Lincoln: Discover Lakes, Nature, and Local History

Lincoln is defined by water: the town has 13 lakes, nearly 70 miles of shoreline, and 19 miles of riverfront; its water surface covers more than 4,300 acres. This offers several ways to shape your stay: boating, fishing, nature watching, and local history. When looking for a vacation rental, consider which of these sides of Lincoln you want to make a particular focus of your trip.

Boat Launches on Lakes and River

Cold Stream Pond has a simple public boat launch suitable only for hand-carried boats. Folsom Pond has a public launch at 500 Folsom Pond Road, and Mattanawcook Pond has one at 31 Lake St. There is a public boat launch on the Penobscot River in Lincoln at 725 W Broadway. A launch at Stump Pond is located on Frost St; Upper Cold Stream Pond has a public boat launch at Little Narrows, 900 Transalpine Rd. Those interested in boating will find several specific bodies of water and addresses to use as a guide; be sure to note the restriction at Cold Stream Pond.

Fishing, Walking, and Wildlife Watching

Fishing in Lincoln includes smallmouth bass, landlocked salmon, brook trout, togue (lake trout), smelt, and white perch. At Edwards Family Kids Fishing Pond, fishing is permitted only for people under 16 or those with a qualifying free fishing license. If you plan to visit this pond, check that the rule fits your fishing situation.

The Lincoln Community Walking and Fitness Trail is accessible and has no steep slopes. It is suitable for picnics and wildlife watching. This gives you an option for walking and spending time outdoors in addition to the waterways. Wildlife that can be observed in Lincoln includes loons, ducks, geese, herons, eagles, ospreys, white-tailed deer, bears, and moose. Nature watching here includes both birds and larger mammals.

Prince Thomas Park also offers a connection to the water: kayaks and paddleboards are available to borrow free of charge. Along with the public boat launches and fishing opportunities, this gives you several reasons to include Lincoln’s waterways in your travel plans. The activity you want to prioritize can be a helpful starting point when choosing a vacation rental.

Festival and Historic Sites

The annual Loon Festival takes place in Lincoln every July. It includes the Redneck Regatta, a parade, arts and crafts, and other activities. The festival adds a cultural highlight to the opportunities centered on water and nature; if you want to plan your trip around it, include July, the festival month, in your plans.

Local history is also tangible in the town’s named buildings. Corro House is one of the oldest houses in Lincoln and was built by the Stinchfield family in 1836. The Little Red Schoolhouse is located in Schoolhouse Park on West Broadway and was built in 1891. These different construction dates provide two specific points of reference in the town’s history.

For broader historical context in the region, the Lincoln Historical Society has books and artifacts related to the Lincoln area. Its collections include a one-room schoolhouse and school-related items from Lincoln’s schools. These collections complement the two historic buildings with a broader perspective on local school and regional history.

Discover more destinations: Orono, Brewer, Millinocket, Glenburn, Dexter, Corinna, Lee, Bangor.

For the broader travel overview: Penobscot.