Balch Lake - Maine/New Hampshire

08/15/2026

There are about 10 calendars left. If they’re not sold the Bake Sale will probably be your last opportunity to buy a 2027 Balch Lake calendar! We raised about $1,000 for BLIMP. Thank you to everyone who purchased a calendar!

08/15/2026

08/07/2026

Was asked to post: if anyone is interested in renting a small boat? Ideally through the 22nd, but I’d take any duration that is convenient for them.
Old, responsible, generous guy seeks to rent small fishing boat for duration of stay

Message here and I’ll connect you.

07/29/2026

***40TH ANNUAL LAKE BALCH MARSHMALLOWMAN TRIATHLON***

Grease up those bike chains Balch and come join Shady Nook’s favorite (and oldest?) tradition.

Race kicks off Labor Day Sunday (September 6th) on Green Bay Beach in Shady Nook.

1/4-ish mile swim, 10 mile bike, 2 mile run. Teams are welcome!

You don’t have to be a pro athlete, you just have to have the Marshmallowman spirit!

Come say hi, compete, and snag some swag. See you there!

07/22/2026

LOST AND FOUND! I get a LOT of requests to post items found floating around the lake. Let's use this post for a source. If you've found something, post the picture and location here in the comments. If you've lost something... come to this post to see if it's been posted. This will facilitate getting things posted and all located in one place.

07/19/2026

At the corner of Rt 16 and Pine River Pond Rd this cool country store has everything you could want and is worth a visit at least once a weekend to pick up a fresh baked pie, home made apple donuts or a coffee. Come down for ice cream anytime Monday thru Friday 10a-8p or Sat/Sun 8A-8p. They also have gifts and fruit/veggies milk etc. Credit cards accepted! Come down say hi to Otis!

07/16/2026

Recently it was discovered we have Northern Pike in Balch. This was most likely illegally introduced. They can destroy perch, minnow, shiner populations and will feed on pretty much anything they can fit in their mouths. I consulted with both Maine and New Hampshire fish and game agencies and both confirm that because we are on interstate waters, there is no daily or size restriction. So you should pull any Pike you may catch.

The easiest way to identify a chain pickerel is the "tear drop" black under the eye. Look at the body pattern... Northern Pike have light yellow or white oval spots on a dark green background.
Chain Pickerel are more dark lines forming a chain-link or net pattern over a lighter background.

If you only remember one thing, remember this:
Pike = spots
Pickerel = chains

Someone mentioned they remember catching them back into the 70's ... if that is the case, our lake seems big enough to sustain them and this is not a problem. It is something, however, to keep an eye on when you pull in one of those toothy fish. If you catch one, please post date/size/photo on this thread so we can watch it more diligently. Northern Pike are typically 24-48" while Chain Pickerel are usually 15-24" ... so size is also a good indicator.

I was told by New Hampshire that, even though we do see some in our lake, most New Hampshire lakes, do not create a hospitable environment for successful breeding. It has to do with the pH level of the water. If some were introduced, you could see limited breeding however, there are very few places in New Hampshire, where the water quality is hospitable for successful breeding.

07/15/2026

FISHSTOCK is back!
Join us in Wyman Cove
Saturday July 25th
6:00 pm until the music stops.

Three great bands will be playing:
1) LP & The Vinyls
2) Every Other Sunday
3) MisSpent

We will have FishStock T-shirts available to purchase and we will be selling raffle tickets for some great prizes $5 per ticket or 5 for $20.
All proceeds will be donated to BLIMP.