The public launch at the northern end of Worthley Pond only allows for hand-carried craft.

Worthley Pond is a 42-acre body of water located in Poland, Androscoggin County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 5 A3). To reach the public access point from Route 26, turn onto Route 122 towards Auburn, drive for 1.4 miles passed the signage for Range Pond State Park, and turn right on Worthley Pond Road. Drive down that road for 0.2 miles; it is rough in spots but drivable all the way with a regular car. The access to the pond is on the left. Beware that The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer – at least my 2019 version – shows that the launch can accommodate trailed boats. That was true in the past but is no longer the case. The access has been obstructed for years by two large cement blocks so that only hand-carried craft can be launched from this location.

I finally locate my first brookie.

Worthley Pond is a pretty and surprisingly undeveloped lake in the greater Lewiston-Auburn area, with a largely intact riparian forest. It feels bigger than its actual size because it is long but skinny. This water body was stocked earlier this fall with 750 8-inch brook trout and 175 12-inch brook trout in preparation for the upcoming ice fishing season. I am interested in catching some of the latter this afternoon. The fishing rules applicable to the south zone state that the pond is open to fall angling between October 1 and November 30 using artificial lures only; all salmonids must also be released at once. Click here for a depth map and (dated) fisheries information.

It is so nice to focus on catching brookies instead of trying to find them!

I reach the public access point at Worthley Pond at 12:30 pm. Southern Maine is enjoying a gorgeous early fall day, with full sunshine, an air temperature of 65°F, and a gentle breeze out of the southeast. I tried fishing in waders around the launch last fall, but that attempt failed because the bottom was too soft and the water along the edge of the cattails too deep to be safe. So, I brought my canoe this time. I am in my boat 15 minutes later, eager to engage with brook trout. The water is crystal clear but cold. I am using my ultralight fishing rod teamed up with my favorite lure for this kind of fishing, namely a #2 Mepps spinner. I removed one of the three hooks from the treble and flattened the barb on one of the two remaining hooks to minimize harm to the fish. I probe the entire area around the access point and have nothing to show for my efforts an hour later. This approach is not working out and I need to come up with something else if I do not want to go home skunked. I swap the spinner for a small trout spoon weighed down by two split shots. I cast out the lure and start paddling to troll in water < 5 ft. deep along the shoreline.

This fat female gave me a splendid fight.

I have been paddling for 15 minutes without any success when I stumble upon a small embayment. I quietly paddle into the bay when I see two rises one after the other. Ahah, I think I found something! I anchor my canoe, replace the spoon with a spinner, and cast out the lure. I hook and land a brook trout on the second cast! Hell yes, I’m on to something. The next 30 minutes are pure heaven: I have finally located fish, I am no longer wasting my time looking for them, and the trout are actively biting. I catch six brookies in short order. The last one is noteworthy because it is one of the most tenacious 15 inchers I have ever caught. This fish makes multiple runs, rips line off my reel, and just will not give up. It turns out to be a fat, egg-laden female. What a treat. My time has run out and I need to move on, even though the bite is still strong. I am delighted with the results. Turning sour into sweet always lifts my spirits. I leave Worthley Pond a happy angler. And, as always during the fall fishing season, the place was mine, even on a warm and glorious weekend day.

The results: I caught six brook trout (largest = 15 inches) in 2 hours of fishing.

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 this location.

Tight Lines, y’all.

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