November 4, 2026
Location and Access to Branns Mill Pond
Where is Branns Mill Pond Located?
This 271-acre water body is found in Dover-Foxcroft, Piscataquis County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 32 C2). My goal this morning is wader fishing for trout on Branns Mill Pond.
Access
The public boat launch for Branns Mill Pond is found next to Notch Road. It splits off from Bear Hill Road by the outlet of the pond, and runs all along its southern shore. I did no measure the exact distance, but it is about 0.8 miles from the intersection to the ramp.
The boat launch is solid and can accommodate large vessels. Plenty of parking is available along the shoulder of Notch Road.
Branns Mill Pond Features, Depth Profile, Stocking, and Angling Rules
The bite is slow but the brookies are willing to play.
General Characteristics
The pond is only lightly developed and surrounded by a fully intact riparian forest. Several pretty islands beautify the center of the lake. The surrounding area is largely rural. The pond generates a surprisingly nice “remote” vibe.
Annual Stocking
The State provides a light stocking (about 5 brookies per acre) of catching-size brook trout each fall to support a fall, winter, and spring fishery.
Depth Profile
Branns Mill Pond has a mean and maximum depth of 4 ft. and 15 ft., respectively, making it extremely shallow. Click here for a depth map and fisheries information.
This pond supports a typical “put-and-take” brook trout fishery. It means that the trout stocked in the fall only provide a short-term fishery that lasts until the next spring. Any fish still present in late spring do not survive the following summer because the water in this shallow pond gets too warm and also lacks cold-water refugia.
Fishing Regulations
The general fishing laws for the North Zone apply at this location. In addition, the lake is open to fishing year-round from January 1 to December 31. But anglers can only fish using artificial lures between October 1 and November 30. They must also release all trout alive and at once during this period. Click here for the full angling rules applicable at this location.
Wader Fishing for Trout on Branns Mill Pond
It is fun to catch trout under pleasant weather conditions in early November!
Arrival and Conditions
I arrive at the boat ramp around 10:15 am. It is mostly overcast but quite pleasant (55°F) for early November. A lack of wind makes things feel even balmier. However, the water temperature is a chilly 47°F.
I layer up for warmth, don my waders, and enter the water by the launch. The wading conditions along the shoreline are good. My boots sink no more than an inch into the substrate and the water gains depth only gradually. However, the submerged aquatic plant life, which is abundant in this shallow lake, has not yet fully died back.
As an aside, ice fishing at this location is popular with the local hard-water crowd. It starts as soon as the ice is safe to walk on, typically in early December. However, I ice fished this pond for brook trout twice over the last two years and got skunked both times… I am hoping for better luck today.
Also, Branns Mill Pond supports a tremendous largemouth bass population. My two sons and I camped on one of the islands in the middle of the pond years ago one summer weekend and caught several dozen chunky bucket mouths!
Technique for Wader Fishing for Trout on Branns Mill Pond
I enter the lake by the launch and wade out into about 3-4 ft. of water. I come armed with my weapon of choice when fall wader fishing for brook trout: an ultralight spinning rod, a small spinning reel spooled with 6-pound monofilament, and a #2 Mepps spinner.
This kit is highly efficient because it allows me to cast the lure a country mile out, away from shore. Also, unlike fly fishing, I do not need to worry about overhanging branches or tree so commonly found along the shoreline. However, it is important to slowly keep moving sideways when casting to continuously cover new water and help find the brook trout.
Sometimes the fish are close to where I start casting, sometimes I need to move several hundred feet sideways before finding a trout, and sometimes I just cannot locate them. But always fish both sides of the access point because the trout may only occur on one side, but not the other.
Also, after catching a brookie, do not forget to make several more casts in the same general area to see if others may be lurking around. Oftentimes, they do… Hence, remain flexible, but cautious of submerged hazards (e.g., slips and trips, muddy bottoms, obstructions, sudden depth increases).
Results of Wader Fishing for Trout on Branns Mill Pond
The largest trout of the three caught on Branns Mill Pond this morning.
I start wading and casting to the right of the launch. It is obvious that the aquatic vegetation has not all died back because my lure gets constantly fouled with plant parts. Hence, I need to keep the spinner < 1 ft. below the surface to minimize the hook fouling.
No fish want to play on this side of the launch, so I switch and slowly wade along the shore on the other side. The bite is slow and tentative, but I succeed in landing three brookies over the next hour. None exceed 13 inches and the fish are clearly not suicidal.
But I enjoy my time in the (cold) water. I have the place to myself, except for one angler trolling off-shore, and a few folks walking by. Also, the traffic on Notch Road is local and light, and therefore does not impinge on the quiet surroundings.
I call it good, fully satisfied that Branns Mill Pond finally didn’t get the better of me this morning 😊
The outcome of wader fishing for trout on Branns Mill Pond: I caught 3 brook trout (largest = 13 inches) in 1 hour of slow 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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