can be the first to hear about your biggest fish yet! Call us today at 888-556-2792 to kick off your vacation planning.

The Annual New England Pond Hockey Classic

Photo of the Pond Hockey ClassicThe New England region is well-known for its love of hockey, especially pond hockey. It’s a tradition as old as time that has been continued through competitive hockey teams and friendly neighborhood games. You often hear of children learning how to skate before they even learn how to walk—hockey is just in the New Englanders’ blood! The passion and commitment to this sport are evident by the crowds that gather for the annual pond hockey classic year after year. This year’s pond hockey classic will be held on Naswa Resort’s backyard, Lake Winnipesaukee. 

Have You Heard About Lake Winnepehockey’s Cup?

Lake Winnipesaukee and surrounding towns love to tell the story of “Winnepehockey’s Cup.” While each lakes region of NH has their version of the Winnepehockey’s Cup story, here is our favorite. Once upon a time, Lake Winnipesaukee shared the same meaning as pond hockey. Our town was most alive in the cold, winter months because native tribes came from near and far for a chance to win the Winnepehockey’s Cup. Eventually, word got out about the great sought after cup and ended up in Europe. Naturally, European wanted to claim this cup as their own, so they traveled to our lakes region in NH. 

Our native tribes were not open to sharing the Winnepehockey’s cup, and a battle ensued. Everyone put up their best fight, but no one was destined victory: except for one warrior. He risked his life during a battle and captured back the trophy. This warrior nearly escaped until BOOM! He fell through the ice and lost his life along with the trophy. After this long-established rivalry ended, no one knew about the whereabouts of the Winnepehocky’s Cup. However, a group of archaeologists used their best technology to pinpoint the location of Winnepehockey’s Cup. Today, we’re happy to share that the old-time tradition of the pond hockey classic is here to stay!

Pond Hockey Classic’s Events

While the pond hockey classic’s events differ each year, the overall experience is relatively the same. 

Day 1

The event’s first day begins with a seamless check-in process, followed by a welcome party hosted at the Winnipesaukee Ballroom located at the Church Landing. There’s usually a fundraiser and raffle tickets available for guests’ entertainment. This night ends early compared to other nights because the pond hockey classic’s games begin bright and early the next day. 

Day 2 and Day 3

We urge visitors to take advantage of the shuttles that pick up guests from Laconia Harley Davidson, Hart’s Turkey Farm, Prescott Park, and Meredith Town Docks Downtown and bring them all to the tournament. Forget lugging around bags full of snacks; Common Man Concession will happily serve you a tasty treat. After the tournament games end for the day around 4:30 p.m., lace up your dancing shoes and head over to the Bank of NH Pavillion Stage for some live music.

Day 4

On the pond hockey classic’s last day, players will give the championship games their all. It’s one of the most thrilling games that you’ll ever see. It’s especially enjoyable when you’re so close to the ice that you can hear the players’ friendly exchanging on the ice—it’s a hockey enthusiast’s dream come true. However, as all good things do, the pond hockey classic must come to a close. The award ceremony is conducted nearly minutes after the final game. And when the Winnepehockey’s Cup holder steps foot onto the winners’ turf, the crowd goes wild. Few things can compare to the lakes region of NH and their excitement of pond hockey. It’s not just in their hearts. It’s in their blood.

Naswa Resort

If you think Lake Winnipesaukee sounds exciting during winter months, wait until summertime. Visitors and locals alike flock to Naswa Resort to enjoy our large private beach, lakefront bar, and countless water toy rentals. When staying at our resort, you’ll receive complimentary boat slips and kayak/paddleboard rentals. Our team is confident that no matter your family’s budget or interests, you’ll find several things to do at Lake Winnipesaukee. We urge our future guests to reserve their room today since summer is our busiest season, and availability fills up quickly! Lake Winnipesaukee hosts several events similar to the pond hockey classic during the summer months. Talk to our friendly staff today by calling 888-556-2792. We’d love to share our favorite summer affairs!

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