It is fun to troll through the early-morning fog.
September 17, 2022
Location and Access to Long Pond
Where is Long Pond Located?
This 275-acre water body is found in Parsonsfield, York County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 4 D2). My goal this morning was catching brown trout, but I ended up fishing for bass on Long Pond.
Access and Boat Launch
Access to this pond is via a hard but steeply-inclined boat launch located on Road Between the Ponds, off Joe Berry Road.
Note that the launch is at a 90° angle (i.e., perpendicular) to the narrow Road between the Ponds which therefore requires a tight turn when backing the boat into the water. Fortunately, this road only has light local traffic.
Also, keep in mind that the depth at the launch is shallow (< 2 ft.) for 25-30 ft. out. I am glad I brought my hip boots to get into the water at the end of the trip and help guide the boat back on the trailer!
This big fish gave a splendid fight.
Long Pond Features, Stocking, Thermocline, Depth Profile, and Angling Rules
General Characteristics
Long Pond is a moderately developed and beautiful lake nestled in a forested region in the northwestern corner of York County. It sits a couple of miles from the NH border. I found this lake using my proven search strategy.
Annual Stocking
I selected Long Pond because the state stocks it with 300 brown trout each fall in order to sustain a viable year-over-year fishery. That yields about 1 brown trout per acre, which is the going rate for this species. Hence, I am not expecting fast action. Note that the State also releases brook trout each fall
The thermocline
Before leaving home, I review the available water quality data for Long Pond provided by Lakes of Maine. The lake generally has a thermocline in mid-September usually located from 23 ft. to 29 ft. below the surface, with a temperature differential of 10 to 15 degrees F. However, depending on the year, this 6-ft. layer could also occur 3 ft. higher, or 3 ft. lower…
Regardless of its exact depth location, the lower half of the thermocline always has a severe oxygen deficiency by mid-September. Hence, the water above the thermocline has enough oxygen but is too warm for trout, whereas the water within or below this narrow layer is cold but lacks oxygen.
I suspect that – in the summer – the brown trout in this lake are squeezed within the narrow layer of suitable water in the top half of the thermocline, which makes it easier to target them this time of year. I will therefore place my lures about 23 to 26 ft. deep, and hope for the best.
Depth Profile
The pond has a maximum and average depth of 33 ft. and 18 ft., respectively, making it relatively shallow. Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information.
Much of the central area of the pond is a flat, featureless “plain” mostly surrounded by steep sides relatively close to the shoreline.
Fishing Regulations
Up to September 30, fishing at this location occurs under the general fishing laws applicable to the South Zone.
Then, between October 1 and December 31, the lake remains open to fishing but anglers can only use artificial lures. They must also release all trout alive and at once during this period.
It is always a honor to catch a 19-inch smallmouth bass.
Fishing for Bass on Long Pond
Arrival and Conditions
I arrive at the boat launch of Long Pond at 6:15 am and push off 15 minutes later. The air is a nippy 39°F (fall is clearly in the air!) but the surface water temperature still reads a balmy 70°F.
The warm water interacting with cold air creates dense fog that slowly burns away with the rising sun. I cherish the fog vibe this time of year!
Technique for fishing for bass on Long Pond
I use a portable downrigger teamed up with a medium action spinning rod to place three DB Smelt spoons 23 ft. down. I also deploy my lead-core line teamed up with an eight-weight fly fishing rod to place three smelt-imitating streamer flies 4 to 4.5 colors (about 23-25 ft. below the surface) down. This pond has lots of rainbow smelt which I surmise are also squeezed 23-25 ft. down.
I always fish the lead core by holding the rod in my hands and “ripping” the flies to give them action.
Results of Fishing for Bass on Long Pond
I have been trolling for less than 5 minutes when my rod on the downrigger starts shuddering. I put down the fly fishing rod, grab the other rod and fight a sizable smallmouth bass. It quickly breaches the surface, dragging the lead core line with it.
It takes me 10 minutes to untangle the knotty mess, but the message is clear: fish are feeding in the thermocline below!
The bass this morning just cannot stay away from this streamer fly. I wonder if the beady red eyes have something to do with it… The fly got smashed up pretty good in the process!
A Tremendous Bass Bite!
Let me cut to the chase: I did not catch a single brown trout this morning… But boy, the bass made up for the lack of trout!
Over the next three hours, I land 12 bass (5 smallmouths and 7 largemouths), miss another half dozen fish, and get a half dozen more hits. The action is essentially non-stop (an average of 10-15 minutes between fish in the boat). It also occurs all between 23 and 25 ft. below the surface!
I use my depth finder to troll in 30 ft. of water right along the edge of where the depth starts to decrease towards the shoreline. I only catch two fish on the DB smelt, and the rest on the trailing (third) streamer fly. In fact, I eliminate the downrigger at the end because it interferes with the catching.
Nothing But Big, Fat Bass!
What amazes me the most is the healthy size and incredible tenacity of these bass. All 12 fish measure between 15 and 21 inches, and all are fat and well fed. This pond must have much forage down there. I note that special rules apply to the taking of smelts, which I suspect is a main food source to the scaly predators in Long Pond.
The fighting is also top-notch, with long, hard, and insistent runs. I highly recommend this location for anyone who likes catching big bass! However, keep in mind that these fish are feeding way down in the water column by late summer.
Finally, I conclude by saying that I have never had this level of bass action in the thermocline in all my years trolling for trout or salmon in the summer. It goes to show that even an old salt like me can still make new experiences. You have got to love it!
The public boat launch is narrow, short, steep, and shallow.
The outcome of fishing for bass on Long Pond: I caught 12 bass (biggest smallmouth = 19 inches; biggest largemouth bass = 21 inches) in 3 hours of fantastic, non-stop trolling action.
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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