The access gate to York Pond is closed and locked this morning,
October 29, 2026
Location and Access to York Pond
Where is York Pond Located?
This 45-acre water body is found in Eliot, York County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 1 A3). I found this location using my proven search strategy. My goal this morning is fishing for trout on York Pond.
Access and Boat Launch
To reach York Pond, drive down Cider Hill Road (Route 91), and turn into York Shore Road. Drive for 0.1 mile and turn right on York Pond Road. Find the driveway next to mail box #6 by the circle. Enter this driveway but immediately turn left passed a metal gate. Leave your vehicle by the circle and walk in from there if the gate is closed and locked, as is the case for me this morning.
The public access point is at the eastern tip of the pond, about 200-300 ft. down a wide dirt path passed the gate.
York Pond Features, Stocking, Depth Profile, and Angling Rules
Holy smokes, I don’t think that I have ever seen so many canoes and kayaks in one place!
General Characteristics
York Pond is quite a find! It is entirely undeveloped, which is rare in busy southern Maine. A major reason is that much of its shoreline (particularly around the western half of the pond) is surrounded by bogs. The remainder of the shoreline is wooded. The surface water also has a distinct dark-tea color from all the tannins leaching out of the marshes.
Even though the pond does not provide any particular views of the region, it definitely emanates a secluded vibe, which I enjoy.
Annual Stocking
The State lightly stocks York Pond each fall with brook trout.
This water body supports a typical “put-and-take” fishery so common in southern Maine. It means that the State releases catching-size brookies in the fall to be caught by anglers in the fall, winter, and spring.
But none survive the following summer because the water column is too shallow, overheats from top to bottom, and lacks cold-water refugia (e.g., groundwater springs or a thermocline).
Depth Profile
The pond has a mean and maximum depth of 7 ft. and 11 ft., respectively.
Click here for a depth map and (old) fisheries information.
Fishing Regulations
York Pond is open to fall fishing between October 1 and November 30. However, anglers can only use artificial lures during this period. And they must also release all trout alive at once.
In addition, the regulations prohibit the use of motorboats with internal combustion engines on the pond.
Click here for all the fishing rules pertaining to this water body.
Fishing for trout on York Pond
This big brookie makes my morning!
Arrival and Conditions
I reach the closed gate by 7:45 am, and park my truck by the circle. I walk to the water’s edge to determine the wading conditions. Holy mackerel, this spot is a busy place. I count 23 (!!) canoes and kayaks stored around the access point. Clearly, the local anglers like fishing on York Pond.
I step onto solid substrate when I enter the pond, but the water deepens too quickly, numerous overhanging bog bushes congest the shoreline, and lily pads obstruct the water’s edge. Forget wading under these conditions. I am fishing from my canoe, which I always bring with me, just in case.
I return to my truck, stow all my gear in the canoe, lash the vessel on its portable cart, and haul everything to the water. The conditions are beautiful: the sun is still hiding behind the trees but rising in a bright blue sky, it is wind still, and the air temperature is in the low 40’s. The water temperature is a chilly 48°F.
Technique for Catching Trout on York Pond
I like fishing in the fall using an ultra-light fishing rod, small spinning reel spooled with 6-pound monofilament, and a #2 Mepps spinner.
This marvelous blend provides several benefits which amplify my chances for success: 1) the spinner is a highly-versatile “search lure”, 2) the angler can cast the spinner 40-50 ft. away, 3) the lure efficiently covers a large area from any given angle and location, 4) the angler can cast the lure even under challenging conditions (e.g., overhanging branches, in waders with water up to the chest), and 5) the ultra-light gear makes every fish feel big.
The key when fishing with a spinner in the fall is to slow down the retrieve as much as possible to give the (cold) trout time to react to the passing lure. The design of the #2 Mepps blade allows for this slower retrieve.
Finally, I modify the lure by cutting off one of the hooks from the treble, and flattening the barb on one of the two remaining hooks. That leaves plenty of hooking power but minimizes damage to the fish.
Results of Fishing for Trout on York Pond
It took a lot of work to find this second brook trout.
I paddle off and start casting my lure in search of customers. My first fish is a sluggish but small … largemouth bass! That’s not surprising considering that the pond has an abundant but stunted largemouth bass population. But that is not why I’m here.
I continue searching and get a much bigger hookup. Yes! This fish puts up a substantial fight. It is so much fun. I cajole the creature to the surface, but give it line on request. Wow, I caught a nice, fat brookie! The fish measures 15 inches. It gets photographed and quickly released. I am pumped.
I cast the lure in the same general area in the hope of finding another trout. It takes me about 20 more minutes, but I hook into a second brookie. This one is a bit smaller than the first one but still gives it all it got.
And then the bite simply stops… Shifting positions left and right, and casting in all directions yields nothing. I even chase several rises further out on the pond but fail to hook a single fish. An hour later, it is time to leave York Pond and move on with my day.
I am disappointed to only have caught two brook trout. But at least I am not leaving skunked. The weather was also glorious, and no one else showed up. I drive back home a happy angler, recharged by my experience this morning.
The outcome of fishing for trout on York Pond: I caught 2 brook trout (largest = 15 inches) in 1.5 hours of 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.
Tight Lines, y’all.
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