This blog highlights the ponds in Franklin County which provide the best odds of catching larger stocked trout during the 2017 ice fishing season. About a dozen ponds open to ice fishing in this county are stocked with trout each fall. Most of these fish are relatively small (7” to 12”), but plentiful, in order to provide fast action. The state also spiced up some of the ponds with larger trout, which are defined here as fish measuring 13” or more, and weighing at least 1 pound. Click here for tips to increase your chances of catching more brookies through the ice.
I only present ponds in Franklin County that were stocked in the fall with at least 2 large trout per acre. As a rough yardstick, the average stocking density for landlocked salmon in Maine ponds and lakes is about 0.3 to 0.5 fish per acre, which equals 1 salmon every two to three acres. Keep in mind that the number of bigger trout stocked in a pond is typically much lower than for the smaller trout. Hence, patience is required to catch those larger fish through the ice.
It is recommended to consult the latest regulations about special rules that may apply on the ponds presented below, such as number of lines allowed, daily bag limit, use of bait fish, minimum length limit, etc. 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. Note also that the list excludes “kids only” ponds which have their own stocking regime and fishing rules.
A beautiful 14″ stocked brook trout caught through the ice
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Crowell Pond covers 211 acres and is located next to Route 41 (Vienna Road) in New Sharon (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 big brook trout (1100 fish of 13” and 20 fish of 18”), which yields about 5 large trout per acre. Crowell Pond offers good odds of catching large trout through the ice this winter.
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Haley Pond covers 170 acres and is located next to Route 4 in Dallas Plantation (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 big brook trout (628 fish of 14”), which yields between 3 and 4 large trout per acre.
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Lufkin Pond covers 47 acres and is located at the end of South Lufkin Pond Road to the south of Route 4 in Phillips (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 19 A2). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall with big splake (350 fish of 14”), which yields between 7 and 8 large trout per acre. Lufkin Pond offers good odds for catching large trout through the ice this winter.
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Norcross Pond covers 122 acres and is located next to Ridge Road in Chesterville (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 big brook trout (925 fish of 13”), which yields between 7 and 8 large trout per acre. Norcross Pond offers good odds for catching large trout through the ice this winter.
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Porter Lake covers 527 acres and is located next to Route 234 in Strong (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 20 B1). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall with big brook trout (1250 fish of 13” and 23 fish of 17”), which yields around 2 large trout per acre.
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Wilson Pond covers 563 acres and is located off Route 2 in Wilton (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 19 D4). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall with big brook trout (1100 fish of 13” and 300 fish of 14”), which yields between 2 and 3 large trout per acre.
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 any of these locations.
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