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Natural Glacial•Maine Lakes•Piscataquis, Somerset County

Moosehead Lake, Maine: Map, Depth, Size & Information

Comprehensive hydrographic guide to Moosehead Lake featuring verified USGS & USACE water statistics, interactive topographic mapping, shoreline facilities, boating ramps, and game fisheries.

Directions
Surface Area
75,451 acres
305.3 km²
Max Depth
246 feet
75.0 m
Elevation
1,024 feet
312 m ASL
Shoreline
280 miles
451 km
Coordinates
45.588°, -69.698°
GPS WGS84
Verification
Official Data
2026-03-11
Live Hydrographic & Conditions Telemetry

Moosehead Lake Live Water Level Status & Wind Conditions

Reservoir Hydrography
Water Level Status & Capacity
Current Water Elevation
1,022.93 ft
Normal Full Pool: 1,024.00 ft
Below Full Pool
Difference from Full Pool
-1.07 ft(below)
Reservoir Waterline & Storage Capacity93.6% of Conservation Pool
0%
25%
50%
75%
100% Full
Full Pool: 1,024.00 ft
24h Change: +0.08 ft / 24hEst. Volume: 3,884,217 acre-ft
Inflow Rate
4,711 cfs
River tributaries
Dam Outflow
3,150 cfs
Hydro & spillway
Water Temp
61°F
Surface layer
Water Clarity
13.9 ft
Secchi disc depth
Hydrologic balance: Current net flow is +1,561 cfs (Gaining volume). Water level is rising at 0.08 ft per day.
Atmospheric & Surface
Live Wind & Wave Simulator
Good Boating Conditions
Nautical Wind Compass Rose
NESW
ESE 115°
12 mph
Gusts: 27 mph
Blowing from ESE (115°) at 12 mph
Surface Wave Conditions0.8 ft wave height
Light Chop (0.5 - 1.0 ft)
Moderate Surface Ripple
Barometer
30.11 inHg
Steady pressure
Solunar Bite
Slow Bite
High game fish bite
Hourly Forecast Timeline Scrubber:12 PM • 12 mph ESE
Calculate Water Level & Volume ChangesModel acre-feet storage loss, shoreline recession, and drought reserve projections for Moosehead Lake.
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Interactive Map of Moosehead Lake

45.5878° N, 69.6975° W|Get Directions
Centroid Coordinates: 45.5878° N, -69.6975° WOpen Directions in Maps

Where is Moosehead Lake?

Moosehead Lake is located in Piscataquis, Somerset County in the state of Maine, at geographical coordinates 45.5878° North latitude and 69.6975° West longitude. The water body lies at a surface elevation of approximately 1,024 feet (312 meters) above mean sea level.

Nearby Cities & Distances

Greenville
1 miles away
Rockwood
12 miles away
Bangor
70 miles away
Portland
140 miles away

About Moosehead Lake

The sheer cliff faces of Mount Kineo towering over the waters of Moosehead Lake Maine
Natural Glacial • Glacial Mountain Trough LakeVerified 2026-03-11

Moosehead Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Maine and the largest mountain lake in the eastern United States, covering over 75,000 acres in the remote Maine North Woods. Drained by the Kennebec River and framed by the dramatic precipice of Mount Kineo (rising 700 feet straight out of the water), Moosehead is a legendary wilderness destination celebrated for wild landlocked Atlantic salmon, native brook trout, and thriving moose populations.

Hydrographic Classification:

Moosehead Lake is categorized as a Glacial Mountain Trough Lake. Its designated primary authorized uses include Wilderness Recreation, Kennebec River Hydro Regulation, Ecological Sanctuary.

Activities & Recreation

Sport Fishing

Moosehead Lake is known for its resident game fish species. Common targets include:

Landlocked Atlantic SalmonBrook Trout (Squaretail)Lake Trout (Togue)Smallmouth BassWhite Perch
Boating & Watersports

Popular watercraft activities permitted across regulated channels:

Wilderness Boating & CruisingSteamship Katahdin CruisesTrophy Salmon TrollingMount Kineo HikingMoose Safaris & Wildlife PhotographyFloatplane Tours

Boat Ramps, Marinas & Public Parks

Marinas (3)

  • •Beaver Cove Marina
  • •The Birches Resort Marina
  • •Rockwood Marina

Public Boat Launches (3)

  • •Greenville Junction Public Ramp
  • •Lily Bay State Park Launch
  • •Rockwood Public Boat Ramp

Parks & Recreation (3)

  • •Lily Bay State Park
  • •Mount Kineo State Park
  • •Big Moose Mountain Scenic Area

Boating Safety, Wake Zones & Aquatic Regulations

• Speed & Wake Buffer Zones:

A mandatory 100-to-200-foot no-wake zone is enforced around all public boat launches, designated swimming areas, private docks, and moored vessels. Vessel operators must maintain idle speed in narrow coves and bridge passes.

• Safety Gear & AIS Protocol:

Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, or III PFDs are required for all vessel occupants. To prevent aquatic invasive species (quagga mussels, hydrilla), boaters must adhere to Clean, Drain, and Dry inspection procedures prior to launching.

Seasonal Fishing Patterns for Moosehead Lake

Spring (March – May)Pre-Spawn & Spawn

Game fish move into sheltered secondary coves, shallow flats (4–12 ft depth), and creek mouths as surface temperatures climb into the 50s and 60s. Target submerged timber, riprap, and emerging vegetation with spinnerbaits, suspending jerkbaits, and soft plastics.

Summer (June – August)Thermocline & Main Basin

Predators retreat to deep underwater humps, main river channel ledges, and thermocline layers (20–45 ft). Peak activity shifts to dawn, dusk, and night trolling. Use deep-diving crankbaits, spoons, drop-shots, and downrigger spreads.

Autumn (Sept – November)Fall Turnover & Feeding Blitz

Cooling weather triggers lake turnover and intense schooling feeding. Bass, trout, and walleye push baitfish into primary points and pocket coves. Fast-moving topwater plugs, lipless crankbaits, and swimbaits produce explosive strikes.

Winter (Dec – February)Deep Suspension & Ice

Fish consolidate around deep wintering holes (40–80+ ft) or under safe solid ice on northern waterways. Slow finesse presentations—vertical jigging spoons, blade baits, and live bait rigs—dominate the cold-water season.

Moosehead Lake Statistics & Hydrography

MeasurementImperial ValueMetric Equivalent
Surface Area75,451 acres305.3 km²
Maximum Depth246 feet75.0 meters
Average Depth55 feet16.8 meters
Water Surface Elevation1,024 feet above sea level312 meters
Shoreline Length280 miles451 km
Lake ClassificationNatural Glacial (Glacial Mountain Trough Lake)
GPS Coordinates45.5878° N, 69.6975° W

Frequently Asked Questions about Moosehead Lake

8 verified answers
What is the largest lake in Maine?+
Moosehead Lake is Maine's largest lake, covering approximately 75,451 acres (nearly 118 square miles) with 280 miles of wilderness shoreline in Piscataquis and Somerset counties.
What famous mountain rises directly out of Moosehead Lake?+
Mount Kineo rises vertically over 700 feet straight out of the deep center of Moosehead Lake, composed of rare flint-like hornstone once quarried by Native Americans for arrowheads.
How deep is Moosehead Lake in Maine?+
Moosehead Lake reaches a verified maximum depth of 246 feet (75 meters), with an estimated mean operating depth of approximately 55 feet (17 meters). The lake bathymetry features typical natural glacial bottom topography with distinct drop-offs, deep submerged channels, and shallow littoral zones that support aquatic vegetation and forage species.
What is the surface area, shoreline length, and elevation of Moosehead Lake?+
At normal conservation pool, Moosehead Lake covers approximately 75,451 surface acres (about 117.9 square miles or 305.3 km²) at an elevation of 1,024 feet above sea level. The shoreline extends for 280 miles (451 km) throughout Piscataquis, Somerset County, featuring numerous sheltered coves and bays.
What game fish can you catch in Moosehead Lake?+
Anglers on Moosehead Lake target Landlocked Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout (Squaretail), Lake Trout (Togue), Smallmouth Bass, White Perch. Peak fishing occurs during spring spawning runs in shallow bays and submerged timber, followed by summer deep-water trolling near thermocline depths and structural humps. Autumn brings aggressive feeding activity along windward points.
Can you boat on Moosehead Lake and where are the public ramps?+
Yes, recreational boating is permitted on Moosehead Lake. Public boat launch facilities include Greenville Junction Public Ramp, Lily Bay State Park Launch, Rockwood Public Boat Ramp. Full-service marinas including Beaver Cove Marina and The Birches Resort Marina offer slip rentals, marine fuel, and boat repair services. Boaters must adhere to state navigation laws, maintain required life jackets and safety gear, and respect posted no-wake zones near docks, coves, and designated swimming beaches.
Who manages Moosehead Lake and are there campgrounds or parks nearby?+
Moosehead Lake is managed and monitored in coordination with Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW). Lakeside recreation areas and campgrounds include Lily Bay State Park, Mount Kineo State Park, Big Moose Mountain Scenic Area. Visitors can take advantage of developed campgrounds with tent and RV hookups, scenic hiking trails, day-use picnic areas, and boat launch access.
Where does the data for Moosehead Lake come from and how is it verified?+
All hydrographic statistics, water surface elevation gauges, surface acreage measurements, and bathymetric soundings for Moosehead Lake are cross-referenced from authoritative federal and state geospatial databases, primarily Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) and the USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). Records undergo programmatic sanity verification and were last verified on 2026-03-11. Detailed ingestion pipelines, calibration procedures, and agency citations are published on our Data Methodology page (/methodology/).
Review Full Data Methodology & Verification Guidelines
Authoritative Data Source: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW)
Last verified: 2026-03-11 • Record ID: moosehead-lake-me
View Official Source

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