Best ice fishing ponds for catching brown trout in Maine (winter of 2015)

This blog describes a select group of ponds in Maine that provide the best potential for catching brown trout through the ice during the winter of 2015. Around 110 ponds throughout the state are managed as brown trout fisheries. Most of these ponds are open to ice fishing and are stocked with brown trout each spring and/or fall.

I only present ponds that were stocked in 2014 with a minimum of 1 brown trout per acre. As a rough yardstick, the average stocking density for landlocked salmon in Maine ponds and lakes is about 0.3 to 0.5 salmon per acre, which equals 1 salmon every two to three acres.

It is highly recommended to consult the latest regulations (click here) for special ice fishing rules that may apply on the ponds described below. I did my utmost best to verify that a particular pond is indeed open for ice fishing, but I make no guarantees whatsoever that my interpretation of the Maine fishing rules is accurate or correct. It is up to each reader of this blog to ensure that a pond listed below can be fished through the ice. Note also that the list excludes “kids only” ponds, which have their own special stocking schedules and rules.

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.

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Bradley Pond covers 34 acres and is located off Route 5 in Lovell, Oxford County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 10 D2). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall of 2014 with 100 brown trout measuring 13”, which yields about 3 brown trout per acre. Bradley Pond offers the best odds of catching brown trout in Oxford County during the 2015 ice fishing season.

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Center Pond covers 403 acres and is located off Silvers Mills Road in Sangerville, Piscataquis County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 32 C1). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the spring of 2014 with 500 brown trout measuring 9” and in the fall of 2014 with 1200 brown trout measuring 13”, which yields a total of about 4 brown trout per acre. Center Pond offers good odds of catching brown trout during the 2015 ice fishing season.

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Deer Pond covers 32 acres and is located between Route 117 and Plains Road in Hollis, York County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 2 A5). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. The pond was stocked in the fall of 2014 with 100 brown trout measuring 13”, which yields about 3 brown trout per acre. Deer Pond offers good odds of catching brown trout during the 2015 ice fishing season.

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Fairbanks Pond covers 14 acres and is located off Mount Vernon Road in Manchester, Kennebec County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 12 B5). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall of 2014 with 50 brown trout measuring 12”, which yields between 3 and 4 brown trout per acre. Fairbanks Pond offers good odds of catching brown trout during the 2015 ice fishing season.

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Halls Pond covers 51 acres and is located next to Halls Pond Road off Route 119 in Paris, Oxford County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 11 D2). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall of 2014 with 50 brown trout measuring 13” and 50 brown trout measuring 18”, which yields about 2 brown trout per acre. Note that gasoline-powered augers cannot be used on Halls Pond per town ordnance posted along Halls Pond Road, even though this restriction is not mentioned in the state fishing regulations.

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Hodgdon Deadwater covers 156 acres and is located next to Horseback Road in Hodgdon, Aroostook County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 53 B3). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the spring of 2014 with 220 brown trout measuring 9” and in the fall of 2014 with 250 Brown trout measuring 12”, which yields 3 brown trout per acre. Hodgdon Deadwater offers good odds of catching brown trout during the 2015 ice fishing season.

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Lufkin Pond covers 47 acres and is located next to Lufkin Pond Road (off Route 4) in Phillips, Franklin County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 19 A2). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall of 2014 with 100 brown trout measuring 13”, which yields about 2 brown trout per acre.

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Pettingill Pond covers 36 acres and is located next to Route 302 (Roosevelt Trail) in Windham, Cumberland County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 5 C2). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall of 2014 with 80 brown trout measuring 13”, which yields about 2 brown trout per acre.

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Sandy Pond covers 107 acres and is located next to Fahi Road in Embden, Somerset County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 20 A3). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall of 2014 with 200 brown trout measuring 13”, which yields about 2 brown trout per acre.

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Smith Pond covers 160 acres and is located off Route 151 in Brighton Plantation, Somerset County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 31 D1). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall of 2014 with 400 brown trout measuring 12”, which yields between 2 and 3 brown trout per acre.

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Wesserunsett Lake covers 1446 acres and is located off Route 201 in Madison, Somerset County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 20 A5). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall of 2014 with 2200 brown trout measuring 13” and 80 brown trout measuring 18”, which yields between 1 and 2 brown trout per acre.

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Worthley Pond covers 42 acres and is located off Route 122 in Poland, Androscoggin County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 5 A3). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. Also, click here for directions on how to access this water body. Note that the access road from Route 122 is typically not plowed in the winter. The pond was stocked in the fall of 2014 with 75 brown trout measuring 13”, yielding between 1 and 2 brown trout per acre.

Was the information in this blog useful? I invite you to share your thoughts and opinions. Also, feel free to discuss your fishing experiences at any of these locations.

 

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