Connecticut Lakes

Updated on Dec 02, 2023

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Primary inflows Connecticut River Basin countries United States Max. width 2.7 mi (4.3 km) Primary inflow Connecticut River		Primary outflows Connecticut River Max. length 5.3 mi (8.5 km) Surface area 12.43 km² Settlement Pittsburg

Location Coos County, New Hampshire Similar Lake Francis, Back Lake, Lake Francis State Park, Magalloway Mountain, Garfield Falls

The Connecticut Lakes are a group of lakes in Coos County, northern New Hampshire, United States, situated along the headwaters of the Connecticut River. They are accessed via the northernmost segment of U.S. Route 3, between the village of Pittsburg and the Canada port of entry south of Chartierville, Quebec. The lakes are located within the boundaries of Pittsburg, but are far from the town center. Connecticut Lakes State Forest adjoins them.

Map of Connecticut Lakes, Pittsburg, NH 03592, USA

There are four lakes: First, Second, Third and Fourth Connecticut Lake, numerically running south to north. First Connecticut Lake is the largest. Fourth is the smallest, northernmost, and the source of the Connecticut River. The only access to this lake is via the Fourth Connecticut Lake Trail, which goes in and out of Canada. All lakes are north of the 45th parallel.

First Connecticut Lake

First Connecticut Lake is located in the town of Pittsburg, 5 miles (8 km) northeast of the village center. At 3,071 acres (1,243 ha), it is the eighth-largest lake located entirely in New Hampshire. It is the lowest (and largest) of the chain of lakes near the headwaters of the Connecticut River.

Fish species include landlocked salmon and lake trout.

Second Connecticut Lake

Second Connecticut Lake is an 1,102-acre (4 km²) water body in the town of Pittsburg, situated 2 miles (3 km) upstream from First Connecticut Lake.

Fish species include brook trout, landlocked salmon, and lake trout.

Third Connecticut Lake

Third Connecticut Lake is a 231-acre (93 ha) water body in the town of Pittsburg, situated 5 miles (8 km) upstream from Second Connecticut Lake and less than 1 mile (1.6 km) south of the Canada–United States border. The lake is the third in a chain of lakes marking the headwaters of the Connecticut River. It is approximately 100 feet (30 m) deep at its deepest part.

Fish species include rainbow trout and lake trout.

Fourth Connecticut Lake

The Fourth Connecticut Lake is the northernmost, smallest and most remote of the Connecticut Lakes in New Hampshire. It is the source of the Connecticut River, situated 0.5 miles (0.80 km) upstream from and 482 feet (147 m) higher than Third Connecticut Lake. The Fourth Connecticut Lake Trail, which criss-crosses the international border between the United States and Canada, leads hikers to the lake. The land surrounding the lake is owned by The Nature Conservancy. The Fourth Lake is immediately to the northwest of the third lake.