The star attraction of Lake Ninevah is the pair of Common Loons that returns each summer to nest and raise their chicks. Since the loons starting nesting here two decades ago, their chicks have populated many other lakes in south-central Vermont.

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Thanks to the Vermont Loon Conservation Project and volunteers, the state’s once-endangered loon population has rebounded from seven nesting pairs in the mid-1980s to 90 breeding pairs today. Lake Ninevah is also home to a wide array of other wildlife. You may spot a salamander, a heron, a bald eagle or even a moose or bear.

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Loon photo by Janet Steward

Lake Ninevah is surrounded by land that is protected from development and open to hunting. Most of the shoreline remains wild, and the surrounding mountains and forests make for stunning vistas in every direction.

Volunteers work diligently to maintain this lake as a rare oasis of calm and one of Vermont’s natural treasures.

Before launching a boat from the state fishing access, please review the following lake-use guidelines. They are critical to keeping the lake healthy and beautiful.

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• Remove plants from your boat while it is on land.

• Fish responsibly – please do not use lead sinkers and jigs, which can poison loons if ingested. Clean up ALL fishing line and discarded hooks, wildlife can become entangled or badly hurt from abandoned hooks and line.

• Keep your distance while wildlife watching, especially around loons and loon chicks. Close human interaction can cause stress and, if threatened enough, cause adult loons to abandon chicks.

• Observe the 5 m.p.h. speed limit.

• Pack out your trash.

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Note: The lake’s dam is not open for use by the public. Campfires and overnight camping are not permitted anywhere on the lakeshore.

The lake use guidelines above ask you to remove plants from your boat so that you don’t carry this invasive plant into the lake. Eurasian watermilfoil has infested many Vermont lakes, ruining them for recreation and degrading the water as wildlife habitat. Thanks to boaters’ diligence as well as careful monitoring at the state fishing access and by trained divers, Lake Ninevah has remained milfoil-free for decades.

If you think you see this plant in the lake, do not try to pull it yourself. Instead, please report it to ninevahfoundation@gmail.com.

The Ninevah Foundation, a Vermont conservation non-profit, is dedicated to promoting the wilderness character and tranquil nature of Lake Ninevah and 3,300 acres of surrounding land, including most of the lakeshore. The Foundation relies on donations to pay for greeters at the state fishing access and for the trained divers who monitor the lake for invasive plant growth. You can support our work by donating here.

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