August 12, 2023
Location and Access to Worthley Pond
Where is Worthley Pond Located?
This 354-acre water body is found in Peru, Oxford County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 11 A3). My goal this morning is catching trout on Worthley Pond.
Access and Boat Launch
Anglers can find the public access point on East Shore Road. It is clearly marked by a blue boat launch sign.
This well-maintained, hardtop boat ramp is spacious and offers plenty of parking spaces. It also provides a convenient porter potty during open-water season.
The shallow launch is improved and offers plenty of parking spaces.
Worthley Pond Features, Stocking, Thermocline, Depth Profile, and Angling Rules
General Characteristics
Numerous forested hills surround Worthley Pond, a well-developed area situated just south of the Androscoggin River. The views from the water of the surrounding landscape are quite pleasing.
Annual Stocking
The state sustains a popular regional trout fishery via a light annual stocking of rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout.
I successfully fished this lake last fall in waders and last winter through the ice. My goal today is to see if I can also catch trout while trolling…
The Thermocline
This lake develops a thermocline in the summer. This 6-foot thick layer separates the warm surface water from the cool and denser bottom water.
The lake also grows too much algae because of excessive nutrient input from the surrounding watershed. That plant material dies off, sinks to the bottom, and decomposes.
This process uses up the oxygen in the lower, cold-water layer. However, nothing can replace that oxygen during the summer because the thermocline acts like a lid that prevents mixing with the water above.
Yet, the resident trout need both cool and oxygenated water during this period. They find those two conditions only in one sweet spot, namely right at the thermocline!
Where is the Thermocline on Worthley Pond?
A review of published temperature and dissolved oxygen data collected from this lake in the past – and available at Lakes of Maine – shows that the mid-summer thermocline typically occurs between 20 and 26 ft. below the surface. The temperature at 20 ft. is around 70F but drops to about 55F at 26 ft. Also, the thermocline is fully oxygenated, but the oxygen levels are less than optimum below 26 ft.
Hence, the trout must seek refuge in that narrow layer of water because the water above it is well-oxygenated but too warm, and the water below it is cool but oxygen-deficient.
So, locate the thermocline and thou shall find the trout! I will place my lures towards the bottom of the thermocline.
Depth Profile
This lake has a mean and maximum depth of 25 ft. and 49 ft, respectively. Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information.
I print out the depth map before leaving home and use a pen to circle the 30-foot depth contour. That way, I waste no time figuring out where to troll after I arrive.
Fishing Regulations
Angling on Worthley Pond during spring and summer occurs under the general fishing laws for the South Zone. Click here for the full rules applicable to this location.
The morning is peaceful and the surface is quiet, but the fish are not very active…
Catching Trout on Worthley Pond
Arrival and Conditions
I arrive at the Worthley Pond boat ramp by 6 am and put-put away 15 minutes later eager to do some trout fishing.
Beware that the launch is shallow and requires the driver to back into the lake a little ways to float or retrieve a boat. The water level is not an issue today because of the wet summer we have experienced so far.
The air is fresh (56°F) but pleasant, with no wind and a blue sky. The surface water is a cool 73°F.
Technique for Catching Trout on Worthley Pond
I place two sets of lures 25 ft deep.
One setup consists of my eight-weight fly fishing rod with lead-core line (always my favorite when trolling!) teamed up with three smelt-imitating double-hook streamer flies tied back-to-back.
The other setup consists of my downrigger teamed up with a medium-action rod and three DB Smelt spoons also tied back-to-back using monofilament.
I always hold the fly rod in my hand and constantly rip the line to cause the flies below to move erratically and attract attention from potential customers.
But this brown trout makes it all worthwhile!
Results of Catching Trout on Worthley Pond
I start trolling in the lobe across from the launch.
After no more than 20 minutes, a tremendous strike hits my flies. God, I LOVE that feeling!! There is nothing subtle about it: the fish slams the lure to prevent its “prey” from escaping. That action is instantly transmitted up the line through the rod and into your hand.
I fight a substantial fish, gently wrestling it to the surface and giving it as much line as it requests. The fish finally gives up and I net it. It is a fat and fit 21-inch brown trout. This catch delights me; I take a couple of bragging pictures and quickly release the creature back to its watery world.
This action pumps me up and readies me for more. But unfortunately, I do not get another hit over the next three hours…
I swap out my flies and spoons, troll around in the other lobe of Worthley Pond, move closer to shore in <30 ft of water, and farther offshore in 40+ ft of water. But nothing gives.
The lake residents have also started boating and creating wakes. The time has come to call it good.
The slow action disappoints me, but I am nonetheless delighted to have caught that one gorgeous brown trout. I leave a satisfied angler.
The outcome of catching trout on Worthley Pond: I caught one fat 21” brown trout in 3.5 hours of very slow 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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