Top 6 Lakes in Windsor County

For a tranquil experience, Lake Ninevah in Mount Holly is largely undeveloped with a strict 5 mph speed limit, making it ideal for paddling, windsurfing, and sailing. You can often hear loons and spot various wildlife. Amherst Lake in Plymouth also prohibits motorized boats, offering clear waters for swimming, rowing, and kayaking, with opportunities to see geese, ducks, loons, and even bobcats. Additionally, Silver Lake in Barnard is great for quiet paddling activities like canoeing and kayaking, with occasional motorboats allowed.

Many lakes in Windsor County offer family-friendly activities. Silver Lake in Barnard is a popular choice, featuring a sandy swimming beach, picnic areas, and a campground at Silver Lake State Park. Lake Runnemede, located within Paradise Park in Windsor, offers easy hiking trails, picnic spots, and is home to various bird and fish species. For a unique experience, The Pogue, a man-made pond with trails, provides a peaceful and scenic setting for walks, though swimming and fishing are not permitted.

Yes, several lakes in Windsor County are excellent for fishing. Lake Ninevah is known for species like smallmouth bass, sunfish, perch, pike, and rainbow trout. Lake Rescue offers bass, perch, lake trout, brown trout, and pickerel. Amherst Lake is stocked with trout and supports both cold-water and warm-water fish, including brook trout, lake trout, and smallmouth bass. Woodward Reservoir is also a good spot for anglers, with brown trout, largemouth bass, northern pike, and yellow perch. You can also fish at Silver Lake for northern pike, perch, and smallmouth bass, and at Lake Runnemede.

The lakes in Windsor County are rich in wildlife. Around Lake Ninevah, you might spot eastern coyote, whitetail deer, black bear, raccoon, mink, beaver, and hear loons. Amherst Lake is a sanctuary for geese, ducks, loons, turtles, osprey, eagles, bullfrogs, and beaver. Lake Runnemede is home to various bird and fish species, and the area is recognized for its unique natural resources, including the globally rare Ogdon's Pondweed. Deweys Pond is also a fantastic place to look for birds and other wildlife, such as yellow-rumped warblers, black-throated warblers, Northern goshawks, and bald eagles.

Yes, near Deweys Pond, you can see the remains of an old wool mill that operated in the area from 1869 until the 1960s. Additionally, Lake Rescue is notable for the historic Red Bridge dam, which separates it from the smaller Lake Pauline. Mill Ponds Waterfall Viewing Spot offers a closer look at old dam waterfalls, which are particularly spectacular when frozen in winter.

The best time to visit depends on your preferred activities. Summer is ideal for swimming, paddling, and watersports. Fall offers stunning foliage views around the lakes. In winter, some lakes like Silver Lake and Lake Rescue become popular for ice skating and ice fishing. Spring brings new life and is great for wildlife viewing. Generally, the warmer months from late spring to early fall are most popular for general recreation.

Beyond water activities, Windsor County offers a variety of outdoor pursuits. You can find numerous hiking and cycling routes nearby. For hiking, explore options like the Paradise Park Loop or Mount Peg Foot and Bridle Trails. For cycling, there are routes such as the Taftsville Covered Bridge loop. You can find more details on these activities and routes in the easy hikes in Windsor County guide and the cycling in Windsor County guide.

Many lakes in Windsor County offer public access. Silver Lake State Park on Silver Lake provides public access, a sandy beach, and picnic areas. Lake Rescue has a state-maintained public fishing access point for boat launching. Woodward Reservoir features a public boat launch with a 5 mph speed limit and a handicap-ready fishing pier. Lake Runnemede is located within Paradise Park, which offers easy access and amenities like benches and picnic areas.

Yes, some lakes have specific boating restrictions to maintain their tranquil environment. Lake Ninevah has a strict 5 mph speed limit, ensuring a peaceful setting for non-motorized activities. Similarly, Amherst Lake does not allow motorized boats at all, making it ideal for quiet activities like swimming, sailing, rowing, and kayaking. Woodward Reservoir also has a 5 mph speed limit for boats.

Absolutely. Lake Runnemede, located within Paradise Park, offers easy and accessible hiking trails directly around its shores. The Pogue is a man-made pond with trails that circumnavigate it, providing a peaceful and scenic walk. You can also hike around Deweys Pond to look for birds and wildlife. For more extensive trail networks, the Hurricane Forest Wildlife Refuge, which includes a reservoir, features well-maintained trails perfect for running.

Among the notable lakes, Lake Rescue reaches depths of 95 feet, and Amherst Lake has a maximum depth of 90 feet. These deeper lakes often support a wider variety of fish species, including cold-water fish like lake trout.

Yes, during the winter months, when the lakes freeze over, they become popular for various activities. Silver Lake is a favored spot for ice skating and ice fishing. Lake Rescue also sees year-round use, including ice fishing, skating, and snowmobiling in winter. Always check local conditions and safety advisories before venturing onto frozen lakes.