Echo Lake and the Belgrade chain of lakes offer some of the finest freshwater fishing in New England — and the best spots start at your doorstep.
The Belgrade Lakes region is home to seven interconnected lakes covering over 10,000 acres of water. Each has its own character and its own fish. The canoes and kayaks at the lodge are rigged and ready — cast off the dock or paddle out to your favorite cove.
Your home water. Echo Lake holds a healthy population of largemouth and smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, and yellow perch. Fish the coves at dawn, troll the deep channel in summer, or jig off the dock with the kids. A Maine fishing license is all you need.
The largest lake in the Belgrade chain and a legendary fishery. Landlocked Atlantic salmon, lake trout, and trophy smallmouth bass bring serious anglers from across New England. The Belgrade Lakes public boat launch makes access easy.
Maine fishing info ↗A quiet, relatively undiscovered lake that holds landlocked salmon and smallmouth bass. Less boat traffic than the Belgrade lakes means more peaceful mornings on the water. There's a public boat ramp on the south end.
Connected to Great Pond via a short carry, Long Pond is excellent for largemouth and smallmouth bass. Anglers often spend the whole day moving between the two ponds. The Belgrade Lakes village sits right on the narrows between them.
Also known as Snow Pond, Messalonskee is one of Maine's premier bass lakes, consistently producing large smallmouth. Ice fishing for bass and white perch is also exceptional here in winter. Multiple boat launches on the lake.
A Maine fishing license is required to fish any of these waters. You can purchase one online from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife in minutes — it's delivered digitally to your phone.
Get a license ↗The lodge has canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards for getting out on Echo Lake. For serious fishing, a small car-top boat or kayak fishing rig is ideal. Bait and tackle are available at the Belgrade Lakes General Store, 8 miles away.
Ice-out (late April–May) is prime for landlocked salmon chasing smelt. Bass season peaks June through September. Fall cooling in October brings another salmon push. Ice fishing runs January through mid-March on most local lakes.
Maine's Inland Fisheries website maintains a directory of licensed guides who know the Belgrade lakes well. A half-day with a local guide is the fastest way to learn the hot spots — they'll put you on fish.
Find a guide ↗The canoes and kayaks are at the dock, Echo Lake is right out the back door, and the best bass fishing in Maine is a short paddle away. Book your stay and make a week of it.