A Maine Lakefront Buyer’s Twofer – Crescent Lake and Panther Pond in Raymond and Casco, Maine

Out and About in the Belgrade Lakes Region of Maine for September 17 to 23
September 16, 2009
Brandy Pond in Naples, Maine: Home to Naples Golf and Country Club
September 21, 2009

A Maine Lakefront Buyer’s Twofer – Crescent Lake and Panther Pond in Raymond and Casco, Maine


On the shores of Crescent Lake, Casco
Only twenty-two miles northwest of Portland and 2 1/2 hours from Boston, you’ll find a two-for-one special for lakefront property buyers in the Sebago Lakes Region. Panther Pond in Raymond and Crescent Lake in Raymond and Casco are connected by the meandering and navigable Tenney River.
To access Panther Pond, you’ll need to launch your boat at Crescent Lake on Route 85.  Follow the Tenney River to the Panther Pond. The many twists and turns make this a scenic access point to the pond. The Tenney is shallow, slow moving and full of fish, especially bass.  
Panther Pond was named for the wild animals which supposedly roamed its banks when Nathaniel Hawthorne was a young boy and lived nearby. The pond covers 1,439 acres and has a mean depth of 26 feet with a maximum depth of 68 feet.
From here you’ll see the profile of Rattlesnake Mountain rising above the northern end. Dolly’s Island is private and located just south of Betty’s Neck, which juts out into the pond. Classic Maine cottages and summer camps dot the shoreline. As you boat, keep your eye out for eagles, osprey, kingfishers, loons and Canada geese.
And if you like to fish, you’ll want to note these two things: the pond is stocked annually with landlocked salmon and  according to a news story on WGME13, Mark Patoine of Raymond had the pleasure of reeling in the catch of the day on September 7, 2009, when he caught a 38-inch, 25 pound Northern Pike on Panther Pond. (Editor’s note: I’ve been informed that this particular fish was taken below the dam at the outlet of Panther Pond, in Panther Run, so this was certainly a Sebago Lake fish, not a Panther Pond one.)
Return on Tenney River to Crescent Lake, which is 4 miles long and 2/3 of a mile wide at its widest point. Fishermen say Crescent Lake consistently produces some of the best bass fishing in southern Maine. The most frequent catches include largemouth and smallmouth bass, landlocked salmon, white perch and cusk.
Both Panther Pond and Crescent Lake have Watershed Associations, who work to ensure that the water quality is maintained. The newly formed Crescent Lake Watershed Association is a grassroots group.
According to Ben Bragdon the group “aims to protect Crescent from threats like erosion and invasive species, hopes to bring other homeowners into the fold, [and] raise money and awareness of the programs that can keep the lake clear.”
So . . . what are you waiting for? September is the perfect time of year to enjoy the tranquil lakefront settings these two bodies of water provide. Consider Panther Pond and Crescent Lake as a peaceful, relaxing places to vacation or call home.
If oyu’d like to check out the current lakefront properties for sale on Crescent Lake and Panther Pond just click on the box below:

Search for lakefront properties on Crescent Lake and Panther Pond

Stay Informed

Get the latest lake news delivered direct from Maine’s lake expert, Tom Ferent