Damariscotta Lake

HomeDamariscotta Lake

Damariscotta Lake

THINGS TO SEE
PLACES TO EAT
PLACES TO STAY
WHERE TO DOCK

This beautiful lake on Maine’s Mid-Coast doesn’t see much boating traffic, but that’s just fine by those who know it as a prime freshwater destination. Text by Ken Textor; Photos by Tom Richardson

“It seems impossible a lake this empty could be so close to Route One,” my brother-in-law Rob said as we idled away from the state launch ramp on the western shore of Damariscotta Lake. “Where is everyone?” he wondered.

The public launch ramp on the western shore of the lake offers ample free parking.

Located a stone’s throw from a portion of the Maine coast where recreational boats seem to be everywhere, all the time, Damariscotta Lake is indeed a freshwater alternative that few seem to have noticed. In the 25 years I’ve been enjoying it, the explanation for this oversight might be the “back roads” route to the ramp.

Still, getting off busy U.S. Rte. 1 at the Damariscotta/Newcastle exit shouldn’t be all that confusing. Although the “Twin Towns” do offer temptations all by themselves, they don’t make finding the ramp difficult. In fact, for the lake-bound mariner, the sign for Rte. 215 and the lake is pretty obvious at the end of the exit ramp.

And for trailer-boaters like me and Rob, the winding roads of 215, then State Rte. 213, were just a bucolic salve for the eyes. Mostly farms and a few vacation homes marked the way to the paved ramp on the lake’s southwest “bay.” I’d say if you can’t navigate to the ramp, you probably shouldn’t be taking the helm of a boat anyway.

The lake itself is 4,600 acres of pristine water with a normal visibility 10 feet or better. The major hazards are marked by seasonal buoys, and depths range to more than 100 feet in some spots. Popular among fishermen, the lake contains landlocked salmon, brown trout, smallmouth bass, and white perch. It’s perhaps best known for the run of alewives, an anadromous herring, which show up each spring at the base of the dam that created the lake from a former estuary. The young-of-the-year herring provide a rich food source for the aforementioned game fish.

Although details are murky, at least part of what is now Damariscotta Lake (the South Bay) was connected to the Damariscotta River estuary, which leads to open water between East Boothbay and South Bristol. The early colonists built a dam at Damariscotta Mills, which you pass on the way to the ramp. The rest is history.

But history was not the concern of Rob and his two young daughters on the day we visited. Once we launched our 16-foot Corson runabout, we went for an exploratory tour. The 13-mile-long lake is broken up into three basins, or bays: one in the southwest, one to the southeast and one (the biggest) to the north. All are connected by a constriction known as The Narrows, which is also where the most boating activity can be found.

On our most recent trip, we headed for the north basin, where fishing boats often hang around the deep hole (114 feet) to the east, but there is also lots of open water for water-skiing and related activities. The girls spent much of the afternoon hanging onto an old truck innertube, which we dragged behind the Corson while they were whooping and hollering far from any lakeside homes.

Indeed, the lake is well loved and protected by its riparian inhabitants who, in 1966, formed the Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association (www.dlwa.org). As a result, loons, bald eagles, great blue heron, and other wildlife are easy to spot as you tour a lake that can only be termed “crowded” on the hottest midsummer weekend of the year. Most weekdays, it seems pretty much forgotten.

Boaters and paddlers in the North Basin can also sneak into Davis Stream, a beautiful waterway flanked by water lilies and tall marsh grass. The stream winds below the Rte. 32 bridge and past the Jefferson General Store, where you can dock up for lunch or an ice cream. This is also a good place to launch a kayak or canoe, but check with the store staff about parking availability. Kayakers may also be able to launch along the small sandy beach at the base of the bridge (southern side), and park along the street.

Also in the North Basin, just east of Davis Stream, is 17-acre Damariscotta Lake State Park. The park features picnic grounds with grills, a sandy swimming beach, and a large playground. There is no launch ramp in the park, however.

Note that there are no marinas or fuel docks on the lake, so make sure you are self-sufficient (older maps of the area show a marina in the extreme northwest corner of the lake, but this is now a private launch area and home to the Watershed Association).

So, whether you find Damariscotta Lake by design or stumble upon it by good fortune, the first day on its waters will convince you that your luck is just beginning to turn to the good. I know my brother-in-law and his kids were convinced of that.

Damariscotta Lake is very well marked by seasonal buoys. Moreover, the clarity of the water generally keeps folks from drifting or sailing into foul ground. At reasonable speeds, you can see problems before they develop. A no-wake zone exists in The Narrows, where the three embayments meet.

Launch Ramp

A concrete-slab state ramp with ample parking can be found on the southwest side of the lake, off Rte. 213. No fee.

Where to Eat

There are lots of eateries in the Damariscotta area. Some top local picks include:

Narrows Tavern (207-832-2210): Good food, convivial company and cold draft beer in nearby Waldoboro. Seafood a specialty, such as sauteed scallops and broiled haddock. Also, steaks, pasta and dangerous desserts. Very reasonable prices. Open year-round.
Damariscotta River Grille (207-563-2992) offers local/organic foods in creative and very tasty combinations. Mussels in garlic sauce is to die for. Reasonable prices. Open year-round.
The Slipway (207-354-4155). Waterfront restaurant in nearby Thomaston. Serves Caribbean-style dishes with indoor and outdoor tables. Seafood a specialty. Right on the St. George River.

Watch

Lorem Vimeo

Ipsum Youtube

Lorem Vimeo

Ipsum Youtube

Lorem Vimeo

BEWITCHED BY SALEM

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

BEWITCHED BY SALEM

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

At a Glance

Launch Ramps
Where to Stay
Rentals
Harbor Master and Harbor Info
Getting There
Things to Do