Lower Range Pond is a 290-acre body of water located in Poland, Androscoggin County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 5A3). The public access point is situated at the southeastern end of the pond, within Range Pond State Park. The entrance to the park is clearly indicated by an iconic brown state park sign on Route 122. After entering the park, drive straight down the road to the huge parking area. The sandy boat launch is found towards the back end of that lot. The gate is open and the booth unattended when I enter the park this afternoon. The place is empty, except for a lone kayaker and a few walkers.
You have reached your destination.
Lower Range Pond is the most downstream – and smallest – of the Range Ponds chain. However, it is by far the prettiest and least developed of the three. The shoreline along the eastern half of the pond is undeveloped and wooded. One striking feature is the 1,000 ft-long and 75 ft. wide Range Pond Beach consisting of soft golden sand which extends far into the water. The pond was stocked earlier this fall with 300 12-inch brown trout and 200 12-inch brook trout. The fall fishing rules for this pond state that a) angling is allowed between October 1 and December 31 using artificial lures only and b) all salmonids that are caught must be released immediately. Also, boats with engines above 10 horse power are prohibited. Click here for a depth map and more (dated) fisheries information.
The boat launch goes right through Range Pond Beach.
I reach the boat launch of Lower Range Pond by 3:15 pm. The afternoon is cool (mid 50’s) and partially overcast. The wind is blowing hard from the west and creates a distinct chill. I fish along the shore in waders using my ultralight fishing rod, a small spinning reel spooled with 6-pound monofilament, and a #2 Mepps spinner. I cut off the third hook of the treble and flatten the barb on one of the two remaining hooks to facilitate lure removal and minimize damage to the fish. I also like this equipment combination because I can cast the spinner a long way out and all fish caught on an ultralight automatically feel “big”. I focus my angling efforts around the launch area.
I only caught one brookie this afternoon but boy was he gorgeous! Range Pond Beach is in the background.
The wading by the beach is superb! The substrate is unobstructed, sandy, and firm. The bottom slopes gently down into deeper water, making for a safe and enjoyable setting. I have encountered these same conditions elsewhere in the region (click here, here, and here for examples). I enter the water, cast out my spinner, and get a hit within 10 seconds. Wow, the trout are there! I cast, recast, and cast again, but generate no further interest. Mmm, I hope that one hit was not a fluke… I slowly wade 200-300 ft to the right of the launch, making dozens of casts, but elicit no response. However, I observe half a dozen fish jumping out of the water further out into the pond and outside of my reach. Darn, I have no way of reaching those trout because I left me canoe at home. I methodically fish my way back to the starting point and still do not get a hit. I have been fishing for 45 minutes and have nothing to show for my efforts. I see the writing on the wall… I wade to the left of the launch towards a patch of emergent aquatic plants along the shore, just because I do not want to give up just yet. I finally get another hit 15 minutes later and hook a male brookie in brilliant spawning colors. None too soon! But the trout are mocking me, rising and jumping further out. I call it good. This experience reinforces the need to have a back-up plan (i.e., a canoe or kayak) if wading does not work!
The results: I caught one brook trout in 1 hour of frustrating fishing.
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Tight Lines, y’all.
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