A Clear Pond in the Sebago Chain
Panther Pond sits in Raymond, about 40 minutes northwest of Portland, and covers roughly 1,400 acres of clear water in the heart of the Sebago Lakes Region. Despite the name, it fishes and paddles like a small lake. The water runs deep and clean, the shoreline mixes camps with wooded stretches, and the pond connects through the Tenny River to Crescent Lake to the northeast and, by way of the Jordan River and other channels, into the larger Sebago waterway to the south.
That position in the chain is what makes Panther Pond worth the trip. You can launch here and paddle the Tenny River into Crescent Lake, fish the same cold, clear water that supplies the salmon fishery, and still get back to a Portland dinner reservation. We like it as a quieter alternative to Sebago itself, which fills its launches and beaches on every hot weekend.
Paddling and the Tenny River
The Tenny River is the highlight for paddlers. This short, slow stretch of water links Panther Pond to Crescent Lake, and it makes for an easy out-and-back or a longer loop if you want to explore both bodies of water in a day. The current is gentle, the banks are wooded, and you will often see herons, kingfishers, and turtles along the way. A canoe or kayak handles it comfortably, and the protected channel is a good choice on days when wind chops up the open pond.
On the pond itself, the early morning is the best paddling window. The water lies flat before powerboats start running, loons call across the surface, and the coves along the shore hold quiet water and good wildlife viewing. We head out by 7 AM in summer to get the calm before the day warms up.
Paddle the Tenny River into Crescent Lake in the early morning. The channel is sheltered from wind, the wildlife is most active, and you reach the open water of Crescent Lake before the day’s boat traffic builds. Allow a couple of hours for the round trip at an easy pace.
Swimming
Panther Pond is clean and warms nicely by mid-summer, which makes it a good swimming spot. Surface water reaches the upper 60s to low 70s through July and August, comfortable for a long swim off a dock or a boat. There is no large public beach on the pond, so most swimming happens off private camps, rented cottages, or from a kayak or boat anchored in a quiet cove.
If you are renting a lakeside place in Raymond for a week, the pond’s clear water and gradual coves make it an easy spot for kids. The water clarity here is excellent, a trait shared across the Sebago-region waters, so you can see the bottom in the shallows on a calm day.
Fishing for Bass, Salmon, and Togue
Panther Pond is a genuinely good fishery, and the connection to the Sebago chain means it holds both warmwater and coldwater species.
Smallmouth and largemouth bass are the most accessible fish. The rocky points, drop-offs, and weedy coves hold good numbers of bass through the summer, and topwater fishing at dawn and dusk produces fast action. Bass fishing picks up in June and stays strong into September.
Landlocked salmon are present thanks to the pond’s cold, deep, well-oxygenated water and its link to the broader Sebago system. Spring after ice-out is the prime window, when fish cruise the shallows and the tributary mouths. Trolling streamers near the surface in early morning is the traditional approach.
Lake trout (togue) hold in the deeper, colder water through the summer. Anglers target them with downriggers and lead-core line once the surface layer warms and the togue drop deep. A Maine fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older, available online through MDIFW or at shops in Raymond and Windham.
The mouth of the Tenny River, where it enters Panther Pond, is a productive spot. Moving water concentrates baitfish, and bass and salmon both stage near the inflow. Cast to the edges of the current early in the morning, and work the drop-offs just outside the channel as the sun climbs.
Getting There
From Portland, take Route 302 northwest toward Raymond, about 40 minutes. The public boat launch sits on the pond near Raymond village, with a ramp suitable for trailered boats, canoes, and kayaks. Parking is limited, so arrive early on summer weekends. Once the small lot fills, there is little roadside room, and you may have to wait or come back later in the day.
The launch gives you access to the whole pond and, through the Tenny River, into Crescent Lake. Panther Run, the outlet at the south end of the pond, carries water toward the rest of the Sebago waterway. For a land-based outing nearby, Rattlesnake Mountain in Raymond offers a short hike with views over the surrounding lakes country.
The boat launch lot is small and fills fast on summer weekends. Arrive early, and do not block the ramp or private camp roads. Panther Pond mixes paddlers, anglers, and powerboats in a compact space, so keep a sharp watch for swimmers and small craft, especially near the launch and the Tenny River channel.
When to Visit
Summer is the best overall season. Warm water for swimming, strong bass fishing, and long days for paddling the Tenny River all line up from late June through August. Spring brings the prime salmon window right after ice-out, though the water is still cold for swimming. Fall is quiet and beautiful, with good bass fishing and foliage on the surrounding hills, and the water stays swimmable into early September on warm days. In winter, the pond freezes and draws ice anglers after salmon, togue, and bass.
Cell service around Raymond and the pond is good, and the Greater Portland region puts restaurants, lodging, and gear shops within easy reach for a day trip or a longer stay.
FAQ
How is Panther Pond connected to Crescent Lake?
Panther Pond connects to Crescent Lake to the northeast through the Tenny River, a short, slow channel that paddlers can follow between the two bodies of water. The pond's outlet, Panther Run, carries water south toward the rest of the Sebago waterway.
What fish are in Panther Pond?
Panther Pond holds smallmouth and largemouth bass, landlocked salmon, and lake trout (togue). Bass are the most accessible through summer, salmon fish best after ice-out in spring, and togue hold in the deeper, colder water. A Maine fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a boat launch at Panther Pond?
Yes. A public boat launch near Raymond village handles trailered boats, canoes, and kayaks, and gives access to the whole pond and the Tenny River into Crescent Lake. Parking is limited, so arrive early on summer weekends before the small lot fills.
Can you swim in Panther Pond?
Yes. The water is clean and warms to the upper 60s and low 70s by mid-summer. There is no large public beach, so most swimming happens off private camps, rented cottages, or from a boat anchored in a quiet cove. The clear water and gradual coves make it good for families.
How far is Panther Pond from Portland?
Panther Pond is about 40 minutes northwest of Portland via Route 302 through Raymond. Cell service around the pond is good, which makes it an easy day trip from the Greater Portland area.
