The Down East Lakes region of Maine courses with life dependent on 14 of “Maine’s Finest Lakes” (rated 1A by the Maine Lakes Study) and the free-flowing Machias River, one of only seven rivers in the entire state whose entire watersheds are essentially undeveloped. 

Snowy Trees in Pasture

Much of the lands within this area is still held in large undeveloped parcels, and the lakes and rivers draw anglers and paddlers for outstanding fishing and challenging whitewater boating.

Birds, fish and mammals depend on the almost entirely undeveloped corridors of five rivers and extensive wetlands, including the Great Heath, the state’s largest peatland.

Approximate Acreage: 1.1 million acres

Location: From just north of Route 1 in the south to the St Croix River on the Canadian border in the east; to Route 6 in the north, and to the Narraguagus River and Nicatous Lake in the west

Lakes:
• Junior
• Sysladobsis
• West Grand
• 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Machias
• Pocomoonshine
• Nicatous
• Grand Falls Flowage
• Big

Rivers and Watersheds:
• All or part of the watersheds of five of Maine’s most valuable Class A Rivers
• St. Croix, Machias, Pleasant, East Machias, and Narraguagus Rivers

Plant Communities:
• River bottom swamp
• Old growth pine, maple/beech, and hemlock forests
• Largest undisturbed sphagnum peatland in Maine

Habitat & Animal Life:
• 4 of the 6 remaining self-sustaining Atlantic salmon runs in the United States
• Premier bald eagle and osprey habitat
• Habitat for species of concern such as loon, black tern, least bittern and upland sandpiper
• At least five zoned deer wintering areas
• Habitat for large mammals such as black bear, moose and lynx, as well as other wide-ranging species

Outstanding Recreation:
• Canoeing, boating and fishing in semi-wilderness
• Whitewater and flatwater paddling on the free-flowing Machias River, which includes whitewater segments recognized in the state’s Critical Areas Program
• Outstanding warm- and cold-water fishing

Protected Lands:
• State ownership around Duck and Rocky Lakes and Great Heath
• 21,000 acre easement surrounding Nicatous Lake

Third Machias Lake

Existing Development:
• Some permanent populations, particularly near the area’s fringes, surrounds large undeveloped tracts
• Several two-lane highways traverse the area
• Partial development on many of the lakes’ shorelines