The rough footpath leading to the access point on Spectacle Pond #1
Spectacle Pond #1 is a 57-acre body of water located in Porter, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 4 D2. Note also that on the attached Google Map above, the target pond is the one just below the red pin). Drive north from South Hiram/Kezar Falls unto Spec Pond Road. Follow this road for about 1.0 mile. The pond can be accessed two different ways, as follows: (a) Drive up to mailbox #50 (located just before Little Lane) on Spec Pond Road and turn right on the open area, from which a rough forest road snakes it way towards the pond. I say “snake” because the road is narrow and curvy and is hemmed in by small trees at several locations. I didn’t try to drive my small car down it, but I suspect that a larger pickup truck may have more trouble getting through. The road ends at a sandy area with a fire pit overlooking the pond. (b) Stay on Spec Pond Road and drive past Little Lane for just under 0.2 miles. A rough foot path shoots down towards the pond on the right. Park your vehicle on the shoulder of the road.
General view of Spectacle Pond #1
Either way, only small hand-carried craft, such as a canoe or kayak, can be put in the water. A public boat launch is not available. As I mentioned in this blog, even though Spectacle Ponds #1 and 2 are connected by a short thoroughfare, it is not possible to navigate from one pond to the other due to obstructions. So, the only way to fish both ponds on the same day is to pack and unpack your gear twice…
She sure is pretty!
Spectacle Pond #1 is almost a carbon copy of its smaller sibling to the north. The pond is surrounded by several forested hills. Except for a large white house and mowed field on Spec Pond Road, no other human structures are visible from the water. Actually, I’m lying; someone built a house near the top of the ridge facing the pond. Fortunately, it is painted in natural colors and blends into the surrounding landscape. But the view must be spectacular from up there! Anyway, the pond has a maximum depth of 29 ft and a mean depth of 12 ft. The surface water is clean and clear. The bottom is sandy but covered with muck. The shallows bordering the shoreline contain lots of aquatic vegetation, including pickerel weed and several kinds of lily pads, which provides great cover for largemouth bass. The southern part of the pond, by the outlet, is more of a wetland habitat. General fishing law applies. Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information.
Largemouth bass are definitely present in Spectacle Pond #1!
I arrive at Spectacle Pond #1 by 9:00 am and like the general setting. The weather is also gorgeous with blue skies and a gentle breeze. I launch my canoe from the second entry point and start fishing the weedy shallows on the Spec Pond Road side of the pond using a buzzbait and a 5” soft stickbait. My second cast with the buzzbait elicits a strike but no hook-up. I immediately follow up with the soft stickbait, but the fish doesn’t respond. It must have felt the hook. I turn around, cast the stickbait, and that results in a strike and again no hookup! I follow it up with the buzzbait but that too does not generate a response. I miss another strike and land two largemouths in the next 10 minutes. Yes Sir, the fish are active this morning! This activity satisfies my need to show that this pond is not only pretty but also contains the target fish species we all love to catch. I need to get to the next pond on my list and thus paddle back to the access point to load my gear and move on. I am happy with the surrounding scenery and fishing experience. I highly recommend Spectacle Pond #1 to anyone interested in catching largemouth bass in a nice and quiet setting. This pond is a keeper and should be on your list of places to visit.
The results: I caught one 12” and one 14″ largemouth bass in about 15 minutes of fishing.
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 this location.
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