AT A GLANCE
Why go?
Highland Lake is a long, quiet ribbon of water stretching six miles through rural southwestern New Hampshire, straddling the towns of Washington and Stoddard in Sullivan and Cheshire counties. At 697 acres and sitting at 1,296 feet elevation, this is the kind of lake that rewards a deliberate detour from the more crowded Lakes Region destinations — anglers, paddlers, and winter snowmobilers have been drawn here since well before the 1960s.↗
The lake's narrow, elongated shape creates a sense of seclusion that belies its size. Three small islands dot the surface, and the far northern end can only be reached by threading through a channel barely fifty feet wide — a natural bottleneck that keeps boat traffic light and the shoreline peaceful.↗
Fishing
Highland Lake is classified as a warmwater fishery, and it punches well above its modest reputation for the variety of species it holds. Black crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, horned pout, and white perch are all confirmed residents. New Hampshire Fish and Game lists the lake specifically among recommended spots in the Monadnock/Southwest region for black crappie and smallmouth bass, making it a favorite among anglers who prefer quieter waters.
