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Umbagog Lake, Maine & New Hampshire, USA

Also known as:  Rangeley Lakes

Umbagog Lake straddles about 11 miles of the Maine-New Hampshire border. This 7,850-acre lake lies partly in the Rangeley Lakes region of western Maine and partly in the Great North Woods region of northern New Hampshire. Umbagog, pronounced um-BAY-gog, is said to derive from the Abenaki (Native American) word for “shallow water.” The name is appropriate, as the lake averages a depth of 15 feet, a number…
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    • All About Umbagog Lake, ME/NH

    Lake Locations: USA - US New England Region - Maine - Lakes & Mountains Region, ME - New Hampshire - Great North Woods Region, NH -

    Umbagog Lake straddles about 11 miles of the Maine-New Hampshire border. This 7,850-acre lake lies partly in the Rangeley Lakes region of western Maine and partly in the Great North Woods region of northern New Hampshire.

    Umbagog, pronounced um-BAY-gog, is said to derive from the Abenaki (Native American) word for “shallow water.” The name is appropriate, as the lake averages a depth of 15 feet, a number significantly deeper than before the construction of a dam at Errol (New Hampshire) in the 1800s. The exception is Deep Hole at the north of the lake, which reaches depths of 75 feet.

    On the national register of historic landmarks, the “Floating Islands” region of Umbagog Lake also lies on its northern shores. The spectacular wetlands encompass an area of 260 acres of northern heath bog and are surrounded by swamp forest, peaceful ponds, and winding rivers.

    Umbagog Lake is surrounded by rushing rivers and wildlife. Along the Rapid River, loggers once risked their lives to transport their product, and steamboats hauled the logs to the neighboring Androscoggin River for further transport. The Swift Diamond and Dead Diamond Rivers meander along the length of a woodlands area referred to as the “Dartmouth College Grant,” forming treacherous paths and rapids at the “Hell’s Gate Gorge.” Along these waters, a carving of unknown origin, named “The Hand on the Rock,” mysteriously presents itself for your meditation and investigation.

    The area’s rivers offer superb opportunities for rafting, sightseeing, and fishing. Rapid River lures serious anglers to its waters with legends of 10-pound salmon and trout fish. The Androscoggin River offers its waters to bass, salmon and trout pickerel fishermen. And no angler should forget to troll the waters of Umbagog Lake, which celebrity bass fisherman Charlie Moore classifies as “a small-mouth bass factory.”

    The Umbagog Lake Region also provides wonderful opportunities for boating, canoeing, kayaking and white-water rafting. Choose a guided tour or rent a boat to explore the area. Certain areas allow motor boats and others do not, so plan your boating outings wisely.

    The region offers more than just pristine waters to boat and fish; it is truly a four-season area. Over 250 miles of snowmobiling trails have earned it the undisputed title as the Snowmobile Capital of the Northeast United States. Snowshoeing, downhill and cross-country skiing are also exciting winter activities for those looking for an adrenaline rush and spectacular scenic views.

    A must-do activity is the Fall Foliage Tour, which awes visitors with its breathtaking vistas of incredible oranges, reds and yellows painting the countryside.

    For nature lovers, Umbagog Lake and its surroundings are a veritable paradise. Birdwatchers will delight in observing some of the largest populations of nesting eagles, osprey and loon. During the Autumn months, visitors and residents cannot miss an opportunity to go moose watching in the mornings and evenings. Any trip around the lake will provide you with numerous nature-watching possibilities as you observe the region’s animals in their natural habitat.

    Things to Do at Umbagog Lake

    These are some activities in the Umbagog Lake, ME/NH area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Canoeing
    • Kayaking
    • Hiking
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Snowmobiling
    • Snowshoeing
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding

    What Kind of Fish Are in Umbagog Lake?

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

    • Bass
    • Pickerel
    • Pike
    • Salmon
    • Trout
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    Find Places to Stay at Umbagog Lake

    If you’re considering a Umbagog 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 Umbagog Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Umbagog 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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    Umbagog Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Dammed

    Water Level Control: Brookfield Renewable Power Inc.

    Surface Area: 7,850 acres

    Shoreline Length: 50 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 1,245 feet

    Average Depth: 15 feet

    Maximum Depth: 75 feet

    Umbagog Lake Map
    Local Weather Forecast

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