[ApS]

DES allows a swath of shorefront forest removed to permit heavy machinery to drill wells next to the Lake and to permit heavy machinery to carry roof trusses to boathouses. (Usually built before the house structure itself is built).

That space is rarely returned to forest. If this construction space is on a sloped surface (fairly normal), runoff will wash soil into the lake under or over the black plastic sheets: the required so-called "silt fence". Sometimes the entire lakefront "silt fence" is washed INTO the lake.

(A new spec-built house next to me just had this week's heavy rainfall wash a 20-year-old leach field into the Lake under a "silt fence". My other neighbor, who has scant shoreline forest, lost his into the Lake in a microburst six years ago).

Having a natural forest overhanging the lake is best for fish. On a calm day, you'd be astonished at the number of small insects that fall (or hang from theads) from the leaves onto the shallow waters. Insects are chased by small fish which are in turn chased by bigger fish, mergansers and loons. Natural shoreline-forest shade also discourages algae growth near shore.

Originally Posted by islandAl

Because they are getting a high off all the nutrients being washed into the lake.

"Nutrients" washed into Winnipesaukee are primarily Phosphorus and Nitrogen. Their dissolved compounds are found in sod, loam, natural forest soil, lawn fertilizer, and septic tank leachate.

Those compounds grow algae and exotic milfoil — and affect fish indirectly only by providing cover for fingerlings.

Algae is browsed by snails, which co-host Duck Itch.

Before the mid-80s brought McMansions and dug-in boathouses, I had no issues with algae or Duck Itch.

A boatport -- on pilings -- is best for the Lake, IMHO.