Gone Fishing: Exploring New Hampshire’s Outdoor Lifestyle

One of the best things about living in New Hampshire is that you don't have to travel very far to find a reason to get outside.

Mountains, lakes, rivers, trails and even the Atlantic Ocean are all within reach. Depending on where you live, an ordinary Saturday can include a morning hike, an afternoon on the water and dinner back home before dark.

Fishing is another great way to experience the Granite State, and a recent article from Granite Post caught our attention.

In “6 Best Places to Go Fishing in New Hampshire This Summer,” writer Sam Cohen highlights six destinations around the state that offer everything from trout and bass fishing to saltwater fishing along the Seacoast.

Read the original Granite Post article here:
https://granitepostnews.com/local/things-to-do/best-places-to-go-fishing-in-new-hampshire-this-summer/

The article is worth bookmarking if you're looking for a new place to cast a line, but it also got us thinking about something we talk about frequently in real estate: where you live has a lot to do with how you live.

Six New Hampshire Fishing Destinations Worth Exploring

Credit goes to Granite Post and writer Sam Cohen for putting together the original list and details. Their six featured destinations showcase just how different one corner of New Hampshire can be from another.

Lake Winnipesaukee

It would be difficult to talk about fishing and lake life in New Hampshire without mentioning Lake Winnipesaukee.

Granite Post points to areas including Alton Bay, The Broads and Moultonborough Bay, where anglers can find species including rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow and white perch, and pickerel.

But fishing is only part of the appeal.

The greater Lakes Region is synonymous with the New Hampshire summer lifestyle: boating, swimming, waterfront restaurants, small towns and days when your schedule is determined more by the weather than the clock.

Pemigewasset River

For those who would rather trade a big lake for a river, Granite Post recommends the Pemigewasset River.

The Pemi winds through some of the most beautiful areas of the state and offers opportunities to fish for trout and bass.

It's also a great example of something that makes living in New Hampshire unique. Outdoor recreation isn't confined to one part of the state. Rivers, trails, mountains and lakes weave right through many of our communities.

Massabesic Lake

Closer to Southern New Hampshire, Massabesic Lake offers fishing for species including bass, perch and pickerel.

Its location also demonstrates why Southern NH real estate attracts buyers who want a balance between convenience and access to the outdoors.

Living near Manchester, Bedford, Auburn or surrounding communities can provide access to major commuting routes and employment centers while still putting lakes, trails and conservation land practically in your backyard.

Bear Brook State Park

Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown is another Granite Post recommendation and one that's particularly appealing for families.

Fishing is only one reason to visit. Bear Brook is one of New Hampshire's largest developed state parks and provides plenty of opportunities to spend a day outside.

For families considering homes for sale in New Hampshire, access to parks and recreation can become just as important as the house itself.

After all, you're not only choosing a floor plan. You're choosing what you want your weekends to look like.

Rye Harbor State Park

New Hampshire may only have a short stretch of Atlantic coastline, but we make very good use of it.

Granite Post includes Rye Harbor State Park for those interested in saltwater fishing.

The Seacoast offers an entirely different version of the New Hampshire lifestyle, with beaches, historic communities, restaurants, boating and easy access to Portsmouth.

It also shows how much variety exists within such a relatively small state.

Echo Lake State Park

Rounding out Granite Post's recommendations is Echo Lake State Park in North Conway.

Surrounded by some spectacular White Mountain scenery, Echo Lake offers a quieter fishing experience where visitors can fish from shore or head onto the water by canoe or kayak.

And really, that's New Hampshire in a nutshell.

Sometimes the best part of living here is simply finding a quiet place, putting your phone away and spending a few hours outside.

What Does Fishing Have to Do With Real Estate?

More than you might think.

When someone tells us they're thinking about moving to New Hampshire, the conversation usually starts with practical considerations: price range, commute, bedrooms, acreage, taxes and school districts.

But eventually we get to an equally important question:

How do you want to live when you're not working?

For some buyers, being close to hiking and skiing is important. Others dream about owning a home near a lake. Some want enough land for gardens, chickens or simply a little more privacy.

And plenty of people moving from Massachusetts to New Hampshire tell us they're looking for easier access to the outdoors.

That's where understanding the different areas of the state becomes incredibly helpful.

Southern New Hampshire Offers a Little Bit of Everything

For buyers who need convenient access to Massachusetts but want more of the New Hampshire lifestyle, Southern New Hampshire can offer an appealing middle ground.

Communities such as Hollis, Brookline, Amherst, Milford, Merrimack, Bedford and Nashua each have their own personality, but they also provide relatively easy access to lakes, rivers, hiking trails, conservation land and other outdoor recreation.

Head north and the Lakes Region and White Mountains are waiting. Head east and you can spend the day on the Seacoast.

That's one of the reasons people searching for New Hampshire homes for sale aren't necessarily just searching for a house.

They're searching for a lifestyle.

Thinking About Moving From Massachusetts to New Hampshire?

If you're considering selling a home in Massachusetts and moving to New Hampshire, it's worth spending some time exploring the state before deciding where to buy.

Don't just tour houses.

Explore the town. Walk a trail. Visit the local coffee shop. Drive to a nearby lake. Check out the town center. See how long it actually takes to get to the places you'll visit regularly.

And yes, maybe bring a fishing pole.

At Marmonti Real Estate, we help buyers and sellers throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts navigate both sides of a move. Christina Marmonti is licensed in both states, which can be especially helpful for clients making the transition across the NH and MA border.

Because finding the right home isn't just about bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage.

It's about finding a place where you can build the life you want to live.

And in New Hampshire, there's a pretty good chance that life includes a lake, river, mountain or trail somewhere nearby.

Credit & Further Reading

This post was inspired by and references reporting from Granite Post and writer Sam Cohen. Their original article includes additional information about each fishing location, fishing license requirements, species found in each area and helpful resources for planning your trip.

Granite Post: “6 Best Places to Go Fishing in New Hampshire This Summer”
https://granitepostnews.com/local/things-to-do/best-places-to-go-fishing-in-new-hampshire-this-summer/