This blog highlights the ponds in York County which provide the best odds of catching larger stocked trout during the 2016 ice fishing season. About a dozen and a half 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 York 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 the ponds 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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Deer Pond covers 32 acres and is located next to Route 117 in Hollis (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 2 A5). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (104 fish of 13” and 20 fish of 16”), which yields about 4 large trout per acre. Deer Pond offers good odds for catching large trout through the ice this winter.
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Kennebunk Pond covers 224 acres and is located next to Kennebunk Pond Road in Lyman (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 2 B5). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (300 fish of 13” and 15 fish of 15”) and big rainbow trout (200 fish of 13”), which yields around 3 large trout per acre.
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Knights Pond covers 49 acres and is located next to Knights Pond Road in South Berwick (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 2 E3). 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 15 fish of 16”), which yields between 4 and 5 large trout per acre. Knights Pond offers good odds for catching large trout through the ice this winter.
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Littlefield Pond covers 19 acres and is located off Emmons Road in Sanford (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 2 C3). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. Click here for access directions. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (104 fish of 13”), which yields between 5 and 6 large trout per acre. Littlefield Pond offers good odds for catching large trout through the ice this winter.
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Moose Pond covers 27 acres and is located next to H Road in Acton (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 2 A1). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (52 fish of 13”), which yields about 2 large trout per acre.
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Parker Pond (a.k.a. Barkers Pond) covers 26 acres and is located next to Barkers Pond Road in Lyman (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 2 B5). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. Click here for access directions. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (104 fish of 13” and 35 fish of 16”), which yields between 5 and 6 large trout per acre. Parker Pond offers good odds for catching large trout through the ice this winter.
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Symmes Pond covers 36 acres and is located next to Route 11 in Newfield (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 2 A2). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (104 fish of 13” and 35 fish of 16”), which yields about 4 large trout per acre.
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York Pond covers 45 acres and is located in Elliot (see The Maine Gazetteer map 1 A3). The access to this body of water is well “hidden”. Directions are as follows: Drive on Route 91 and turn unto York Shore Drive, which leads through a residential development. Turn right on York Pond Road after 0.2 miles. Go to the end by the circle and look for mail box #6. Get on the driveway but make an immediate left on a rough, stony forest road (unplowed in the winter). The access point to the pond is about 700 ft further down on the right. Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (200 fish of 13”), which yields between 4 and 5 large trout per acre. York Pond offers good odds for catching large trout through the ice this winter.
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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