This blog highlights the ponds in Androscoggin County which provide the best odds of catching larger stocked trout during the 2017 ice fishing season. About ten ponds open to ice fishing in this county are stocked with trout each fall. Most of these fish are relatively small (7” to 12”), but plentiful, in order to provide fast action. The state also spiced up some of the ponds with bigger trout, which are defined here as fish measuring 13” or more, and weighing at least 1 pound. Click here for tips to increase your chances of catching more brookies through the ice.
I only present ponds that were stocked in the fall with at least 2 large trout per acre. As a rough yardstick, the average stocking density for landlocked salmon in Maine ponds and lakes is about 0.3 to 0.5 fish per acre, which equals 1 salmon every two to three acres. Keep in mind that the number of bigger trout stocked in a pond is typically much lower than for the smaller trout. Hence, patience is required to catch those larger fish through the ice.
It is recommended to consult the latest regulations about special rules that may apply on the ponds presented below, such as number of lines allowed, daily bag limit, minimum length limit, etc. I did my utmost best to verify that a particular pond is indeed open for ice fishing, but I make no guarantees whatsoever that my interpretation of the convoluted Maine fishing rules is accurate or correct. It is up to each reader of this blog to ensure that the ponds listed below can be fished through the ice.
Note also that the list excludes “kids only” ponds which have their own stocking regime and fishing rules.
Your blog author with a 15″ brookie caught through the ice
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Brettuns Pond covers 165 acres and is located next to Routes 4 and 108 in Livermore (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 11 B4). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall with big brook trout (650 fish of 13” and 14”, and 25 fish of 18”) and big brown trout (25 fish of 18”), which yields about 4 large trout per acre. Brettuns Pond offers good odds of catching large trout through the ice this winter.
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Crystal Lake (a.k.a. Beals Pond) covers 47 acres and is located next to Route 4 in Turner (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 11 C4). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall with big brook trout (400 fish of 13” and 25 fish of 18”) and big brown trout (25 fish of 18”), which yields between 9 and 10 large trout per acre. Crystal Lake offers excellent odds for catching large trout through the ice this winter.
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Long Pond covers 208 acres and is located next to Route 4 in Livermore (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 11 A5). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall with big brook trout (500 fish of 13”), which yields between 2 and 3 large trout per acre.
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Middle Range Pond covers 366 acres and is located in Poland (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 5 A3). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall with big brook trout (370 fish of 13”) and big rainbow trout (572 fish of 15”), which yields between 2 and 3 large trout per acre.
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Pleasant Pond covers 192 acres and is located next to Route 117 in Turner (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 11 C5). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall with big brook trout (400 fish of 13”), which yields about 2 large trout per acre.
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Round Pond covers 161 acres and is located next to Route 4 in Livermore (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 11 A5). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall with big brook trout (600 fish of 13” and 20 fish of 18”) and big brown trout (25 fish of 18”), which yields 4 large trout per acre. Round Pond offers good odds for catching large trout through the ice this winter.
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Upper Range Pond covers 391 acres and is located in Poland (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 5 A3). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall with big brook trout (420 fish of 13”) and big rainbow trout (264 fish of 16”), which yields about 2 large trout per acre.
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Worthley Pond covers 42 acres and is located off Route 122 in Poland (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 5 A3). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. Note that the access road from Route 122 is typically unplowed in the winter. This pond was stocked in the fall with big brook trout (185 fish of 13” and 15 fish of 15”), which yields 5 large trout per acre. Worthley Pond offers good odds for catching large trout through the ice this winter.
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 any of these locations.
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