Fishing for trout on Keoka Lake, ME (October 17, 2023)

October 17, 2023

Location and Access to Keoka Lake

Where is Keoka Lake Located?

This 467-acre water body is found in Waterford, Oxford County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 10 D4). My goal this morning is fishing for trout on Keoka Lake in waders.

Access and Boat Launch

A cement boat launch is located on Route 35 on the western side of the lake. Anglers can park on the road shoulder by the launch. However, an alternative is to park in front of the Waterford Historical Society building next to the boat launch. I see no signs forbidding this practice, but do not know if it is frowned upon.

Keoka Lake Features, Annual Stocking, Depth Profile, and Angling Rules

General Characteristics

Keoka Lake is lightly developed. Most of the houses and seasonal camps occur along the western shoreline. The surrounding countryside is deeply forested. Mount Tire’m, just to the west, overlooks this pretty scenery.

Annual Stocking

The lake supports a salmonid fishery composed of two species, namely landlocked Atlantic salmon and brook trout. The State stocked 600 13-inch brook trout earlier this fall. Those fish are the focus of my attention this morning.

Depth Profile

This body of water has an average and maximum depth of 25 ft. and 42 ft., respectively. Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. Depth is of less concern to me today since I will be fishing for brook trout from shore in waders.

Fishing Regulations

Fishing for trout on Keoka Lake occurs under the general fishing laws applicable to the South Zone. Anglers can also fish between October 1 and December 31. However, they are only allowed to use artificial lures, and have to release all salmonids alive and at once.

Fishing for Trout on Keoka Lake in Waders

Arrival and Conditions

I arrive at the Keoka Lake boat launch at 8 am. A friendly municipal worker greets me and apologizes for the noises that his colleague and him will be making while pulling out the dock.

I am in my waders, fully dressed up against the cold water. The weather is totally to my liking: mostly overcast, with an air temperature of 47°F and essentially wind still.

I enter the water and am pleasantly surprised by the substrate conditions: the sediment is sandy and firm without any obstructions or vegetation, and gently slopes down into deeper water. Hence, these are ideal wading conditions, equivalent to what I have encountered on Burnt Meadow Pond and Keewaydin Lake.

Technique for Fishing for Trout on Keoka Lake in Waders

I fish with my usual setup: an ultralight spinning rod with a small spinning reel spooled with 6-pound test monofilament line, and a #2 copper-colored Mepps spinner.

That combination allows me to cast the lure way out and have a fun fight, even with smaller fish.

I 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.

I cast the lure and let it sink towards the bottom (one thousand one, one thousand two, …). Then, the trick consists of getting the blade to turn, and slowly retrieving the spinner while constantly twitching the tip of the rod. The twitching causes the blade to flicker, and the flicker triggers the trout’s killer instinct!

Results of Fishing for Trout on Keoka Lake in Waders

I cast around the Keoka Lake boat launch for 10 minutes but without generating a single hit.

I am pondering my next move when I see a splashy rise well to my left. Ahah, fish are feeding over there.

I slowly wade my way to that area and start casting my spinner. I get a hit and a hook up on the second cast. Houston, we have connected!

I am careful to wade back to shore to fight the fish and avoid spooking other trout that may be present in the vicinity.

I land another five brookies over the next 20 minutes. This is just so much fun: I located my target species, the fish are hungry and biting, and I have not scared them off.

Unfortunately, my time at Keoka Lake is up because I have to get back home to start my working day.

I will end by saying that fall is the absolute best time to fish for trout in southern and central Maine. And yet, I am always surprised by how few people are out there enjoying the bounty.

That suits me just fine 🙂

The outcome of fishing for trout on Keoka Lake in waders: I caught six 12- to 14-inch brookies in 30 minutes of fast and furious 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.

 

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