Boating & Boat Launch

Sebago Lake State Park has a public trailered boat launch on its day-use side in Casco, open during park hours, 9 a.m. to sunset. The launch fee is $10 per vehicle or the posted per-person day-use fee, whichever is less, paid at the entry booth; kayaks, canoes and other hand-carried boats pay the per-person fee. Anglers who want to launch before 9 a.m. need an Early Launch Permit plus a season pass, bought ahead at park headquarters.

The Boat Launch

The launch is reached through the day-use entrance at 11 Park Access Road, Casco. You pay as you enter. The fee covers parking and use of the ramp only. The Bureau rates the trailered launch as accessible and the hand-carry launch as generally accessible. See parking and directions.

Launch Fees

• Trailered boat: $10 for the day or the per-person day-use fee, whichever is less. The most anyone pays for trailered access is $10.
• Kayak, canoe or other hand-carried boat: the per-person day-use fee ($6 Maine resident, $8 non-resident, aged 12 and over).
• Annual passes cover day use for the people in the vehicle. See hours and fees.

Launching Early: The Early Launch Permit

The launch opens with the park at 9 a.m. Anglers who want to be on the water earlier must buy an Early Launch Permit and a season pass before using it. Both are sold at park headquarters, 11 Park Access Road, Casco, by appointment: call (207) 693-6231.

Paddling

The Bureau lists canoeing among the park's activities, and the Songo River on the park's western side is a narrower, river-sized alternative to the open lake. Passing through Songo Lock in a kayak or canoe costs the same $15 round trip as any boat. See Songo Lock.

Boating to Long Lake Through Songo Lock

From the park you can boat up the Songo River, through Songo Lock, into Brandy Pond and on to Long Lake and the Naples Causeway. The lock runs May 1 to October 15, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Brandy Pond, personal watercraft are banned from sunset to 9 a.m., and on Brandy Pond and Long Lake rental personal watercraft must show a rental decal (Town of Naples). See the Songo River.

The Lower Bay: Portland's Drinking Water

The far southern end of Sebago Lake is Portland's water supply, and state law restricts it. Boating is allowed there, but within two miles of the Portland Water District's intakes no one may swim, wade or touch the water, and within 3,000 feet of the intakes no one may enter at all; buoys mark both zones. Fines reach $2,500. The Town of Standish's launch at Sebago Lake Station is inside the no-contact zone, so boats there must be launched without anyone touching the water. Plan any swim stop well away from that end.

Ice and Winter Boating

In winter the park's launch area doubles as a parking spot for the groomed ski trails. Sebago often freezes much later than nearby lakes; see fishing and winter before you go out on the ice.