New Hampshire Boating Information

New Hampshire Public Access Sites

All information provided on the Public Access Sites chart (pages 57-60 in the linked PDF) is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of printing. Please report any discrepancies to the New Hampshire Department of Fish & Game at 603-271-2224.

• All sites are operated by a state agency except those denoted with an asterisk (*), which are operated by a municipality or private operator.
• Certain activities such as fishing, swimming, using motors, water-skiing, and using "ski craft" may be prohibited or regulated. Additional regulations may apply to operating watercraft on these bodies of water. Abide by all posted restrictions.
• Where the handicapped accessibility is rated with a letter, the following rating system is applied.
  • A — Accessible: This site meets with ADA standards and is usable without assistance by all but the most severely disabled.
  • B — Partially Accessible: This site is partially accessible and harbors an ADA—approved recreational amenity for the disabled; however, the entire site may not meet ADA standards.
  • C — Usable: This site presents a greater challenge for people with disabilities. A disabled user may require assistance when using this area.
  • D — Difficult: This site does not meet ADA standards; people with disabilities will require assistance when using this area.
  • ** — Other restrictions
• To obtain the current fishing regulations, call the NH Fish & Game Department at 603-271-3422. For NH boating and fishing public access maps, call 603-271-2224 or visit www.wildlife.state.nh.us.

Vessel Pump-Outs and Dump Stations

Inland Stations

Lake Winnipesaukee

Lakeport Landing - Laconia
Paugus Bay Marina - Laconia
Irwin Marine - Laconia
Channel Marine - Laconia
Weirs Beach/Anchor Marine - Weirs Beach
Meredith Bay Marina - Meredith
Meredith Town Docks - Meredith
Shep Brown's Boat Basin - Meredith
Goodhue & Hawkins Navy Yard - Wolfeboro
Wolfeboro Corinthian Yacht Club - Wolfeboro
Robert's Cove Marina - Alton
West Alton Marina - West Alton
Fay's Boat Yard - Gilford
Mountainview Yacht Club - Gilford
Silver Sands Marina - Gilford
Private Pump-Out Stations (members only)
Gilford Yacht Club - Gilford
Glendale Yacht Club - Gilford
Southdown Boat Club - Laconia
Spinnaker Cove Yacht Club - Laconia
Quayside Yacht Club - Moultonborough

Lake Winnisquam

Winnisquam Marine - Belmont

Lake Sunapee

Dump Station
Sunapee Harbor - Sunapee

Coastal Stations

Rye Harbor Marina - Rye
Hampton River Marina - Hampton
Great Bay Marina - Newington
Wentworth By the Sea - Newcastle
George's Marina - Dover
Little Bay Marina - Dover

Overnight Anchoring & Mooring Permits

Overnight Anchoring

• It is against the law to anchor your boat overnight on any inland surface waters of the State of New Hampshire. Overnight is defined as "the period of time between the termination of daylight in the evening to the earliest dawn of the next morning."
• A houseboat defined as "ship, boat, raft, float, catamaran, or marine craft of any description which has sleeping and toilet facilities, regardless of whether such facilities are of a permanent or temporary nature." Occupied or unoccupied houseboats may be beached or grounded, or tied to the shore of any of the inland surface waters of the state for an overnight period, or any part of an overnight period, only when on or at a location owned, leased, or permitted by the owner. Also, the owner, lessee, or person with permission of the owner must give written notice of this fact promptly to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

Mooring Permits

Some New Hampshire waters require a shorefront property owner to obtain a mooring permit before placing a mooring in the waters.

• Mooring permits are required on Newfound Lake, Ossipee Lake, Squam Lake, Sunapee Lake, Lake Winnipesaukee, and Winnisquam Lake.
• For more information, or to request a permit application, call the Mooring Program at 603-267-6453.

Rafting in New Hampshire

Raft is defined as "any group of two or more boats which are stationary upon the waters of a lake or pond and which are congregated together, whether anchored, secured to one another, or adrift, provided that at least one of the boats in the group is occupied." Rafting is "forming or being a member of a raft."

• There are designated locations where, and times during which, the size of rafts is limited and a minimum distance is required between boats and rafts.
• Currently, there are rafting restrictions in certain locations on Lake Winnipesaukee, Lake Sunapee, and Ossipee Lake.
• No one in a prohibited location or at a prohibited time may:
  • Form or allow a boat, which you are operating or in charge of, to join a raft consisting of three or more boats.
  • Form or allow a boat, which you are operating or in charge of, to join a raft if any part of such raft is less than 50 feet from any other raft or less than 50 feet from any occupied single boat that is stationary on the waters of the same lake or pond.
  • Anchor a single boat and cause it to remain stationary on the waters of a lake or pond, other than momentarily, if any part of such boat is less than 50 feet away from any raft or less than 25 feet away from any other single boat which is stationary on the waters of such lake or pond.
• Exceptions to the rafting restrictions are:
  • Boats anchored or moored at marinas, yacht clubs, or private docks with the owner's permission
  • Boats involved in or attending a fireworks display, marine events, or other designated public events
  • Boats on any body of water of less than 400 acres or on any estuary or tidal waters of the state
• Check with New Hampshire Marine Patrol at 603-293-2037 if you would like more information about rafting restrictions or information on other exemptions.

Sunrise and Sunset Times

For daily sunrise and sunset times in Concord, New Hampshire, please see the Sunrise and Sunset chart (on page 64 in the linked PDF).