Richardson

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Rangeley Gem — Richardson Lake — one of the most pristine deep-water lakes in the eastern US, legendary for landlocked salmon

Richardson Public Reserved Land protects pristine shoreline on Richardson Lake — one of the crown jewels of Maine’s Rangeley Lakes chain. Upper and Lower Richardson Lakes are legendary for landlocked salmon and brook trout fishing. The lakes are among the most pristine deep-water bodies in the eastern United States, with water clarity exceeding 30 feet. The region’s fishing fame dates to the 1860s, when 8-pound brook trout drew “sports” from across the northeast. Richardson Lake is also a major stop on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail.

Visitor Information

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Northern Forest Canoe Trail?

The 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail runs from Old Forge, NY to Fort Kent, ME — following waterways used by Native peoples for thousands of years. Richardson Lake is a key section of this epic paddling route.

About Richardson

Richardson public reserved land encompasses the shores of Upper and Lower Richardson Lakes in the remote Rangeley Lakes region — some of the most pristine lakes in Maine. The Richardson Lakes were once served by steamboat and connected to Rangeley Lake by a narrow gauge railroad. The area is famous for producing trophy-sized brook trout and landlocked salmon.

Things to Do

Fishing for trophy brook trout and landlocked salmon, canoeing and kayaking the connected lake system, remote camping, moose watching, and experiencing the beauty of the Rangeley Lakes wilderness.

Insider Tips

Rangeley Lakes: Richardson borders the Rangeley Lakes — one of Maine’s most scenic lake chains in the western mountains. Pro tip: The Rangeley Lakes were America’s first fly-fishing destination — wealthy “sports” from Boston and New York came by train in the 1880s to catch native brook trout. Fly-fishing heritage: The Rangeley Streamer fly was invented here — it revolutionized fly-fishing technique.

Best Time to Visit

Summer: Lake fishing and swimming. Fall: Western Maine foliage — spectacular. Winter: Ice fishing and snowmobiling. Spring: Ice-out fishing — trout active.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Rangeley Streamer?

The Rangeley Streamer is a type of fly that imitates baitfish — unlike traditional flies that imitate insects. Developed by Maine guides in the early 1900s, streamers like the Grey Ghost (Carrie Stevens, 1924) and the Black Ghost revolutionized fly-fishing. Carrie Stevens tied the Grey Ghost in 30 minutes and immediately caught a 6-pound brook trout — it became the most famous fly in American history.