CONCORD, N.H. -- On November 21, 2012, the New Hampshire  Fish and Game Department purchased a private marina known as Downing's Landing  at the southern tip of Alton Bay.  That  means Fish and Game, after many years, has finally acquired a boat access  facility on Lake Winnipesaukee, the state's largest lake.

"This is exciting news for New Hampshire's outdoor  enthusiasts because it creates the first state-owned and controlled public boat  ramp with parking on Lake Winnipesaukee," said Fish and Game Executive  Director Glenn Normandeau. "For years, we've wanted to provide the public  with a boat access site on the big lake, and I am thrilled that we've been able  to do it."

The Downing's Landing facility includes an existing boat  launch with paved parking for vehicles with trailers, as well as a handful of  cartop parking spaces. The site includes two buildings and several docks that  will allow for excellent shorebank fishing opportunities, particularly during  the spring salmon season. The facility will be open to the public for launching  boats and shorebank fishing with no fee.

The site may be temporarily closed while Fish and Game  transitions ownership and determines what maintenance and repairs are  necessary. Since the general use of the property will not change, it seems to  be for the most part a "turnkey" facility that can be opened to the  public with minimal work. This is quite different from most acquisitions of  undeveloped property, which can take months or even years of planning,  permitting and construction before a boat access site can be opened to the  public.

In the near term, parking configurations will be  evaluated and maximized for the upcoming boating season. Future renovations  will be planned as Fish and Game moves forward. Improvements may include dock repairs and installation of a newer concrete  boat ramp. Fish and Game officials hope  to have the site open this  winter in time for the ice fishing season.

New Hampshire's Public Boat Access Program is funded  through boat registration fees and federal Wildlife and Sport Fish  Restoration  funds, a true user-pay, user-benefit program. Fish and Game's Facilities and  Lands Division acquires land for public water access sites, refurbishes  existing sites and builds new public boat access areas. Fish and Game maintains  more than 140 public boat access sites throughout New Hampshire.

Taken from the NH Fish and Games Website