This trip is mostly flatwater paddling with some short but easy rips upon entering the thoroughfare from Square Lake. The trip can be made all summer in a kayak. Canoeing should be limited to highwater due to the shallow stretch in the thoroughfare just below Square Lake.
Upon entering the lake from Burnt Landing, the route heads across the lake in a westerly direction of 261 degrees, to the thoroughfare on the western shore that leads through to Eagle Lake.
Eagle Lake thoroughfare is absolutely breathtaking, and lengthy at 3.5 miles. At 1.7 miles along the thoroughfare there is a campsite known as Half-Way Brook Campsite. This is an excellent location to stretch your back and legs and grab a snack.
Upon entering Eagle Lake, the route heads east to west before the lake heads due north. There are four campsites on the north shore of the lake. Alec Brook campsite, the first site upon leaving the mouth of the thoroughfare, is a good place to wait out potential high winds. The next campsite encountered, called Camp Cozy, offers a covered picnic table shelter and an outhouse. The campsite furthest to the west, Oak Point, has a long pronounced sandy point that jets out into the lake, making this an excellent place to swim. It is also the closest campsite to the Village of Eagle Lake. From the campsites, the take-out at the public boat ramp in the Village of Eagle Lake is across the lake, on its southern shore.
Caution: Both Square Lake and Eagle Lake have a tendency to be very rough when windy, fatalities have resulted from high wind conditions. Plan to cross in the morning or early evening, and be prepared to wait out winds for better crossing conditions if necessary.
For additional information, visit the Aroostook County Tourism website, or contact:
PUT-IN AT SQUARE LAKE (BURNT LANDING)
From ME-161 turn onto West Side Road (14 miles along ME-161 from US-1 in Fort Kent approaching from the north, 29 miles from US-1 in Caribou approaching from the south), just north of Cross Lake. After 0.8 miles, near the head of Cross Lake, turn off West Side Road onto a dirt road to the right. Go 0.3 miles and turn left at the intersection. Go 0.5 miles and turn right. Follow the curve of this road for another 0.5 miles, and with fields on the right, take a left onto Square Lake Road. Continue 3.9 miles to Burnt Landing. There is a large sign welcoming you to the landing bearing the name Muscovic on it.
TAKE-OUT AT EAGLE LAKE
From ME-11 (Main Street/Aroostook Road) in the Town of Eagle Lake, head east on Old Main Street. Proceed 1 mile to the public boat landing on the left.
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