This blog describes a select group of ponds in Maine that provide the best potential for catching rainbow trout through the ice during the winter of 2017. Around 20 ponds, most of them located in southern Maine counties, are managed as rainbow trout fisheries. Many of these ponds are open to ice fishing and are stocked with bows each spring and/or fall.
I only present ponds that were stocked in 2016 with a minimum of 1 rainbow 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.
It is recommended to consult the latest law book about special ice fishing rules that may apply on these ponds. 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 by checking the regulations.
The best ponds in Maine for catching rainbow trout through the ice during the winter of 2017 are presented below in alphabetical order.
Rainbow trout are gorgeous creatures!
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Crystal Pond covers 189 acres and is located next to Mayberry Road (off North Raymond Road) in Gray, Cumberland County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 5 B3). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall with 220 rainbow trout of 16”, which yields about 1 bow per acre.
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Forest Pond covers 45 acres and is located off Meadowview Road in Canton, Oxford County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 11 A4). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in late spring with 176 rainbow trout of 9”, which yields 4 bows trout per acre.
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Jones Pond covers 467 acres and is located off Pond Road (Route 195) in Gouldsboro, Hancock County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 17 A1). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall with 500 rainbow trout of 15”, which yields about 1 bow per acre.
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Kennebunk Pond covers 224 acres and is located next to Kennebunk Pond Road in Lyman, York County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 2 B5). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall with 176 rainbow trout of 15”, which yields around 1 bow per acre.
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Lake George covers 335 acres and is located next to Canaan Road (Route 2) in Canaan, Somerset County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 21 B2). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in late spring with 500 rainbow trout of 9”, which yields between 1 and 2s bow per acre.
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Little Ossipee Lake covers 564 acres and is located off Route 5 in Waterboro, York County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 2 A4). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in late spring with 2464 rainbow trout of 9”, which yields about 4 bows per acre.
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Middle Range Pond covers 366 acres and is located off Route 26 in Poland, Androscoggin County (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 572 rainbow trout of 15” and 90 massive rainbow trout of 24” which yields around 2 bows per acre.
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Penneseewassee Lake covers 922 acres and is located next to Lake Road (Route 117) 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 in the fall with 1628 rainbow trout of 16”, which yields about 2 bows per acre.
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Stanley Pond covers 137 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 in late spring with 836 rainbow trout of 9”, which yields about 6 bows per acre. Stanley Pond offers the best odds in the whole state of Maine for catching a rainbow trout through the ice during the winter of 2017!
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Worthley Pond covers 354 acres and is located next to East Shore Road in Peru, Oxford County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 11 A3). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the spring with 792 rainbow trout of 9”, which yields about 2 bows 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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Great blog! I just found your site and bookmarked it. I love your motto, so many fishing blogs are not kept up to date.
I visit Maine a couple times a year and enjoying the great bass fishing in the summer. We usually either end up in the Belgrade lakes region or along the coast near Camden.
Either way, Maine is beautiful and I can’t wait to get back again
Thank you!
Hi Ted, thanks for your message of support. I pride myself on divulging all of the fishing “secrets” I’ve accumulated over many years of angling in the Great State of Maine with the goal of creating content that is relevant and helpful to others. Tight lines! Stan