The launch is hard-topped and spacious. Plenty of parking is available across the road.
October 15, 2023
Location and Access to Crystal Lake
Where is Crystal Lake Located?
This 189-acre water body (a.k.a. Dry Pond) is found in Gray, Cumberland County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 5 B3). My goal this morning is fishing for trout on Crystal Lake in my waders.
Access and Boat Launch
Access is via a hard-top boat ramp situated at the southern tip of the lake on Mayberry Road right after it splits off from North Raymond Road.
The town of Gray also maintains a popular public beach and swimming area right next to this ramp in the summer.
A large parking lot is found across from the launch.
The fall colors make it all worthwhile!
Crystal Lake Features, Stocking, Depth Profile, and Angling Rules
General Characteristics
Crystal lake has a fully-developed shoreline. Its name is also well-deserved: its surface water is crystal clear!
Annual Stocking
This water body supports a popular open water and hard water trout fishery consisting of three species, namely brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout.
The State stocks this lake lightly each fall with between 1 and 2 fish per trout species per acre because suitable spawning and nursery areas are unavailable. All of these fish typically measure about 13 inches.
What attracts me here this morning is that the state released its fall allotment of brook trout earlier this month in anticipation of the upcoming ice fishing season. I hope to hook into some of those fish.
Depth Profile
Crystal Lake is relatively deep with a mean and maximum depth of 25 ft. and 59 ft., respectively. Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information.
Depth is of lesser concern to me since I am fishing from shore in waders.
Fishing Regulations
Fall fishing at this location occurs under the general fishing laws applicable to the South Zone. The lake is open to fishing between October 1 and December 31 using artificial lures only. However, anglers must release all trout alive and at once.
These 13-inch brookies give a great fight when caught on an ultralight spinning rod.
Fishing for Trout on Crystal Lake in Waders
Arrival and Conditions
I arrive at the boat launch at 6:30 am in my waders and all layered up with warm clothes. Sunrise is in 25 minutes.
It is a magnificent early fall morning, with fog slowly drifting off the water, an air temperature of 44°F, and only a hint of a breeze.
Technique for fishing for trout on Crystal Lake in Waders
I see several rises as I am walking down the boat ramp and wade into the cool water. Great, it looks like the trout are feeding.
The wading conditions are puuurfect! The substrate consists of fine but firm sand with no obstructions. The bottom also gently slopes down away from the shoreline, making for safe and enjoyable wading. These conditions are quite similar to those I experienced at Long Pond and Hutchinson Pond.
I deploy my usual angling tools for this time of year, namely an ultralight spinning rod with a small spinning reel spooled with 6-pound monofilament line, and a #2 copper-colored Mepps spinner.
It is a lethal combination because I can cast that spinner a country mile away, let it sink to the bottom, and start a slow retrieve. I also removed one of the three hooks from the treble and flattened the barb on one of the two remaining hooks to minimize harm to the fish.
The trick with this lure is to constantly twitch the rod tip to cause the blade to flicker and trigger the hunter-killer instinct of the trout below.
Results of Fishing for Trout on Crystal Lake in Waders
I have my first hookup after five casts, but the trout escapes right as I try to net it. Darn! But the signal is clear: the fish are at their post and eager to play.
I get a second hookup but early release minutes later. What is going on here!
I check the hooks on my spinner: they are still plenty sharp. It is just the way these fish consistently wiggle and shake their heads when hooked.
It just never gets old!
An Active Bite!
I get another 10 hookups and land 6 more fish in my net over the next hour or so. One of those fish is actually a 13-inch rainbow trout.
The whole setup is just impeccable: the weather is great, the wading is easy and enjoyable, and the fish are biting.
Note that I make it a point to slowly walk back to shore every time I fight a fish to prevent it from spooking any other trout that may be present in the vicinity. That seems to work this morning because the bite never stopped.
The cherry on top is that I have the place all to myself, which is typically what I experience in the fall. Most anglers have stored away their equipment. Hence, they miss out on the best trout fishing of the open-water season in southern Maine! And that suits me just fine.
The outcome of fishing for trout on Crystal Lake in waders: I caught seven 12- to 14-inch brookies and one 13-inch rainbow trout in one hour of fast and fun fishing.
I love the unexpected “by-catch”! Notice the wind still conditions.
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.
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