Madawaska Lake
T16 R4 and Westmanland Twps. Aroostook County
U.S.C.S. Stockholm, Maine [7 ½’]
FISHES
Landlocked salmon Longnose sucker
Brook trout White sucker
Rainbow smelt Hornpout [bullhead ]
Yellow perch Burbot [cusk ]
Minnows Threespine stickleback
Lake chub Pumpkinseed sunfish
Blacknose dace American eel
Connon shiner Slimy sculpin
Creek chub
BROOK TROUT ( RESTOCKED FALL 2011)
Physical Characteristics
Area – 1526 acres Temperatures
Upper Lake Surface – 71’ F
Maximum depth – 38 feet 38 feet - 57. F
Lower Lake Surgace -71’ F
Maximum depth – 32 feet 32 feet - 56’F
Principal fishery; Landlocked salmon, Brook trout
Madawaska Lake supports a sport fishery for landlocked salmon and brook trout of local significance. Smelts and sticklebacks provide the main forags base for salmon and trout.
Spawning and nursery areas for trout and salmon in Carry and McCluskey Brooks are considered very good. Salmon spawning and nusery areas are present in the outlet stream. A low head dam, equipped with a fishway-spillway, is located on the outlet of Madawaska Lake.
Madawaska Lake is considered borderline habitat for coldwater fishes. Temperature and oxygen leves suitable for coldwater fish exist between the 15- and 30-foot depths in the upper Lake in late summer, and between 15 and 20feet in the Lower Lake. The deepest water in both lakes is low in dissolved oxygen during the late summer months.
Madawaska Lake has recently experienced intensive algae blooms and high phoporus levels in the lake. Because of the recreational significance of the lake and sport fishery resource, this situation is being addressed through cooperative Maine Department of Environmental Protection and private group efforts, Water quality enhancement projects are being implemented throughout the drainage to help control and correct the problem.
Coarse fished such as yellow perch, suckers and minnow species limit salmon and trout production in Madawaska Lake by direct completion fro food and space.
Madawaska Lake is considered heavily developed with bot seasonal camp and year-residences. Apublic boat landing is located on the north end of the lake off Rout 161.
Surveyed – August 1954
[Revised – 1963, 1990
Maine Departmant of Inland Risheries and Wildlife
Funded in part by federal Aid in Rish Restoration Act under Federal Project F-28-p
L1802G