West Grand Lake, Maine
West Grand Lake is a beautiful and large lake in the Downeast region of Maine. It is famous for its landlocked salmon fishing, as it is one of the four original habitats of this fish in Maine. The lake also has lake trout, lake whitefish, smallmouth bass and other fish species. The lake is mostly surrounded by wilderness and has few camps and lodges on its shore. The lake drains into the Grand Lake Stream, which is also a great place for fishing and where the Grand Laker Canoe was invented.
West Grand Lake Characteristics and Statistics
| Lake Characteristic | Statistic | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Surface area | 14,467 | acres |
| Shoreline length | 49 | miles |
| Maximum depth | 128 | feet |
| Average depth | 37 | feet |
| Volume | 555,978 | acre-feet |
| Elevation | 301 | feet |
| Fishery Type | Coldwater + Warmwater | – |
Fish Species
West Grand Lake has a diverse and abundant fish community that attracts anglers of all skill levels and preferences. The lake is famous for its landlocked salmon fishing, as it is one of the four original habitats of this fish in Maine. Landlocked salmon are anadromous fish that adapted to freshwater conditions after being cut off from the sea by glaciers. They can grow up to 9 lb 8 oz in West Grand Lake, and are usually caught by trolling or fly fishing.
The lake also has a healthy population of lake trout, also known as togue. These are coldwater fish that prefer deep and oxygen-rich waters. They can reach up to 17 lb 8 oz in West Grand Lake, and are often targeted by ice fishing or jigging.
Another coldwater fish that thrives in West Grand Lake is the lake whitefish. These are silvery fish that feed on bottom-dwelling organisms. They can weigh up to 5 lb 4 oz in West Grand Lake, and are mostly caught by ice fishing or using worms as bait.
The lake also has a good smallmouth bass fishery, especially in the summer months. These are warmwater fish that like rocky and weedy habitats. They can grow up to 7 lb 14 oz in West Grand Lake, and are usually caught by casting or spinning with artificial lures or live bait.
Other fish species that can be found in West Grand Lake include pumpkinseed sunfish, white perch, yellow perch, chain pickerel and eels. These are mostly panfish that can provide fun and easy fishing for beginners and children. They can be caught by using worms, minnows or small lures as bait.
West Grand Lake offers a variety of fishing opportunities for anglers of all tastes and seasons.Â
| Fish name | Average fish weight | Record fish weight |
|---|---|---|
| Landlocked salmon | 1 lb 8 oz | 9 lb 8 oz |
| Lake trout (togue) | 3-3.5 lbs | 17 lbs 8 oz |
| Lake whitefish | 1 lb 4 oz | 5 lbs 4 oz |
| Smallmouth bass | N/A | 7 lbs 14 oz |
Lodging Around West Grand Lake
If you are looking for a place to stay near West Grand Lake, you have several options to choose from. You can find cozy and rustic cabins, comfortable and spacious lodges, or charming and picturesque bunkhouses. All of them offer scenic views of the lake and the surrounding forest, as well as easy access to fishing, boating, hiking, and wildlife watching. Here are some of the lodging options around West Grand Lake:
| Lodging name | Location | Distance from lake | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Lake Lodge | Grand Lake Stream | On the shore | Grand Lake Lodge Maine |
| Leen’s Lodge | Grand Lake Stream | On the shore | Leen’s Lodge |
| Canal Side Cabins | Grand Lake Stream | On the shore | Canal Side Cabins |
| Wild Fox Cabins | Princeton | 3 miles | Wild Fox Cabins |
| Lakeside Bunkhouse | Burlington | 10 miles | Lakeside Bunkhouse |
You can find more information about these lodging options on their websites or by contacting them directly.
Lake History
West Grand Lake has a long and rich history of fishing and recreation. The lake was first explored by Europeans in the late 1700s, and was used as a transportation route by loggers and fur traders. The lake was also a source of food and income for the Passamaquoddy tribe, who fished for salmon and eels in the lake and stream.
The lake became a popular destination for anglers in the late 1800s, especially after landlocked salmon from Sebago Lake were introduced in 1868. The lake also attracted wealthy sportsmen who built camps and lodges along the shore. Some of these historic buildings still exist today, such as the Grand Lake Lodge, which was built in 1904 and is still operating as a fishing resort.
The lake also inspired local craftsmen to create a unique type of canoe, known as the Grand Laker Canoe. These canoes are long, square-sterned, wooden boats that are designed for fishing and navigating the lake and stream. They are still handcrafted by local builders and used by guides and anglers today.
The lake is now part of the Downeast Lakes Community Forest, a conservation project that protects over 55,000 acres of land around the lake. The forest provides habitat for wildlife, recreational opportunities for visitors, and economic benefits for the community.
SOURCES
Visit Maine | Maine | USGS
