A fishing license is required for anyone 16 years of age and older. Fishing licenses allow the taking of all species in the freshwaters of the state, except Atlantic salmon brood stock. Temporary one-, three- and seven-day fishing licenses are available to non-residents. The dates for intended use will be asked at the time of purchase; the dates must be consecutive.

A one year license for non-residents costs $53. Non-resident licenses costs $15 for one day; $28 for three days; and $35 for seven days. Licenses may be purchased online or from one of many local retail stores. Licenses are not required for fishing in saltwater unless taking any species of trout, salmon, smelt or shad in any state waters or while fishing through the ice in Great Bay or its tributaries. Fishing seasons vary. For more information visit the state Fish and Game Department website.

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DARTMOUTH-LAKE SUNAPEE top of listings

Mount Sunapee State Park
Off Route 103
Newbury, NH 03255
Phone: 603-763-5561

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The 4,085-acre lake at the park is ideal for family and group outings and for fishing, boating, swimming, and picnicking. The beach has a store, a playground, and a bathhouse. Rentals of canoes and kayaks. A boat launch is available. Open weekends only starting in late May, then daily from late June through early September; then weekends only until late September 24. Call or check Web site for exact opening and closing dates. Admission fee.

Pillsbury State Park
Route 31
Washington, NH
Phone: 603-863-2860

This wooded park offers canoeing on May Pond, fishing areas in both the pond and nearby streams, hiking trails into nearby mountains, and a picnic area. Wintertime activities available include snowmobile trails and cross-country skiing. There is a public campsite available. Pets are allowed.

Wadleigh State Park
Route 114
Sutton, NH 03260
Phone: 603-927-4724

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Swimming on Kezar Lake. Tall pine groves shade the picnic sites adjacent to the beach. Amenities include a bathhouse, picnic tables, and playing fields. The park is open weekends only starting in late May, then daily from late June through early September. Call or check Web site for exact opening and closing dates. Admission fee.

GREAT NORTH WOODS top of listings

Connecticut Lakes State Forest
Route 3
Pittsburg, NH
Phone: 603-538-6965

Visitors will enjoy fishing, hunting, boating, paddling, and hiking. In the winter, there are cross-country ski trails available. This state forest includes the Deer Mountain Campground operated by the New Hampshire Division of Parks and REcreation. Deer Mountain Campground is just five minutes south of the Canadian border and 13 miles from Lake Francis. It is adjacent to the stretch of Route 3 north of Pittsburg, referred to as Moose Alley, which makes it a prime location for moose viewing. The 25-site primitive campground includes 22 sites available by reservation only, and three for first-come/first-served campers. Each site has a fireplace, picnic table, flat area for a tent, and a parking space. The campground is open for reservable stays from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend. First-come/first-served camping with limited facilities is available starting in mid-May, 2009, weather permitting. Information: www.nhdfl.org or www.nhstateparks.org/

Moose Brook State Park
Off U.S. Route 2
Gorham, NH
Phone: 603-466-3860

Popular with fisherman because of its numerous ponds and streams, this park also offers hiking trails, mountain climbing in the Crescent Mountain range, mountain bike trails and lake swimming. Cross-country ski trails are open in the winter. There is a public campsite available.

Nash Stream
Off Route 110 to Emerson Road to nash Stream Road
Odell, NH
Phone: 603-788-4157

More than just one stream, this is actually 40,000 acres of undeveloped land. It's available for public use for hiking, fishing, paddling, hunting, snowmobiling, ATV riding, and cross-country skiing. Camping is not permitted. Information: www.nhdfl.org.

LAKES top of listings

Ellacoya State Park
Route 11 / Scenic Drive
Gilford, NH 03246
Phone: 603-293-7821

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Located in Gilford on the southwest shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire's largest lake. Offers a 600-foot long sandy beach, with views across the lake to the Sandwich and Ossipee mountains. Facilities include a bathhouse, showers and a changing area for swimmers. A store offers refreshments and souvenirs. Boat launch for small boats near the beach. The park is open weekends only starting in late May, and then full-time from late June 24 through Labor Day. Call or check Web site for exact opening and closing dates. Admission fee.

Wellington State Park
Off Route 3A
Bristol, NH 03222
Phone: 603-744-2197

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Located on Newfound Lake, this state park has the largest freshwater swimming beach in the state park system. Hiking trails and picnic areas along the shore afford views of one of the deepest and clearest lakes in the state. Two group picnic pavilions are located just off the beach in the picnic areas. Snack bar offers snacks, beach and picnic items, and souvenirs. A developed boat launch adjoins the park, providing boaters free access to Newfound Lake. Boat lanes along the beach allow boater access to the park for the regular admission price. The park is open weekends only starting in late May, then daily from late June through early October. Admission fee.

Wentworth State Park
Route 109
Wolfeboro, NH 03894
Phone: 603-569-3699

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Wentworth State Park spans 50 acres and is located on the shore of scenic Wentworth Lake. Popular activities in the park include swimming, picnicking, hiking, fishing, and boating. Amenities include picnic tables, a boat launch, flush toilets, and a group use area. Day use fee is $4 for adults and $2 for children age 6 to 11. Hours: The park is open weekends only from Memorial Day weekend through June 14; daily from June 19 to August 24; and Labor Day weekend. Operating hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. There are no lifeguards on duty for the season.

White Lake State Park
Route 16
Tamworth, NH 03886
Phone: 603-323-7350

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A popular park for campers, this park features three public campsites with room for 200 tents. Visitors will enjoy the beach on White Lake, swimming, boating and canoeing, fishing, and hiking trails. Winter activities include cross-country skiing and snowmobile trails. Of particular interest is a forest of NH pines spread over 72 acres, a National Natural Landmark.

MERRIMACK VALLEY top of listings

Bear Brook State Park
Off Route 28
Allenstown, NH 03275
Phone: 603-485-9874

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This park is set on 9,600 acres, amid lakes, hills and forest. Visitors will find hiking trails, play areas, archery ranges, a nature center, and museums dedicated to camping, snowmobiling and the Civilian Conservation Corps. There are hunting areas, fishing in streams and ponds, mountain biking trails, nature programs, boating, a beach and canoeing. Wintertime offers cross-country ski trails, snowmobile trails, and dog-sledding. A public campsite is available.

Clough State Park
Off Route 13
Weare, NH 03281
Phone: 603-529-7112

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Visitors to this park will enjoy a 900 foot beach, swimming, boating and canoeing. There are fishing areas, picnic spots, walking trails, and cross-country and snowmobile trails in the winter.

Pawtuckaway State Park
128 Mountain Road
Nottingham, NH 03290
Phone: 603-895-3031

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This park features a beach, changing facilities, swimming, boating, canoeing, hiking trails, fishing, mountain biking, and a picnic area. In the winter, snowmobile and cross-country ski trails are open. A public campground is also available.

MONADNOCK top of listings

Greenfield State Park
Route 136
Greenfield, NH 03047
Phone: 603-547-3497

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A 401 acre park on Otter Lake offering a beach, swimming, picnic areas, canoeing, fishing, and hiking trails. Wintertime activities include cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. A public campground is available.

Pisgah State Park
Off Route 63
Chesterfield, NH
Phone: 603-239-8153

13,500 acres of undeveloped wilderness offers visitors a chance to explore New Hampshire's outdoors. Trails for hiking and mountain biking are available, as well as hunting areas, and fishing areas. Wintertime offers cross-country ski trails and snowmobile trails.

SEACOAST top of listings

Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
Accessible from many places
Durham/Dover, NH
Phone: 603-868-1095

Set on 48 miles of coastline, this preserve protects saltmarshes, woodlands, tidal creeks and open fields. It is managed by the NH Fish and Game department. Visitors can enter at Adams Point, and also access the area via the water. Great spot for bird and animal observation.

Hampton Beach State Park
Route 1A
Hampton, NH 03842
Phone: 603-926-3784

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One of several beaches along the Seacoast, this offers areas for swimming, fishing, and picnicking. Visitors enjoy the views of the sand dunes. A RV camp park is open to the public, and lifeguards are on duty.

Hampton State Pier
Off Route 1A
Hampton, NH

Features a fishing pier, and docking for recreational boats. There is a fee for parking. Information: New Hampshire Fish & Game Department at 603-271-3511.

Portsmouth Fish Pier
Pierce Island
Portsmouth, NH

Open year-round, this state pier offers a marina, refrigerated storage, ice, fuel, and a fishing area.

Rye Harbor State Park
Route 1A
Rye, NH
Phone: 603-964-9008

Visitors to this park will enjoy a scenic walking trail, fishing areas, and picnicking. A marina is also available to the public, with several amenities. There is a fee for parking during the warmer weather season.

Wallis Sands State Beach
Route 1A
Rye, NH 03870
Phone: 603-436-9404

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Offers a 700 foot beach, fishing areas, and a bathhouse. Lifeguards are on duty. A nice family beach. There is a parking fee. Information: New Hampshire Fish & Game Department at 603-271-3511.

WHITE MOUNTAINS top of listings

Bedell Bridge Historic Site
Routes 10 and 25
Haverhill, NH
Phone: 603-547-3373

On this plain was the second longest, 2 span covered bridge in the United States. Built in 1866, the bridge was destroyed by wind in 1979. Visitors to the area will enjoy the history, plus fishing and canoeing.

Crawford Notch State Park
Route 302
Harts Location, NH
Phone: 603-374-2272

This park is a fount of natural beauty: A mountain pass, the Presidential Mountain Range, and waterfalls. The falls are the Flume Cascades, the Silver Cascades, and the Arethusa Falls. There is a visitor's center, hiking trails, a scenic drive, fishing spots, and picnic areas. The park is also the site the Willey House, an 18th century way-station for travelers through the mountains. A campground is available to the public. Pets are permitted in campground area and other designated places only.

Echo Lake State Park
Route 302
Conway, NH 03818
Phone: 603-356-2672

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This park sits on pristine Echo Lake, and offers visitors areas for swimming and fishing. In addition, hiking trails and a scenic drive lead to Cathedral Ledge, a 700 feet in the air. The ledge offers scenic views and ample opportunities for rock climbing.

Franconia Notch State Park
Route 93
Franconia, NH 03580
Phone: 603-823-8800

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Perhaps the most interesting of New Hampshire's state parks, Franconia Notch offers some incredible natural experiences. Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain climbing up Cannon Mountain and Mount Liberty, fishing, canoeing, boating, and picnicking. Winter activities offered include cross-country ski trails, alpine skiing and snowmobile trails. Trails include a portion of the Appalachian Trail, and lead to spectacular sites. Historic site of The Old Man of the Mountain, a natural phenomenon created by a series of granite ledges jutting from a cliff face 1,200 feet in the air, which collapsed in 2003. The Flume is a 800 foot gorge with high granite walls, which support a variety of mountain flora in the warmer months. The Basin is a glacial pothole over 20 feet wide, formed at the base of a waterfall by the onslaught of the rushing water. Sightseers will enjoy a ride on the park's Aerial Tramway to the top of Cannon Mountain, where the view is spectacular. A public campground is also available.

Moose Brook State Park
Off U.S. Route 2
Gorham, NH
Phone: 603-466-3860