User:Fourfish91/sandbox/Nequasset Lake

Nequasset Lake is a 392 acre largely undeveloped lake located entirely in the town of Woolwich, Maine.

Geography

Nequasset is a typical coastal warm water lake. The shore of the lake is mostly rocky with multiple sand beaches scattered in coves across the lake. The largest of these beaches is located on the north shore and is often referred to as "Sandy Beach" by locals. Multiple rocky points can be found along the shoreline with at least one small rock island located along the eastern shore. While the lakes deepest point is 63 feet, the vast majority of the lake does not reach this depth. The southern end of the lake averages between 40-50 feet deep and the northern end is much shallower with few locations deeper than 30 feet. The lakebed is mostly sand and gravel though it is covered by a thick layer of branches and leaves due to the lack of development along the shorelines. The water temperature is 72°F at surface level and 56°F at 60 feet. The lake has very low oxygen levels at its deepest points.

Fish Ladder & Alewives

Nequasset lake has historically been a commercial alewife fishery. Originally built in 1955, the fish ladder found at Nequasset Dam on Nequasset Brook allows for enough fish to pass into the lake to spawn while also allowing for fish to be harvested. By 2011 the original fish ladder was in inadequate shape. In 2014 a new fish ladder was installed on the site of the old ladder to allow for easier fish passage. In 2015 Nequasset lake had an estimated run of 300,000 alewives.

View of smoke house below fish ladder

Fishery

Nequasset Lake is home to the fish of a typical warm water lake. These include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, white perch, yellow perch, pumpkinseed sunfish, redbreast sunfish, hornpout, eel, and a variety of baitfish. Anglers report largemouth bass in the 2-4lb range with the occasional 5lb+ fish. Bass fishing is most productive in Nequasset lake from late spring to early fall with peak fishing midsummer. The Maine Department of Inland Fisharies & Wildlife annually stock the lake with both brown and rainbow trout to provide winter anglers with cold water gamefish during the ice fishing season. Due to low oxygen levels at the lakes deepest points and high temperatures in shallow water it is unlikely that any trout hold over into the summer months. Trout can however be caught in the first weeks after iceout.

Public Access

Nequasset lake can be accessed off of Old Stage Road at its northern outlet, or at Nequassst Park off of George Wright road at its southern outlet. Access on the north end is limited by a bridge which can make passage in a motorized boat difficult when the water level is high. Nequasset Lake is prohibited to boats above 10HP due to being a public water supply. Trails leading to rocky points on multiple points of the lake are present and allow for productive bank fishing.

Water Supply

Nequasset lake is the principle water supply for the Bath Water District which serves the city of Bath, and the southern portion of Woolwich. The lakes water is supplied to 15,000 people in 3,000 homes and buildings. The Bath Water District's pump station is a large brick building situated on the south west end of the lake. It is the only Major structure located on the body of water.

References

1."Nequasset Fish Ladder Restoration." Kennebec Estuary Land Trust. Web. 3 Nov. 2015.

2."Nequasset Pond." Maine.gov. Maine IF&W. Web. 3 Nov. 2015.