Maine is filled with stunning scenes of natural beauty and some of the loveliest parts of this state are its lakes. Pristine blue waters surrounded by green, lush trees make each one of them a wonderful place to be. We asked our readers at Only In Maine what their favorite lakes are and the results are in! Here are the 10 most beautiful lakes in Maine, according to our readers.
- Aziscohos Lake
Stacey Grondin Photography via Only In Maine Aziscohos Lake is 6,700 acres in size and was formed by a dam that was constructed on the Magalloway River. It’s a gorgeous lake that’s perfect for fishing and it’s filled with salmon and brook trout. It’s just a few miles from the New Hampshire border and reaches a depth of 60 feet. There are boat launches on the lake and it’s a great place to spend a summer day. Aziscohos Lake, Maine 03579, USA
- Parlin Pond
Cheryl Staples via Only In Maine This idyllic little lake is perfect for salmon and trout fishing and camping and is teeming with wildlife. Visitors often see moose along the shore and there are snowmobile and ATV trails nearby. The winds keep the temperature even from top to bottom, and the lake only reached a depth of 32 feet, making it one of the more shallow lakes in Maine. Somerset County, ME, USA
- Washington Pond
Bill Johnston via Only In Maine Washington Pond is a major headwater of the Medomak River and is stocked with brown trout, rainbow smelt, white and yellow perch, American eel, and several more species of fish. It’s a beautiful place where the water is always clean and perfect for swimming. It’s a serene location that makes a perfect getaway from the noise of the city. Washington, ME 04574, USA
- Bonny Eagle Pond
DeAnna L Drew via Only In Maine This tiny, yet beautiful pond in the Cumberland area of Maine only reaches 22 feet in depth and the name varies depending on which side you’re on. One side calls it a lake and the other a pond. It’s been stocked with largemouth bass, chain pickerel, and white perch. This place is especially lovely during the fall when it is surrounded by colorful trees. Bonny Eagle Pond, Maine, USA
- Norway Lake
Susan Chase Houde via Only In Maine Also known as Pennesseewassee Lake, this idyllic lake is a beloved spot for swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, boating, and fishing and is 987 acres in size. It has stunning views and great boat launch areas and is near the charming little town of Norway. The middle of the lake is dotted with tiny islands where some have built houses. Norway, ME 04268, USA
- Beech Hill Pond
Patti Herrick via Only In Maine Beech Hill Pond is a very popular lake and can get busy during the summer months and is great for family outings. There’s a nearby general store with decent food and this lake is known for sport fishing. This is where the largest fish in Maine was caught in 1958, a 31.5-pound lake trout. 04605, Lamoine, ME 04605, USA
- Messalonskee Lake
Brenda Robinson Rodriguez via Only In Maine This glacial lake in the Belgrade Lakes region of Maine is nine miles long and the area is full of wildlife. Loons, snapping turtles, herons, and sometimes bald eagles are seen here. The lake is often called Snow Pond after Phillip Snow who settled here in 1774. Locals come here in the winter for ice fishing and during the summer it’s a popular boating spot. Belgrade Lakes Region, 1375 Augusta Rd, Belgrade, ME 04917, USA
- Scopan Lake
Betty Mcpherson via Only In Maine Originally known as Squa Pan lake by early European settlers, this lake is near Scopan Township and generates hydroelectric power during the winter. It’s a great place for swimming and hiking and it has a lot of salmon and brook trout. This lake is known for its beauty and has an excellent boat launch. Squapan, Ashland, ME 04732, USA
- Great East Lake
Nancy Pierce Boutwell via Only In Maine Great East Lake is on the border of Maine and New Hampshire and is a wonderful recreation area for the whole family. It spans 1,825 acres and 45% of it is on the Maine side and 55% in New Hampshire. There are 21 fish species in this lake making it ideal for fishing and it has some of the cleanest water of any lake in Maine and there are several programs in effect to keep it pristine. Great East Lake, United States
- Attean Pond
Andrew Durgin via Only In Maine Attean Pond is a peaceful lake and is perfect for kayaking and canoeing. It’s one of the loveliest places in Maine and a great place to camp for hiking Sally Mountain. It covers 2,745 acres and has a diversity of habitats along its shores. It is absolutely picturesque with moose often wandering through the area. It has some of the best views in Maine. Somerset County, ME, USA
Have you been to any of these lakes? Let us know your favorite ones in the comments. You can find out about more amazing nature spots at our Maine’ Nature Lovers group on Facebook and share your own favorite nature spots in the state. As a bonus, be sure to check out the clearest lake in Maine!
Stacey Grondin Photography via Only In Maine
Aziscohos Lake is 6,700 acres in size and was formed by a dam that was constructed on the Magalloway River. It’s a gorgeous lake that’s perfect for fishing and it’s filled with salmon and brook trout. It’s just a few miles from the New Hampshire border and reaches a depth of 60 feet. There are boat launches on the lake and it’s a great place to spend a summer day.
Aziscohos Lake, Maine 03579, USA
Cheryl Staples via Only In Maine
This idyllic little lake is perfect for salmon and trout fishing and camping and is teeming with wildlife. Visitors often see moose along the shore and there are snowmobile and ATV trails nearby. The winds keep the temperature even from top to bottom, and the lake only reached a depth of 32 feet, making it one of the more shallow lakes in Maine.
Somerset County, ME, USA
Bill Johnston via Only In Maine
Washington Pond is a major headwater of the Medomak River and is stocked with brown trout, rainbow smelt, white and yellow perch, American eel, and several more species of fish. It’s a beautiful place where the water is always clean and perfect for swimming. It’s a serene location that makes a perfect getaway from the noise of the city.
Washington, ME 04574, USA
DeAnna L Drew via Only In Maine
This tiny, yet beautiful pond in the Cumberland area of Maine only reaches 22 feet in depth and the name varies depending on which side you’re on. One side calls it a lake and the other a pond. It’s been stocked with largemouth bass, chain pickerel, and white perch. This place is especially lovely during the fall when it is surrounded by colorful trees.
Bonny Eagle Pond, Maine, USA
Susan Chase Houde via Only In Maine
Also known as Pennesseewassee Lake, this idyllic lake is a beloved spot for swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, boating, and fishing and is 987 acres in size. It has stunning views and great boat launch areas and is near the charming little town of Norway. The middle of the lake is dotted with tiny islands where some have built houses.
Norway, ME 04268, USA
Patti Herrick via Only In Maine
Beech Hill Pond is a very popular lake and can get busy during the summer months and is great for family outings. There’s a nearby general store with decent food and this lake is known for sport fishing. This is where the largest fish in Maine was caught in 1958, a 31.5-pound lake trout.
04605, Lamoine, ME 04605, USA
Brenda Robinson Rodriguez via Only In Maine
This glacial lake in the Belgrade Lakes region of Maine is nine miles long and the area is full of wildlife. Loons, snapping turtles, herons, and sometimes bald eagles are seen here. The lake is often called Snow Pond after Phillip Snow who settled here in 1774. Locals come here in the winter for ice fishing and during the summer it’s a popular boating spot.
Belgrade Lakes Region, 1375 Augusta Rd, Belgrade, ME 04917, USA
Betty Mcpherson via Only In Maine
Originally known as Squa Pan lake by early European settlers, this lake is near Scopan Township and generates hydroelectric power during the winter. It’s a great place for swimming and hiking and it has a lot of salmon and brook trout. This lake is known for its beauty and has an excellent boat launch.
Squapan, Ashland, ME 04732, USA
Nancy Pierce Boutwell via Only In Maine
Great East Lake is on the border of Maine and New Hampshire and is a wonderful recreation area for the whole family. It spans 1,825 acres and 45% of it is on the Maine side and 55% in New Hampshire. There are 21 fish species in this lake making it ideal for fishing and it has some of the cleanest water of any lake in Maine and there are several programs in effect to keep it pristine.
Great East Lake, United States
Andrew Durgin via Only In Maine
Attean Pond is a peaceful lake and is perfect for kayaking and canoeing. It’s one of the loveliest places in Maine and a great place to camp for hiking Sally Mountain. It covers 2,745 acres and has a diversity of habitats along its shores. It is absolutely picturesque with moose often wandering through the area. It has some of the best views in Maine.
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