It’s kind of funny how people talk about the Seacoast or Lake Winnipesaukee when they head to New Hampshire. They want the big names. They want the crowds, the expensive parking, and the tourist traps. But if you actually live in Strafford County, you know better. You go to Mendums Lake Barrington NH. Honestly, it’s one of those places that feels like a time capsule. You turn off Route 4, wind through some trees, and suddenly the noise of the highway just... stops.
Technically, it's a reservoir. It was created back in the day—we're talking the 1920s—to help manage water for the mills downstream in Newmarket. Because of that history, the shoreline isn't packed with McMansions. It’s rugged. It’s quiet. And if you don't know where the access points are, you're basically out of luck.
The Weird Reality of Mendums Lake Access
Let’s get the annoying stuff out of the way first. You can’t just pull up anywhere and jump in. Most of the land around Mendums Lake is owned by the University of New Hampshire (UNH). This is a huge win for conservation but a bit of a hurdle for the casual visitor.
The main gate is the UNH West Edge Recreation Area. Here is the catch: it’s primarily for UNH students, faculty, and staff. They have a gatekeeper. They check IDs. If you’re an alum or a local resident with a pass, you’re golden. If you’re a random traveler from out of state? You might find yourself staring at a locked gate wondering why the internet lied to you.
But there’s a workaround. Kind of.
There is a public boat launch on the north side, off Hall Road. It’s small. It’s gravelly. If you have a massive motorboat, don't even bother. This lake has a speed limit and a horsepower restriction that keeps the jet ski chaos at bay. That’s why the kayakers love it. You can paddle for three hours and the only thing that might wake you is a loon surfacing three feet from your hull.
Why the Fishing Here is Actually Decent
Most people assume reservoirs are duds for fishing. They're wrong. Mendums is surprisingly deep in spots—hitting about 40 to 50 feet—and it’s a graveyard of submerged stumps. For a largemouth bass, that’s basically a luxury condo.
I’ve talked to guys who have pulled five-pounders out of the weeds near the islands. It’s not just bass, though. You’ve got:
- Chain pickerel (the "slimy logs" that snap at everything)
- Yellow perch
- Smallmouth bass near the rockier drops
- The occasional stocked trout if you’re lucky and the water is still cool
The water clarity is decent, but it has that classic New England "tea" tint from the tannins. It’s clean, though. Really clean. Because there isn't massive runoff from fertilized lawns, you don't get those nasty algae blooms that plague other Barrington ponds.
The Island Legend and the UNH Connection
There are islands on Mendums Lake. Real ones. Not just clumps of grass. The big one is used for the UNH sailing program and various outdoor leadership courses.
Sometimes you’ll see groups of students out there learning how to not capsize a dinghy. It adds a weird, collegiate energy to an otherwise silent forest. The university uses this place as a living laboratory. They study the water quality, the forest succession, and the wildlife. It’s basically 2,500 acres of protected classroom.
If you’re hiking the trails around the lake—and there are plenty, though they aren't always well-marked—you’ll notice the forest is thick. It’s a mix of hemlock and pine that smells incredible after a rainstorm. You might see a bald eagle. Seriously. They’ve been nesting in the area for years, and watching one dive for a fish while you’re eating a soggy sandwich in a canoe is a core memory kind of moment.
Is it Better Than Swains Lake?
This is the eternal Barrington debate. Swains vs. Mendums.
Swains Lake is bigger. It has more "action." It has more houses. If you want to go fast and have a BBQ on a sandy beach with fifty other people, go to Swains.
Mendums is for the introverts. It’s for the person who wants to hear the wind in the pines and maybe one distant lawnmower. It’s smaller—roughly 250 acres of water—but it feels bigger because you aren't constantly looking at someone's backyard. It feels wild. Barrington is growing fast, but Mendums Lake Barrington NH remains the town's literal and figurative "cool spot."
The Dam and the Risks
You have to mention the dam. The Mendums Pond Dam is a massive earth-fill structure. A few years back, there were all these engineering reports about its "high hazard" potential. That doesn't mean it’s going to break tomorrow; it just means that if it did break, the damage downstream would be catastrophic.
The state keeps a very close eye on it. They’ve done significant work to ensure the spillway can handle the kind of "hundred-year storms" that seem to happen every three years now. When they draw the water level down in the fall for maintenance or flood control, the lake changes completely. The "stump fields" emerge. It looks like a post-apocalyptic forest. It’s eerie, beautiful, and a great time to walk the shoreline to see where the fish hide in the summer.
Parking, Bugs, and Local Etiquette
Don't be that person who parks on the shoulder of Route 4. You will get towed. The police in Barrington don't play around with highway safety, and for good reason—that road is a speedway.
If the Hall Road launch is full, come back later.
Bring bug spray. Not the "natural" stuff. The heavy-duty DEET. The mosquitoes near the swampy finger on the western side of the lake are basically the size of small birds. They will carry you away.
Also, carry out your trash. There are no "trash fairies" at Mendums. If you bring a six-pack of Allagash out on the water, take the cans home. Locals are fiercely protective of this water because it’s one of the few places left that feels untouched.
What to Pack for a Day at Mendums
- A Map: Cell service is spotty once you get into the hollows.
- Hard-shell Kayak: Inflatable SUPs are risky because of the submerged timber. You don't want a "pop" in the middle of the lake.
- Polarized Sunglasses: Essential for seeing those underwater stumps before you ram them.
- Water: There are no fountains. No concessions. No Nothing.
How to Actually Get the Most Out of Mendums Lake Barrington NH
If you want the real experience, arrive at the Hall Road launch at 5:30 AM. The mist sits on the water so thick you can’t see ten feet in front of you. As the sun comes up over the ridge, the mist burns off in these swirling patterns. It’s quiet enough to hear a beaver slap its tail a quarter-mile away.
Explore the coves. There are little inlets where the water lilies are so thick you can barely paddle through. That’s where the herons hang out. If you’re quiet, you can get within twenty feet of them before they let out that prehistoric-sounding squawk and take off.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Check the UNH Status: Before you drive out, check the UNH Campus Recreation website to see if the West Edge area is open to the public or if it's "student-only" for the season. Policies change based on staffing.
- Inspect Your Gear: New Hampshire is strict about invasive species. Wash your boat, drain your motor, and dry everything before dropping into Mendums. They do not want milfoil ruining this ecosystem.
- Grab a Local Map: Stop at the Barrington Town Hall or a local bait shop. The "trails" on Google Maps are often just old logging roads that lead to nowhere. A physical map or a specialized hiking app like AllTrails (with offline maps downloaded) is a lifesaver.
- Mind the Weather: Because of the hills surrounding the lake, wind can whip up fast. If you see whitecaps, get off the water. The fetch isn't huge, but the temperature can drop quickly, and those stumps make for a dangerous swim if you capsize.
Mendums isn't a "resort destination." It’s a slice of old-school New Hampshire. Treat it with respect, keep your voice down, and you’ll see why the people who live here barely mention it to outsiders.