This blog highlights the ponds in Cumberland County where fishermen have the best odds of catching larger trout during the 2015 ice fishing season. About 15 ponds open to ice fishing were stocked with trout in the fall of 2014 in this county. Most of these fish are relatively small (7” to 12”), but plentiful, in order to provide fast action. The state also spiced up some of the ponds with larger trout, which are defined here as fish measuring 13” or more, and weighing at least 1 pound.
I only present ponds in Cumberland County that were stocked in the fall of 2014 with a minimum of 1 large 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 fish per acre, which equals 1 salmon every two to three acres. Keep in mind that the number of bigger trout stocked in a pond is typically much lower than for the smaller trout. Hence, patience is required to catch those larger fish through the ice.
Always consult the latest regulations (click here) about special ice fishing rules that may apply on the ponds presented 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 stocking regime and fishing rules.
Finally, feel free to 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+ ponds and lakes stocked annually throughout Maine.
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Cold Rain Pond covers 38 acres and is located off Kimball Corner Road in Naples (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 4 B5). Note that the access road to the pond (Tiger Hill Road) is not plowed in the winter. Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall of 2014 with big brook trout (100 fish of 13”), which yields between 2 and 3 large trout per acre.
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Crystal Lake covers 189 acres and is located next to Raymond Road in Gray (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 5 B3). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall of 2014 with big brook trout (313 fish of 13” and 21 fish of 18”), big brown trout (250 fish of 13”) and big rainbow trout (250 fish of 13”), which yields between 4 and 5 large trout per acre.
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Otter Pond #2 covers 12 acres and is located off Route 35 in Standish (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 5 D1). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall of 2014 with big brook trout (137 fish of 13” and 21 fish of 15”), which yields about 13 large trout per acre. Otter Pond #2 offers one of the best odds for catching large trout in Cumberland County during the winter of 2015.
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Otter Pond #4 (a.k.a. Snake Pond)covers 6 acres and is located off Route 35 in Standish (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 5 D1). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall of 2014 with big brook trout (82 fish of 13” and 16 fish of 15”), which yields about 16 large trout per acre. Otter Pond #4 offers one of the best odds for catching large trout in Cumberland County during the winter of 2015.
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Parker Pond covers 166 acres and is located next to Route 121 (Casco Road) in Casco (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 5 B1). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall of 2014 with big brook trout (200 fish of 13”), which yields about 1 large trout per acre.
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Pettingill Pond covers 36 acres and is located off Route 302 (Roosevelt Trail) in Windham (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 big brown trout (80 fish of 13”), which yields about 2 large trout per acre.
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Sabbathday Lake covers 340 acres and is located next to Outlet Road in New Glouchester (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 5 B3). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall of 2014 with big brook trout (400 fish of 13” and 21 fish of 18”) and big brown trout (175 fish of 13”), which yields between 1 and 2 large trout per acre.
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Sand Pond covers 61 acres and is located next to Sand Pond Road in Baldwin (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 4 D4). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall of 2014 with big brook trout (220 fish of 13” and 21 fish of 17”), which yields about 4 large trout per acre.
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Upper Hinkley Pond covers 3 acres and is located in Hinkley Park off Highland Avenue in South Portland (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 73 G4). A depth map is not available. This pond was stocked in the fall of 2014 with big brook trout (50 fish of 13”), which yields about 17 large trout per acre. Note that the pond closest to the parking lot is called Lower Hinkley Pond and is a kids fishing pond. Upper Hinkley Pond is located further up the hill. Upper Hinkley Pond offers one of the best odds for catching large trout in Cumberland County during the winter of 2015.
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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