This blog identifies the TOP ponds in Hancock County, Maine that provide the best odds of catching brook trout during the spring of 2016. 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 water, the greater the chances of catching those fish! Most of the target ponds are below 50 acres and are therefore relatively small. Trout activity typically peaks between late April and early June, after which the bite slows down due to rising surface water temperatures.
All of the ponds described below were stocked last fall but are closed to ice fishing. Hence, those trout have had an additional 6-7 months to fatten up a bit. Several ponds are further spiced up with an additional stocking in the spring. More details are provided in the stocking reports compiled by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Click here for the latest law book about special fishing rules that may apply on these ponds. Note that the list of TOP brook trout ponds excludes “kids only” ponds.
The TOP brook trout ponds for the 2016 spring fishing season in Hancock County are listed below in alphabetical order:
Spring fishing for brook trout is a blast!
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Crystal Pond covers 19 acres and is located off Morrison Ridge Road in Township T40 MD (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 34 D4). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond, which is closed to ice fishing, was stocked last fall with 37 brook trout per acre. The stocked trout measured about 8”.
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Fox Pond covers 77 acres and is located next to Route 182 in Township T10 SD (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 24 D5). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond, which is closed to ice fishing, was stocked last fall with 39 brook trout per acre. Most of these trout measured about 8”, with the rest coming in at 12″. It is also stocked in the spring with 5 brook trout per acre. These additional fish measure about 10”.
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Halfmoon Pond covers 3 acres and is located in Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 16 B3). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond, which is closed to ice fishing, was stocked last fall with 42 brook trout per acre. The stocked trout measured about 8”.
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Lily Pond covers 37 acres and is located alongside Quaco Road in the town of Deer Isle (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 15 D3). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond, which is closed to ice fishing, was stocked last fall with 33 brook trout per acre. Most of the stocked trout measured about 7”, with the rest coming in at 12″.
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Lower Breakneck Pond covers 8 acres and is located in Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 16 B3). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond, which is closed to ice fishing, was stocked last fall with 31 brook trout per acre. The stocked trout measured about 8”.
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Salmon Pond covers 10 acres and is located in Township T10 SD (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 24 D5). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond, which is closed to ice fishing, was stocked last fall with 32 book trout per acre. The stocked trout measured about 7”.
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Simmons Pond covers 7 acres and is located at the end of Salem Road off Wyman Road in Hancock (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 24 E2). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond, which is closed to ice fishing, was stocked last fall with 36 brook trout per acre. Most of the stocked trout measured about 8”, with the rest coming in at 13″. It is also stocked in the spring with 11 brook trout per acre. These additional fish measure about 10”.
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Trout Pond covers 8 acres and is located next to Trout Pond Road in Amherst (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 24 A1). A depth map is not available. This pond, which is closed to ice fishing, was stocked last fall with 33 brook trout per acre. All of the stocked trout measured about 7”.
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Trout Pond covers 6 acres and is located next to Morrison Ridge Road in Township T40 MD (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 34 D4). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond, which is closed to ice fishing, was stocked last fall with 55 brook trout per acre. All of the stocked trout measured about 5”. Note that Trout Pond is managed specifically to produce larger trout. As a result, only one harvested trout may exceed 14”.
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Youngs Pond covers 13 acres and is located off Route 180 in Otis (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 24 C1). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond, which is closed to ice fishing, was stocked last fall with 40 brook trout per acre. The stocked trout measured about 8”. Note that Youngs 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”.
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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