Trolling for trout on McCurdy Pond, ME

September 6, 2026

 

Location and Public Access to McCurdy Pond

Where is McCurdy Pond Located?

This 207-acre body of water is found in Bremen, Lincoln County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 7 A4). My goal this morning is trolling for trout on McCurdy Pond.

Public Access

The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer does not show a boat launch for McCurdy Pond. But a rough public access point is located at the northern tip of the pond where Turner Road runs along the shoreline. However, only paddled craft can be released from this unimproved, bouldery slipway. Parking is also severely limited to a few cars along the narrow road shoulder.

 

McCurdy Pond Features, Stocking, Thermocline, Depth Profile, and Fishing Rules

General Characteristics

The shoreline of McCurdy Pond is well-developed with houses and cabins. This water body also sits just to the south of Pemaquid Lake which abuts Turner Road. The pond offers no particular vistas. However, it has a small, wooded island in its center that provides a striking contrast to the surrounding open water. I discovered this location using my proven search method.

Brown Trout Stocking on McCurdy Pond

The State stocks this pond each fall with 250 12-inch brown trout. That represents a stocking density of just over 1 fish per acre. Such sparse stocking is typical for this species across the state. It prevents overcrowding and therefore grows larger fish. I am not expecting too many sparks this morning…

Thermocline and Depth Profile for McCurdy Pond

Summer trolling requires knowledge on the presence, depth, and oxygen status of the thermocline. The reason is that between late June and mid-September brown trout hide and feed in and below this narrow cool-water layer when the surface water above gets too warm.

Lakesofmaine.org provides measured water temperature and oxygen data collected from McCurdy Pond over the years. I look up the available information for late August/early September. It shows the presence of a sharp temperature gradient (i.e., a thermocline) between 16 ft. and 23 ft. deep.

However, the middle and the bottom of that thermocline (i.e., 20 and 23 ft. down) are essentially devoid of oxygen. This depth – and the water below it – is therefore not available for any fish. That means I have to place my lures at the top of the thermocline, between 16 and 18 ft. below the surface – but no lower – to find my target species.

The pond has a mean and maximum depth of 18 ft. and 41 ft., respectively. Click here for a depth map and dated fisheries information. I printed out this map and outlined two areas where the depth exceeds 25 ft.(see below for details)

Fishing Regulations for McCurdy Pond

Angling on this water body occurs under the general fishing laws, seasons, and bag limits applicable to the South Zone, without any other restrictions.

Trolling for trout on McCurdy Pond

 

Preliminary observations

I trolled McCurdy Pond in late July 2026 but failed to land brown trout then. However, I gathered good intel during that trip which should help me this morning.

The pond has two areas deeper than 25 ft. Looking down the pond from the access point, the first one (let’s call it Bowl #1) sits in front of the central wooded island, and the second one (Bowl #2) is behind the island. I trolled Bowl #1 for well over an hour in late July but did not get a single hit. I swapped lures before paddling to Bowl #2. That area yielded multiple strikes, and a brown trout that unfortunately unhooked next to the canoe.

So, my plan this morning is to skip Bowl #1 and troll only Bowl #2 using the same set of lures that worked in late July. Keep in mind that Bowl #2 sits over half a mile from Turner Road. So, it takes about 15 minutes of paddling to get there.

I reach the put-in at 5:35 am. Sunrise occurs at 6:08 am. I am trolling for trout on McCurdy Pond during the “Golden Hour”. This period lasts from 30 minutes before sunrise to 1 hour or so after sunrise when light levels are low. The brown trout are also chasing bait during this period after a long night without food.

The air temperature is a pleasant 59°F, and forecast to rise into the upper 70’s later in the day. The surface water temperature measures 70°F.

Technique for Trolling for Trout on McCurdy Pond

 

I deploy my 8-weight fly fishing rod teamed with a reel spooled with lead core line to which are attached three small trout spoons tied back-to-back. Releasing three and a half colors of lead core line puts the lures at the desired depth of 16 to 18 ft. below the surface. I place the rod between my legs.

My kit also includes a portable fish finder to provide depth awareness and minimize hookups with the bottom. It takes about 25 minutes to paddle once around Bowl #2.

Results for Trolling for Trout on McCurdy Pond

I have been trolling for trout on McCurdy Pond for 45 minutes. The sun has risen above the horizon and starts flooding the pond with its harsh light. I have yet to get a hit and am starting to get concerned.  Then, my rod suddenly shakes. Finally, a customer! At first, the fish does not put up much of a fight. Surprisingly, the creature – which turns out to be a brown trout – wakes up when it reaches the canoe and finally takes two long runs. Way to go! I net the trout, take pictures, measure it, and let it go. The fish measures 18 inches but is rather skinny…

Of note, the trout grabbed the first of the three lures, which is highly unusual. Typically, fish bite the third – straggler – lure (85% of the time) or the middle lure (10% of the time). I move that first lure, a 1/6 oz T101 Thomas Buoyant trolling spoon to the back.

An Unexpected Smallmouth Bass

I paddle around the general area where that brown trout came from in the hope that others are willing to bite. I get a hit – and a strong fight – 35 minutes later. Yes, another customer is calling. This fish gives a good fight but quickly flies out of the water. Darn, I’m tussling with a smallmouth bass, which is fun, but not what I am aiming for.

But then the action stops. Crisscrossing Bowl #2 in all directions for another hour and a half results in only one more bite but no hookup. The breeze is picking up and I am getting tired and sore. Time to call it a morning.

The fishing this morning was slow but successful. Hitting the water early and targeting the thermocline is the key to success when trolling for brown trout in the summer.

 

 

The results: I caught a skinny 18-inch brown trout and a smallmouth bass 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.