Fishing for smallmouth bass on the West Branch of the Penobscot River in Millinocket, Penobscot County, Maine (September 23, 2022)

 

 

This is the largest bass I caught after the first 2.5 hours of fishing. Very frustrating!

 

The West Branch of the Penobscot River flows through a complex set of reservoirs and hydroelectric dams in the area around Millinocket. My interest this afternoon is on a small section of river that runs between the boat launch off Medway Road and Dolby Pond located about one mile further downstream (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 43 B4). Note that Dolby Pond is the iconic stump-filled reservoir visible on both sides of Route 11 when driving between East Millinocket and Millinocket. Medway Road starts at Route 11 in downtown Millinocket (look for the Millinocket Municipal Airport sign), loops down towards the Penobscot River, and then rejoins Route 11 about 3 miles further east.

 

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Fishing for brook trout on Round Pond in Baxter State Park, Piscataquis County, Maine (September 23, 2022)

 

 

Look for this sign on the Park Tote Road for the trail to Round Pond.

 

Round Pond (a.k.a. Caverly Pond) is located in the southern portion of Baxter State Park (BSP) in Piscataquis County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 51 D1). To reach this location, drive 1.1 miles on the Park Tote Road from Togue Pond Gate, the southern entrance to the park. Look for the brown “Kettle Ponds Trail” sign on your right. Very limited parking is available on the road shoulder. The pond is located about 600 ft. down a well-maintained trail. One can rent a locked BSP canoe at the put-in for 1$ per hour. Talk to the Togue Pond gate attendant to obtain the keys, if interested. I do not require this option because I brought my own craft. I do note that the BSP canoe does not have swimming vests or paddles, which the user needs to provide.

 

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Fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass on Long Pond in Parsonsfield, York County, Maine (September 17, 2022)

 

 

It is fun to troll through the early-morning fog.

 

Long Pond is a 275-acre body of water located in Parsonsfield, York County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 4 D2). Access to this pond is via a hard but poorly maintained and steeply inclined boat launch located on Road Between the Ponds, off Joe Berry Road. Note that the launch is at a 90° angle (i.e., perpendicular) to the narrow Road between the Ponds which therefore requires a tight turn when backing the boat into the water. Fortunately, this road only has light local traffic. Also, keep in mind that the depth at the launch is shallow (< 2 ft.) for 25-30 ft. out. I am glad I brought my hip boots to get into the water at the end of the trip and help guide the boat back on the trailer.

 

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Fishing for brown trout and smallmouth bass on Horseshoe Pond in Stoneham and Lovell, Oxford County, Maine (September 3, 2022)

 

 

The rising sun is quickly burning off the morning fog. I love this vibe!

 

Horseshoe Pond is a 132-acre body of water located in the towns of Stoneham and Lovell within the boundary of the White Mountain National Forest in southern Oxford County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 10 D1). The access point is by the outlet at the end of Horseshoe Pond Road, a well-maintained gravel road. The boat launch is unimproved but can easily accommodate small, trailered boats. Beware that motorboats with engines over six horsepower are not allowed.

 

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