Stinson Lake

Stinson Lake is a 342-acre (1.38 km²)[1] water body located in the town of Rumney in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The lake is in the southern part of the White Mountains and is the largest lake in the White Mountain National Forest. Water from Stinson Lake flows via Stinson Brook, the Baker River, and the Pemigewasset River to the Merrimack River.[2]

Stinson Lake
Stinson Lake Show map of New Hampshire Stinson Lake Show map of the United States
Location	Grafton County, New Hampshire
Coordinates	43°52′0″N 71°47′57″W
Primary inflows	Sucker Brook
Primary outflows	Stinson Brook
Basin countries	United States
Max. length	1.6 mi (2.6 km)
Max. width	0.6 mi (0.97 km)
Surface area	342 acres (1.38 km2)
Average depth	35 ft (11 m)
Max. depth	77 ft (23 m)
Surface elevation	1,303 ft (397 m)
Settlements	Stinson Lake (town of Rumney)

The lake is a result of glacier deposits. It has a maximum depth of 77 feet (23 m),[1] with a few shallow banks around the southern rim. It has a cove to the southwest with a dam to stabilize the lake level. Stinson is one of the few lakes around the region without parasitic plants. Its waters are very clear, with visibility to 25 feet (7.6 m) of depth.

Stinson Lake lies in the northern corner of Rumney, just south of the town boundary with Ellsworth and northwest of 2,900-foot (880 m) Stinson Mountain. Most of the lake is fronted by private property and cabins, but boating access is available next to the former Stinson Lake Store on the western side of the lake.

Hiking trails lead from near Stinson Lake southeast to the summit of Stinson Mountain and north to Mount Kineo, Mount Carr, and the Three Ponds area. The village of Stinson Lake is at the lake's outlet, at the top of a long climb up the paved Stinson Lake Road from the village of Rumney. Stinson Lake Road is open year-round, while the gravel road from Ellsworth and Campton is only open from late spring through early fall.

The lake is classified as a cold- and warmwater fishery, with observed species including rainbow trout, lake trout, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, and brown bullhead.[1]