Tag: things to do for fun in maine

Everything You Need To Know About Ice Fishing In Maine
Everything You Need to Know About Ice Fishing in Maine

Winter in Maine, like the other three seasons in Vacationland, locals spend it outdoors. Natural, clean, crisp and sugar coated new white. Have you ever lived where the snow glistens? And looked up in a Maine winter night sky to see all the brilliant points of lights on the black velvet backdrop? Get to Maine, sample all four of the seasons on the calendar to see what you are missing!

Maine’s long winters bring a unique tradition that transforms frozen lakes into bustling, temporary villages of shanties and fisherman: ice fishing.

Kinda Windy Out In The Open On A Maine Lake Ice Fishing. Kids, Dogs, Lots Of Social Interaction Happens Ice Fishing On A Maine Lake.

Get your shiners, a bucket of bait at $5 a dozen announced on the Mac’s Trading Post in Houlton sign. Noticed the invitation to buy ice fishing bait from my neighbor just down the street and on the other side.

Let’s head to the Maine lake with ice fishing traps.

Whether you’re a seasoned angler or have never stepped foot on a frozen Maine lake before, there’s an undeniable magic to the sport—one that goes beyond the fish beneath the ice. It’s about the camaraderie, the fresh air, and the winter traditional thrill of the catch.

Getting Started: Drilling Holes & Setting Up

Choosing the Right Bait & Cost

The type of bait you use can make a big difference in what you catch. Common bait options include:
- Live Smelt – Great for catching lake trout and landlocked salmon, usually costing around $5-$10 per dozen.
- Shiners – Ideal for bass, perch, and pike, available for $5-$8 per dozen.
- Nightcrawlers & Worms – Effective for brook trout and perch, costing about $3-$5 per container.
- Cut Bait – Used for cusk and lake trout, typically priced at $5 per package.
Bait shops near popular Maine ice fishing lakes usually stock all of these options, making it easy to find what you need before heading out.

Ice fishing begins with cutting a hole through the ice, which can be done using a hand auger, a gas-powered auger, or even a chisel. Many anglers drill multiple holes to increase their chances of success, setting up tip-ups or jigging rods at various depths depending on the fish species they’re targeting. 5 traps at a time limit to ice fishing and it is a pretty slow, not to strenuous winter waterfront sport.

Maine Drews Lake Ice Fishing Derby Happened As Part Of Moosestompers Weekend. See Me In Maine Blogger A Licensed Drone Operator In The Lake Image?

Best Maine Lakes for Ice Fishing & What You’ll Catch

Maine is home to hundreds of excellent ice fishing spots, each offering a variety of species:
- Sebago Lake (Large, deep lake, 100+ feet) – Known for its legendary lake trout (togue) and landlocked salmon.
- Moosehead Lake (Large, deep lake, 80-150 feet) – A haven for brook trout and cusk, plus stunning winter scenery.
- Great Pond (Medium-depth lake, 20-50 feet) – Offers a solid mix of perch, bass, and pickerel.
- Eagle Lake (Medium-depth lake, 20-60 feet) – Ideal for northern pike, known for their aggressive fight.
- West Grand Lake (Large, deep lake, 100+ feet) – Home to trophy-sized landlocked salmon.
- East Grand Lake (Large, deep lake, 50-120 feet) – Famous for its salmon, trout, and smallmouth bass fishing.
- Aroostook County Lakes (Varied depths, small to large lakes) – Lakes like Long Lake, Eagle Lake, and Portage Lake are excellent for brook trout, salmon, and yellow perch. The deep, cold waters of many Aroostook lakes make them ideal for trout fishing, while the shallower waters are great for perch and pickerel.
Each lake in Vacationland has its own rules and regulations, including bag limits and species restrictions, so checking with Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife before heading out is crucial.

Luxuries Of Home At Your Maine Ice Shack. Just Watch For Thin Ice. Don’t Want Your Car Or Truck, Snow Sled Sinking To The Maine Lake Bottom.

Regulations & Maine Lake Ice Shack Rules

Good Stewardship & Environmental Responsibility

One of the biggest challenges Maine game wardens face is ensuring that ice shacks and all debris are removed before the ice melts in the spring. Every year, abandoned structures and litter create hazards for Maine’s pristine lakes.

It is essential to remove everything—including trash, broken fishing lines, and leftover bait—to protect this natural resource. Even blackened firewood from a fire doused with water after a day 0r season ice fishing at the Maine lake.

Why It Matters:
- Plastic can holders and other debris – These pose dangers to Maine fish and other wildlife that can become entangled or ingest harmful materials.
- Old ice shack debris – If left behind, it can sink into the lake, polluting the water and disrupting aquatic life.
- Responsible fishing ensures future seasons – Cleaning up and following regulations help maintain healthy Maine fish populations and lake ecosystems.
Maine game wardens frequently patrol to enforce these rules, but ultimately, it is up to every angler to do their part in preserving Maine’s waters for future generations.

Maine’s ice fishing season typically runs from January 1st through March 31st in the southern regions, while northern Maine lakes often freeze earlier.

Some waters are open for ice fishing year-round, so be sure to consult Maine’s fishing regulations.

Ice Shacks In Maine! Be Careful Of Thin Ice, Open Water, Pressure Ridges. No One Wants To Take A Dip In January Or February On A Maine Lake.

Ice Shack Guidelines:
- Permanent ice shacks must be removed from the ice before April 1st.
- All shacks must have the owner’s name and address clearly displayed.
- While some lakes allow temporary shelters to be left overnight, others require daily removal.
How to Stay Safe on the Ice

Understanding ice thickness is essential for safety:
- 4 inches – Safe for foot traffic.
- 5-7 inches – Supports ATVs and snowmobiles.
- 8-12 inches – Suitable for cars.
- 12-15 inches – Strong enough for trucks and ice shacks.
Always check ice conditions before heading out on a Maine lake and bring safety gear like ice picks, a throw rope, and a buddy.

Old Port ME, Ice In The Harbor During A Maine Snowstorm Stay.

Why You Don’t See Ice Shacks on the Ocean?

Unlike Maine freshwater lakes, the ocean ice is unpredictable and dangerous due to tides, currents, and salt content. Those weakens the ice. Even if ice forms on coastal waters, it can shift and break apart quickly, making it unsafe for long-term structures like ice shacks. This is why ice fishing in Maine remains a freshwater tradition.

The Social Side of Ice Fishing.

Ice fishing isn’t just about the fish; it’s about the Maine lake experience. Many fishermen set up their ice shacks in small clusters, creating a winter village of anglers. With a small propane heater inside, shacks are surprisingly cozy. Some bring portable grills for fresh-cooked meals right on the ice, while others gather around a bonfire for warmth and storytelling.

Ice Fishing On Maine Lakes, A Plowed Or Groomed Roadway Leads To The Village Of Ice Fishing Shacks.

Kids love the freedom of ice fishing camps, running around with sleds and playing with dogs while adults tend to the lines.

Pond hockey games from cleared sections, snowmobiles pulling flying saucers.

Ice fishing is a slow sport, one where patience is rewarded. Time slows down enough to appreciate nature’s beauty. The sun rises and sets on the Maine lake while your lungs fill with fresh air and the feeling of a deafening quiet with wide open space surrounding you. It can be a tad windy out on an open Maine lake. Bundle up the kids, don’t leave Rover or Fido at home. They like social, shaking off cabin fever in Maine too!

Why Ice Fishing is Worth Trying?

Ice fishing in Maine is more than standing on a frozen lake waiting for a flag to pop up. It’s an escape, a chance to breathe in the fresh winter air, bond with friends and family, and enjoy the stillness of nature. Whether you’re chasing the thrill of landing a trophy trout during a fishing derby or just enjoying a day with loved ones, ice fishing is an experience unlike any other.

So bundle up, grab some bait, and head out onto the ice. The Maine adventure—and the fish—are waiting! But yes, you do need a ice fishing license in Maine to angle for fish and wet your line.

Artistry Thanks To Mother Nature. What You See On A Walk In Maine.
Spending time in a Maine ice shack waiting for your five traps to trip is all about staying entertained, warm, and making memories with friends and family. Here are some fun things to do while waiting for the flags to pop:

Classic Ice Shack Pastimes:

Cribbage – The ultimate Maine ice fishing game. Keep the pegs moving while watching the traps!

Poker or Card Games – Bring a deck for Euchre, Rummy, Go Fish, or Texas Hold’em.

Dice Games – Try Left, Right, Center (LCR), Yahtzee, or Farkle for quick fun.

Dominoes – Play Mexican Train or straight dominoes while keeping an eye on the traps.

Stay Warm & Satisfied:

Cooking on the Wood Stove – Grill up moose sausage, hot dogs, deer venison stew, or fresh fish right in the shack.

Hot Drinks – Sip hot coffee, tea, or cocoa (maybe with a little extra “warmth” added).

Ice Fishing Snack Table – Set up a small spread with jerky, smoked fish, cheese, and Maine whoopie pies.

Outdoor Fun While You Wait:

Ride the Snowmobile Trails – If the groomed trails run past your shanty, take a ride through the woods or across the lake.

Snowshoe or Walk the Shoreline – Check out the frozen beauty of Maine’s back country.

Try Jigging Inside the Shack – If you’re getting impatient, drop a jigging rod inside the shack while you wait for the orange flag tip-ups.

Tech & Trivia Time:

Listen to a Game on the Radio – Catch a UMaine hockey or a Bruins game while you fish. Talk about your local high school baskeball team chances to make it to the tournament.

Tell Hunting & Fishing Stories – No ice shack trip is complete without some good old storytelling (or exaggeration).

Watch a Classic Ice Fishing Movie – If you have a generator or power pack, put on Grumpy Old Men or On Golden Pond. Many shacks have satellite dishes.

Shack Shenanigans & Challenges:

Bet on the First Flag – Everyone throws in a few bucks or a beer, and the first person whose flag pops gets the pot.

Build a Snowman or Ice Sculpture – Get creative with the extra ice and snow around the shack.

Practice Axe Throwing (Safely!) – Set up a log target away from people and see who can land the best throws.

Make a Frozen Shot Glass – Carve out some ice and enjoy a Maine cold shot of Allen’s Coffee Brandy.

Whether you’re in Island Falls, Escort Station, Vanceboro, Rge Forks, Moosehead, Sebago, or somewhere off a backwoods logging road, ice fishing in Maine is about relaxing, having fun, and enjoying winter the way life should be.
🔥 Hot Food Served Up at the Ice Shack

Hearty Crock Pot & Dutch Oven Creations (Let it simmer while you fish!)

Chowder – Classic Maine haddock chowder or a creamy corn and bacon chowder that keeps everyone warm.

Chili – A big batch of venison or moose chili, slow-cooked all day for maximum flavor.

Baked Beans & Franks – Slow-cooked with molasses, brown sugar, and smoked bacon for a true Maine classic.

Pulled Pork – Throw a pork shoulder in a slow cooker or Dutch oven and serve on bulky rolls, or rolled up in a taco.

Buffalo Chicken Dip – A crowd favorite, easy to scoop up with tortilla chips while waiting for flags.

Grill Set-Up Right on the Ice (Keep it sizzling!)

Burgers & Cheeseburgers – Smash-style on a cast-iron griddle or traditional grill.

Venison or Moose Sausages – Tossed on the grill with peppers and onions.

Hot Dogs & Brats – Quick and easy, served up with grilled buns and mustard.

Chicken Thighs or Wings – BBQ, buffalo, or teriyaki-glazed, cooked up fresh.

Grilled Cheese & Ham, Tuna Sandwiches – Cooked on a cast-iron pan right in the Maine ice shack.

Campfire or Propane Stove Classics

Steak & Potatoes – Thick-cut ribeyes with foil-wrapped baked potatoes right in the fire. You get hungry out on a Maine lake.

Fried Fish Tacos – Freshly caught white perch or brook trout, fried up with coleslaw.

Breakfast Sandwiches – Eggs, bacon, and sausage on English muffins cooked over the fire. Breakfast for lunch or supper hits the spot.

🔥 Snacks & Warm Drinks for the Ice

Whoopie Pies – Because no Maine outing is complete without them.

Cheese & Sausage Board – Sliced cheddar, pepperoni, and summer sausage for easy munching.

Thermos Full of Clam Chowder – Hot, hearty, and portable.

Hot Cocoa, Coffee, or Allen’s Coffee Brandy – For keeping warm the “Maine” way.

Homemade Fudge or Peanut Butter Balls – The perfect snack between checking traps.

🔥 Ice Shack Traditions & Shenanigans

While the food is cooking, there’s plenty to do:
✔ Cribbage tournament (Maine’s official ice shack game)
✔ Betting on the first flag (Who gets the first fish? Throw a dollar in the pot!)
✔ Storytelling & tall tales (Because every ice fisherman has one that got away.)
✔ Snowmobile rides (When the traps aren’t tripping fast enough.)

Maine Ice Shacks Get Trailside Snowsled Visitors Stopping By To Say “Hi”. Ice Shack Passed Snowshoeing On Nickerson Lake In New Limerick Maine.

Whether you’re at Sebago, Moosehead, East Grand, or Mattawamkeag, a well-stocked ice shack menu turns a regular day of fishing into a winter tradition. Flags up, food hot, and good times rolling—that’s the Maine way!

Have you ever ice fished a Maine lake or enjoyed the Pine Tree State on vacation during the winter months?

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton ME 04730 USA
February 11, 2025
Lake Ice Fishing In Maine

Lake Ice fishing in Maine.

The warmer than usual temperatures earlier this winter made Maine lake ice fishing impossible. Open water kept ice fishing shacks from populating Maine lakes earlier this winter. And this week’s Maine weather forecast is calling for more above freezing point temperatures.

Everyone Enjoys Outdoor Maine Lake Ice Fishing. Even The Family Dog.

The tug of war from no ice to a thin layer then back to open water forced Maine winter outdoor lovers to try other sports.

Not that small Maine down hill ski areas have it much better. Lucky to have any mountain trails available like this Hermon Mountain ski area short video shows.

Making snow is expensive and higher than normal Maine temperatures messed up skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing too. Winter snow is vital to Maine tourism at local lodges, motels, restaurants and communities that depend on the white stuff to boost the economy.

So back to lake ice fishing in Maine.

This past weekend thanks to a few days of lower weather forecast temperatures, Maine lakes firmed up enough to allow ice fishing.

Watch a drone aerial video of Drews, Nickerson Lake ice fishing in Aroostook County.

Saturday all around Northern Maine ice fishing enthusiasts headed out onto frozen lakes to set up the shacks. To drill the maximum five holes to open up the Maine lake. Dropping the baited lines, setting ice fishing traps to wait and watch for the orange flags to trip. You’re not going to get a hernia from the pace of the Maine lake ice fishing sport. It’s not a race waiting for fish of all types to nibble on the line.

Ice fishing Maine lakes is not a highly strenuous outdoor winter spot.

But there is lots more to it than just catching your limit or the largest fish pulled up through the hole during an ice fishing derby.

Kinda Windy Out In The Open On A Maine Lake Ice Fishing. No Trees For A Wind Break As Gusts Pick Up Speed Down Across The Frozen Layer Of Lake Ice.

The ice fishing shacks have all the creature comforts.

More chili? Pulled pork sandwiches or baked beans? Oyster or better yet fish chowder? Some hot chocolate? I’ve seen Satellite dishes to watch the super bowl. Gas or wood unit stoves heating the smaller square footage. The wind gusts pummel the small shack hauled out to be your temporary home ice fishing.

Winds and blowing snow creates the cozy, tight quarters home away from home by yourself on a Maine frozen sheet of lake ice.

This year’s drought of snow and unseasonably warm temperatures have fouled up ice fishing, snow skiing, all of the winter recreation in Maine. Here is the local Maine ice fishing lake report around the state.

Snowmobiles A Big Part Of Maine Ice Fishing. Lugging Your Gear, Food, Fire Wood… The Shack Out To Your Spot On A Maine Lake.

Spirited cribbage board and card games happen during Maine lake ice fishing season.

The kids are pulled by snowmobiles on toboggans, saucers and sleds. Four wheelers are equipped with tracks to keep them from getting stuck.

Ice Fishing On Maine Lakes, A Plowed Or Groomed Roadway Leads To The Village Of Ice Fishing Shacks.

Roads are plowed down the middle of Maine lakes using pickups or snow sled club groomers for the temporary transportation.

Hauling out the ice shack, the tents, the Jiffy ice auger and supplies for food and fun.

An eight inch hole is best for larger fish that won’t fit so easily through a six inch one. But a ten inch hole would be dangerous for ice fisherman and their friends, families who could accidently step into them and potentially hurt their legs.

Drews Lake Maine Group Of Ice Fishing Shacks. Fishing Derbies Around Maine Lakes Make Angling For Fish Profitable And Competitive.

I know a friend of mine who was fishing for salmon on Deering Lake in Weston Maine who cut his leg on the ice auger.

A few years back, he had an accident. He lost quite a bit of blood and drove himself to the local hospital. The motorized auger got too close to this snow sledding boots. Bit him. A buddy system and measuring the ice depths all help make ice fishing less stressful for the local Maine game warden.

Maine Drews Lake Ice Fishing Derby Happened As Part Of Moosestompers Weekend.

A friend of mine lived on Drews Lake and in high school if I ask permission to spend the night, my Dad would always make me promise.

Don’t drive on the ice. I can hold my breath, but not until spring. You go through the hole in the ice and might not find an opening to come back up through if their is a water current.

Socializing, More Than Just Fishing For Supper Or A Trophy Under The Frozen Sheet Of Maine Lake Ice.

The thought of falling through the ice walking, on a snowmobile or in a vehicle is a nightmare I don’t want to be in. But flying the drone and thanks to a telephoto camera lens brought along for the capture from shore,

Dad would be happy. I did not have to drive out on the ice to get closer to the ice fishing lake action for the video and still photography.

Making A Weekend, Enjoying A Maine Winter Ice Fishing On Drews Lake!

Blogged earlier about a fellow losing his brand new DeSoto car sinking through East Grand Lake a while back on this Me In Maine blog.

Ice fishing a Maine lake?

Ever do it? It is peaceful, quiet and you never know who will stop in by cross country ski, snowmobile or driving out to your ice shack to visit. Maine, we don’t hibernate and sit on a couch shivering. Playing outside learned as a kid and sticks with you until the end of your days living and enjoying rural Maine.

Drone Aerial Of Nickerson Lake Ice Fishing This Past Weekend Up In Aroostook County.

Dressing with layers and the right gear to be out in the fresh air in Maine.

True Mainers are outdoors everyday of the year and loving it. Blue sky, fresh sparkling snow, the sound of it crunching under foot. Winter air invigorates and increases awareness in the stillness around you up to camp in Maine.

Ice fishing in Maine is one more winter sport to help pass the time as the kitchen calendar sheets one by one get checked off and used up slowly.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Real Estate Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton Maine 04730 USA

February 6, 2024
Picnics in Maine

Picnics in Maine.

What do those three little words conjure up in your mind? Family time out in nature? Romance gazing into another’s eyes, munching on grapes and admiring the view? Or just to get off the highway to recover from white line fever and the “10” and “2” on the wheel. There was a time in Maine when all kinds of secondary road rest area picnic stops were available to make travel easier, less expensive.

Picnic Rest Stops Along Maine Highways. Once Small Roadside Stops, Many Tables & Grills!

Maine picnics. Picturing a weaved basket with a lid to open? Kool-ade, twisting off the thermos top to pour hot coffee. Maybe a mason jar full of ice water to fill a paper or tin cup.

Feasting on home made egg salad or tuna or ham sandwiches, deviled eggs, pickle spears during a highway travel break from behind the wheel? (Pass me another drum stick, a little more potato salad would you please?)

Sampling something home made and not off a grocery store shelf. Tastes better, saves money and the roadside picnic stop made good use of your travel time.

Squeezing Apples, Making Cider For Family Enjoyment.

Rewind to say picnic areas stops in Maine and see many outdoor roadside dining options.

Picnics in Maine pretty common place.

Some close to home on a weekend to head to a hillside or park it by a lake, pond, the ocean to take in the view. To enjoy outdoor scenic dining where the fresh air improves the taste of whatever gets fished out of the picnic basket. Why waste all this Maine four season beauty right? You get the best seat in the house so to speak.

Maine Lighthouses, Collect Your Favorite! Revisit Every Season! Bring A Picnic Lunch!

Picnic Lunch At Baxter State Park! Lots Of Outdoor Dining Options!

Maine picnic outings to save time and money along the highway traveling somewhere.

Instead of turnpike rest stops along the Interstate highway in Maine, it was canopied picnic tables along all the US highways and less traveled byway routes. Here is a list of Maine picnic area rest stops during the hay day.

The Unique State Of Maine Hand Drawn, Creatively Depicted. Like The People That Are The Fruit Of The Tree.

There is something special and memorable about open air Maine picnic dining.

Families all have a roll setting up and tearing down the impromptu roadside dining experience. Some Maine picnic areas feature fireplaces to grill up what you slide onto the paper plate.

Peaceful, Quiet, Magical Mist Enjoying Fresh Coffee Early Morning On A Maine Lake. Picnics Can Be Enjoyed Any Time, Year Round In Maine!

Wood or charcoal for the outdoor sizzle adds to the picnic experience. So does the kids checking out the babbling brook on the edge of the picnic area. Exercise, getting out of the station wagon to stretch your legs, explore, fill your lungs with fresh air.

The picnic stop really was win win to silence the meal time bell, to offer face to face conversation taking a travel stop break.

Then pack up, douse the camp fire, any garbage carried out or deposited in a secured barrel that was black bear proof.

Life Jumps Out At You Sometimes. Rural Maine Is Ready For Whatever Pops Up.

Do you picnic?

With tourist information centers dotting the state of Maine, there is still plenty of opportunity to outdoor picnic dine. Or have you fallen into the habit of looking for the knife and spoon I-95 or Maine turnpike symbol for food and fuel?

The I spy with my little eye the drive through window options and gas pit stop options.

All done NASCAR quick like a bunny in one major hurry racing from “A” to “B”?

Maine, The Way Life Should Be! Welcome To Vacationland! Common Sense Still Used In Our Daily Life. Not Outdated.

The local tourist information center had a small playground and several grills, canopied picnic tables.

Used to take the four kids and invite the grandparents to meet us for a picnic lunch or supper.

You did not have to be a road warrior only to picnic in Maine.

Picnicking was something different, a habit while the Maine weather cooperated to dine socially outdoors. Corn on the cob, baked beans, grilled hot dogs all courtesy of a Coleman gas stove set up to prepare sometimes a more elaborate meal.

Picnic spots in Maine abound.

You develop your own perfect outdoor venue for finger food, a trail side snack as you drink in the amazing views unspoiled four seasons Maine can provide if you take the time.

Outdoor Maine scenery improves the taste.

Take a break from trail or highway riding and open up the carefully prepared picnic snack or meal. Remember to not create debris or to litter. Carry in and carry out. Tread lightly.

Small Town Living In Maine. Means Trail Rides With Your Family And Friends. Picnic Lunches Along The Trail!

Picking potatoes or raking blueberries growing up taught us all how tasty fresh air dining bathed in sunshine can really be when mixed with manual labor.

Money From Working For Area Farmers. How To Make Your Own Money, Not Spend Mom And Dad’s Important Skill.

Vy Flewelling if memory serves correctly had over ten children in tow during potato harvest. Area potato farmers during the three week harvest break from the three R’s depended on area youth to pick ’em clean. The four baskets in the potato barrel needed to securely slide your numbered ticket into a tight crack on the stave’s groove.

Her lunch time break ritual was no brown bag with Vienna sausages lathered in mayonnaise, ring dings, chips and Mountain Dew.

No no, it was boiled New England dinners, like Thanksgiving holiday spreads served on the vehicle tailgate. Vy definitely knew the joy and economy of outdoor picnic style dining in the Maine potato fields and blueberry barrens.

Picking The Potatoes By Hanfuls Into A Basket To Fill The Empty Barrels. Full Potato Barrels Weight 165 Pounds Befofe Storage In Potato Bins Over The Winter.

Trail hiking, mountain climbing all offer a different form of Maine outdoor back pack picnicking.

Gorp and expanded trail side snacking is healthy and quick energy finger food.

Climbing Mt Katahdin, Baxter State Park Trails With Your Kids. Like You Did With Your Parents. Priceless.

Apples, bananas, grapes and oranges taste better outdoors in the middle of Maine’s majesty. Be considerate of the packaging and waste but there is nothing like munching on peanuts, raisins, oats, granola.

Maybe with some chocolate sneaked into the mix atop Mt Katahdin or your favorite hilltop or waterside perch.

Winter does not stop the Maine outdoor dining experience either.

Snow sledding stops at a simple woods camp where a 55 gallon drum is converted into a charcoal wood chip grilling machine is common place.

Dressed in snowsuits and removing the face shield helmet, take off the gloves. To hoist a barley pop and chit chat about the twisting woods trail ride behind and ahead of us today.

Visiting an Maine lighthouse in winter.

The photo and video array is so different yet the same from your last different calendar month visit.

Get outdoors and bring along a specially packed picnic lunch. Hike, bike, cross country or downhill ski. Take in the sights, fill up your lungs. Feel alive in Maine and figure out life’s mysteries. Those secrets are found outdoors in Maine.

What outdoor recreation event do you like to do in Maine?

Visit the woodlot, paddle across a Maine lake in a kayak? White water raft down a Maine winter? It all awaits and maybe a picnic lunch enhances and extends the fun outdoors in Maine. Picnic blog posts are nothing new on the Maine blog channel.

Fruit in season, an apple found and polished to crunch on along the Maine outdoor trail.

Wild blueberries, strawberries, raspberries. Nature has a way of providing finger food for all her creatures. I’ve seen and heard birds sampling the fermented berries and failing to miss a lake home picture window. They get stunned and then back in the air.

Note to self ” Get those bright colored plastic tape to string and protect the giddy birds around Maine lake home.

You got to eat and the time you provide to pack the picnic lunch, the folks you are with or if you just travel solo or a couple. Enjoy outdoor picnic lunch dining to stay outdoors and to enhance the experience. There is nothing like it and traditions are started.

How do you think the cowboys did it out west? Dining under the stars settled in around the camp fire leaning again horse saddles and a bed roll. Too much time inside dulls the experience. Dress accordingly but exercise and drink in all that the Maine outdoor four season lifestyle offers those wanting to partake!

Lucky to live in Maine and I bet you Me In Maine blog post readers feel exactly the same.

Off to finish banking the Maine farmhouse and wrap up the putting away outdoor items at the lake place today. But enthused today about memories of past picnic lunch travel stops and often Sunday afternoon rituals growing up in small town Maine.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton ME 04730 USA

November 12, 2023
10 Best Maine Towns To Visit, It’s Not What You Think

10 best Maine towns to visit, it’s not what you think.

Maine is loaded with small towns. All unique and special but not all get the press and attention that a small handful do.

You Hear Them, Admire Them And Shoreland Zoning In Maine Protects Them. Maine Lake Loons, Other Wildlife, Fish!

So when you see the headline 10 best Maine towns to visit highlighted in a blog post or splashed across a magazine cover in a grocery check out line, it happens.

You and I are looking for shortcuts, suggestions to save time. Some free or paid advice. Maybe it’s a little bit of FOMO, fear of missing out mixed into the decision making. Watch out for the here it comes, the spin. Or it’s more simple than that. You just have only a short amount of time and traveling to Maine from many hours away to pack it all in. That’s a major component creating all the added vacation planning pressure.

No People, No Man Made Structure Or Noises. Welcome To Baxter State Park’s Mt Katahdin.

Like going to the Moon, you just get there and well, better thing about packing up and returning to far away planet Earth.

Maine is like that to many. Like planning a trip to the moon or a far away galaxy. That little extra drive or flying time away from the hustle bustle is what insulates, not isolates us. So back to the 10 best Maine towns to visit. It’s a list you chisel out for yourself because of personal preferences through life in Vacationland.

Small town charm, Maine has nearly 500 communities that are all top ten, worthwhile to visit in that department.

Technically, you count up 721 cities, towns around the state of Maine. So many are unorganized territories served up in six by six mile squares of woodland. Maine is 91% wooded remember? Some want to homesteading in Maine.

Wide Open Space. More Farms, Wooded Land And Fewer People. That Is What It Is Like In Maine.

So who decides which are the best towns in Maine to visit?

Advertisers do. The publications generating the press about Maine get paid for what and where in Maine gets promoted. You want coverage, you need advertisers to pay for the ads wedged in between the tourist information.

The Maine information promotion rides on a business chassis fueled by advertising.

The thickness of your newsprint edition or four color glossy magazine publication all revolves around advertising. Underwriting, subscriptions, donations, advertising dollars to carry the overhead expenses.

Downeast Coastal Lobster Boats In Maine.

But why wouldn’t a great community or any area of Maine be kept such a secret?

It isn’t now that everyone is a cub reporter that can share experiences around social media platforms.

The blog post image from Gulf Hagas, long form video from the dog sled races below or Maine soap box derby race, short video or reel on a small town dance recital.

Which small Maine towns make the list as the best of the bunch?

Besides advertisers who have enterprises in the top 10 Maine towns panned by the hot bright promotion spotlight, location comes into play. The southernmost coastal towns in Maine get the visits.

You can sample Maine easily with the up and back across the big green bridge in a small manageable amount of time. But the “what’s on the menu” for best Maine towns to visit expands greatly.

Budget a little more time to arrive at and enjoy a new list of top ten Maine towns to experience. The southern most towns and cities in Maine are the low hanging expensive tourism locations close to population center.

I’m happy for the handful of Maine coastal towns that attract tourists to visit and spend money in the state.

Because each new dollar turns over six to seven times to feed the local economy.

But I suggest to you, budget a little more time, venture deeper up into Maine.

See small Maine towns that host spring kayak canoe races.

Grab A Paddle, Load Up The Canoe, Launch The Kayak! Spring High Water Time Is Here!

Take in an event seen by 55 million people from around the globe, a World cup biathlon.

Sample a friendly, small Maine ski area mountain.

Try out a bigger Maine ski area mountain.

Watch a farmers market video and meet the friendly people, your local farmer.

Climb in a boat. Take a spin, fish, enjoy a Maine lake.

Learn about cross country skiing in Maine.

Take a bog walk in Orono Penobscot County Maine.

Sample a lighthouse in Maine.

Maine Lighthouses, Collect Your Favorite! Revisit Every Season!

Float Your Boat, Lots Of Places To Do That In Maine, “Vacationland”. Somehow Water Is Involved In So Much Of Our 4 Season Recreation!

Maine has lots of top 10 experiences, towns to visit.

There are a handful of cities in Maine to enjoy. But small town, quaint and friendly Maine communities. You and I decide what the 10 best Maine towns are and for a slew of reasons.

I service daily a certain set of Maine communities. But there are so many to explore and expose which is what this Maine blog post platform strives to do.

Maine has what you need.

Vacationland is the way life should be but travel up into Maine. Budget some extra time. To experience what is most personal and private and to areas of Maine that don’t make the default list as most worthwhile to visit.

Growing Without Sprays, Chemicals. Organic Maine Homesteading Happens Around Maine!

10 best towns to visit in Maine.

Don’t stop at ten. More than you can count using both hands. Create your own list and never think it’s only 10 or 5 or 3 as the absolute list. We all gravitate to a different list of what we enjoy in Maine. And depending on which of the four seasons the calendar hanging on the kitchen wall reveals, the what to do for fun changes.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton ME 04730 USA

May 23, 2023
Things To Do For Fun In Maine | Snow Sledding ITS Trails.

Things to do for fun in Maine, play in the snow.

In this blog post series, this Maine native will down play snow because too many in the audience have the wrong idea. They have the image in their head that the thermometers in Maine all sink to below the red fluid day and night during winter. Maine also has three other seasons beside the one at the tail end of the calendar.

Hitting The Snow Sled ITS Trails In Maine. Some Move You Fast Like Old Railroad Beds. Others You Can Poke Along And See More Countryside And Wildlife.

Winter is one of my favorite but all four when you live in Maine get high marks, thumbs up. Because you live in Maine, not only get a tease of a long weekend or one stretch of seven days to soak it up. To unplug, recharge. To see, hear, taste, feel and sample all Maine has to offer.

Don’t let a little snow in the forecast set you off or turn you back to making the trek to Vacatonland.

Or you lose out on so much in the state where you can log eight hours from end to end. That is so vast and varied that the season you visit only adds to the take away experience that you will not forget.

So things to do in Maine, what if it is winter when you have a little time to tap into the Pine Tree State channel of life?

Lots to do in Maine in the winter. Pull up a chair in front of a crackling fireplace to absorb the positive ions, to warm your bones. After a day of snow shoeing, cross country or down hill skiing, ice fishing, playing pond hockey. Or snow sledding, my favorite way to get where cars and trucks don’t access. Where all the wildlife life, where the natural resources are crystal clean and clear. Breath in the crisp fresh air. Swivel the head slowly to take in the eye candy that surrounds you where the terrain of farm fields, pasture land, deep woods and lots of waterfront scenery awaits.

Pick A Color, Style, Horsepower And Price Range. Maine Is Paradise For Sled Head Snowmobilers.

This coming weekend, at the Augusta Civic Center the 2017 Maine Snowmobile Show kicks off for the 21st time. The display of new snow machines to ride and groom the ITS trails will be part of what is on hand to jump start your appetite for winter snow flakes.

All the gear that goes into snow sledding from helmets to clothing. Where to lodge after riding the trails. What to haul the machine to and fro to try out new areas of the state of Maine snow sled trails. And maybe to start the tradition of a trip that starts in Maine but continues on to Canada. We are parked right next to our Canadian cousins remember? Come play in the snow and see Maine from a different angle.

The Maine sled trade show always has a collection of vintage snow machines too.

Sno jets, Skiroule, Ski Whiz, Ski Horse, Motorski early snow sleds. Lots of tinkering. When what you worked on for two hours to ride for one had bogie wheels and not slides. Not much for suspension. Speeds were way way less warp drive. Back when fifty flavors of what you snowmobiled more around your own property because the trails were fewer in number to leave it. Smaller horsepower, fuel mixed with oil and gas, with an HD, HR carbureators and not fuel injection.

Grooming, Setting Up Trails Overnight For Maine Winter Tourists To Travel Smooth, Safe ITS Trails! Thank You Trail Makers, All The Groomer Operators.

No thumb warmers, no radiation under your feet, and no carbide ski runners, no studded tracks on the early snow sleds, snowmobiles. And you stood up, kneeled on one knee and leaned into corners. More work and slower speeds as you snow sledded around the countryside. To go out to eat, or go “up ta” camp. To pull the kids around the back field on ropes hooked to snow skis or flying saucers, toboggans. To travel back and forth to the one solid layer of ice topping a Maine lake. To play cards, shoot the breeze, sample ice shack food while other winter fishermen came and went. Stopping by the ice shack shanty to say hello. Ask how are they biting on the five holes drilled in the ice in the peaceful setting on a Maine lake with snow covered hills in the background.

The early snow sleds were tipsy, skinny and did not have a wide ski stance so you could just sit and drive. You had to work harder, throw the machine around the drifts and know that soft snow meant sinking. Getting stuck and all the work to heave ho your way out of the light fluffy new snow with no bottom to it. The heavier machines meant don’t leave a hard packed trail. Getting unstuck meant go around to the front and pack down what is making your snow plow and causing all the resistance as you dry to go up the smallest of hills in the white power snow deposited over night.

The snow sled trails in Maine are less harmful or disruptive like ATV trails can be.

The blanket of snow is your insulation from Mother Earth and makes the wall to wall wilderness rug for a playing surface. Always squeeze that handlebar throttle carefully and avoid spinning holes in the ITS trails. Leave the left handed cigarettes, the barley pop, firewater and grape juice for trail side putting your feet up by the roaring fire. After you remove the moon boots, the full coverage helmet and leather batman suit. And step away from your ice rocket. Turning your attention to trail tales and what are we eating for supper. And which new routes are we going to explore tomorrow while on vacation in Maine this winter.

Sugar Coated Maine, Don’t Miss A Season, Make Winter Sparkle Part Of Your Vacation Plans.

Get involved in a major tourism contributor during a slower economic time of the year for Maine towns, the handful of cities. At the Maine Snowmobile Show this weekend, lots of workshops on trail maintenance, discussions on the capital equipment grant process. It is not just snow sled dealers peddling their wares. Trailmasters, project directors, groomer operators, and snow sled club members who are involved with maintenance and building of trails are welcome and encouraged to attend.

More on the Maine Snowmobile Show, the winter sport that has over 14,000 miles of trails to help open up the state. This is the time of year when trail markets for safety and navigation are put into play on all the land owners of Maine who allow access across their property. Snow sledding trail use in Maine, it is gift, not a right. Respect the land, the surroundings called Maine. Tread lightly and carry in, carry out to be a responsible Maine snow sled operator for the next generator to model and pass on to future snowmobilers.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North Street Houlton Maine 04730 USA

October 15, 2017