"Brian Nystrom" wrote in message
news:OvAye.2336$gD5.2144@trndny06...
LN (remove NOSPAM) wrote:
I'm getting tired of going to the same small pond on my kayak. I am
looking for a good lake to go kayaking/fishing on that won't take all day
to get to. So I'm looking for something within a 1hr radius from
Merrimack, NH.

I saw a lake in Goffstown called Glen Lake. Does this have a public
launching area?

Yes, there is access on both the north and south sides. The boat ramp on
the north side is obvious, as there's a parking lot across the street for
vehicles with trailers and parking along the lake side of the street for
swimmers and kayakers. Parking regulations ARE enforced, so don't park
illegally. On hot days, the parking tends to fill up with swimmers. The
south side access is a small beach between boulders near the YMCA. It's
hard to find and unless the Y is closed, you can't use their parking lot
and will have to park at the high school down the street.

The lake is not especially interesting, except for the rapids at the west
end where the river enters. I've seen a lot of people fishing there, so I
assume there must be fish. Occasionally, you'll get some idiot flying up
and down the lake in a grossly overpowered boat, but for the most part the
boat traffic isn't bad. The west end of the lake is too shallow for larger
boats (except for a narrow channel around the island, so it's pretty much
the province of paddlers and other smaller craft.

We (members of the North Shore Paddler's Network - www.nspn.org) have run
kayak skills sessions there during the week for years, but I'm not sure if
anyone is doing them this year or not. You could post an inquiry on the
message board.


We did try out Glen Lake. I enjoyed kayaking there, but BF says there was
way too much traffic for any good fishing. He may have done better fishing
off the kayak, but my daughter came with us and used the other kayak, so he
fished from shore.

Any other lakes in the area that might be good? I LOVE Baboosic Lake, but
there isn't a public launch area (that I know of).

There are two that I know of. One is at the bridge just south of the
traffic circle on Bypass 28. It gives you access to either side of the
lake. There is a large boat ramp and parking area at the northeastern end
of the lake, just south of the junction of Rt. 121 and Hooksett Rd.

Be aware that Massabesic has some of the stupidest regulations you'll ever
hear of, due to the fact that it's the reservoir for Manchester and
surrounding towns. Essentially, you're not allowed to touch the water. No
swimming, no wading no nothing that involves skin contact with the water.
If the "water cops" are around and they see you step in it without boots
on or get your hands wet, they have a fit. It's OK for power boats to spew
MTBE laden gasoline into it, but heaven forbid that a kayaker should roll
in it! I've gotten harassed for simply stepping out of my boat with water
shoes on in water that was more than ankle deep.

Additionally, you cannot paddle on the western half of the western lake,
since that's the section that's in Manchester. That's also monumentally
stupid, since the water flow in the systems is from east to west.
Everything the gets into the eastern lake ends up in Manchester's water
supply.

In the spring, I've parked at the swimming area and carried the kayak
over to the beach, but I don't like to do that when the area is full of
swimmers.

I know there's a beach area, but I don't think they actually allow
swimming. Here's the regulation:

(h) (9) A person shall not bathe, wade, swim, water ski or perform any
similar water contact activity, as defined in RSA 485.22, in Lake
Massabesic or any pond, reservoir or stream tributary thereto;

...and here's a link to the rest of them:

http://www.manchesternh.gov/CityGov/...hed/Rules.html

we're talking two different lakes here. I was talking about Baboosic Lake in
Merrimack/Amherst. You are talking Massabesic. I did read all of those rules
and decided it took the fun right out of it and never even bothered to try.

I'm not the adventurous type, I guess. I prefer lakes/ponds and such as I
prefer a relaxing exploration of the area to white water.

Any other lake/pond ideas for the Southern NH/ Northern MA area?
--

Ellen in Merrimack