Access point to Wards Pond
View of Wards Pond from the access point
This 44-acre pond is a hidden gem in southern Maine. The water has a deeply-stained color. Most of the shoreline is wooded with minimal development. Only two or three camps are visible from the pond. The entire shoreline is ringed by floating and emergent aquatic vegetation. The amount of vegetation is not excessive because the pond rapidly gains depth away from the shore. The maximum depth is 34 ft. The deeper part of the lake is off-limit to fish in the summer, however, because of a severe oxygen deficiency down below. Hence, much of the summer fishing is concentrated along the shoreline.
- Aquatic vegetation growing along the shoreline of Wards Pond
I reach the pond at 4:45 pm, unload and float my canoe. I concentrate my fishing along the western shore because this part of the pond is already deep in the shadows. I use my trusted 5” Texas-rigged soft stickbait to probe the water in front of the vegetation line. The largemouth bass are not shy this afternoon. I catch my first fish (12”) within five minutes. That gets me going!
- A nice (but rather skinny…) 19″ largemouth bass caught in Wards Pond
I continue fishing the weed line for another 10 minutes and feel that my stickbait has been grabbed by something big which is trying to return into the weeds. I set the hook and a very nice largemouth bass makes a run into the vegetation. I have a hard time pulling him back out towards the canoe but succeed in doing so. Good thing too because this is a nice 19 incher! Now my blood is really churning. I fish for another 45 minutes and catch one more bass, but hook and miss three others. This pond is a keeper but I need to move on to the next one on my list. I will definitely return to Wards Pond in the future and give it the attention it deserves.
The results: Three largemouth bass (largest = 19”) in one hour of fishing.
Was the information in this blog useful? I invite you to share your thoughts and opinions by posting a comment. Also, feel free to tell us about your fishing experiences on Wards Pond.
I’d like to add wards pond is more suited to the fisherman with a boat/kayak an not so much to the shore fisherman. Most or all of the lake is swampy around the edges. If you have a ATV ride up the power lines from just beyond the junction of 11 and 25 follow the power line till the trail veers right take the first left afterwards. Follow along for another 5 min or so take the first left leading to a small wooded pick nick area. Great place to stop and have lunch or a quick swim.
Yes, I agree with your comment. The shallows around Wards Pond are ringed by aquatic vegetation, which would make it a challenge to properly fish it from shore. The rough boat launch is an obvious exception. I’ve also gotten stuck with my (front-wheel drive) car at that launch because it is unpaved and sandy. It’s definitely not a place for big boats, which of course is the charm of this delightful pond: it gets little attention due to its rough access! Good luck and thanks for your comment.
I used to fish that pond every day when I was a kid. Access was tough without a boat, but there were a few places. There were some big bass 40 years ago. My brother caught an 8 lb largemouth and we caught some large pickerel.
i’m glad i stumbled upon this blog, i ride my ATV around wards pond quite a bit and always wondered if it held fish..i looked over some of your other posts and they were very helpful as well..thanks for a good blog about local fishing spots
Any updates on access to this pond? Is it still posted as private property?
Hi David, I haven’t visited Wards Pond in years and so do not know what the current access status is. If you’re planning on checking it out, please let me know what you find so I can post it for others to see. Best. Stan