Relax and Recharge on Lake Wesserunsett in the Belgrade Lakes Region town of Madison

Historic Lakewood Theater on Lake Wesserunsett is Jewel of the Belgrade Lakes Region
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June 23, 2010

Relax and Recharge on Lake Wesserunsett in the Belgrade Lakes Region town of Madison


The serene waters of Lake Wesserunsett in Madison, Maine
Lake Wesserunsett in Madison, Maine, is fringed with birch and pine trees. Four outlets and a couple of marshy areas enhance this relatively flat, shallow basin. The lake covers 1,446 acres and has a maximum depth of 22 feet with a mean depth of 12 feet.
Anglers will discover that the coves, ledges, brush, stream outlets, docks and rocky shoreline offer perfect fish cover. Brown trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, white perch and chain pickerel are the key fisheries. Lake Wesserunsett is open for summer and winter fishing seasons. A public boat launch is located near the outlet of Mill Stream in East Madison.
Since 1648 the lake has seen a variety of spellings for its name and the name has been changed several times. In the 1600s the area was frequented by the Kennebec Indian tribe, who set up a camping ground where present day Lakewood Theater sits. A 1648 deed spells the lake name as Wesserunskiek. It’s also spelled Usserunskcut, Wesserunscut, Arressewinsuck and Wesseronsaeg on other documents. At one time it was called Madison Pond and in the 1800s-early 1900s, it was named Hayden Pond for the Jebediah Hayden family who settled here. The present spelling was officially adopted and recognized by the State Legislature in 1912.
Eric Lahti is president of the Lake Wesserunsett Association, which oversees water quality tests, conducts invasive plant surveys and plans social events including boat parades and kayak regattas. Will Reid volunteers with the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program and has been testing Lake Wesserunsett since 1982. The water quality of this glacially formed lake is considered average.
Kids of all ages enjoy paddling about in murky channels of the edge marshes to observe green frogs and painted turtles. The rich habitat also supports red-winged blackbirds, warblers, swallows, loons, ducks, osprey, great blue heron and bald eagles plus other wildlife.
There’s plenty to do on or beside the lake with fishing, waterskiing, boating and swimming. The Lakewood Golf Course is located along the shoreline. Nearby, winter ski enthusiasts will discover Eaton Mountain Ski Area. Sugarloaf USA is only an hour away.
The area also offers a rich cultural history. The historic summer stock theater, Lakewood Theater, is located here. People used to get off the trolley from Skowhegan to Wesserunsett and walk to the theater to enjoy a show. Today, they don’t ride the trolley, but they still enjoy shows. And during the theater’s glory days, 9-hole Lakewood Golf Course was frequented by celebrities who came as summer stock for the theater. Now it is a par 72, 18-hole course.
Let Lake Wesserunsett be the location for your lakefront property. Fish from your dock or relax on your porch. Kayak at sunrise or spend the evening listening to the loons call to each other  over the moonlit lake. Think theater, golf, fresh air and splendid scenery on the lakefront with no city traffic or sounds. If you are looking for a place to relax and recharge your life, look no further than Lake Wesserunsett.

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