For the purpose of this blog, I’ll define a brook trout pond as a body of water less than 30 acres in size which is stocked in the fall with hatchery-reared brook trout to support icefishing. Such small ponds freeze over early in the season and are typically safe to fish several weeks before the bigger lakes become accessible. This provides a real opportunity for hot early-season action for those of us (myself included!) who just can’t wait to catch brookies through the ice.
Keep in mind, though, that these smaller ponds are typically managed as winter “put-and-take” fisheries. As a result, they get a lot of pressure early in the season and can be largely fished out within a few weeks. But by then the bigger lakes are frozen over and the action moves elsewhere.
South coastal Maine covers Cumberland, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, and York counties. The TOP 8 brook trout ponds for the 2013 ice fishing season in this area are highlighted below (in alphabetical order). A pond is considered “top” based on its stocking density: the more trout are stocked per acre, the higher the chances of catching them. Always consult the latest law book about special ice fishing rules that may apply on these ponds. Note also that the list below excludes “kids only” 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 the ponds listed below can be fished through the ice.
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Deer Pond covers 32 acres and is located between Route 117 and Plains Road in Hollis, York County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 2 A5). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall of 2012 with a total of 22 brook trout per acre. Most of the stocked brook trout measure around 9”, but 200 of them (or about 6 trout per acre) measure 13”.
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Littlefield Pond covers 23 acres and is located off Elm Street in Sanford, York County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 2 C3). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall of 2012 with a total of 39 brook trout per acre. Most of the stocked brook trout measure around 9”, but 200 of them (or about 9 trout per acre) measure 13”.
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Otter Pond #2 covers 12 acres and is located next to an old railroad track off Route 35 in Standish, Cumberland County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 5 D4). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall of 2012 with a total of 70 brook trout per acre. Most of the stocked trout measure around 9”, but 225 of them (or about 19 trout per acre) measure 13”, whereas 30 of them (or about 3 trout per acre) consist of 17” beauties. Ample parking is available on both sides of the bridge over the railroad tracks on Route 35. No other pond in southern Maine will give you better odds of catching a 2.5 lb brook trout!
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Otter Pond #4 (also known as Snake Pond) covers 6 acres and is located behind a wooded knoll across from Otter Pond #2 in Standish, Cumberland County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 5 D4). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall of 2012 with a total of 73 brook trout per acre. Most of the stocked trout measure around 9”, but 125 of them (or about 21 trout per acre) measure 13”, whereas 10 of them (or between 1 and 2 trout per acre) consist of 17” beauties! Ample parking is available on both sides of the bridge over the railroad tracks on Route 35. No other pond in southern Maine will give you better odds of catching a 2.5 lb brook trout!
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Parker Pond covers 26 acres and is located off Mast 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 of 2012 with a total of 41 brook trout per acre. Most of the stocked trout measure 9”, but 300 of them (or about 12 trout per acre) measure 13”, whereas 16 of them (or about 0.6 trout per acre) consist of 17” beauties.
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Silver Lake covers 12 acres and is located at the end of Route 209 (past Popham Beach State Park) in Phippsburg, Sagadahoc County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 6 E5). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall of 2012 with a total of 51 brook trout per acre. Most of the stocked trout measure around 10”, but 50 of them (or about 4 trout per acre) measure 13”, whereas 11 of them (or about 1 trout per acre) measure 17”.
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Sprague Pond covers 7 acres and is located off Route 209 (Main Road) in Phippsburg, Sagadahoc County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 6 D4). Click here for a depth map and more fisheries information. This pond was stocked in the fall of 2012 with a total of 29 brook trout per acre. All of the stocked trout measure around 8”.
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Upper Hinkley Pond covers 3 acres and is located in Hinkley Park off Highland Avenue in South Portland, Cumberland County (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 3 A4). A depth map is not available. This urban pond was stocked in the fall of 2012 with a total of 117 brook trout per acre. Most of the stocked trout measure around 9”, but 150 of them (or about 50 trout per acre!) measure 13”. No other pond in southern Maine will give you a better chance of catching a 1 lb brook trout… Beware that Lower Hinkley Pond, which is the first body of water visible from the parking lot, is a “kids only” pond. Upper Hinkley is located further up the hill.
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 these locations.
