Depending on where you are, you'll enjoy views of Pleasant Mountain and the Shawnee Peak Ski Area, Black Mountian, Mount Washington and the White Mountains from Moose Pond in Bridgton, Sweden and Denmark.
Though it's called a pond, Moose Pond is eleven miles long, one-mile wide at its widest point, covers 1,617 acres and has three basins. Apparently the northern basin area was once timber land, which would explain the stumps. Today, all three basins are favorites for anglers, boaters and swimmers.
There are two boat launches. One is on Denmark Road in Denmark, about 1/2 mile on the right, just after the pavement ends. The other on the Route 302 Causeway in West Bridgton, was renovated this year by the Maine Department of Conservation with help from the Bass Federation of Maine, the Town of Bridgton, Lakes Environmental Association (LEA) and the Oxford County Soil and Water Conservation District.
They replaced the old 10-foot wide concrete plank ramp with a new 20-foot wide ramp. It makes launching much, much easier. And before you launch, you should wash your boat at the boat wash, located just up the street on the far side of the West Bridgton Fire Department.
Warm days and refreshing August nights you'll find me paddling around the northern end of the pond. This section is shallow, with lots of rocks and tree stumps, therefore there are no speed boats.
About a dozen small islands dot the northern basin, making it perfect for picnicking while watching wildlife including heron, red-winged blackbirds, kingfishers, song birds, muskrats, beaver, deer, a variety of fish, and more. In fact, I've seen a red fox hunting along the edge of the pond, moose grazing in the shallow waters dining on water lilies and pickerel weed and a bald eagle flying overhead.
Harold "Hal" Arthur, a volunteer lake monitor, has been helping Colin Holme, LEA Field Services Director, take water samples every two weeks for years. Based on the information they gather, Peter Lowell, Executive Director of LEA describes Moose Pond as one of three "Cream of the Crop" ponds in the Lakes Region. The Moose Pond Association, formed about a year ago, is working diligently to make sure it remains on that list.
Besides being home to perch, pickerel, hornpout, smelt and other fish, Moose Pond produces lots of nice bass. With the three different basins, anglers have options for fishing different types of habitat.
Three Bass Tournaments will be held during September and October. Here's some contact information in case you are interested:
9/6/09, Moose Pond, Denmark, Eagle Bassmasters, Dale Libby, Open/Weigh In, 207.205.0896
9/12/09, Moose Pond, Denmark, Saco Valley Cast Masters, Steve Philbrick, Club/Weigh In
10/18/09, Moose Pond, Denmark, Dirty Dozen, John Hertz, Open/Weigh In, 207.577.1347
FMI: Lakes Environmental Association: http://mainelakes.org
Moose Pond Association: www.moosepondassociation.org
Perhaps you'd like to take a look at lakefront property for sale on Moose Pond. Just click on the box below:
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