There are at least 253 natural islands on Lake Winnipesaukee that are at least 3 feet above lake level and contain vegetation, about 130 of which are over .25 acres in size. 27 of these are 25 acres or larger.  

See https://www.winnipesaukeeislandproperties.com/ for more detail

Island Facts

• Lake Winnipesaukee and her islands provide us with much interesting history. The islands were used by Native American Indians for perhaps five thousand years.
• The Indians in this area were called the Pennacooks. Many of our words come from the Indians. For instance, Winnipesaukee means "beautiful water in high place".
• Don't be surprised if you find an arrowhead or artifact on the shore of your island.  An Indian probably stood in this very spot.
• Later in history, there were hotels on both Diamond and Bear Islands. On Cow Island, a gentleman by the name of Pillsbury operated a grist mill and supplied flour to local people.
• One expression about Lake Winnipesaukee is that there is an island for every day of the year. Realistically, there are about 270 big enough to be called islands.
• Birch bark canoes were decorated with the makers distinct markings.
• Many centers of the islands are owned by the individual island associations and are restricted from being built upon. Usually, the centers are saved for exploring, hiking, and nature walks.
• The shorelines are primarily rocky with wild blueberry bushes galore and scattered natural beaches. The interiors are generally treed with hardwood and evergreens, on which deer graze.

• Stonedam, Ragged, Five Mile, and Blanchard Islands (among other smaller islands) are owned by the Lakes Region Conservation Trust and are available for nature walks and hikes.
• There are also two sanctuaries for loons, the Melvin Island and the Ragged Island Loon Sanctuary.
• “The Forties” – Round, Pop, Fish, LeRoy, Crescent, Saints Rest, Kinneho and Breezy Islands are part of a group of islands between Mark Island and Welch Island referred to as “The Forties”.

27 Biggest Islands on Lake Winnipesaukee

1. Long Island - 1,186 acres (bridged)
2. Bear Island - 780 acres
3. Cow Island - 522 acres
4. Governors Island- 504 acres (bridged)
5. Rattlesnake Island - 68 acres
6. Welch Island - 187 acres
7. Little Bear Island - 143 acres
8. Stonedam Island - 141 acres
9. Timber Island - 136 acres
10. Sleepers Island - 113 acres
11. Mark Island - 102 acres
12. Black Island - 90 acres
13. Barndoor Island - 88 acres
14. Black Cat Island - 75 acres (bridged)
15. Pine Island - 74 acres
16. Whortleberry Island - 69 acres
17. Sandy Island - 67 acres
18. Jolly Island - 50 acres
19. Three Mile Island - 47 acres
20. Round Island - 43 acres
21. Lockes Island - 42 acres
22. Diamond Island - 37 acres
23. Dow Island - 32 acres
24. Big Beaver Island - 30 acres
25. Camp Island - 28 acres
26. Mink Island - 26 acres
27. Birch Island - 25 acres

6 Bridged Islands

• Black Cat Island
• Governors Island
• Long Island
• Oak Island
• Christmas (or Plummers) Island
• Worcester Island

Island Served by the U.S. Mailboat M/V Sophie C.

• Bear Island
• Birch Island
• Cow Island
• East Bear Island
• Jolly Island
• Loon Island
• Three Mile Island
• Sandy Island