Local Tips To Explore Sebago Lake
Sebago Lake is Maine’s second largest lake, and easily one of the most popular sites for outdoor recreation in the region. Just under an hour's drive northwest of Portland, the lake is bordered by the Southern Maine towns of Casco, Naples, Raymond, Sebago, Standish, and Windham. You could easily spend a full day or more checking out the diverse cultures and amusements that make up the area surrounding Sebago Lake.
The primary water source for the City of Portland, Sebago Lake has been deemed by the Portland Water District to be one of the purest lakes in the State of Maine, and therefore exempt from extensive filtration requirements. The crystal-clear waters and the depths of the lake make for notable fishing opportunities.
Fishing On Sebago Lake
Sebago Lake is a prime source for lake trout, and the home of the land-locked salmon . The numerous inlets, coves, rock piles, and tributaries create plentiful trolling spots rich with game fish like crappie, bass, and perch as well. Local anglers recommend using live baits and long leaders (25 feet or more) for the most successful trolling missions. Early spring is the best time for trolling shallow waters along the lakeside shores, but fishing opportunities abound year-round on the lake.
Boating On Sebago Lake
There are charters and tour services to guide you through fishing excursions on Sebago Lake and beyond, but boat rentals are available to put you in the captain's seat if you prefer. You can keep your expedition a bit more intimate by renting a kayak for your journey.
On the northern end of Sebago Lake, Casco is at the center of Maine's Lakes Region. Home to eight lakes and ponds branching off the Sebago Lake network, Casco provides a nexus for additional exploration, including Songo River, Long Lake, and Brandy Pond. The Casco network is known to draw boaters and adventure enthusiasts for water-skiing, jet-skiing, and other exhilarating water sports. From the southern end of Sebago Lake, make it an extended adventure with a 28-mile scenic trip north to Long Lake, passing through the historic Songo Lock.
Frye Island is a seasonally occupied island town in Sebago Lake. Two ferries provide scheduled transportation to and from the island from Raymond, Maine. Frye Island is vacant from November through April, and the ferry does not operate during that time, but during the rest of the year, the island is a popular retreat featuring a nine-hole public golf course and Frye's Leap General Store & Cafe.
Sebago Lake State Park
Photo Credit: damian entwistle via Flickr CC2.0
Situated near the foothills of the White Mountains, Sebago Lake State Park is home to sandy beaches, woodlands, bogs, and diverse habitats hosting a variety of native plants and animals. Sebago Lake State Park opened in 1938. One of the original five state parks in Maine, it offers 1,400 acres of heavily forested lakeside recreation on the shores of Sebago Lake.
The state park is open year-round, with public facilities including two boat launches, a campground, and a network of hiking trails traversing the forest along the shores of Sebago Lake and the Songo River. The trails are relatively flat, and accessible by hikers, leashed pets, and mountain bikers. In the winter, they are primed for cross-country skiing.
- The Songo River Trail follows 1.5 miles of meandering shoreline along the Songo River.
- The Woodlands Trail travels 3 miles through hardwood forest.
Points Of Interest
If you're looking for fun around Sebago Lake that includes a little time on-shore, there are notable spots that could offer a little diversion as you make your way around the lake. Aside from an array of shops and eateries in the villages surrounding the lake, consider these favorite attractions to complete the perfect trip:
- Seacoast Adventure in Windham is open from April through October. Family-friendly adventure park featuring go-karts, aerial ropes course with zip lines, and water park. Seacoast Snow Park offers snow tubing on weekends and holidays in the winter.
- Steamboat Landing Mini-Golf is Naples only mini-golf course, nestled in a shaded, woodland setting. The challenging course is themed around New England history.
- The Songo River Queen II is a replica of the Mississippi River Paddle Wheelers offering scenic tours across Long Lake and the Causeway.