Shawn is the first one to catch bass this morning.
July 22, 2024
Location and Access to the Androscoggin River in Durham
Shawn, an angler friend from away, wants to experience fishing for bass on the Androscoggin River in Durham. I decide to check out the conditions in this section of the river where I have fished for bronzebacks in summers’ past and did well (see here and here for examples).
The hard-top boat launch next to Route 136 (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 5 A5) is spacious and offers unlimited parking.
Summer fishing on this stretch of the Androscoggin River falls under the general fishing laws applicable to the South Zone.
I switch over to a soft stick bait after loosing three tube baits to northern pike!
General Characteristics of the Androscoggin River in Durham
This section of the river has relatively deep areas (up to 15 ft.) but offers a variety of habitats, including submerged aquatic vegetation along both shorelines, boulder fields, blown down trees, sunken wood, current seams, and back eddies. The water flow is gentle, creating ideal conditions for fishing from a canoe or kayak.
Keep in mind that the water levels in this dam-controlled river can be low during the summer, as they are today. As a result, some of the bass-holding structure, particularly along the shoreline, becomes unavailable to the fish.
Also, if the water levels are really low, then the river about a mile or so further downstream from the launch becomes so shallow (< 2 ft.) that I have had to pull my motorboat by hand in order to make it back up.
Unfortunately, the size of the bass is not tremendous.
Fishing for Bass on the Androscoggin River in Durham
Arrival and Conditions
Shawn and I arrive at the launch by 6:45 am. We are the only ones fishing, and that will remain so for the rest of the morning. I have always been surprised by how few people fish this section of the Androscoggin River even though it is super accessible and located only a few miles from Lewiston/Auburn. Of course, that suits me just fine!
The conditions this morning are perrrrfect: little or no wind, full sunshine, and air temps in the low-60’s, forecast to rise into the mid 80’s later today. The water temperature comes in at a balmy 81°F.
Strategy for Fishing for Bass on the Androscoggin River in Durham
The plan is to motor upstream a bit and let the gentle current drift us down while fishing the eastern (i.e., shadowed) shoreline.
Shawn uses a 4-inch pink soft stick bait rigged wacky-style, while I start with a weighted, white-colored tube bait which I use as a “search lure”. It takes Shawn less than five minutes to hook and land his first bass. Great, the fish got the memo and are at their post.
I experience a frustrating situation over the next 30 minutes. I loose three tube baits when a fish grabs the lure but immediately snaps the line… The reason is obvious: this section of the river is infested with invasive northern pike. Their ancestors originated in Sabattus Pond located in Sabattus above Lisbon, and then reached the Androscoggin River via the Sabattus River.
Their needle-sharp teeth instantly cut monofilament fishing line unless it is protected by a 1-ft. length of steel wire, which I did not bring with me this morning.
By now, Shawn has caught three more bass and I switch over to a pink stickbait to catch up with him.
But at least the bite is steady and the fish are aggressively feeding.
Getting in the Groove…
We are hitting our strides. There seems to be no specific pattern as to where the bass are hiding this morning. I tend to cast along the shoreline. However, Shawn tosses his lure more out towards the middle of the river. It does not seem to matter. We both catch fish although we are underwhelmed by their size. All the bass measure between 12 and 16 inches. They also do not look particularly fat.
We have been fishing along the eastern shoreline for over two hours and the bite has noticeable slowed down. It is time to mix things up.
I motor across the river to the opposite (western) shoreline by the extensive riprap along Route 136. It is not my preferred angling location on this section of the Androscoggin River because of the traffic noise. But I know from previous experience that a deeper trench (up to 10 ft. deep) runs along that shore.
A thick band of submerged aquatic vegetation hugs the shoreline and serves as a bass attractant. And so it is this morning: we both hook and catch several more fish in that general area.
Unfortunately, our time has run out. We reluctantly turn around and head back towards the launch for our drive back home.
Boy, I love idling away a morning with a friend while bass fishing on the Androscoggin River. I highly recommend it to sooth body and soul!
The fish are also actively biting on the sunny side of the river by the riprap alongside Route 136.
The outcome of fishing for bass on the Androscoggin River in Durham: We landed 23 smallmouth bass (largest = 16 inches) in 3 hours of fun fishing.
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 this location.
Tight Lines, y’all.
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