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Moosehead Lake, Maine, USA

Moosehead Lake, nestled in the Longfellow Mountains in the Maine Highlands Region, is the largest lake in Maine. It has an elevation of 1,023 feet, boasts nearly 300 miles of shoreline, covers an impressive 120 square miles (about 75,000 acres) and stretches 40 miles long by 10 miles wide. Moosehead Lake contains more than 80 islands, the largest of which is Sugar Island. Moosehead Lake is a…
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    • All About Moosehead Lake, ME

    Lake Locations: USA - US New England Region - Maine - Maine Highlands Region, ME -

    Moosehead Lake, nestled in the Longfellow Mountains in the Maine Highlands Region, is the largest lake in Maine. It has an elevation of 1,023 feet, boasts nearly 300 miles of shoreline, covers an impressive 120 square miles (about 75,000 acres) and stretches 40 miles long by 10 miles wide. Moosehead Lake contains more than 80 islands, the largest of which is Sugar Island.

    Moosehead Lake is a natural lake formed more than 12,000 years when glaciers receded from Maine. The 150-mile long Kennebec River originates from Moosehead Lake. The Kennebec Water Power Company, owned by FPL Energy, owns the storage dams at the East and West Outlets of the lake. Moosehead Lake is used for hydroelectric power, flood control, recreation, and drinking water supply. Construction of the West Outlet Dam dates back to the 1830s.

    The topography of Moosehead Lake is impressive: Mount Kineo, with rocks and boulders that rise dramatically 800 feet from the lake’s eastern shore, has attracted visitors for centuries with its amazing cliffs and scree (broken rock). The mountain is also home to rare animal and plant life. The steamship SS Katahdin provides lake tours from summer through fall, passing directly beneath Mount Kineo, where peregrine falcons are frequently sighted. The mountain views are spectacular on clear days, with visibility all the way to Mount Katahdin, the highest point in Maine at 5,268 feet and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.

    As the Moosehead Lake Chamber of Commerce boasts, the region is home to more moose than people. Quiet and beautiful, the lake is situated at the foot of Maine’s woods and until recently, was so secluded that it was only frequented by Maine residents. However, the region has gained in popularity and is quickly becoming known as an eco-tourism destination, luring nature lovers and those yearning for the peace and serenity of a secluded wilderness lake. The town of Greenville, at the lake’s southern end, provides all amenities including restaurants, shopping, and tours. The village of Rockwood sits on the lake’s western shore with spectacular views of Mount Kineo.

    Moosehead Lake offers year-round activities for the whole family to enjoy. The long summer days are full of boating, kayaking, canoeing, white water rafting, swimming, bird watching, camping, fishing, golf, hiking, moose watching, and horseback riding. In winter, downhill skiing and glade skiing adventures await at Big Moose Mountain (previously named Big Squaw Mountain) on the lake’s western shore. Lily Bay State Park, on the lake’s eastern shore, is a four-season park with swimming, boating, camping, hiking and fishing during warm temperatures. Leaf-peeping and wildlife viewing hikes are popular in the fall. And when temperatures dip, the park welcomes hearty visitors for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and ice fishing.

    Anglers enjoy spin casting and fly fishing. While plenty of fishing destinations are accessible by car, one can also choose to adventure out and hike to one of the lake’s more difficult-to-access destinations. Anglers can expect catches of bass, perch, salmon, togue (lake trout), and brookies (brook trout).

    Real estate is available around Moose Lake for rent or sale. Rent a lake home, cabin or cottage for a weekend, week, or month to experience the beauty of Moosehead Lake. You may soon be looking into purchasing a lake retreat of your own.

    Things to Do at Moosehead Lake

    These are some activities in the Moosehead Lake, ME area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Ice Fishing
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Canoeing
    • Kayaking
    • Whitewater Rafting
    • Golf
    • Camping
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Hiking
    • Downhill Skiing
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Snowmobiling
    • Horseback Riding
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding
    • State Park
    • Shopping

    What Kind of Fish Are in Moosehead Lake?

    Moosehead Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Brook Trout
    • Lake Trout
    • Perch
    • Salmon
    • Trout
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    Find Places to Stay at Moosehead Lake

    If you’re considering a Moosehead Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Moosehead Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Moosehead Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Moosehead Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Dammed

    Water Level Control: Kennebec Water Power Company

    Surface Area: 75,471 acres

    Shoreline Length: 281 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 1,029 feet

    Average Depth: 55 feet

    Maximum Depth: 246 feet

    Water Volume: 4,210,000 acre-feet

    Water Residence Time: 3.1 years

    Drainage Area: 1,250 sq. miles

    Trophic State: Mesotrophic

    Moosehead Lake Map
    Local Weather Forecast

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