This blog highlights the ponds in Oxford County which provide the best odds of catching larger stocked trout during the 2016 ice fishing season. About 26 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 Oxford 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 salmon 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.
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 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.
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Big Clemmons Pond covers 85 acres and is located next to Notch Road in Hiram, Oxford County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 4 C2). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (156 fish of 13”), which yields about 2 large trout per acre.
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Bradley Pond covers 34 acres and is located off Route 5 in Lovell (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 10 D2). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brown trout (100 fish of 13”), which yields about 3 large trout per acre.
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Burnt Meadow Pond covers 69 acres and is located next to Spring Street (Route 160) in Brownfield (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 4 B2). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (156 fish of 13”) and with big brown trout (100 fish of 13”), which yields between 3 and 4 large trout per acre.
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Halls Pond covers 51 acres and is located next to Halls Pond Road (off Route 119) in Paris, Oxford County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 11 D2). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (104 fish of 13” and 15 fish of 15”) and big brown trout (50 fish of 18”), which yields about 3 large trout per acre. Note that gasoline-powered augers cannot be used on Halls Pond per town ordnance posted along Halls Pond Road, even though this restriction is not mentioned in the state fishing regulations.
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Hutchinson Pond covers 93 acres and is located next to Hutchinson Pond Road in Albany Township, Oxford County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 10 C4). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (100 fish of 13”) and big brown trout (200 fish of 13”), which yields about 3 large trout per acre.
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Little Clemons Pond covers 25 acres and is located next to Route 160 in Hiram, Oxford County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 4 C2). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (104 fish of 13”), which yields about 4 large trout per acre. Little Clemons Pond offers good odds for catching large trout through the ice this winter.
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Little Penneseewassee Pond covers 96 acres and is located next to Waterford Road (Route 118) in Norway, Oxford County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 10 D5). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (208 fish of 13”) and big brown trout (100 fish of 13”), which yields about 3 large trout per acre.
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Penneseewassee Lake covers 922 acres and is located in Norway, Oxford County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 10 D5). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big rainbow trout (1850 fish of 13”), which yields about 2 large trout per acre..
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Virginia Lake covers 128 acres and is located next to Virginia Lake Road (off Route 5) in Stoneham, Oxford County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 10 C2). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (300 fish of 13”), which yields about 2 large trout per acre.
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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