The good water quality of Cold Rain Pond, near Sebago Lake, supports a thriving cold-water fishery. Lying in an increasingly populous area, this water body is remarkably undeveloped. Only one camp fronts on this “great pond” and a conservation easement held by Loon Echo Land Trust protects most of that private property from further development. No additional building will occur along the shores of Cold Rain Pond, thanks to the generosity of the former landowners who offered to sell their land to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (IF&W) at a price well below market value. With funding from the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) program, IF&W acquired 186 acres surrounding Cold Rain Pond, including all the remaining shorefront.
Anglers have traditionally enjoyed access to this site, but just prior to the State’s purchase, that access was closed off. IF&W’s purchase will restore a traditional carry-in site on the Pond’s north shore, ensuring that the public can enjoy boating and fishing in a remarkably unspoiled setting. In addition to funding the land’s acquisition, the LMF program provided a small grant to improve access, help repair the road and creating a small walking path between the parking area and boat launch. Due to its traditional use and good water quality, the State had identified this property as a “number one priority” for protection. The shorefront acreage and wooded uplands that IF&W purchased will help to maintain the pond’s high water quality and will protect feeder streams that drain into Sebago Lake. The property includes a portion of a deer wintering area that extends onto adjacent lands.
Closest Town
Naples
Activities
Bird & other wildlife watching, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking
Region
Southern Maine – York, Cumberland
Acres
186
Directions from nearest town
DeLorme Maine Atlas and Gazetteer Map 4, B-5. From the Route 302 bridge in Naples, take the second left (heading north) onto Lake House Road. Follow that just over three miles to the intersection with King Hill/Kimball’s Corner Road. Proceed straight onto the Tiger’s Hill Road (a discontinued town road with gravel surface). The carry-in access site is on the left, after about 0.7 miles.
