Land and water facts regarding this Gem of the Maine Northwoods.
*Moosehead Lake is the second largest lake in the US (east of the Mississippi) that is completely within the bounds of a state (the largest is Lake Okeechobee in FL).
*The lake encompasses nearly 75,000 acres; maximum depth is 246 feet.
*There are over 232 miles of lakefront including the shoreline of the larger islands; over 40% is owned by the State of Maine and protected from development.
*Moosehead Lake is the headwaters to the fabled Kennebec River.
* The scenic beauty of the area is attributed to its geological land forms. Several mountains in excess of 3000 feet can be found in the immediate vicinity of the lake; Big Moose Mountain, Lily Bay Mountain, Big Spencer Mountain, Little Spencer Mountain and Baker Mountain. There are even more that are in excess of 2000 feet making for a contrast of breathtaking lake and mountain vistas.
*Mt. Kineo, rising abruptly nearly 700 feet from the water’s edge, has perhaps the country’s largest outcropping of flint which was mined by Native Americans for arrowheads.
*Moosehead Lake is considered a world class coldwater fishery supporting landlock salmon, brook trout and lake trout (togue).
*A monster lake trout was recently caught this past winter that tipped the scales at over 29 lbs; though not quite a state record.
*There are four communities on the south and west portions of the lake; Greenville, Greenville Junction, Beaver Cove and Rockwood. The remainder of the land around the lake is the sparsely developed Unorganized Territory.
*The region has been a popular destination by recreationalists for nearly 150 years.
*Steamships regularly plied Moosehead’s waters since the mid 1830’s; only one remains operational (it has now since been converted to diesel power)—The Katahdin. It is used for sight-seeing tours.
*There are three seaplane bases on the lake. An annual seaplane fly-in is held in Greenville every September.