Trolling for togue on Lower Narrows Pond, ME

9/1/2026

Location and Public Access to Lower Narrows Pond

Where is Lower Narrows Pond Located?

This 223-acre body of water is found in Winthrop, Kennebec County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 12 C3). To reach this destination, drive east on Narrows Pond Road which separates Upper and Lower Narrows Ponds. My goal this morning is trolling for togue on Lower Narrows Pond.

Public Access and Boat Launch

A small, constricted, and poorly-maintained sandy boat launch at the northern end of Lower Narrows Pond next to this road serves as the public access point (note: The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer does not show this launch). Keep in mind that this location can only handle smaller trailered boats. Anglers can park their vehicles along the road shoulder across from the access point.

Lower Narrows Pond Characteristics, Stocking, Fishing Rules, Depth Profile, and Thermocline

Surrounding Habitat

Lower Narrows Pond is a well-developed lake sandwiched between Cobbosseecontee Lake to the east and Annabessacook Lake to the west. It offers no particular vistas from the water.

This water body is connected to Upper Narrows Pond via a rectangular stone box culvert that runs underneath Narrows Pond Road next to the launch. That opening is only 2 ft. wide and 3 ft. high, and cannot accommodate boats. The water flowing through it was less than 6 inches deep during my visit.

Lower Narrows Pond Stocking

This lake intrigues me because it is one of only a handful across the state that is (occasionally) stocked with juvenile togue, also known as lake trout. However, the stocking density for this species at this location is only about 0.5 fish per acre. The lake is also stocked annually with about 2 brook trout per acre. Taken together, I am not expecting fireworks from these two species this morning.

Lower Narrows Pond Fishing Rules

The lake is fished under the South Zone general fishing rules. It is also open to fall fishing from October 1 to December 31 using artificial lures only, but all salmonids must be released alive and at once during this period. Click here for more regulations.

Lower Narrows Pond Depth Profile and Thermocline

I check lakesofmaine.org to obtain measured oxygen and water temperature data collected in late August-early September to determine the presence, depth, and oxygen status of a thermocline.

This lake has an extremely pronounced – and fully oxygenated – thermocline this time of  year, found roughly 16 to 23 ft. deep.  The water temperature across that 6 ft. depth interval drops by over 15°F, which is amazing. The water below the thermocline is frigid (41°F to 48°F) and also oxygenated.

The lake is surprisingly deep for its relatively small size. It has a mean and maximum depth of 31 ft. and 106 ft., respectively. I printed out the depth map before leaving home, and circled the 40-ft. contour depth. That way, I waste no time looking for my hunting grounds after I arrive.

Trolling for Togue on Lower Narrows Pond

“Golden Hour” Fishing

I pull in the Lower Narrows Pond access point at 5:30 am, load and launch my boat, and put-put away 15 minutes later. I love fishing the “Golden Hour”, from about 30 minutes before sunrise to about 1 hour after sunrise when the light levels are low and the fish are actively hunting breakfast down below. The air temperature is 59°F. It is also wind still. The surface water temperature measures 72°F, which is right on track for this time of year.

Technique for Trolling for Togue on Lower Narrows Pond

I troll using a spinning rod and three skinny DB Smelt spoons tied one to the other. The spoons are placed 35 ft. down using a portable downrigger. I also deploy a 9-weight fly fishing rod with lead core line and three small smelt-imitating Mooselook Wobbler spoons placed 30 ft. down (5 and a half colors).

I hold the fly rod in my hands and gently tug the rod to provide erratic movement to the lures. Placing my lures below – but still in the vicinity of – the thermocline helps me target lake trout.

Results of Trolling for Togue on Lower Narrows Pond

I have been trolling for about 20 minutes when my spinning rods suddenly starts shaking. Oh, oh,oh, a customer is calling! I quickly place the fly rod on the other side of the boat, grab the spinning rod, and swing it backwards to unclip the line. Yes, a fish struggles at the other end! But it quickly shoots upwards and then jumps out of the water. Argh, that is a bass, and not the reason for getting out of bed before 4 am… I have often caught bass in the thermocline when summer trolling (click here, here, and here for examples). But this one was caught in frigid waters well below the thermocline. Go figure…

Catching my Target Fish while Trolling for Togue on Lower Narrows Pond

I lower the lures back down to 35 ft. using the downrigger. That same rod starts shaking again 15 minutes later! Great, another customer! That one fights low and only reluctantly comes to the surface. It is a skinny togue. This fish represents my target species, which is exciting.

I am hoping for more where that lake trout came from. But the fish gods decide otherwise. I troll all over the deep area of Lower Narrows Pond for another 2+ hours, but fail to elicit another hit.

I swap lures, and adjust my trolling depths up and down, but the catching is done for this morning. In a sense, this is not too surprising given the low stocking density. Nonetheless, I am satisfied that I caught that one togue.

The results: I landed a skinny togue (18 inches) and a largemouth 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.