Lake Waukewan: Waukewan Street, Meredith
Lake Winnipesaukee: Meredith Town Docks; Brown's Boat Basin, Meredith Neck; Center Harbor Docks
Squam Lake: Route 113
Newfound Lake: Wellington State Beach, Bristol

PUBLIC BEACHES

Waukewan Town Beach, Meredith: Located on Waukewan Street. Beautiful views of hills and mountains from a sandy beach.
Leavitt Park, Route 25 between Meredith and Center Harbor: Sandy beach and picnic area on Lake Winnipesaukee.
Weirs Beach: Large sandy beach on Lake Winnipesaukee with nearby shops, restaurants and attractions.
Area State Parks: White Lake State Park, Tam worth; Ellacoya State Park (on Lake Winnipesaukee), Gilford; Wellington State Beach (on Newfound Lake), Bristol.

LAKES REGION FISHING

By Don Miller, New Hampshire Region 2 Fisheries Biologist, New Hampton

The Lakes Region offers incredible ice-fishing, but after a long winter even the most ardent angler begins to whisper the question "When will the ice be out?" A most anticipated event is ice-out, as landlocked salmon anglers greet April 1 by casting from icy docks and shorelines, and paddling frozen canoes and johnboats around small openings in the ice, underneath bridges, and stream mouths of our salmon lakes.

Lake Winnipesaukee is our premier salmon water. Last fall's netting survey revealed an average salmon of 20 inches long and better than 3 pounds. Thirty-five percent of the catch consisted of salmon three years and older, which translates to an abundant age class of four and older salmon this year. Other good bets are Newfound and Winnisquam lakes, where salmon and lake trout are in fine shape, thanks to an abundance of rainbow smelt for forage.

The trout angler will find good stream fishing opportunities on the Smith, Newfound, Winnipesaukee, Pemigewasset and Baker rivers. Late summer and fall stockings in these streams should provide good early season fishing. Please consult the Freshwater Fishing Digest for specific rules on these streams.

Pond fishing for brook trout is available throughout the region. For the fly-fishing enthusiast, here is a sampling of pretty good fishing destinations: Saltmarsh Pond in Gilford, Sky Pond in New Hampton and Upper Hall Pond in Sandwich.

Call the Region 2 office in New Hampton at 603-744-5470, because we love to fish and we'll help you plan your next fishing trip.

For more New Hampshire fishing information visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing.htm

Waukewan Highlands, Meredith: a multi-use managed forest offers 3 marked trails which lead to a 3-acre pond.
Chamberlain-Reynolds Memorial Forest, Center Harbor: Located just off Rt. 3 in Center Harbor, offering a short walk to "On Golden Pond".
Markus Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary, Moultonborough: Just off Rt. 25 - walking trails where one can observe nesting loons. This sanctuary is located at the Loon Preservation Committee center.
Hamlin Recreation & Conservation Area

FAVORITE HIKES

West Rattlesnake Mountain, Holderness: .9 miles to summit, spectacular view, ledges - use caution with kids. From Meredith take Rt. 3 North to Holderness. Turn right on Rt. 113 and go approx. 2 miles. Look for sign for Rockywold Deephaven Camps on right. parking is .5 past sign on left. Rattlesnake trail is on opposite side of road at base of knoll.
Red Hill, Center Harbor: 1.7 miles to the summit, which offers wonderful lake views of Squam and Winnipesaukee
Mount Major, Alton: 1.5 miles to the summit, offering a panoramic view of Lake Winnipesaukee
Mount Morgan, Sandwich: 1.5 miles to the summit, which connects to Mount Webster and Mount Percival
Gunstock Mountain, Gilford: Overlook Trail is blazed in orange and utilizes some of the cross-country ski trails to start. Then the trail crosses the brook, climbs the mountain and comes out to a fantastic overlook. From the overlook the trail goes through a beautiful forest and then climbs up to intersect with the Saddle Trail. From this trail you can either go to the summits of Belknap and Gunstock, or come down the Brook Trail.

INLINE SKATES, SKATEBOARDS
Gunstock's 17,000 sq.ft. skate park features a half pipe, 1/4 walls, bank wall, grind boxes, and more, plus a section for new skaters and families. Equipment rentals available on site.

SKIING/SNOWBOARDING
Gunstock Ski Area offers 45 trails on a 1400 foot vertical drop. Day and night skiing and snowboarding, with panoramic vistas of the lakes and the White Mountains. Cross country trails too.

WINTER ACTIVITIES
Ice skating, snowshoeing, ice fishing, ice sailing, snowmobiling, sledding, and cross country skiing are some of the popular Meredith Area outdoor activities in our spectacular "off" season. You'll find equipment rentals and information at many of our local recreational outfitters.

SCENIC DRIVES
Any time of year, the country side throughout the Meredith Area offers spectacular vistas, but foliage colors make for especially gorgeous drives in the fall. Hit the road for these spectacular Lakes Region drives:
Route 109, Center Sandwich to Wolfeboro
Route 113, Holderness to South Tamworth
3A and Newfound Lake Road, Bristol to Hebron
Route 11, Alton Bay to Glendale