Bangor, the third largest city in Maine, is situated in the Down East area, two hours northeast of Portland. What does this have to do with lakes? A lot! That’s because Maine has thousands of lakes and ponds. One look at the map and you’ll see that many are right around Bangor.
With all those bodies of freshwater calling to you for relaxation or adventure, it’s hard to decide where to go. Here’s an overview of lakes within a 15 to 40-minute drive (or so) of Bangor, beginning with the closest. Keep an eye out for those on Maine’s 60 largest lakes list!
While planning your adventures, be sure to check out Maine’s Fishing and Boating Laws and Rules. You’ll find links to all the info you need. Boat launch types and coordinates are available at Maine Boat Sites, though you’ll get an idea of where each is as you read on.
Map of Lakes Near Bangor
Here is a map of the lakes near Bangor in this article.
Brewer Lake
Brewer Lake is about 7 miles southeast of Bangor in Orrington. The lake has an 881-acre surface and is known for its salmon, chain pickerel, and white perch.
You’ll find the boat launch on the lake’s north side at the end of the Brewer Lake Road. This also creates easy access to the lake during the winter, letting you enjoy snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
Along with your time at Brewer Lake, you can enjoy more time outside at the Fields Pond Audubon Center. The 229-acre sanctuary has year-round trails and rents the visitor center for special occasions.
Pushaw Lake
Pushaw Lake is 10 miles north of Bangor. This 5,056-acre lake is on Maine’s 60 largest lakes list. Because the lake is on the shallow side, it supports warm water fishing such as chain pickerel and yellow and white perch.
Lakeside Landing is a Glenburn-owned park that features a boat launch, lawn area with picnic tables, and horseshoe pits on the lake’s west shore. There’s a beach with a made-for-fun float, although there’s no lifeguard on duty. Gould Landing, located in Orono, is at the lake’s southern end off Gould Road.
There’s a place to launch a trailered boat, kayak, or canoe, and take your dog for a swim. There are covered picnic tables and a pet-friendly, ½-mile hiking trail.
Phillips Lake
Phillips Lake, also known as Lucerne Lake, is 14 miles east of Bangor near Route 1A. This 828-acre lake has a maximum depth of 98 feet, making it good for cold-water fishing, including salmon and togue. Reportedly there’s a narrow gravel boat launch off the Pearl Point Road.
The lake has islands to visit and cottages to view as you paddle by, making this a super spot for your kayak or canoe.
Your best bet for swimming in the area is to drive a bit further to visit the beaches at Green and Graham Lakes. When Phillips Lake freezes, you can bundle up for ice fishing and other winter sports.
Green Lake
Green Lake is 23 miles southeast of Bangor, close to Branch and Graham Lakes, making the area a great place to stay for a week or more.
The over 3,100-acre lake is one of Maine’s 60 largest lakes with a setting popular for cold water fishing. It’s especially known for landlocked salmon, togue, and smallmouth bass.
Get your trailered boat out on the lake at the Nicolin Road Boat Launch, located on the lake’s west shore.
You can take part in Green Lake National Fishery Activities at the lake’s southern end.
Those include viewing fish pools, hiking pet-friendly trails, or cross-country skiing when the snow flies. During the summer, Jenkins Beach is just the place to swim, picnic, rent a kayak or canoe, or go fishing. There are cottage rentals if you decide it’s time to settle in for a week or two.
Swan Lake
Swan Lake, also known as Goose Pond, is 24 miles south and a bit west of Bangor in Swanville. There you’ll find Swan Lake State Park with its beach area and lifeguard on duty during the peak summer months.
There are walking trails, picnic tables and grills, a play area, and a reservable group shelter. The park is open for hunting according to state rules.
The Swan Lake Boat Launch accommodates trailered boats. It’s adjacent to Route 141 on the west shore of this 1,370-acre lake, giving you access to a habitat good for cold water fishing.
Chances are you’ll catch lake trout, landlocked salmon, brook trout, or perch. Swan Lake is another prime setting for ice-fishing, snowmobiling, and other wintry adventures.
Branch Lake
Branch Lake in Ellsworth has a surface area that tops 2,700 acres. The 25-mile, southeasterly drive from Bangor is worthwhile, letting you enjoy all this lake offers.
In addition to outdoor activities, Branch Lake provides Ellsworth with drinking water, requiring careful boat inspection at the hard boat launch that’s located at the end of Boat Launch Drive, adjacent to Sand Beach.
Branch Lake Public Forest has 239 acres with three miles of moderate, pet-friendly trails to hike or snowshoe.
There are two parks with swimming areas, Sand Beach on the west shore and Mill Pond Park at the lake’s southern end. Sand Beach features sandy sections ringed by boulders.
Graham Lake
Graham Lake is a reservoir with a surface area of over 9,300 acres, making it one of Maine’s largest 60 lakes. It is 27 miles southeast of Bangor in Hancock County.
When it’s time for a swim, search out Jesse Beach that’s on a peninsula on the lake’s west side off Route 180, two miles north of the Green Lake National Fish Hatchery.
The lake has three boat launches with the one in Mariaville at the lake’s north end being carry-in only, as is another on the east shore off Route 179.
The hard surface launch is on the south end just west of the dam. Bridge and shallow water fishing work well in this dammed setting. You’ll be rewarded with brown trout and smallmouth bass. When the weather turns chilly, the lake’s frozen surface is a great setting for outdoor fun.
Sebasticook Lake
Sebasticook Lake is 31 miles west of Bangor in Newport. The lake’s surface area is over 4,200 acres, making it one of the state’s largest 60 lakes.
This dammed lake has an average depth of 20 feet, making it well suited for warm water fishing of smallmouth bass and perch. The hard-surfaced boat launch is off Elm Street, east of the dam near the center of Newport.
Sebasticook Lake is another of the area’s four-season water wonders. One is taking a swim from your boat, a friend’s dock, or when you stay at one of the local spots with shorefront campground and cottages. When camping season’s over, you can plan for activities to keep you happily outside throughout the coming months.
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