This blog highlights the ponds in Aroostook County which provide the best odds of catching larger stocked trout during the 2016 ice fishing season. About 15 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 larger trout, which are defined here as fish measuring 13” or more, and weighing at least 1 pound.
I only present ponds in Aroostook County that were stocked last 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 (click here for details) about special ice fishing rules that may apply on the ponds presented below.
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 a pond 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.
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Arnold Brook Lake covers 395 acres and is located off Niles Road in Presque Isle (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 65 E1). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (1000 fish of 14”), which yields between 2 and 3 large trout per acre.
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Cochrane Lake covers 92 acres and is located next to Route 2 in New Limerick (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 53 A1). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big splake (200 fish of 14”), which yields 2 large trout per acre.
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Faulkner Lake covers 70 acres and is located next to Harris Hill Road in Weston (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 53 E3). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (150 fish of 14” and 10 fish of 17”), which yields around 2 large trout per acre.
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Mud Pond (a.k.a. Russell Pond) covers 25 acres and is located next to South Oakfield Road in Linneus (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 53 B1). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (50 fish of 17″), which yields 2 large trout per acre.
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Nickerson Lake covers 234 acres and is located off Drews Lake Road in New Limerick (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 53 A2). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (1650 fish measuring between 13” and 14”, and 50 fish of 17”), which yields about 7 large trout per acre. Nickerson Lake offers good odds for catching large trout through the ice this winter.
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Spaulding Lake covers 125 acres and is located next to Spaulding Lake Road in Oakfield (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 52 A5). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (550 fish of 13” and 50 fish of 17”), which yields about 5 large trout per acre. Spaulding Lake 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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