August 10, 2025
Location and Access to Garland Pond
Where is Garland Pond Located?
This 28-acre water body is found in Sebec and Dover Foxcroft, Piscataquis County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 32 B2). My goal this evening is trolling for trout on Garland Pond.
Access and Boat Launch
To reach this pond, drive on Milo Road (Routes 6 and 16), turn on Parsons Landing Road towards Sebec Lake, and look for Garland Pond Road on the right. That road provides access to the southern shore of the pond, but it is private.
Instead, the public access point (which is not shown on The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer) is found at the end of an unnamed dirt road that begins just 15 ft. passed Garland Pond Road. It goes towards the western end of the pond. Plenty of parking is available by the launch.
View of Garland Pond from the public access point. Note that the rules prohibit the use of motor boats on this water body.
Garland Pond Features, Stocking, Thermocline, Depth Profile, and Angling Rules
General Characteristics
Garland Pond is a well-developed body of water with about two dozen camps and houses strung along its wooded shoreline. Unfortunately, the pond provides no particular vistas or views of the surrounding region.
I used my special approach to identify this place as a target for catching trout in the summer.
Annual Stocking
The State stocks this pond each year with 630 10-inch brook trout (i.e., 23 brookies per acre) and 100 7-inch splake (i.e., 4 splake per acre). These stocking densities are quite attractive.
Also, this pond has got to be the smallest one containing splake that I have ever fished…
Thermocline
A key parameter when trolling for trout in the summer is to identify the depth of the thermocline and determine its oxygen status. That information then determines the appropriate depth to place the lures.
Lakes of Maine provides a few temperature and oxygen measurements for this pond for August. The data show a thermocline 13 to 20 ft. deep, which is extremely shallow.
Also, waters below 16 ft. experience a severe oxygen deficiency in the summer. That forces all the trout to stay in the upper half of the thermocline where the temperature and oxygen levels are adequate.
Bingo, I found my trolling depth!
Depth Profile
The pond has a mean and maximum depth of 11 ft. and 38 ft., respectively. Click here for a depth map and additional (dated) fisheries information.
After printing out the depth map, I drew a line around the 25+ ft. depth contour. That line represents the minimum depth I need to stay over when fishing this evening.
This simple trick avoids getting the lures stuck on the bottom and wasting time looking for the correct depth. It goes without saying that this kind of fishing requires a depth finder.
Fishing Regulations
Anglers can fish Garland Pond under the North Zone rules. However, ice fishing and boats with internal combustion engines are prohibited.
The lack of ice fishing should mean that some of the trout live longer and can grow year-over-year to reach desirable sizes.
The resident loon couple comes by for a look-see.
Trolling for Trout on Garland Pond
Arrival and Conditions
I reach the public access point to Garland Pond at 5:15 pm. It’s hot and humid this evening, with a partially cloudy sky. The sun is setting at around 7:45 pm, which gives me 2.5 to 3 hours of fishing time to make something happen.
Technique for trolling for trout on Garland Pond
Lead core line is the technique of choice this evening because I am trolling from my canoe and need both hands to paddle. I use three small trout spoons attached back-to-back and lower them two and a half colors (about 12 to 14 ft. below the surface) down. The fly rod goes between my legs and I start paddling.
I am excited about the catch possibilities at this location. But, of course, the fish down below have their own ideas… Because of its diminutive size, paddling around the pond over 25+ ft. of water takes less than 10 minutes. I go around multiple times but elicit no interest.
A fish tentatively bites after paddling for close to one hour. Finally a response, but this is not really working out for me. Hence, I swap out the three small trout lures for three other small ones. I cannot stress enough the need to change lures if the current set fails to do its job.
This little brookie is all that I was able to coax out of Garland Pond this evening…
Results of Trolling for Trout on Garland Pond
I have been paddling for less than 5 minutes with the new lures when a fish hits and gets hookled. Wow, that was quick!
This trout is substantial and gives a hard fight. I get the fish close to the boat, but it dives back down, ripping much line off my reel. Nice going! I bring the trout back to the surface, where it makes two rolls, unhooks, and disappears. You have GOT to be freakin’ KIDDING ME!!
I am dejected because that was a nice fish. One would think that other trout down there are lining up to be caught on those same lures, but that is just not how it works. I paddle around for another hour trolling for trout on Garland Pond but without seeing any action.
Fortunately, the local fish gods look kindly on all my efforts because I finally hook and catch a little brookie. I am hoping for more action as the sun sets behind the trees, but will have to be content with that one fish.
I have been paddling around and around and around for close to 3 hours. My butt hurts and it is time to call it good.
Garland Pond did not produce as hoped, but at least I did not get skunked.
The results: I caught one brook trout (11 inches) in 3 hours of slooow 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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