Maine’s Inland Sea
Moosehead Lake covers 75,000 acres and runs 40 miles through Maine’s North Woods. From some shores you can’t see the other side. On windy days the waves get big enough to swamp a canoe. It is the largest lake in Maine and one of the biggest natural freshwater lakes in the eastern United States. It feels less like a lake and more like open water ringed by endless forest.
Greenville sits at the southern tip and serves as the gateway. About 1,500 people live there year-round, so even in peak summer there is far more water and forest than people.
- Size
- About 75,000 acres
- Length
- 40 miles
- Gateway town
- Greenville
- Year-round residents
- About 1,500
Moose collisions are a serious risk. Drive slowly at dawn and dusk on Lily Bay Road and the Golden Road. A moose weighs 1,000+ pounds, stands tall enough to come through the windshield, and is nearly invisible against dark trees. Multiple crashes happen here every year.
Moose Watching
The Moosehead region has one of the densest moose populations in the lower 48. From May through September your odds are strong if you time it right.
Best odds: dawn and dusk, May through September. Check bogs and pond edges along Lily Bay Road. Lazy Tom Bog is a known hot spot.
- Drive Lily Bay Road The road north from Greenville along the eastern shore is the most reliable moose corridor.
- Try the roads around Kokadjo Kokadjo is about 18 miles north of Greenville. The roads around it are productive, especially at dusk.
- Know the Golden Road This private logging road runs west from Millinocket through prime moose habitat, but it is remote and unpaved.
- Or book a guide Northwoods Outfitters and Moosehead Guide Service run land and boat tours from Greenville. A guide knows the current hot spots and gets you to remote bogs at 5 AM. Expect $50-75 per person for a half day.
Fall changes the pattern. The rut runs from late September into early October, and moose leave the ponds and bogs for young forest, so roadside sightings get harder to predict. Permit moose hunting also runs October 12 to 17 across the Moosehead region in 2026.
Mount Kineo
Mount Kineo is the most dramatic sight on the lake: a 700-foot rhyolite cliff rising straight out of the water near the middle of Moosehead. The peninsula was sacred to the Wabanaki people, who came here for centuries to gather flint for tools and weapons. You can only get there by boat.
Trails circle the peninsula. The Indian Trail is the steep way to the summit fire tower, gaining 700 feet in about a mile. The Bridle Trail is longer and gentler. They meet at the top, so you can go up one and down the other. The tower looks over the whole lake, with the Lily Bay range to the east and Katahdin to the northeast on clear days.
- Cliff
- 700 feet of rhyolite
- Indian Trail
- About 1 mile, 700 feet up
- Access
- Boat only
- Summit
- Fire tower
The shuttle to Mount Kineo runs from Rockwood. You can also paddle across from the public boat launch if the wind is calm, but check conditions first. The lake can get rough fast.
The Kineo shuttle
The shuttle runs daily from Memorial Day weekend through Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend. It leaves hourly from July 1 through Labor Day and every two hours the rest of the season. No reservation is needed.
- $15 Shuttle, round trip Kineo Public Dock, Rockwood Children 9 and under ride free.
- $8 Shuttle, one way Kineo Public Dock, Rockwood Paddling instead? The crossing is about a mile. Start early, before afternoon winds build.
- $3 / $4 Mount Kineo State Park Day use, resident / nonresident Charged separately from the shuttle.
Swimming at Moosehead Lake
Moosehead is not a warm swimming lake. The surface reaches the mid-60s in July and peaks around 65-68F in August. After a hike on a hot day it feels great. For a long swim, you need to handle cold water.
- Lily Bay State Park beach: The most developed spot, about 8 miles north of Greenville on Lily Bay Road. Sandy beach, shallow entry, bathrooms and picnic areas. Day use is $6 for nonresident adults.
- Greenville public beach: A small, free town beach near the center of Greenville. Good for a quick dip, but space is tight.
- Rockwood shoreline: Informal access near the boat launch, with a rocky bottom.
- Peak water
- 65-68F in August
- Best beach
- Lily Bay State Park
Water Temperature
The lake is big and deep, so it warms slowly and cools slowly. Shallow coves and the southern end near Greenville warm faster than open water.
May
Low to mid-40sIce-out happens mid-May most years.
June
Low to mid-50sCold for swimming.
July
Upper 50s to mid-60sTolerable on hot days, especially in shallow coves.
August Best swimming
65-68F at peakWarmest water of the year, usually in late August.
September
Low 60s, dropping fastPaddlers should wear a wetsuit by late month.
October
Low 50sThe water season is over.
Fishing Moosehead Lake
Moosehead is one of the top fishing lakes in the state. Deep, cold water holds healthy numbers of brook trout, landlocked salmon, lake trout (togue) and smallmouth bass, and the fish run large by Maine standards.
| Species | Best Season | Method | Where on Lake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landlocked Salmon | May-June, September | Trolling streamers, light tackle | Moose River inlet (Rockwood), open water trolling lanes |
| Brook Trout | May-June (tributaries), September | Fly fishing, small streamers, worms | Roach River, tributary mouths, northeast end |
| Lake Trout (Togue) | Summer (deep water), winter (ice) | Downriggers, lead-core, tip-ups | Deep basins, 60-100 ft zones mid-lake |
| Smallmouth Bass | June-September | Topwater, soft plastics, rocky structure | Islands, rocky shoals, eastern shoreline |
Spring fishing after ice-out, usually mid-May, is excellent. Salmon and brook trout move into the shallows and tributary mouths, especially the Moose River inlet at Rockwood and the Roach River at the northeast end. Summer pushes cold-water fish deep, so anglers troll with lead-core line or downriggers for togue and salmon. Bass fishing picks up in June and stays strong through September around the islands and rocky shoals.
Moosehead follows the North Zone season: open-water fishing runs April 1 through September 30, and the lake is closed to all fishing from October 1 until ice fishing opens January 1 under its special law. Tributaries have their own rules. The Roach River below the First Roach Pond dam, for example, is fly fishing only, and every trout, salmon and togue caught there must be released. Read the current IF&W lawbook entry before you fish. Anyone 16 and older needs a Maine fishing license; buy one online or at shops in Greenville, where the Indian Hill Trading Post on Main Street is the go-to spot.
Several coves and bays, including part of Lily Bay, are closed to ice fishing. The Moosehead Lake ice fishing derby is one of the oldest and largest in Maine.
Moosehead in winter
Moosehead is open to ice fishing from January 1 to April 30, with tight limits on salmon and a larger allowance for small togue. These are the 2026 rules from the IF&W special fishing laws:
- Togue (lake trout) No minimum length and a daily limit of 5. Only one may be longer than 18 inches.
- Landlocked salmon Closed to taking salmon until February 15, then 1 fish at least 18 inches. Release salmon caught January 1 to February 14, and in April, without taking them out of the water.
- Brook trout 1 fish at least 14 inches. Release any between 18 and 22 inches.
- Closed to ice fishing Spencer Bay, part of Lily Bay, the coves at Tomhegan, Moose Brook, Socatean and Williams Brook, and the mouth of the Moose River.
- Snowmobiling Destination Moosehead Lake lists over 160 miles of local trails linked to the statewide system. Conditions are most reliable mid-January to mid-March.
- Winter events The Wilderness Sled Dog Race is February 6, 2027, in Greenville. The Mile Light Ice Run crosses the frozen lake from downtown Greenville on March 13, 2027.
IF&W’s ice safety tips say to stay off ice under 4 inches thick. For traps, augers and shelters, see our ice fishing gear guide.
Where to Stay
Greenville has everything from basic motels to full-service lodges.
- Lodges and inns: The Lodge at Moosehead Lake, Blair Hill Inn and Greenville Inn have higher-end rooms with lake views. Book well ahead for July and August.
- Cabins and rentals: Dozens of lakefront cabins, from basic to upscale. Check vacation rental sites or the Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce listings.
- Camping: Lily Bay State Park has 90+ campsites on the lake, some right on the water. Reserve through campwithme.com. It fills on summer weekends.
- Remote camps: Sporting camps on the northern reaches offer a traditional Maine woods stay, reached by boat or floatplane.
Rockwood, on the western shore near Kineo, has a few lodges and cabins. It is quieter than Greenville and closer to the north end of the lake.
- Book early for
- July and August
- Lily Bay campsites
- 90+
Getting There and Around
- Drive to Greenville About 100 minutes north of Bangor and roughly four hours from Portland. Take I-95 to the Newport/Dexter exit, then Routes 7 and 15 north.
- Expect weak cell service Verizon works in Greenville and here and there on main roads. AT&T is close to nonexistent outside town. Don't rely on your phone on logging roads.
- Get a paper map Pick one up at the Greenville town office, Northwoods Outfitters or the Indian Hill Trading Post.
- Launch or rent a boat Boat launches are in Greenville, Rockwood and Lily Bay State Park. Northwoods Outfitters and other local marinas rent motorboats, pontoons and kayaks.
- Cruise on the SS Katahdin The restored 1914 steamboat runs cruises from Greenville daily from late June through mid-October. The full-lake trip takes most of a day. Check the Moosehead Marine Museum for the schedule.
- See it from the air Seaplane tours leave from Greenville. Currier's Flying Service has flown scenic trips here for decades.
Planning Your Visit
Spring
Ice-out mid-May. Prime salmon and trout fishing. Mud season on dirt roads. Blackflies peak late May through mid-June.
Summer
Warm days, long light. Swimming, paddling, hiking Kineo, moose watching. Peak season with most services open.
Fall
Typical peak color around Greenville is the second week of October, with Kineo and Rockwood starting in late September. Fewer visitors. Lake fishing closes September 30, and hunting seasons are open, so wear blaze orange on trails.
Winter
Ice fishing, snowmobiling on major trail systems. Greenville is a snowmobile hub. Limited lodging and dining options.
Moosehead Lake Trip Packing List
- Layers (temps drop fast after sunset)
- Rain gear (afternoon storms are common)
- Bug spray (blackflies June, mosquitoes July)
- Binoculars for moose watching
- Camera with zoom lens
- Maine fishing license
- Paper map of the region
- Water filter if heading backcountry
For repellent picks, see our best tick and bug protection for Maine guide. Two side trips pair well with a Moosehead visit:
- Gulf Hagas 8 mi · Moderate · Greenville A side trip worth considering if you're headed to the backcountry north of the lake.
- Elephant Mountain B-52 Crash Site 0.4 mi · Easy · Bowdoin College Grant West Township A short walk to a sobering piece of local history, east of Greenville.
FAQ
How warm does Moosehead Lake get?
Surface water peaks around 65-68F in late August. June is low to mid-50s and July reaches the mid-60s. Moosehead warms slowly due to its size and depth. Shallow coves near Greenville are a few degrees warmer than open water.
Can I swim in Moosehead Lake?
Yes. Lily Bay State Park has the best beach with sandy bottom and gradual entry (day use $4 Maine resident, $6 nonresident). Greenville has a small free public beach. The water is cold compared to southern Maine lakes but comfortable enough on hot August days.
How do I get to Mount Kineo?
Take the shuttle boat from the Kineo Public Dock in Rockwood, which runs daily from Memorial Day weekend through Indigenous Peoples' Day weekend. It costs $15 round trip or $8 one way, and no reservation is needed. You can also paddle from the Rockwood town landing (about 1 mile), but check wind conditions first. The lake builds waves quickly.
Where can I see moose?
Drive Lily Bay Road north from Greenville at dawn or dusk, May through September. Lazy Tom Bog near Kokadjo is a known hot spot. Several Greenville outfitters run guided moose tours by land and boat for $50-75 per person.
Is there cell service at Moosehead Lake?
Verizon works in Greenville and along some main roads. AT&T has almost no coverage outside of town. On the lake and logging roads, expect no service. Bring a paper map and tell someone your plans if heading into the backcountry.
How big is Moosehead Lake?
Moosehead is the largest lake in Maine at about 75,000 acres and 40 miles long, and one of the biggest natural freshwater lakes in the eastern United States. From many shorelines you cannot see the far side, and it behaves more like open water than a typical lake.
What town is on Moosehead Lake?
Greenville sits at the southern tip and is the main gateway, a year-round town of about 1,500 people with lodging, outfitters, and floatplane operators. Rockwood, on the western shore, is the jumping-off point for Mount Kineo.
How far is Moosehead Lake from Portland?
About 3.5 to 4 hours by car (roughly 230 minutes) to Greenville, and about 1 hour 40 minutes from Bangor. The final stretch runs through the North Woods, so fuel up before you go and watch for moose at dawn and dusk.
What is there to do at Moosehead Lake?
Moose watching, hiking the cliffs of Mount Kineo, boating and world-class fishing for landlocked salmon and togue, scenic floatplane flights from Greenville, and camping at Lily Bay State Park. In winter the area shifts to snowmobiling and ice fishing.
