Birch Island Properties

One of the first properties acquired by the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust (WWLT), the Birch Islands are considered the crown jewels of Spednic Lake. WWLT purchased Birch Island and Little Birch Island on Spednic Lake through the Land for Maine’s Future Program in 1996. In 1998, Birch Island was conveyed by WWLT to the State of Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W) with restrictive deed covenants.

45.62107°N
67.63653°W
Location
Spednic Lake, ME
Size
25 acres
Date Protected
1996
Classification
Features
Water Access
Camping
Fishing
Swimming
Wildlife Watching
Primitive Boat Access

Birch Island

Location: Spednic Lake
Size: 23 acres
Date protected: 1996
Classification: Public
Coordinates: 45.62107, -67.63653


Activities

  • Fishing
  • Camping/Picnicking
  • Water Access
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Swimming

Public Access

  • Public access by water from Spednic Lake
  • Primitive landing site for canoe, kayak, or boat


Key Features & Property Description

  • Important part of the St. Croix Canoe Trail with a landing site and primitive campsite on the northeast corner that is traditionally used by area guides, canoe trippers, and fishing parties
  • Spruce and hemlock forest
  • Island is rimmed with granite outcroppings 
  • Smallmouth spawning habitat


State of Maine rules and regulations apply.



Little Birch Island

Description: One of the first properties acquired by the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust (WWLT), Birch Island and Little Birch Island are considered the crown jewels of Spednic Lake. Little Birch Island is owned by WWLT and is open to the public.
Location: Spednic Lake, ME
Date protected: 1996
Size: 2 acres
Classification:
Public
Coordinates: 45.61756, -67.63112


Conservation Purpose 

Little Birch Island is being preserved in its wild and natural state permanently. This allows for the protection of prime smallmouth bass spawning areas and raptor habitat.


Activities

  • Fishing
  • Water Access
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Swimming


Key Features & Property Description

Little Birch is a small two acre island covered in woodlands with a rocky shoreline. Depending on the water level, you can set foot on the island, but with high water levels the island is marshy.


Public Access

Little Birch Island can be accessed by boat. Little Birch Island can also be a spot to watch raptor activity on the island, as it is a favorite hunting perch for ospreys and bald eagles who nest nearby. Little Birch Island is also a habitat for wading birds and waterfowl. The marshy and wooded acres help facilitate the wading bird and waterfowl ecosystem. Higher water levels contribute to the marshy landscape, while lower water levels will expose a rocky shoreline.


State of Maine rules and regulations apply.


History of WWLT’s Purchase of the Birch Islands

In 1996, Dale Wheaton and Mark Danforth witnessed a float plane land on Spednic Lake and someone stepping out to place a “For Sale” sign on the Birch Islands, considered the Crown jewels of Spednic Lake. The very thought of the heart and soul of this watershed being “For Sale” sent a ripple through the Guide Corps. 

While concern had been growing amongst guides that this lake—and for that matter, the Region—could be lost to pressures of an ever-encroaching world, immediate action was taken. As long-time guide Andrew Brooks said, “If we have to, we must dig into our own pockets to buy Birch Island.” In 1996, a 25-acre purchase of Birch Island and Little Birch Island was made by WWLT, later being conveyed to the State of Maine with restrictive deed covenants in 1998.

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Additional Information

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