The TOP brook trout ponds for the 2017 ice fishing season in Franklin County are highlighted below (in alphabetical order). Only a few ponds are listed because most of the smaller water bodies in this county are closed to ice fishing. A pond is considered “top” based on its stocking density. Simply put, the more trout are packed per acre, the higher the chances of catching them through the ice!
For the purpose of this blog, I’ll define a brook trout pond as a smaller body of water which is stocked in the fall with hatchery-reared brook trout to support ice fishing. These ponds tend to freeze over early in the season and are typically safe to fish well before the bigger lakes become accessible. This provides early-action opportunities for those of us (myself included!) who just can’t wait to get the hard-water fishing season going. Click here for tips to increase your chances of catching more brookies through the ice.
Keep in mind that the state typically manages these waters as winter “put-and-take” fisheries. As a result, they get a lot of pressure early in the season and may be largely fished out within a few weeks. But by then the bigger lakes have frozen over and the ice fishing action moves elsewhere.
It is recommended to consult the latest fishing regulations about special rules that may apply on these ponds. 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 by checking the regulations. Note also that the list below excludes “kids fishing only” ponds which have their own stocking regime and rules.
Your blog author with a nice 16″ brookie
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Crowell Pond covers 211 acres and is located next to Route 41 (Vienna Road) in New Sharon, Franklin County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 20 D2). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall with between 5 and 6 brook trout per acre. Most of the stocked trout measured 13”. The pot was further sweetened by the addition of 20 brook trout measuring 18”. Crowell Pond offers good odds of catching 1-pound brookies through the ice this winter.
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Haley Pond covers 170 acres and is located in the town of Rangeley next to Route 16 (Stratton Road) in Franklin County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 28 E5). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall with 4 brook trout per acre. All of the stocked trout measured 14”. Haley Pond offers good odds of catching 1-pound brookies through the ice this winter.
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Norcross Pond covers 122 acres and is located next to Ridge Road in Chesterville, Franklin County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 20 E1). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall with 8 brook trout per acre. All of the stocked trout measured 13”. Norcross Pond offers excellent odds of catching 1-pound brookies 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 these locations.
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