Kids ice fishing for brook trout on Lower Hinkley Pond in South Portland, Maine (January 23, 2016)

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We set up camp close to the dam

We set up camp close to the dam

Lower Hinkley Pond is a small 2-acre body of water located in South Portland, Cumberland County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 73 H5). The pond is situated in Hinkley Park right off Highland Avenue and is the first pond closest to the parking lot. Plenty of parking space is available. Note that Lower Hinkley Pond is a “KIDS ONLY” pond with a Special Regulation code of S-9 (i.e., open to fishing only to persons under 16 years old; restricted to two lines per person; daily bag limit for trout is two fish). The pond, which has a maximum depth of 8 ft, is a shallow reservoir created by the impoundment of Kimball Brook. A depth map is not available. The state stocks this pond each fall with a boatload of brookies to create fast fishing action for kids. Keep in mind that Hinckley Park is well used by the local community of dog owners. The dogs typically run around without a leash, and some of the animals invariably amble on the ice to pay a visit.

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Ice fishing for brook trout on Thompson’s Ice Pond in South Bristol, Maine (January 9, 2016)

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Christian's first brookie of the day is a nice one!

Christian’s first brookie of the day is a nice one!

***IMPORTANT UPDATE (January 12, 2016)***: The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) appears to have made a key error publishing the rules pertaining to this pond. The hard-copy version of the 2016 fishing rules, which I used to select this pond, does NOT specifically mention Thompson’s Ice Pond under its “Special Rules” section for Lincoln County, indicating that the pond falls under the general law fishing provisions. However, the on-line version of the self-same 2016 fishing rules stipulates that Thompson’s Ice Pond is a “KIDS ONLY” pond with a two-trap limit. I would now assume that the on-line version prevails. Please beware of this deep inconsistency!! Thank you, Herb, for pointing out this problem.

 

 

 

 

Thompson’s Ice Pond is a miniscule 1-acre body of water located in the town South Bristol, Lincoln County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 7 C3, but the pond is not shown due to its small size. Click on the Google Map above to get an exact location). The pond is situated at the intersection of Route 129, which runs between Damariscotta and South Bristol, and McFarlands Cove Road. A depth map is not available. Thompson’s Ice Pond is a small reservoir associated with Thompson’s Ice House, which is on the National Registry of Historic Places (click here for details). Plenty of parking is available next to the pond. Why bother with such a small potato? A review of the 2015 stocking report issued by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shows that this tiny pond was stocked in the fall of 2015 with 150 8” brookies, 100 13” brookies and ten 20” brookies!! Do the math. That works out to an astonishing 260 brook trout per acre! My real focus this morning is on trying to catch one of those huge 20” – 4 lbs brookies.

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Best ice fishing ponds for catching large trout in York County, Maine (winter of 2016)

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.

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Best ice fishing ponds for catching large trout in Washington County, Maine (winter of 2016)

This blog highlights the ponds in Washington 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.

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Best ice fishing ponds for catching large trout in Waldo County, Maine (winter of 2016)

This blog highlights the ponds in Waldo County which provide the best odds of catching larger stocked trout during the 2016 ice fishing season. About ten 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.

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Best ice fishing ponds for catching large trout in Somerset County, Maine (winter of 2016)

This blog highlights the ponds in Somerset 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.

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Best ice fishing ponds for catching large trout in Sagadahoc County, Maine (winter of 2016)

This blog highlights the ponds in Sagadahoc County which provide the best odds of catching larger stocked trout during the 2016 ice fishing season. Five 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.

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Best ice fishing ponds for catching large trout in Piscataquis County, Maine (winter of 2016)

This blog highlights the ponds in Piscataquis 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.

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Best ice fishing ponds for catching large trout in Penobscot County, Maine (winter of 2016)

This blog highlights the ponds in Penobscot County which provide the best odds of catching larger stocked trout during the 2016 ice fishing season. About 21 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.

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Best ice fishing ponds for catching large trout in Oxford County, Maine (winter of 2016)

This blog highlights the ponds in Oxford County which provide the best odds of catching larger stocked trout during the 2016 ice fishing season. About 26 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.

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