Launch Info: • Carry In [Launch Site] • Bathroom: None • Parking: Large space at launch • Coffee: Dunks • Swimming: Yes Lake Info: Survey Map Fish: Small Mouth Bass, Northern Pike, Perch Seasonal Birds: Osprey, Loon
Messalonskee is in Belgrade Maine. The public launch has ample parking and appears to be carry in only due to a gate over the concrete boat ramp. The route from the launch into the river is very shallow and narrow, so that’s likely why there’s a gate. It’s easy to miss the path back to the dock when you’re coming back. Head straight toward the ramp once you reach the last of the channel markers.
This is a large lake with several islands. It would be easy to spend a whole day here, though I imagine on weekends it could get crowded.
On a late August morning I found large aggressive Pike and Small Mouth Bass. The shallows by the launch, and shores on the western side, are heavily covered with milfoil. Places where I would expect to have found Large Mouth Bass, I found nothing but milfoil.
