Maranacook Lake in Readfield and Winthrop, Maine: Be Mesmerized by the Setting Sun

January 5th, 2012 categories: Belgrade Lakes Region

Mesmerizing sunset at Maranacook Lake

One of Maine’s finest bodies of water is Maranacook Lake, located in the Belgrade Lakes Region of central Maine. Think gracious lakeside living and stunning sunsets when you consider purchasing lakefront property here.

Lakefront Properties For Sale on Maranacook Lake

Maranacook Lake has a surface area of about 1,673 acres and is 118 feet at its deepest point. The lake has two distinct basins–north and south.The North Basin is located almost entirely in the town of Readfield. Its surface area is 595 acres. The highly irregular shoreline and relatively shallow water (no–the max depth isn’t 118 feet in the north basin) favors warm water fish species, including smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, chain pickerel, white perch and yellow perch. A state maintained boat launch is on Route 41 in Readfield.On the North Basin, you’ll find Readfield Beach on Main Street (Route 17). This 8.7-acre recreation area is available to residents for an annual fee. Here, you may enjoy a bouyed swim area, picnic facilities and volleyball court. During the winter months the ice is cleared for skating. Not far away is the 36-acre Readfield Fairgrounds, home of the Readfield Heritage Day events, plus trails for walking, nature-study and cross-country skiing.

The larger and deeper South Basin has a surface area of just over 1,000 acres, and is home to coldwater fish species, especially brown trout. The South Basin’s water quality is slightly above average as monitored by volunteers for the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program.

View Vacation Rentals on Maranacook Lake

The Maranacook Lake Association (MLA) has the mission “to protect and improve the water quality of Maranacook Lake and its watershed for the benefit of all.” One of the association’s concerns is invasive plant species. To this end, a Youth Plant Patrol (YPP) was formed several years ago. Cameron Dufour, an intern from the University of Maine, Fort Kent, who worked with the YPP on Maranacook Lake said, “In conducting the plant surveys, the lakes get a yearly check to make sure that they are still invasive-free. If they do fall victim to an invasive plant, early detection can be vital in limiting the spread. The Youth Plant Patrol provides a critical check and information about the lakes, and allows trained eyes to watch over our lakes.”

It might interest you to note that in the late 1800s Boston socialite, Dr. David Craig, built a three-story hotel on the lake. It is said that folks would travel vial train from Boston to Winthrop, where they’d disembark and then board a ferry to the hotel. They welcomed the fresh, cool air by the lake.

Today, you’ll find two golf courses within ten minutes of your waterfront real estate. And you’ll be only 15 miles from the attractions and shopping in Augusta. LL Bean and Freeport, plus the Maine coast are under an hour away.

Fresh air, great fishing, mesmerizing sunsets, gracious living–you can have it all when you own lakefront real estate on Maranacook Lake.

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