Boating & Sailing in the Rangeley Lakes Region

Floating Dock at Upper Dam on Mooselookmeguntic Lake.

If watercraft with a motor is your style, there is plenty of water for your enjoyment. The larger lakes in the Rangeley chain (Rangeley, Cupsuptic, Mooselookmeguntic, the Richardsons, Kennebago and Umbagog), and nearby Flagstaff Lake, Maine’s fourth largest lake, provide visitors with numerous boating opportunities. Some of the larger ponds in the area are also appropriate for small power boats, however please check the local laws first as some ponds and smaller lakes do not allow motors!

Local marinas rent fishing, pontoon, sailboat, and waterski boats as well as personal watercraft. Many in-town shops carry depth charts of the local waters for fishing and touring information and businesses renting boats and watercraft will have copies of the boating rules and regulations which must be obeyed at all times!

Most of the region’s lakes and ponds have public access. Rangeley Lake can be accessed via ramps at Rangeley Lake State Park off South Shore Drive, Lakeside Park off Main Street in Rangeley, and Route 4 in the village of Oquossoc. These ramps can accomodate boats and watercraft of all sizes. Mooselookmeguntic is typically accessed via the ramp at Haines Landing, located at the end of Route 4. It can also be accessed off of Route 16 west toward New Hampshire. This ramp is located approximately 6 miles from the intersection of Route 4 & 16 in Oquossoc. A large state ramp is also located off of Upper Dam Road on the western shore of Mooselookmeguntic Lake. Upper Richardson Lake, well known for its’ popular fishing areas Upper and Middledam, can be accessed further out on Route 16. Look for the sign which says Mill Brook Landing. A ramp is also located at South Arm Campground on Lower Richardson Lake. The ramp at Black Brook Cove Campground, located west on Route 16, provides the major access to Aziscohos Lake. Please be sure to take a depth map with you as this lake is very shallow and cause problems for larger boats. Flagstaff Lake, located in the Stratton-Eustis area, can be accessed at the Cathedral Pines Campground off Route 16 towards Eustis.This lake but can be extremely dangerous at times due to its size and obstructions in the water. Make sure to talk with the locals for updated reports before venturing out.

Weather should never be ignored when boating on the region’s waters. High winds and waves of 5 to 6 feet are not uncommon during sudden storms. Always make sure that you inform others of your boating plans. Go slow in unfamiliar water, as some of these lakes are not well marked regarding rocks and obstructions. Registered Maine Guides can be of great help to visitors as some offer both scheduled and private boat tours of the larger lakes in the region. These tours, given in pontoon boats, and smaller power boats, can last anywhere from one hour to half a day.

More Information – Related Articles and Websites:

Maine’s Rangeley Lakes Region & Franklin County Directory Listings: