Panoramic view of Back Lake in Pittsburg — online webcam

Back Lake and Lopstick Resort — New Hampshire's Northern Gem

Back Lake is located in the northernmost town of New Hampshire — Pittsburg, in Coos County. It is a 347-acre body of water surrounded by dense forests and hills, part of the famous Connecticut Lakes region — a chain of four glacial lakes that are the headwaters of the Connecticut River, the longest river in New England at 406 miles long.

On the shore of Back Lake sits one of the region's oldest operating sporting camps — Lopstick Resort. It was founded in the late 1920s by a hunter and guide nicknamed "Long Tom" Currier, who built two cabins and opened a business called Currier Camps. Today, Lopstick offers 54 cabins, including some with views of First Connecticut Lake, as well as fishing guide services, snowmobile rentals, and an Orvis fly fishing shop.

Fishing on Back Lake — Cold Waters and Trout

Back Lake is classified as a coldwater fishery. It is home to brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, smallmouth and largemouth bass. The waterbody is regularly stocked with trout by the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department, maintaining a stable population for sport fishing.

A unique natural phenomenon of Back Lake is the massive hexagenia mayfly hatch, which occurs during the last week of June through the first week of July. This period is considered the peak of fly fishing in the region, when trout rise to the surface for insects.

Natural Landscape Around the Lake

Back Lake lies at the heart of a region locals call the Great North Woods. This is a wilderness area where glacial lakes alternate with dense coniferous and mixed forests, and the elevations offer panoramic views of mountain ranges. Unlike the more well-known First Connecticut Lake, Back Lake retains a sense of seclusion — there is minimal development and few tourists even in high season.

The region offers hiking trails, kayaking, canoeing, snowmobile routes, and ATV trails. In winter, the lake freezes over, becoming a venue for ice fishing and snowmobile excursions.

How to Get to Back Lake

Pittsburg (New Hampshire) is the northernmost town in the state, located near the Canadian border. It can be reached by car via US-3, which runs through all of northern New Hampshire. Lopstick Resort is located on the shore of Back Lake, and this is where the panoramic camera is installed. The approximate coordinates of the location are 45.07°N, 71.33°W.

The nearest major city is Berlin (about 30 miles to the south). Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is approximately a 3-hour drive south.

Weather on Back Lake — What Affects the Camera View

The climate in northern New Hampshire is moderately continental with long cold winters and short warm summers. In winter, temperatures can drop below -20°C, and snow cover persists from December through March. In summer, the air warms to 25–28°C, but nights remain cool.

For online observation of Back Lake, the best time is in the morning hours when mist hovers over the water, and in the evening when sunsets paint the forested hills in golden tones. In winter, the camera shows a snowy landscape and the frozen surface of the lake.

Back Lake vs First Connecticut Lake — What's the Difference

Several webcams are installed in Pittsburg, and it's important not to confuse Back Lake with First Connecticut Lake. These are different bodies of water: First Connecticut Lake is the largest in the Connecticut Lakes chain, located further north, with a state park and developed infrastructure. Back Lake is more secluded, surrounded by forest, with Lopstick Resort on its shore. The camera on Back Lake shows a decorative pond with a fountain, a red barn building, and a gravel area — characteristic features of the resort's grounds.

History of Lopstick Resort — From Two Cabins to 54

Lopstick is not just a dot on the map — it's a living history of northern New Hampshire. In the late 1920s, hunter and guide "Long Tom" Currier built two cabins on the shore of Back Lake and began hosting guests — hunters and fishermen. Over time, Currier Camps evolved into Lopstick — a full-fledged resort with 54 cabins, a restaurant, a fishing tackle shop, and its own fleet of boats.

The resort still specializes in fly fishing and is considered one of the best places for this sport in New England. It is also home to an Orvis shop — a legendary brand among fly fishermen.

What the Camera Shows

The online camera is installed on the grounds of Lopstick Resort and broadcasts a panoramic view from an elevated position overlooking Back Lake. In the foreground is a gravel area and a paved road curving left toward a small red building (a barn). To the right, on a green lawn, is a decorative pond with a working fountain. In the background, the water surface of Back Lake is visible, with forested hills and mountains stretching beyond. The view is captured from a terrace or rooftop — part of the roof is visible in the lower left corner of the frame. The sky is often covered with cumulus clouds, creating a picturesque play of light on the water and forest.