This blog identifies the TOP ponds in Franklin County, Maine that provide the best odds of catching brook trout during the spring of 2017. A pond is considered TOP due to its trout stocking density: all else being equal, the more brook trout that are stocked per acre of pond, the greater the chances of catching those fish! All of these ponds cover less than 50 acres and are therefore relatively small. Trout activity typically peaks between late April and mid-June, after which the fishing slows down in response to rising surface water temperatures. Check out this blog on trolling techniques for catching trout.
All the ponds described below were stocked last fall but are closed to ice fishing. Hence, all the trout have had at least 6-7 months to fatten up since their release. More details are provided in the stocking reports compiled by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. It is recommended to check the regulations about special fishing rules that may apply on these ponds, such as daily bag limits, minimum size limits, use of live bait fish, artificial lure requirements, limits on outboard engine size, etc. Note also that the list of TOP brook trout ponds excludes “kids-only” ponds.
The TOP ponds stocked with brook trout for this spring in Franklin County are listed below in alphabetical order:
Spring fishing for brook trout is fun!
View Map
Barnard Pond covers 22 acres and is located in Eustis (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 29 B1). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond, which is closed to ice fishing, was stocked last fall with 57 brook trout per acre. These fish measured about 8”.
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Beal Pond (a.k.a. Trout Pond) covers 32 acres and is located in Madrid Township (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 19 A3). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond, which is closed to ice fishing, was stocked last fall with 59 brook trout per acre. These fish measured about 6”. Note that Beal Pond is managed specifically to produce larger trout. As a result, the fishing rules are strict, as follows: (a) fly fishing only and (b) two trout daily bag limit with a minimum length limit of 12” and only one trout may exceed 14”.
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Beaver Pond covers 20 acres and is located right next to Route 17 in Township D (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 18 B4). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond, which is closed to ice fishing, was stocked last fall with 100 brook trout per acre. These fish measured about 7”.
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Dutton Pond (a.k.a. Shiloh Pond) covers 20 acres and is located off Tufts Pond Road in Kingfield (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 29 D5). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond, which is closed to ice fishing, was stocked last fall with 60 brook trout per acre. These fish measured about 7”.
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Eddy Pond covers 9 acres and is located in Sandy River Plantation (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 29 E1). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond, which is closed to ice fishing, was stocked last fall with 78 brook trout per acre. These fish measured about 6”.
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Hills Pond covers 22 acres and is located right next to Route 156 in Perkins Township (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 19 C3). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond, which is closed to ice fishing, was stocked last fall with 91 brook trout per acre. These fish measured about 7”.
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Middle Sandy River Pond covers 70 acres and is located next to Route 4 in Sandy River Plantation (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 19 A1). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond, which is closed to ice fishing, was stocked last fall with 65 brook trout per acre. These fish measured between 6” and 7”.
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Midway Pond covers 7 acres and is located in Sandy River Plantation (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 29 E1). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond, which is closed to ice fishing, was stocked last fall with 57 brook trout per acre. These fish measured about 7”.
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Rock Pond covers 7 acres and is located in Sandy River Plantation (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 29 E1). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond, which is closed to ice fishing, was stocked last fall with 71 brook trout per acre. These fish measured about 6”.
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Schoolhouse Pond covers 3 acres and is located in Avon (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 19 B4; on the View Maps above, the pond is located to the left of Avon Corner Road). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond, which is closed to ice fishing, was stocked last fall with 83 brook trout per acre. These fish measured about 7”. Note that Schoolhouse Pond is managed specifically to produce larger trout. As a result, the fishing rules are strict, as follows: (a) artificial lures only and (b) two trout daily bag limit with a minimum length limit of 12” and only one trout may exceed 14”.
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Spencer Pond covers 15 acres and is located off Route 17 in Township D (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 18 B4). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond, which is closed to ice fishing, was stocked last fall with 60 brook trout per acre. These fish measured about 6”. Note that Spencer Pond is managed specifically to produce larger trout. As a result, the fishing rules are strict, as follows: (a) fly fishing only and (b) two trout daily bag limit with a minimum length limit of 10” and only one trout may exceed 12”.
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Stetson Pond covers 11 acres and is located in Phillips (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 19 A2). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond, which is closed to ice fishing, was stocked last fall with 91 brook trout per acre. These fish measured about 6”.
View Map
Tumbledown Pond covers 9 acres and is located on the summit of Tumbledown Mountain in Township 6 North of Weld (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 19 C1). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond, which is closed to ice fishing, was stocked last fall with 67 brook trout per acre. These fish measured about 6”.
Fishing for brook trout in the spring is FUN!
Was the information in this blog useful? I invite you to provide your thoughts and opinions. Also, feel free to share your fishing experiences on any of the ponds highlighted in this blog.
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