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Messalonskee Lake is a body of water in the Belgrade Lakes region of Maine. It is bordered by the towns of Oakland, Sidney, and Belgrade. The lake is a 9 mile long, narrow, natural creation, resulting from continental collision and glacial scouring. A dam originally built in the town of Oakland in 1905 increased the lake’s size.
In the first part of the 20th century, Messalonskee Stream provided waterpower for Oakland’s Cascade Woolen Mill, as well as for a number of factories responsible for Oakland’s long-defunct title as “axehead capital of the world.”
Messalonskee Lake is home to a great variety of wildlife, including great blue herons, bass, yellow perch, white perch, sunfish, painted and snapping turtles, loons, and occasionally Bald Eagles can be seen soaring above the lake. The surrounding community has recently formed the Messalonskee Lake Association in the interest of its protection and preservation.
Like some Maine lakes, Messalonskee Lake has seen infestations of Milfoil.
The lake is also more commonly called “Snow Pond”, a reference to Philip Snow who settled in the area in 1774.
Many summer camps and related tourist accommodations are located on Messalonskee Lake, among them the New England Music Camp, which was founded in 1937.
- Surface area (mi)
- 8.82
- Max depth (ft)
- 111.55
- Elevation (ft)
- 232.94
- Shoreline length (mi)
- 29.83
Ideal for
- Family friendly:
- Pet friendly:
- Romantic getaways:
Popular activities
- Boating
- Kayaking
- Fishing
- Hiking
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Marinas on Messalonskee Lake
Nearby lakes
Where to stay
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to dive into what Messalonskee Lake has to offer? Let’s tackle some of the burning questions you might have as you plan your visit!
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Yes, it is generally safe to swim in Messalonskee Lake. The lake had good water clarity in 2024, with Secchi Disk Transparency averaging 17 feet, which is in line with the ten-year average. However, efforts are ongoing to address watershed sources of phosphorus to maintain water quality.
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Messalonskee Lake is a popular destination because of its excellent fishing, swimming, and boating opportunities. The lake is home to various fish species, including largemouth and smallmouth bass, trout, and northern pike. It also hosts events like the Maine Pond Hockey Classic and offers hiking and bird watching in the surrounding areas.
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For Messalonskee Lake in Maine, the daily bag limit is one landlocked salmon and one brook trout. General law length and bag limits apply, except for these specific daily limits. From August 16 to September 30, fishing is open using artificial lures or flies only.
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There is no beach with a boat launch on Messalonskee Lake. The lake has several boat ramps, including hard ramps in Sidney and Oakland, and a carry-in ramp in Belgrade, but none of these are associated with a beach. These ramps provide access for boating and water activities.
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Messalonskee Lake is near the towns of Oakland, Sidney, and Belgrade. These towns border the lake’s nine-mile-long lakeshore. Oakland is also close to other nearby cities like Waterville and Augusta.
