Fishing for splake and brown trout on Lufkin Pond in Phillips, Franklin County, Maine (June 27, 2026)

 

View of Lufkin Pond from the rough access point.

 

Lufkin Pond is a 47-acre body of water located in Phillips, Franklin County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 19 A2). To access this pond, turn on Lufkin Pond Road from Route 4 (Rangeley Road) in Phillips, and drive down this gravel road for 1.7 miles to the northern tip of the pond. A 4X4 vehicle is not needed to drive on this road, which is popular with four wheelers and side-by-siders. However, beware that Lufkin Pond Road has several splits and intersections, which confused the heck out of me and had me driving in wrong directions several times. Some of those side roads are also rather rough… I used my phone’s GPS to turn back, when needed, and make sure that I kept moving towards the pond. I would have gotten lost without this tool… The access point is unimproved, and can only accommodate muscle-powered craft.

 

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Ice fishing for brook trout on Crowell Pond, Vienna, Kennebec County, Maine (December 21, 2024)

 

Crowell Pond is a 211-acre body of water located in Vienna, Kennebec County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 20 D2). The public access point is found right next to Route 41 (Townhouse Road) which runs parallel to the northeastern side of the pond. Plenty of parking is available by the road shoulder. Beware that parking may be more limited after a big snowstorm when the plows have pushed the snow on the shoulders.

 

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Fishing for brook trout on Dodge Pond in Rangeley, Franklin County, Maine (September 14, 2024)

 

The unimproved public access point to Dodge Pond can accommodate small trailed boats.

 

This blog continues my exploration of the trout fishing opportunities in the Rangeley region. Click here, here, here, here, here, and here for other reports from this general area. Dodge Pond is a 230-acre body of water located in Rangeley, Franklin County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 28 E4). The public access point consists of an unimproved boat launch located at the southern tip of the pond by the outlet on Route 4/16. The gravel ramp can accommodate small, trailered boats. Parking is rather limited at the launch itself, but several more parking spots are available along an expanded shoulder on the other side of the bridge over the outlet.

 

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Ice fishing for splake on Mount Blue Pond in Avon, Franklin County, Maine (February 25, 2024)

 

Mount Blue Pond is a 134-acre body of water located in Avon, Franklin County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 19 B3). From Route 4 (Rangeley Road), turn on Mount Blue Pond Road and drive for 2.3 miles all the way to the public access point. The first half of this road is paved, whereas the remainder is a high-quality dirt road. From the looks of it, it appears that the entire road is plowed during the winter months up to the public access point, but no further. Plenty of parking space is available along the road shoulder by the access.

 

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Ice fishing for brook trout and lake trout on Porter Lake in Strong, Franklin County, Maine (February 4, 2024)

 

Porter Lake is a 527-acre body of water located in Strong, Franklin County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 20 B1). From Norton Hill Road (Route 234), turn on Pond Road and drive for 1.1 miles before turning right on Beanies Beach Road by the blue public access sign. Stay on this gravel road for 0.5 miles all the way to the end by the boat launch which is also known as Bean’s Beach (note: do not turn right on West Shore Lane at the split). The public access is spacious and offers parking for up to two dozen vehicles.

 

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Fishing for brook trout on Spencer Pond in Township D, Franklin County, Maine (September 30, 2023)

 

 

View of Spencer Pond from the put-in.

 

Spencer Pond is a 15-acre body of water located in Township D, Franklin County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 18 B4). To get to the public access point, drive on Route 17 until you reach a well-maintained gravel road that leads towards the pond (see the Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map for the exact location). Drive for 0.6 miles down this road before turning right on another good gravel road and driving for an additional 0.2 miles up to a locked gate. Park your vehicle, walk for about 200 ft. passed the gate, and turn right by the “trail” marker down a short foot path through the woods that leads to the pond. Only hand-carried craft can be launched from this location. Beware that the access point by the pond is rather soft, wet, and marshy.

 

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Fishing for brook trout on Loon Lake in Dallas Plantation, Franklin County, Maine (September 29, 2023)

 

 

While driving on Loon Lake Road, turn left at this sign to reach the public access point.

 

Loon Lake is a 192-acre body of water located in Dallas Plantation, Franklin County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 28 D5). To reach the public access point, drive on Routes 4 and 16 towards Rangeley, turn left on Loon Lake Road, and drive for 3.5 miles before turning left on the gravel road indicated by the blue public access sign. Note that this gravel road is gated (the gate was open). I suspect that the gate is closed during mud season in the spring. Drive on this well-maintained gravel road for 0.9 miles until you see the clearly marked foot path that gets you to the western end of the lake after an easy two-minute walk. Vehicles can be parked on the side of the road. Only hand-carried craft can be launched from this location.

 

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Ice fishing for brook trout on Norcross Pond in Chesterville, Franklin County, Maine (January 28, 2023)

 

 

It’s a cold morning but I enjoy being in the great outdoors!

 

Norcross Pond is a 122-acre body of water located in Chesterville, Franklin County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 20 E1). The public access point is found at the southeastern end of the pond where Norcross Hill Road joins Ridge Road. Plenty of parking space is available along the shoulder where these two roads meet.

 

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Ice fishing for brook trout on Haley Pond in Rangeley, Franklin County, Maine (January 7, 2023)

 

 

Look for this sign on Route 4 in downtown Rangeley. The parking area is in the back next to the pond.

 

Haley Pond is a 170-acre body of water located in Rangeley, Franklin County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 28 E5). To reach the public access point, drive into downtown Rangeley on Route 4 and look for the Rangeley Inn (big blue building). Right past it is a sign for “Sarge’s Additional Parking”. Turn into this lot, drive to the back, and park your vehicle next to the pond. You can walk right onto the ice from here.

 

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Fishing for smallmouth bass in the Androscoggin River, Jay, Maine (August 1, 2020)

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The bite is slow and the bass are rather small, but Gwovani has a good time. Note the turbine house to the left, and the dam to the right.

The target of my fishing efforts today is the Androscoggin River flowing just below the Riley Dam Power Plant in Jay, Franklin County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 19 E5). To reach the public access point to the river, drive north into Jay on Route 4/17 and then turn left on Route 140. Drive for exactly 3.2 miles on this road until you reach the unnamed turn-off to the put-in for Riley Dam. That location is clearly marked by a blue sign next to the road. Plenty of parking is available. Keep in mind that this put-in can only accommodate canoes or kayaks as it lacks an actual boat launch.

 

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