About 25 years ago, my wife, Nancy, and I completed a sea kayak instruction and safety course on Nequasset Lake in Woolwich. The training was so absorbing we didn’t pay much attention to the surrounding lake.

In recent years, we’ve been exploring small lakes and ponds in kayaks. After driving over the southern end of Nequasset Lake on Route 1 recently, we decided a return visit was in order, this time for purely recreational purposes.

Our research indicated the 393-acre lake can be accessed from two locations. Nequasset Park off George Wright Road near the southern outlet has a landing and a large parking area. A smaller launch site is situated on Nequasset Brook a short distance north of the lake.

Since Nequasset Lake is the principal water supply for Bath and parts of Woolwich, the shoreline is largely undeveloped and motorboats are limited to 10-horsepower. This combination makes it ideal for paddle-boat exploration.

Only about a 15-minute drive from our home in Topsham, the entire lake can be navigated in a few hours — perfect for a half-day adventure. We selected a partly sunny, late-June afternoon for our visit. Since the forecast called for a sea breeze from the southwest, we decided to depart from the north to take advantage of the tailwind on our return.

The northern landing is located on Old Stage Road in Woolwich. A dirt ramp allows paddlers to drive to the water’s edge to unload boats. A small parking area next to the ramp accommodates perhaps five vehicles.

We launched our kayaks in a calm, narrow, twisting stream. After a couple of turns, we angled south into marshy terrain in a widening channel. Two paddlers were fishing from a canoe in tall swamp grass on the left. They reported having successful results, and one had caught a 20-inch bass. Fishing is another popular activity on the lake.

Shortly after, we emerged into the lake. Prominent ledges on the right form a narrow peninsula that extends south. A sandy beach is located in the cove immediately west of the ledges.

We turned southwesterly and began crossing a significant stretch of open water towards the western shoreline. Several kayakers were met traveling north.

As we proceeded along the wooded shore, we passed one of the few camps on the lake. The weathered structure is boarded up and appears to be unoccupied. The brick Bath Water District pumping station is just beyond.

The lake narrowed as we progressed towards a rusted railroad bridge. A solo kayaker was fishing near high ledges on the left. She reported reeling in several catches.

Soon after, we passed under the Route 1 bridge and stopped at Nequasset Park for a break. Several families were fishing on the docks and along the shore.

A commercial alewife fishery is located a short distance below the park at the outlet. In 2014, a new fish ladder was installed. An estimated 300,000 alewives now migrate into the lake to spawn each year. That probably explains the presence of loons and an otter we observed during our trip.

We enjoyed a gentle tailwind during our return. A closer inspection of the beach and ledges in the northern part of the lake indicates the area would provide an excellent opportunity for a picnic lunch and further exploration during another visit.

A small motorboat preceded us when we reentered Nequasset Brook. More kayaks and canoes were encountered in the narrow passageway.

The landing was busy when we arrived. That provided an excuse to explore farther upstream. The tiny brook was surprisingly navigable as we continued up the circuitous waterway. A seemingly young great blue heron with light coloring flew regally into the air when we entered a marshy area. The large wading bird twice more took flight as we paddled deeper into the constricting brook.

A downed tree ended our search. On return, another great blue heron with dark blue colors soared past. We speculated the shaggy, long-legged bird was the parent of our earlier heron encounter.

The crowd had diminished at the landing and we quickly loaded our kayaks, completing a very stimulating afternoon of paddling. We anticipate a return trip.

My book, “Maine Al Fresco: The Fifty Finest Outdoor Adventures in Maine,” narrates several more lake and pond trips in Maine.

Ron Chase resides in Topsham. His latest book, “Maine Al Fresco: The Fifty Finest Outdoor Adventures in Maine” is available at northcountrypress.com/maine-al-fresco or in bookstores and through online retailers. His previous books are “The Great Mars Hill Bank Robbery” and “Mountains for Mortals – New England.” Visit his website at ronchaseoutdoors.com or he can be reached at ronchaseoutdoors@comcast.net.