The public access point next to Route 182 consists of an unimproved sandy boat launch.
June 8, 2024
Location and Access to Fox Pond
Where is Fox Pond Located?
This 77-acre water body is found in T10 SD, Hancock County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 24 D5). Its northern shoreline abuts Route 182 (Black Woods Road). The pond is also just to the northwest of Tunk Lake. Our goal this morning is trolling for trout on Fox Pond.
Access and Boat Launch
The public access consists of an unimproved dirt launch next to Route 182 at the northeastern tip of the pond.
The launch can accommodate small, trailered boats. A few vehicles can be parked by the launch.
Big smile but tiny fish…
Fox Pond Features, Stocking, and Angling Rules
General Characteristics
Fox Pond is a lightly developed body of water, with only a single house visible along the shoreline. The surrounding area is totally forested.
Annual Stocking
The State stocked this water body in the spring of 2023 with 200 9-inch brook trout, followed last fall with 1,200 7-inch brookies and 125 12-inch brown trout. This stocking density yields about 20 (small) fish per acre.
Depth Profile
The pond is relatively shallow, with a mean and maximum depth of 13 ft. and 29 ft. respectively. The deepest part sits right by the launch in a small bowl-shaped area. Click here for a depth map and additional (dated) fisheries information.
Fishing Regulations
The general fishing laws for the South Zone apply at this location. However, the state closes the pond to ice fishing. It also bans all fishing from December 1 to March 31. Anglers can fish here between October 1 and November 30 but using artificial lures only. Also, they must release all trout alive and at once during this period. Click here for the full regulations pertaining to Fox Pond.
Unfortunately, the weather does not lend itself to dry flying, as we had originally planned…
Trolling for Trout on Fox Pond
Arrival and Conditions
My buddy Travis and I arrive at Fox Pond at 10 am. It takes us 20 minutes to fully gear up and put the boat in the water. Next, we discuss what to expect and agree that we will most likely catch small brookies…
The weather is gloomy, with a low cloud deck and a persistent breeze blowing from the southwest. Also, the air temperature is in the low 60’s.
The tea-colored water registers a temperature of 67°F. That is still fine for trout fishing near the surface.
Technique for Trolling for Trout on Fox Pond
Unfortunately, the prevailing conditions preclude us from dry flying, which is what we had hoped for this morning.
Instead, we settle on trolling. I will use lead core line and three Mickey Fin-type streamer flies tied back-to-back. However, Travis will use a floating fly fishing line and one small streamer fly weighed down by a couple of split shots.
We focus our trolling efforts along the shoreline in water 6 to 12 ft. deep. The first tour of the pond is less than optimal because we run into submerged aquatic vegetation that started growing up towards the water surface.
Results of Trolling for Trout on Fox Pond
We do get three hits – and I land a small brookie – along the way, which indicates that we are on the right track. But we should be doing much better considering that all the fish stocked last fall are still there (no ice fishing, remember?).
We are underwhelmed, but not surprised, by the size of the trout.
I swap out the streamer flies for two small 1.5-inch ACME Thunderbolt spoons that have worked well for me in the past (click here and here for examples). Then, a fish hits along one of the shorelines in water 14 ft. deep and with the lures placed one and a half colors down (about 8 ft. below the surface). I turn the boat around, retroll the same area, and get another hit. Darn! I turn again, get third hit, but this time set the hook properly and land a second small brookie. Finally!
By now we have been fishing for 2.5 hours and it is time to move on. So, we troll back towards the launch and decide to circle the bowl a few times before leaving. I let go of two full colors (about 12 ft below the surface), get a hit and hook a more substantial fish on one of the spoons. But the trout wriggles so much next to the boat that it unhooks before I have a chance to net it. Damn!
Overall, the fishing this morning was hard and the landed trout were small. But at least I caught a few small brookies whereas Travis goes home skunked…
The outcome of trolling for trout on Fox Pond: I landed 2 brookies (largest = 11 inches) whereas Travis was skunked.
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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