by Linda Batey

Created on: September 03, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

If you travel to Maine, you will find numerous pristine lakes scattered throughout the State, some of them connect with rivers making large waterways, such as the Allagash Wilderness Waterway in the northern part of the state. As you will see from the names, American Indians named these lakes long before Maine became a state.

In the northern part of Maine, getting to some of the lakes involves long car rides on less-than-perfect roads, but that shouldn't deter youit just makes the lakes more worthwhile because there are fewer people and camps. One of Maine's most beautiful lakes is Lobster Lake, which is just to the east of the northern part of Moosehead Lake, and offers crystal clear (and cold!) water with lovely beaches, granite outcroppings and in only accessible by boat. It is the perfect day trip (if you're in the area) for a canoe trip and picnic lunch. There are numerous camp sites available all along the shore.

Moosehead Lake, Maine's largest lake, has many camps along certain parts of the shoreline, but still offers plenty of opportunity to find solitude. Little and Big Duck Coves offer beautiful private beaches, and the whole lake is known for great fishing. You can boat right up to the 900' cliffs of Mt. Kineo, which is an awesome sight, and eerily quiet. The deepest part of Moosehead Lake is right here, at 254 feet.

Millinocket Lake, Twin Lakes, Quakish, Pemadoumcook and Ambajesus Lake surround the town of Millinocket and offer outstanding views of the mountains of Baxter State Park, including mile-high Mount Katahdin, the ending point of the Appalachian Trail.

Even further north, lies Seboomook Lake, Chesuncook Lake, Nesowadnehunk Lake (nice trout fishing at dusk), Baker Lake and Portage Lake, and in Aroostook County lie Eagle Lake, Squapan Lake and Square Lake.

In the central part of Maine there are numerous lakes for boating and swimming, including Lake Wassokeag in Dexter, Sebec Lake in Dover-Foxcroft, Sebasticook Lake in Newport, Pushaw Lake in the Hudson area and the beautiful Belgrade lakes in Oakland.

Southern Maine offers a large offering of lakes, including Sebago Lake, which offers a resort, opportunities for camping, and good fishing. Long Lake in Naples is frequently alive with boaters, sailboards and sailboats, parasailing and boat rides on the Songo River Queen.

Western Maine Lakes are one of Maine's best-kept secrets. Rangely Lake, Richardson Lakes, Flagstaff Lake, Webb Lake (Mt. Blue State Park is on its shores and is a great place to take children because of it's shallow and warm water), Mooselookmegunt Lake, Kennebago Lake are all destinations in themselves. This part of Maine is vast and wild and offers great opportunity for seeing wildlife and beautiful scenery. While you're there, consider a white-water rafting trip at the tiny town of The Forks while sipping on Maine's famous beverage, Moxie. It's like scotchyou'll either love it or hate it.

Eastern Maine has its share of lakes as well; East Grand is known for its great fishing, and on most of the lakes here you can pick blueberries right on the shore (in August). These lakes include Alligator Lake, Big Lake, West Grand Lake, Nicatous Lake, Mopang Lake and Grahmn Lake.

You can obtain maps of almost all Maine lakes at http://www.mainelakecharts.com/

Learn more about this author, Linda Batey.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.