Category Archives: Freshwater

Fishing for brook trout on Crystal Pond in Turner, Androscoggin County, Maine (October 30, 2021)

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Crystal Pond, a.k.a. Beals Pond, is a 47-acre body of water located in Turner, Androscoggin County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 11 C4). This pond is situated right next to busy Route 4 (Auburn Road), which connects the Lewiston/Auburn metro area to Livermore Falls further north. A spacious parking lot is available by the public access point. Keep in mind that only hand-carried craft can be launched from this location because a boat ramp is unavailable. In fact, access to the water is down a half-dozen cement steps.

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Fishing for brook trout on Otter Pond #4 in Standish, Cumberland County, Maine (October 29, 2021)

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Otter Pond #4 is small and pretty

 

Otter Pond #4, a.k.a. Snake Pond, is a small, 6-acre body of water located off Route 35 in Standish, Cumberland, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 5 D1). Click here for directions on how to reach this pond. Beware that you will pass several other ponds on your way in which are not stocked. Make sure to follow the directions to get to the designated target.

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Fishing for brook trout on Sand Pond in Baldwin, Cumberland County, Maine (October 16, 2021)

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View of Sand Pond from the hard-top launch.

 

Sand Pond is a 61-acre body of water located in Baldwin, Cumberland County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 4 D4). The public access point is located next to the town beach along the western shore of the pond on Sand Pond Road, off Bridgton Road (a.k.a. Route 11). This launch is improved and can accommodate trailered boats. Plenty of parking is available across from the public beach.

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Fishing for rainbow trout on Little Pond in Wells, York County, Maine (October 9, 2021)

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The launch is spacious and unimproved but can readily accommodate small trailered boats. Keep in mind that engines over six horse power are not allowed on this pond.

 

Little Pond (a.k.a Ell or L Pond) is an 32-acre body of water located in Wells, York County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 2 D4). The public access point is found at the very end of Ell Pond Road (off Horace Mills Road) down a short (200 ft.) drivable dirt road. The launch is unimproved but spacious, and can accommodate small trailered boats. Plenty of parking is available along the sides of the access point. Keep in mind that boats with engines above six horsepower are not allowed on this pond.

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Fishing for landlocked Atlantic salmon and smallmouth bass on West Grand Lake, T6 ND BPP, Washington County, Maine (October 3, 2021)

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What a sight to behold!

 

West Grand Lake is a 15,920-acre body of water located in township T6 ND BPP in Washington County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 35 B3). Public access is via two boat launches located at the village of Grand Lake Stream by the outlet of the lake. I cannot describe the lay-out of those launches because I accessed the lake from elsewhere in the watershed.

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Fishing for brook trout on Upper Pond, Deboullie Maine Public Reserved Land, Aroostook County, Maine (September 28, 2021)

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Upper Pond has special regulations to protect its self-sustaining brook trout population

 

Upper Pond is a pretty 17-acre body of water located in the Deboullie Maine Public Reserved Land (T15 R9 WELS) in northern Aroostook County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 63 A1). This township is situated about 27 driving miles northwest of the village of Portage (by Portage Lake), and 10 to 15 miles as the crow flies due east of the Allagash River Waterway. Access is via a series of well-maintained gravel logging roads. I was concerned about getting lost on this extensive network of roads but found excellent driving directions for Red River Camps which is located in the middle of the Public Reserved Land. It also helps that the directions are indicated by brown “RRC” (Red River Camps) and blue “State of Maine Public Reserved Land” signs. Finally, be aware that the T15 R9 WELS township is located in the North Maine Woods. Access (coming from the south) to this region is via the Fish River Checkpoint where one must stop to obtain an entry permit and pay a nominal day-use fee and overnight camping fee. Numerous campsites are available within the Deboullie township. Come prepared to be self-sufficient because the closest store is at Portage.

 

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Fishing for brook trout on Deboullie Pond, Deboullie Maine Public Reserved Land, Aroostook County, Maine (September 28, 2021)

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What a beautiful way to start my morning troll!

 

Deboullie Pond is a gorgeous 262-acre body of water located in the Deboullie Maine Public Reserved Land (T15 R9 WELS) in northern Aroostook County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 63 A1). This township is located about 27 driving miles northwest of the village of Portage (by Portage Lake), and 10-15 miles as the crow flies due east of the Allagash River. Access is via a series of well-maintained gravel logging roads. I was concerned about getting lost on this extensive network of roads but found excellent driving directions for Red River Camps which is located in the middle of the Public Reserved Land. It also helps that the directions are indicated by brown “RRC” (Red River Camps) and blue “State of Maine Public Reserved Land” signs. Finally, be aware that the T15 R9 WELS township is located in the North Maine Woods. Access (coming from the south) to this region is via the Fish River Checkpoint where one must stop to obtain an entry permit and pay a nominal day-use fee and overnight camping fee. Over a dozen campsites are available within the Deboullie township. Come prepared to be self-sufficient because the closest store is in Portage…

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Fishing for smallmouth bass on the Stillwater River in Old Town, Penobscot County, Maine (September 12, 2021)

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The fishing was tough today and most of the bass were on the smaller size

 

I am exploring the smallmouth bass fishery on the Stillwater River in Old town, Penobscot County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 33 E4). My goal today is to drift down part of this river while fishing the backside of Orson Island. The Stillwater River represents a side branch of the Penobscot River; these two watercourses split off from each other in Old Town and merge back together again about ten miles further downstream in Orono. This drift trip is also unique in that it starts and end at the same location, and therefore only requires one car. For access to the boat launch, drive north on Stillwater Avenue in Old Town, turn left on Fourth Street, and continue for 0.4 miles all the way to the very end of this street (it’s a dead end). The large and spacious hard-top boat ramp, as well as a grassy picnic area, is on the right, with a huge parking lot to the left.

 

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Fishing for smallmouth bass on the Penobscot River in Old Town, Penobscot County, Maine (August 28, 2021)

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This boat launch is spacious and provides lots of parking space

 

I am exploring the smallmouth bass fishery on the Penobscot River in Old town, Penobscot County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 33 E4). My goal this morning is to fish a 1.5-mile stretch of river that runs between Indian Island and Orson Island. I have no idea what to expect because I have never visited this section of the river before. For access to the boat launch, drive north on Stillwater Avenue in Old Town, turn left on Fourth Street, and continue for 0.4 miles all the way to the very end of this street (it’s a dead end). The large and spacious hard-top boat ramp, as well as a grassy picnic area, is on the right, with a huge parking lot to the left.

 

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Fishing for smallmouth bass on the Penobscot River in Orono, Penobscot County, Maine (August 28, 2021)

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The boat launch by Ayers Island is spacious. The fishing hole is located just passed the half-submerged rock visible in the center left of this picture.

 

I am exploring the Penobscot River in the vicinity of Ayers Island, in Orono, Penobscot County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 23 A3). My goal this morning is to catch smallmouth bass in the back channel which runs between the mainland and the island, and motor upstream up to the location where the Stillwater River spills over a low dam into the Penobscot River. The outflow of hydrodams represent classic smallmouth bass summer holding habitat (click here, here, here, and here for examples). I do not know what to expect because I have never fished this section of water before. To reach the boat launch, drive down Route 2 north (into Orono), turn right on Island Avenue (just past the Leadbetter’s convenience store) and continue for about 0.1 mile until you hit railroad tracks. Turn right before the tracks and make an immediate left on Union Street. Continue for less than 0.2 miles until you see the access point on the left. The launch is hard-topped and wide, and offers plenty of parking space, as well as a small picnic area.

 

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