This blog highlights the ponds in Piscataquis County which provide the best odds of catching larger stocked trout during the 2017 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. Click here for tips to increase your chances of catching more brookies through the ice.
I only present ponds in Piscataquis County 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, use of bait fish, 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 fishing only” ponds which have their own stocking regime and rules.
A beautiful 14″ stocked brook trout caught through the ice
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Branns Mill Pond covers 271 acres and is located next to Notch Road in Dover-Foxcroft, Piscataquis County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 32 C2). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall with big brook trout (1450 fish of 13” and 75 fish of 17”), which yields about 6 brook trout per acre. Branns Mill Pond offers good odds of catching 1-pound brookies 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 in the fall with big brook trout (1000 fish of 13”), which yields between 2 and 3 large trout per acre.
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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 in the 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 in the 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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Fitzgerald Pond (a.k.a. Mountain View Pond) covers 550 acres and is located next to Mountain View Pond Road in Big Moose Township, Piscataquis County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 41 C1). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall with big brook trout (1400 fish of 13” and 50 fish of 17”), which yields between 2 and 3 large trout per acre.
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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 in the fall with big brook trout (450 fish of 13” and 25 fish of 17”), which yields around 3 large trout per acre.
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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 in the 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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Norton Pond covers 24 acres and is located off Schoodic Lake Road in Brownville, Piscataquis County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 42 E5). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall withbig brook trout (100 fish of 13” and 10 fish of 17”), which yields about 5 brook trout per acre. Norton Pond offers good odds of catching 1-pound brookies through the ice this winter!
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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 in the fall with big brook trout (1100 fish of 13” and 50 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 in the 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 in the 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 in the fall with big brook trout (100 fish of 13”), which yields about 5 large trout per acre. Snows Pond offers excellent 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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