This blog highlights the ponds in Hancock County which provide the best odds of catching larger stocked trout during the 2016 ice fishing season. About 20 ponds open to ice fishing in this county are stocked with trout each fall. 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 Hancock County that were stocked last fall with at least 2 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.
It is recommended to consult the latest regulations (click here for details ) 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 convoluted 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.
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Jones Pond covers 467 acres and is located next to Routes 1 and 195 in Gouldsboro (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 17 A1). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big rainbow trout (930 fish of 13”), which yields about 2 large trout per acre.
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Lovejoy Pond covers 40 acres and is located in T34 MD (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 34 E5). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (75 fish of 13”), which yields around 2 large trout per acre.
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Lower Hadlock Pond covers 39 acres and is located next to Routes 3 and 198 in Mount Desert (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 16 C3). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (75 fish of 13” and 35 fish of 20”), which yields around 3 large trout per acre.
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Lower Springy Pond covers 114 acres and is located next to Springy Pond Road in Otis (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 24 B1). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (300 fish of 14”), which yields between 2 and 3 large trout per acre.
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Middle Oxhead Pond covers 38 acres and is located in T40 MD (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 34 C4). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (200 fish of 13” and 20 fish of 17”), which yields about 6 large trout per acre. Middle Oxhead Pond offers good odds for catching large trout through the ice this winter.
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Round Pond covers 38 acres and is located off Pretty Marsh Road in Mount Desert (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 16 B2). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (100 fish of 13”), which yields between 2 and 3 large trout per acre.
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Witchhole Pond covers 28 acres and is located in Bar Harbor (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 16 B4). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (50 fish of 13”), which yields around 2 large 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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