A Quiet Corner of the Downeast Woods
Rocky Lake Public Reserved Land takes in 11,000 acres of woodland and wetland around three lakes north of East Machias, in the easternmost stretch of Washington County. The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands runs it for timber, wildlife, and recreation, and it stays about as quiet as public land in Maine gets. There is no entrance booth, no campground office, and on most weekdays you can paddle for hours without seeing another boat.
The three lakes line up north to south, the direction the glacier traveled: 1,555-acre Rocky Lake, 332-acre Second Lake, and 275-acre Patrick Lake three miles to the east. The land also borders about four miles of the upper East Machias River, a sea-run Atlantic salmon stream and a well-known backcountry canoe route. Bald eagles nest here, loons and American bitterns work the shallows, and roughly 2,000 acres of beaver-built wetland spread back from the shoreline.
Paddling and Fishing
The water is the main reason to come. Rocky Lake runs 37 feet at its deepest with a mean depth of 14 feet, so watch for submerged shoals when you are moving fast. Several islands sit in the lake, and while the largest are state-owned, a few stay in private hands, so give camps and posted lots a wide berth.
For a longer trip, paddlers run the East Machias River from Pocomoonshine Lake or off Route 9, a 30- to 45-mile route with Class I to III whitewater, and use Second Lake as a camping stopover. Rocky Lake makes an easy side trip off that run. State surveys have found smallmouth bass, white perch, yellow perch, chain pickerel, and wild eastern brook trout in spring, among other species. Bring lead-free sinkers and jigs; lead tackle poisons the loons and eagles that depend on these lakes.
Camping
There are eleven primitive campsites, all first-come, first-served, and no reservations. At South Bay on Rocky Lake, two sites can take a medium RV and two are walk-in tent sites; Mud Landing has a walk-in site. The rest are water-access only: a lean-to at Loose Rock, Eagle Ledge on Second Lake, Lower Riffles on the East Machias River, plus West Beach, Piney Point, and Rocky Lake Island. Camp only at established sites, keep stays under 14 days in any 45-day window, and carry out everything you bring in.
Water-access campsites require a fire permit from the Maine Forest Service (207-827-1800); the drive-to sites do not. Kindle fires only at authorized sites, and never leave one unattended. Cell coverage out here is spotty to nonexistent, so do not count on a phone in an emergency.
Getting There
From the intersection of Routes 1 and 191 in East Machias, drive north on Route 191. For South Bay on Rocky Lake, go 7.5 miles and turn left on Diamond Match Road, then about 1.25 miles to the lakeside campsites and the trailerable boat launch. For Mud Landing, continue past Diamond Match Road just over a mile and turn left on Mud Landing Road, which ends at a trailerable launch near Northern Inlet. For Patrick Lake, stay on Route 191 to Route 86, turn right, and drive roughly a mile to the picnic area and another mile to the boat ramp.
These are active logging roads, hard-packed gravel that washboards and potholes between gradings. Logging trucks weigh up to 100,000 pounds and move faster than you expect, so give them the right of way every time, pull fully over, and never park on a corner, bridge, or hillcrest. A vehicle with decent clearance is the smart call.
When to Visit
Spring
Best water levels and brook trout fishing in May and June, but also the peak of black fly season. Come prepared for bugs.
Summer
Warm-water fishing, swimming off the Patrick Lake beach when levels drop, and the most comfortable camping.
Fall
Cooler air, fewer bugs, and quiet lakes. Late fall brings hunters to the property.
Winter
Roads are not plowed. Access is by snowmobile for ice fishing and trapping only.
May and June are the sweet spot for fishing and water levels, with the trade-off that the black flies are out in force.
Packing List
Rocky Lake Day or Overnight
- PFD for every paddler
- Tent and sleeping bag for first-come sites
- Maine fishing license and lead-free tackle
- Fire permit for water-access sites
- Heavy-duty bug spray (May and June)
- Drinking water or a filter
- Paper map; do not rely on cell coverage
- Trash bags to carry everything out
FAQ
Do I need a reservation to camp at Rocky Lake?
No. All eleven primitive campsites are first-come, first-served with no reservation system. Arrive early on summer weekends, especially for the drive-to sites at South Bay and Mud Landing.
Is there a fee to visit Rocky Lake Public Reserved Land?
No entrance fee. You will need a Maine Forest Service fire permit for the water-access campsites, but the drive-to sites are exempt.
Can you swim at Rocky Lake?
Yes. A small sandy beach appears at Patrick Lake when summer water levels drop, with shallow water that is popular with kids. The larger lakes are open for swimming too.
What kind of road leads in?
Gravel logging roads off Route 191. They are passable for most vehicles in summer and fall but rough and unsignalled, and they are shared with heavy logging trucks. A vehicle with some clearance helps.
What fish are in the lakes?
State surveys have found smallmouth bass, white perch, yellow perch, chain pickerel, and wild eastern brook trout in spring, along with several other warm-water species.
For more Downeast water, see nearby Cathance Lake in Cooper or the long backcountry route of the Machias River Corridor.
