West Grand Lake

History: Native Americans have been traveling the waterways of Maine for thousands of years. When it came to West Grand Lake, the Passamaquoddy had a village at the south end close to where the dam is now located. The government established a salmon hatchery in 1875, which was a real boon to the area. In 1897, the state of Maine required guides to be certified, and this helped make the area an attraction. Some of the celebrities it attracted include Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, and President Warren Harding.

West Grand Lake is the birthplace of the Grand Laker Canoe, produced by Maine craftsmen. The addition of a flat back allowed a motor to be attached to a canoe, and guides could move their clients about the lake swiftly.

Geographic Features/Highlights: The Downeast Lakes Community Forest provides thousands of acres of pristine forests, bogs, and hills that offer wildlife viewing and much more. Fishing is superb on West Grand Lake, and it is well catered to.

Tourism: No matter what type of fishing you prefer, from very serious to very relaxed, you can find it on West Grand Lake. Fishing camps offer varying experiences and expert guides.

Leen's Lodge is on the shore of West Grand Lake. Accommodations are in rustic lakeside cabins. The lodge can be reached by car or by float plane from Bangor. Private guides and some of the best fishing in Maine are provided. They also rent watercraft to non-guests.

Grand Lake Lodge offers housekeeping cabins right on West Grand Lake. The cabins are fully equipped and vary in size. Most are about 25 feet from the lake, with number 6 being 75 feet. They offer Wi-Fi but no AC. Kayaks, canoes, and paddles, as well as paddleboards and pedal boats, are complimentary to guests.

Weatherby's is a traditional fishing and hunting lodge located in Grand Lake Stream, ME. It is an Orvis-endorsed fly-fishing lodge offering full-service accommodation, with all your needs taken care of. Home-cooked meals, comfortable cabins, customer-guided tours, and ice and wood delivered to your room every day. There is even an Orvis fly-fishing shop on the premises.

VRBO has one lakefront vacation home for rent on West Grand Lake. There are several other lake cottages for rent by the night or by the week.

Real Estate: The price for a lakefront cottage on West Grand Lake is in the vicinity of $500,000. With more land and larger homes going for well over a million.

West Grand Lake Geographical Overview:

• Surface Area: 14,667 acres
• Perimeter: 49 miles
• Mean Depth: 36 feet
• Maximum Depth (Recorded): 128 feet
• Delorme Atlas: Map 35 (sections A-3 & 4, B-3 & 4)
• Towns: Grand Lake Stream Plt, T5 R1 NBPP, T5 R11 ND BPP, T6 N
• Counties: Washington

West Grand Lake Fishing Information:

• Fishery Type: Coldwater & Warmwater
• Principal Fishery (2024): Cusk, Lake Trout, Lake Whitefish, Landlocked Salmon, Smallmouth Bass
• Other Fish Species (2024): American Eel, Blacknose Dace, Brook Trout, Chain Pickerel, Common Shiner, Creek Chub, Fallfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rainbow Smelt, Sculpin, White Perch, White Sucker, Yellow Perch

West Grand Lake Boat Ramps/Launches: Trailered boat access at West Grand Dam. See boat launch locations on the West Grand Lake map.

Click here for a West Grand Lake Survey Map (PDF)