State ice-out records
New Hampshire Lake Ice-Out Dates
Across the 5 New Hampshire lakes on record, the ice usually goes out around April 24 — the fourth week of April. Squam Lake usually opens first (around April 17); First Connecticut Lake holds its ice longest (usually around May 5).
Off-season right now — each lake page picks up live tracking when the ice forms.
| Lake | Years | Usually | Earliest | Latest | Most recent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Squam Lake | 42 | April 17 | March 24 (2010) | May 3 (1978) | April 26, 2019 |
| Lake Winnipesaukee | 139 | April 20 | March 17 (2024) | May 12 (1888) | April 16, 2025 |
| Lake Sunapee | 140 | April 24 | March 29 (1921) | May 14 (1888) | April 23, 2008 |
| Umbagog Lake | 118 | May 1 | April 10 (1910) | May 23 (1888) | April 27, 2008 |
| First Connecticut Lake | 89 | May 5 | April 9 (1921) | May 19 (1972) | May 1, 2008 |
Every lake links to its full year-by-year record, sources included. "Usually" is the middle of each lake's whole record — half the years earlier, half later.
Questions
When does the ice usually go out in New Hampshire?
Most years the ice goes out of New Hampshire's lakes around April 24 — the fourth week of April. Squam Lake usually opens first, around April 17; First Connecticut Lake usually goes last, around May 5.
What are the earliest and latest ice-outs ever recorded in New Hampshire?
The earliest ice-out on record in New Hampshire is March 17, 2024, on Lake Winnipesaukee. The latest is May 23, 1888, on Umbagog Lake.
Which New Hampshire lake has the longest ice-out record?
Lake Sunapee, with 140 recorded years going back to 1869. The full year-by-year list is on its page.