The Crooked River originates at the southern end of Songo Pond in Bethel and meanders southward for approximately 38 miles to its junction with the Songo River near the State Park in Naples, Maine. The two rivers then wind two more miles to their outlet in the northernmost part of Sebago Lake.
The Crooked River is a good bet for quality landlocked salmon in a riverine setting, but be prepared to have some fishless days. The Crooked is nearly 60 miles long and the salmon can quickly disperse in this large river system, which can make for some spotty fishing. On the other hand, there's an opportunity to catch some large salmon in the river as well as native brook trout. The Crooked provides virtually all of the spawning habitat for wild landlocked salmon in Sebago Lake. Each spring, smelts run into the lower section of this river and fishing activity is brisk from the Route 302 bridge down to the lake.
The Crooked River is monitored by the Portland Water District on a quarterly basis from the Sebago Lake State Park in Naples to a bridge on Rt. 35 in Albany. The total phosphorus levels for 2010 remained in line with expectations with no readings above the action level of 35 ppb. Overall, the Crooked River appears to have generally stable water quality. While no samples taken in 2010 were above the action limit, continued monitoring of the river is necessary. The Crooked River contributes more surface inflow to Sebago Lake than any other tributary and a reduction in water quality in the Crooked River could reduce water quality in the lake.
This watershed survey began in the spring of 2011 and finished March 2012. Like many of the surveys that LEA has participated in, this project involved identifying and documenting erosion sites within the watershed. However, unlike past surveys, a riparian (shoreline) corridor survey was also undertaken because of the importance this area plays in protecting the Crooked River’s high value land-locked salmon and brook trout fisheries. More than a dozen organizations partnered together to complete a survey of the watershed which stretches from southern Bethel in the north to Naples in the South. From the land-based survey, 164 sites were identified as problems. The riparian survey identified 20 problem sites. To read more about this project please check out the full Crooked River Survey Report and the Crooked River Riparian Cooridor Survey.
