More than half of Maine’s wild brook trout ponds have never been stocked. Stanley Pond offers the best odds in Maine of catching rainbow trout through the ice during the winter of 2014. A depth map and more fisheries information can be obtained at www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/lakesurvey_maps/androscoggin/range_pond_middle.pdf. Mixing Species: Mixing warm and cold water species of fish (e.g. Maine is home to 97 percent of the wild brook trout waters in the Eastern United States, according to Trout Unlimited. Here are the best fishing spots in the state. ", "I feel the article on page 18 of the April issue, “Recipes of Violence” by Matt Dunlap, needs to be published nationwide. ", Website Content Copyright © 2021 Northwoods Sporting Journal, P.O. 35 in Windham is one of the hot spots for trout. Every effort was made to ensure accuracy. It is up to each reader of this blog to ensure that a pond listed below can be fished through the ice. The Crooked River runs 43 miles from Songo Pond to Sebago Lake and is the principal wild trout fishery in Southern Maine. Finally, use the website linked to this blog to discover how many trout and salmon are released per acre in the spring and fall in all the 600+ stocked ponds and lakes throughout Maine. We are approaching one of the best fishing times of the year! As a child growing up I always dreamt about discovering a pond or stream that no one had ever fished. Over 40 percent of Maine's brook trout ponds are less than 25 acres and just 10 percent are over 500 acres. The Maine Brook Trout Waters Interactive Map allows users to locate Wild and Native Brook Trout Waters and the most current open water fishing regulations. View Larger MapMiddle Range Pond covers 366 acres and is located next to Jackson Road in Poland, Androscoggin County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 5 A3). 04493. These most likely represent the last genetically pure pond-dwelling native brook trout in the country. There are many hatcheries throughout the State of Maine and many spring fed ponds that were once stocked with trout. It is highly recommended to consult the latest regulations (available at. ) A depth map and more fisheries information can be obtained at www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/lakesurvey_maps/oxford/stanley_pond.pdf. The Remote Pond Survey Project is a collaborative effort that began in 2011, and seeks to recruit volunteer anglers to identify previously-undocumented wild brook trout populations in remote Maine ponds. Long Pond, while narrow, is 100 feet deep in places and is known for its northern pike, brown trout, bass, and if you’re fortunate, you can catch a landlocked salmon. Check local streams and ponds to determine which fish and related water temperatures are natural to the area. For more articles and stories about hunting, fishing and the outdoors, be sure to subscribe to our monthly publication the Northwoods Sporting Journal. With over 500 lakes and ponds in the North Maine Woods, there are certainly a lot of places to fish and over the past 30 years I have had the good fortune to try many of them. How to make a trout pond. 5. All fish above Salon on the Kennebec are wild or native fish, as the fishery is not stocked. How to Find Trout in Open Water Learning how to fish for Trout in a lake with a lot of open water is a daunting task, but it is worth the effort. The December/January report lists several small bodies of water that typically freeze first, but it is up to you, the angler, to test for ice safety.. It was speckled with deep blue coloration down the back and sides. Outlook on the season: The unusually dry and hot summer of 2020 will have little effect on those waters open to ice fishing which tend to be larger, deeper lakes and ponds. Although the region is best known among anglers for Moosehead Lake, and its associated river fisheries, many small ponds provide excellent fishing opportunities for wild brook trout. I caught it on the north side shoreline of Nehumkeag Pond in Pittston, Maine. Rainbow trout do best in water between 50-70 degrees. Years ago Tim Shaw sent us this request. One, if not the main, motivating factor of trout in Maine starting their fall behavior is water temperature. Maine brook trout are a special resource, and we need to know where they are before we can protect and manage them appropriately. This pond was stocked in the fall of 2013 with 400 rainbow trout of 14”, which yields about 1 rainbow trout per acre. View Larger MapWorthley Pond covers 354 acres and is located next to East Shore Road in Peru, Oxford County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 11 A3). A depth map and more fisheries information can be obtained at www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/lakesurvey_maps/cumberland/crystal_lake.pdf. It's a great river to enjoy a real possibility of a tight line even throughout the winter. LANDLOCKED SALMON: Landlocked form of Atlantic salmon. So here they are, a list of what I feel are the top remote, native brook trout ponds in the North Maine Woods region: Little Pleasant Pond, Big Fall Brook Lake, Coffeelos Pond, Wadleigh Pond, Ferguson Pond, Allagash Lake and most ponds in T15R9 including Denny Pond and Big Black Pond. We have over 30 remote ponds … In this area, the brook trout are known to grow to over 20 inches and weighing up to 5 pounds. You may want to replicate those conditions to ensure success. We plan to periodically add additional layers as they become available. I had always been a lake fisher (25+ years) so Kevin's in-depth knowledge of the rivers, brooks, and streams of Maine … Jackman is known for its collection of remote ponds that have very high quality trout fishing. One, if not the main, motivating factor of trout in Maine starting their fall behavior is water temperature. Ice fishing for brook trout on Knights Pond, South Berwick, York County, Maine (January 10, 2021), Ice fishing for brook trout on Chaffin Pond in Windham, Cumberland County, Maine (January 3, 2021), Fishing for brook trout and rainbow trout on Knickerbocker Lake in Boothbay, Lincoln County, Maine (November 29, 2020), Fishing for brook trout on Sewell Pond in Arrowsic, Sagadahoc County, Maine (November 27, 2020), Fishing for brook trout on Pinkham Pond in Alna, Lincoln County, Maine (November 27, 2020), Fishing for brook trout on Upper Hinkley Pond in South Portland, Cumberland County, Maine (November 21, 2020), Fishing for brook trout on Big Eddy Pond in Topsham, Sagadahoc County, Maine (November 7, 2020). It's a great river to enjoy a real possibility of a tight line even throughout the winter. 5. Blueback trout are so rare most anglers don’t know they even exist. "Maine is the only state with extensive intact populations of wild, self-reproducing brook trout in lakes and ponds, including some lakes over 5,000 acres in size. While vacationing in Maine last summer, my girlfriend and I were able to go on a fishing adventure with Kevin for 2 Days. Maine Guide Fly Shop and Guide Service. Box 195, “I would like to see a little article on the tackle (lines, leader, flies) and techniques (area of pond, water temp, depth of water, time of year) for fishing in the ponds when no visible hatch is occurring. Another 235 have been stocked, but not in ten years or more. There are some stocked trout waters, but there are many more that contain only truly native brook trout. The air and water will be cooling and the trout and landlocked salmon will start their pre-spawn movement and/or positions into the rivers very soon. Around 20 ponds, most of them located in southern Maine counties, are managed as rainbow trout fisheries. Best ice fishing ponds for catching large trout in Oxford County, Maine (winter of 2016) This blog highlights the ponds in Oxford County which provide the best odds of catching larger stocked trout during the 2016 ice fishing season. View Larger MapForest Pond covers 45 acres and is located in Canton, Oxford County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 11 A4). bass and trout) in small ponds is not recommended.Generally, however, it is ok to mix different species of trout or trout of different sizes. All rights reserved. Great East Lake is a deep, cold lake covering some 1,768 acres. With over 500 lakes and ponds in the North Maine Woods, there are certainly a lot of places to fish and over the past 30 years I have had the good fortune to try many of them. Canoes are the best way to fish Maine's brook-trout ponds, though float tubes and kick boats are easier to carry in on your back during a long hike from the car. Trout ponds add recreational opportunities and biodiversity to lands. The premier hatch on most Maine trout ponds is the Green Drake, Hexagenia limbata. "Maine is the only state with extensive intact populations of wild, self-reproducing brook trout in lakes and ponds, including some lakes over 5,000 acres in size. I only present ponds that were stocked in 2013 with a minimum of 1 rainbow trout per acre. Male lake trout spawn every year, while females often spawn only every other year. The Best Maine Lakes & Ponds to Fly Fish When it comes to fly fishing lakes and ponds in Maine, there are absolutely endless opportunities. And in the past I have been very cautious about revealing those special places in the North Maine Woods, but with a 10 year trend towards decreasing use, I feel that over-fishing these ponds is no longer a threat. ME So here they are, a list of what I feel are the top remote, native brook trout ponds in the North Maine Woods region: Little Pleasant Pond, Big Fall Brook Lake, Coffeelos Pond, Wadleigh Pond, Ferguson Pond, Allagash Lake and most ponds in T15R9 including Denny Pond and Big Black Pond. Brook Trout Survey Project. I was asked recently which ponds were my top selections  for Maine  trout ponds. Many of the lakes and ponds are open for ice fishing in the wintertime. Maine's wild brook trout lakes and ponds range from just over an acre to sprawling 16,000-acre Mooselookmeguntic Lake in historic Rangeley. Maine's lake and pond brook trout resources are the jewel of the eastern range: lake populations are intact in 185 subwatersheds (18% of the historical range), in comparison to only six intact subwatersheds among the 16 other states." Ahh, summertime fun in Maine, so many lakes and ponds, so little time it seems between the Fourth of July and Labor Day. In addition to being picturesque, Millinocket Lake is also a good spot for fishing, with fallfish, landlocked salmon, brook trout, yellow perch and white sucker all being in abundance. To access past copies of the Northwoods Sporting Journal in digital format at no charge, click here. Maine has plenty of ponds that hold brook trout like this one. Lake trout more than 20 years old have been found in some Maine waters also. The deeper water in the big portion of the lake is home to lake trout in the 6- and 8-pound class, while big browns occupy areas closer to shore. TOP Brook Trout Ponds for the spring of 2016 in Washington County, Maine. View Larger MapKnickerbocker Pond covers 105 acres and is located off Barters Island Road in Boothbay, Lincoln County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 7 C2). The quiet is God-like. It is a toss-up to pick Maine's View Larger MapLake George covers 335 acres and is located next to Canaan Road (Route 2) in Canaan, Somerset County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 21 B2). The Little Ossipee River starts from Balch Pond, which is shared by New Hampshire and Maine. A depth map and more fisheries information can be obtained at www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/lakesurvey_maps/oxford/forest_pond.pdf. Note also that the list excludes “kids only” ponds. Easy access in a well populated area and heavy stocking brings many an angler here. Here are a handful of Maine’s best lakes just waiting for you to visit. View Larger MapPenneseewassee Lake covers 922 acres and is located next to Lake Road (Route 117) in Norway, Oxford County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 10 D5). There are many other lesser know waters that have good trout populations, but many are small and sensitive to too much angler pressure. ... is best. You'll likely need to bring your own canoe or some other form of watercraft. I hope you enjoy the month of July in the Maine woods- it is great month to be outdoors with family and friends. Don’t feel like flying? As for lake trout, these are my personal preferences: Clear Lake, Spider Lake, Eagle Lake, Chamberlain Lake, Churchill Lake, Ross Lake, Crescent Pond, Togue Pond, and 1st and 2nd Musquacook Lakes. "Your February article on Tom Hennessy was bittersweet. Additionally, we stock Flying Pond with landlocked salmon that grow to large and trophy size, and they are usually a little more willing to bite. Maine Trout Ponds Forum has 236 members. This pond was stocked in the fall of 2013 with 930 rainbow trout 14”, which yields about 2 rainbow trout per acre. But I also arrange travel trips to far-off locations, run a fly fishing school, and provide fly casting lessons. Make the most of it and head to the lake with all your toys and enjoy. A depth map and more fisheries information can be obtained at www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/lakesurvey_maps/oxford/pennesseewassee_lake.pdf. This pond was stocked in the spring of 2013 with 200 rainbow trout of 11”, which yields between 4 and 5 rainbow trout per acre. The best fishing guide in Maine! Once you can locate Trout, a pattern emerges and your catch quantity will sky rocket. It is up to each reader of this blog to ensure that a pond listed below can be fished through the ice, Finally, use the website linked to this blog to discover how many trout and salmon are released per acre in the spring and fall in, www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/lakesurvey_maps/cumberland/crystal_lake.pdf, www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/lakesurvey_maps/oxford/forest_pond.pdf, www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/lakesurvey_maps/hancock/jones_pond.pdf, www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/lakesurvey_maps/lincoln/knickerbocker_pond.pdf, www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/lakesurvey_maps/somerset/lake_george.pdf, www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/lakesurvey_maps/york/ossipee_lake_little.pdf, www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/lakesurvey_maps/androscoggin/range_pond_middle.pdf, www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/lakesurvey_maps/oxford/pennesseewassee_lake.pdf, www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/lakesurvey_maps/oxford/stanley_pond.pdf, Stanley Pond offers the best odds in Maine of catching rainbow trout through the ice during the winter of 2014, www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/lakesurvey_maps/oxford/worthley_pond.pdf. 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