Monhegan is an island and community in Lincoln County , Maine , U.S. , about 12 nautical miles off the coast. The municipality is organized as a " plantation ", which in Maine typically indicates an organized governmental status falling between township (unorganized territory) and town . As of the 2000 census, the island had a total year-round population of 75. The island got its start as a British fishing camp prior to the settlement of the Plymouth Colony . The British would harvest cod from the rich fishing grounds of the Gulf of Maine then dry the fish on the island before shipping them to Europe. Today fishing still dominates Monhegans economy. From December through May the fishermen harvest lobsters from the only lobster conservation area in the state of Maine. The summer months bring artists and tourists on a daily ferry to view the migrating island birds and the amazing ocean views. Much of Monhegan is uninhabited and free to explore on dirt trails. Monhegan only recently installed its own source of electricity; it is still widely regarded as quaint and unspoiled.