Sunset on pristine Stearns Pond
Stearns Pond in Sweden, Maine, is deep, beautiful and pristine. The village of Sweden is tucked into the rolling hills between Lovell, Bridgton and Waterford. It’s only a short distance from any where, but feels like another world. Located 3 1/2 hours from Boston, Stearns Pond is 1 1/2 hours northwest of Portland. With a surface area of 248 acres, it has a maximum depth of 48 feet and a mean depth of 27 feet.

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The Lakes Environmental Association monitors the water quality of Stearns Pond on a biweekly basis throughout the summer season. The water quality is average.Duck Pond Brook, Powers Brook and Black Pond all drain into Stearns, which in turn drains into Bridgton’s Highland Lake. The pond was originally dammed to hold water in order to send logs through the Stearns Canal into Highland Lake and on to the mills in Bridgton.
Fisherman delight in this small pond that offers coldwater and warmwater fisheries. About 250 12-inch brown trout are stocked by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife each fall. An abundant rainbow smelt population, smallmouth and largemouth bass, white perch and chain pickerel are among the fine catches here. A town-owned boat launch for canoes and small boats is located on Wint Road, off of North Bridgton Road.
Camp Encore/Coda, a residential music camp for boys and girls, is located among the pines on the eastern shore of Stearns Pond. Since 1950 the Saltman family has owned and operated this 80-acre camp. It’s known for its diverse types of music including jazz and rock. Campers participate in chamber music, orchestra, private lessons and vocal groups, while also enjoying waterfront sports and all the other typical camp activities. Sometimes while you are on the pond you’ll be treated to the sweet sound of live music wafting through the air.
Just a few miles away near the center of Sweden is Keyes Pond. Keyes rhymes with “eyes.” The pond covers a surface area of 191 acres and has a maximum depth of 42 feet with a mean depth of 17 feet. The Lakes Environmental Association also tests water samples from Keyes and has determined that the water quality is above average.
Keyes Pond was named for Solomon Keyes, who was part of Colonel Lovewell’s infamous 1725 expedition in the area. According to local lore, Solomon swam across the pond to escape harm during a violent encounter with the native people of the region.
A public boat launch is over a private roadway off Perry Hill Road. Access is for carry-in boats only.
Set on 200 acres overlooking Keyes is Camp Tapawingo, a residential girls camp founded in 1919. The camp has the only power boat on the lake. The camp is owned and directed by Jane Lichtman.
The woodland setting of both of these small ponds is perfect for quiet vacations or year-round living. Classic back-to-basic cottages and cabins are nestled among the pines in these off the beaten path locations. If you are looking to slow down and enjoy life the way it’s meant to be, take a look at lakefront property in Sweden.
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