Crystal Lake

Crystal Lake has excellent water quality for cold water fisheries management. An oxygen deficiency, which usually occurs below 25 feet, limits the available summertime habitat, but enough cold well-oxygenated water exists to support both species of trout present. The lake is stocked annually with brown trout and brook trout because there is a lack of spawning and nursery habitat for both. The Maine Department of Fisheries and Wildlife stocked landlocked alewives into Crystal Lake in 1984 in order to additional forage for the brown trout. The provide introduction was successful and brown trout growth is a good smelt population provides forage for the trout as well as a limited hook and line fishery in the winter. Largemouth bass require habitat such as weed beds, rock piles and extensive shallows to enhance the survival of their young and to support an abundant population. Crystal Lake's lack of this habitat limits the bass fishery. The town of Gray maintains a boat ramp, which is open to the Public at the southern end of the lake.