Sunset over Mousam Lake in southern Maine
Mousam Lake, nestled between the quaint communities of Acton and Shapleigh, is one of southern Maine’s most popular lakes. Located only 85 miles from Boston, Mousam (pronounced Mouse-am) Lake is also only minutes from Kittery, York and Kennebunkport, yet if you own lakefront property here, you’re familiar with the quiet rural lifestyle.

Lakefront Properties For Sale on Mousam Lake

View Vacation Rentals on Mousam Lake

The lake is the perfect setting for family vacations, swimming, boating and fishing. At 863 acres, Mousam Lake is one of the largest lakes in the area. Its lengthy shoreline provides a picture perfect retreat. Camps, cottages and year-round homes are hidden among the trees. Brian Hardy, a seasonal resident says, “Nothing soothes the soul like a Mousam sunset.”

Mousam is one part of a chain of ponds and waterways. Square and Goose Ponds feed into Mousam Lake, which in turn serves as the headwaters for Mousam River. The town of Sanford maintains water levels through the Emory Mills Dam, a.k.a. the Mousam Lake Dam. The lake is divided into two basins by Emory Mills Road where you’ll find a public boat ramp. Upper Mousam is wide and deep with a maximum depth of 82 feet. Lower Mousam is much calmer, perfect for canoeing and fishing.

Mousam is known as an excellent cold and warm water fishery. Twenty-one fish varieties including black crappie, brook trout, brown bullhead, lake trout, landlocked salmon, largemouth bass and yellow perch can be caught here. In fact, in 2010, Pat Coan of Waterboro caught a 9 pound, 2 ounce brook trout, the largest in the state, setting a new record. At the southern end of the lake, along Route 109, is Lakeside Marina and Beatle’s Bait and Tackle, which sell live bait and fishing supplies. Anglers come from all around for the fishing derbies and bass tournaments held on the lake throughout the year.
The Mousam Lake Region Association (MLRA) is led by President Glenn Baxter and is 422 members strong. The MLRA is focused on preserving the quality of the natural habitat and actively provides a sense of community through activities such as Light Up the Lake, a Boat Parade, Fishing Derby, Annual Meeting, Golf Tournament and Kayaking Plant Patrol Gathering.
You may have heard that in 1998, Mousam Lake was placed on the state’s list of impaired waters. It was removed from the list in 2006 thanks to the combined efforts of the MLRA, local communities and state. According to Dan Bustard’s article posted on Keep Me Current, a lake assessment from the U.S. Environmental Protection Administration reads: “In York County, Maine, the Soil and Water Conservation District and the Mousam Lake Regional Association together with residents, townships, state agencies and others embarked on the Mousam Lake Water Quality Improvement Project. With widespread collaboration and a little funding, they were able to clean up an impaired lake.” Today, the water quality is listed as good.
If you are a lakefront property owner or are considering becoming one, keep in mind that members of the Acton Shapleigh Youth Conservation Corps (ASYCC) provide free labor to property owners wanting to implement conservation projects.
Here are news articles from our archives you might enjoy reading:
Education and Persistence Fuel Mousam Lake Rebound
Mousam Lake’s Mightiest Advocate Wins Award for Efforts
Mousam Lake Shows Improving Water Quality