This blog highlights the ponds in Piscataquis County which provide the best odds of catching larger stocked trout during the 2016 ice fishing season. About a dozen and a half 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 Piscataquis 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 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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Branns Mill Pond covers 271 acres and is located just to the east of Notch Road in Dover-Foxcroft (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 32 C2). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (1500 fish of 13” and 75 fish of 17”), which yields about 6 large trout per acre. Branns Mill Pond offers good odds for catching large trout through the ice this winter.
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Center Pond covers 403 acres and is located off Silvers Mills Road in Sangerville (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 32 C1). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (1000 fish of 13″) and big brown trout (1200 fish of 13”), which yields between 5 and 6 large trout per acre. Center Pond offers good odds for catching large trout through the ice this winter.
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Doe Pond covers 54 acres and is located off Blanchard Road in Monson (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 31 A3). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (200 fish of 13”), which yields about 4 large trout per acre. Doe Pond offers good odds for catching large trout through the ice this winter.
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First Davis Pond covers 128 acres and is located off Route 150 in Guilford (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 31 B5). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (700 fish of 13”), which yields between 5 and 6 large trout per acre. First Davies Pond offers good odds for catching large trout through the ice this winter.
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Harlow Pond covers 179 acres and is located next to Harlow Pond Road in Parkman (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 31 C5). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (850 fish of 13” and 25 fish of 17”), which yields around 5 large trout per acre. Harlow Pond offers good odds for catching large trout through the ice this winter.
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Manhanock Pond covers 595 acres and is located off Route 150 (McPhetres Road) in Sangerville (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 31 C5). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (1050 fish of 13” and 75 fish of 17”), which yields about 2 large trout per acre.
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Prong Pond covers 427 acres and is located off Lily Bay Road in Beaver Cove (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 41 C3). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (1100 fish of 13” and 55 fish of 17”), which yields between 2 and 3 large trout per acre.
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Sawyer Pond covers 67 acres and is located next to Scammon Road in Greenville (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 41 D3). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (350 fish of 13”), which yields about 5 large trout per acre. Sawyer Pond offers good odds for catching large trout through the ice this winter.
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Shirley Pond covers 60 acres and is located in Shirley (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 41 E2). 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 5 large trout per acre. Shirley Pond offers good odds for catching large trout through the ice this winter.
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Snows Pond covers 21 acres and is located just to the west of Route 153 in Dover-Foxcroft (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 32 B2). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked last fall with big brook trout (100 fish of 13”), which yields about 5 large trout per acre. Snows 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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