Region A: March 25, 2008
Perhaps the most impressive attribute to fishing in the Sebago Region is the wide diversity of opportunities available to anglers. Within a 90 minute drive of Portland anglers can fly fish for brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout, troll for salmon and lake trout or cast for bass. In addition, warmwater species such as pickerel, perch and black crappie abound in many of the area waters.
In recent years Maine Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists have developed innovative stocking programs and more progressive regulation changes to provide higher quality angling opportunities on a year round basis. Most trout and salmon fisheries including those on the larger streams and lakes are maintained through annual stocking programs, while most of the smaller brooks are sustained by wild populations. Anglers can obtain a copy of the stocking list from this department, or consult with the biologists at the regional headquarters.
With the exception of the northwest corner, much of this southernmost region in the state is ice free by mid April, which affords anglers an opportunity for some early season fishing. May and June are possibly the best months to fish for trout salmon or bass, since water temperatures are optimal and the most prolific insect hatches are taking place. Well informed and prepared anglers can also expect excellent fishing throughout the summer months. The fall is a favorite time to fish for several reasons. Salmonids are in their spawning colors and sometimes are concentrated in certain streams or areas of the lake. The foliage is spectacular and generally the fall weather is favorable. Beginning in 1998 anglers in several southern Maine counties will see the general law fishing season extended until the end of November. This progressive regulation change will provide anglers with limitless fall fishing opportunities in this portion of the state. The following information will hopefully provide interested anglers with a basic understanding of some of the opportunities that exist in the Sebago Region.
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Brook Trout
April, May and Early June are the most productive months of the year for the brook trout angler. Fly fishermen should be equipped with an assortment of dries and nymphs to take advantage of numerous insect hatches. Spin fishermen will do well with small trout lures, and worms are always a sure bet for fishing the many small brooks and streams in the area.
Brook Trout (Lakes and Ponds):
Jaybird Pond, Porter
Trout 10" - 15"
Crocker Pond, Albany
Trout 8" - 13"
Chapman Pond, Porter
Trout up to 18"
Broken Bridge Pond, Albany
Trout 10" - 15"
Warren Pond, Berwick
"Remote" trout pond
Mosquito Pond, Albany
"Remote" trout pond
Lily Pond, New Gloucester
Trout commonly 10" - 14"
Overset Pond, Greewood
"Remote" trout pond, 10" - 14"
Coffee Pond, Casco
Trout 10" - 16"
Adams Pond, Bridgeton
Trout up to 16"
Cushman Pond, Buckfield
Numerous trout 8" -12"
Cushman Pond, Lovell
Trout up to 18"
Spicer Pond, Newfield
Native Brook Trout
Brook Trout (Brooks and Streams):
Pleasant River, Windham
Brook Trout/Brown Trout
Wild River, Gilead
Brook Trout/Rainbow Trout
Little Ossipee River, Newfield
Brook Trout/Rainbow Trout
Little River, Gorham
Brook Trout/Brown Trout
Brank Brook, Wells
Navtive Brook Trout
Presumpscot River, Windham
Year round fishing, trout to 18"
Shephard's River, Brownfield
Native Brook Trout
Cold River, Stow
Native Brook Trout
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Brown Trout
The Sebago Region affords some of the best brown trout angling in the state. Many waters are noted for producing large fish. An angler fishing Square Pond in Acton caught a whopping 23 lb. 8 oz. state record brown during the winter of 1996.
Browns in the 3-6 pound range are common and some lakes in the area produce fish up to 10 pounds or larger each year. Trolling live bait, flies or spoons is the most productive method when fishing the lakes and ponds. May and June are excellent months to fish for browns, but anglers can be very successful during the summer months if they have the gear required to troll in the cooler portions of the lake, which usually occur at depths of 15 to 25 feet. Brook and stream anglers have their best luck using flies or small spoons.
Hancock Pond, Denmark
Browns 14" - 22"
Sabbathday Lake, New Gloucester
Browns 14" - 20"
Range Ponds, Poland
Browns 14" - 22"
Kennebunk Pond, Lyman
Browns 14" - 22"
Long Lake, Harrison
Browns/Salmon 14" - 22"
Worthley Pond, Peru
Browns 14" - 22"
Canton Lake, Canton
Browns 14" - 22"
Brown Trout (Rivers and Streams)
Little Androscoggin River, Minot area
Browns 12" - 18"
Pleasant River, Windham
Brown Trout/Brook Trout
Collyer Brook, Gray
Brown Trout/Brook Trout
Little Ossipee River, Newfield
Brown Trout/Brook Trout
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Sea Run Brown Trout
A few opportunities exist to catch sea run brown trout in this area. These fish exhibit excellent growth and average 1-3 pounds. The best fishing occurs in late fall to early winter (November to January). Flies and lures imitating shrimp or small minnows work best.
Sea Run Brown Trout
Ogunquit River, Ogunquit
14" - 16" Browns
Mousan River, Kennebunk
14" - 16" Browns
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Landlocked Salmon
The southernmost region of the state is blessed with some very high quality salmon waters. Sebago Lake is certainly the best known, but other waters lie in the shadows of that great lake and produce some exciting angling opportunities. May and June are the most productive months to fish, and trolling live smelts or streamer flies is the preferred fishing method. Streamers such as the Gray Ghost, Barne’s Special or Joe’s Smelt are local favorites and are most efficient if trolled at a fairly high rate of speed. Live bait (preferably smelts) should be trolled much more slowly and are very productive. Again anglers can enjoy quality angling during the mid summer months with the proper gear.
Sebago Lake, Windham
World record landlocked salmon (1908)
Thompson Lake, Poland
Salmon 2 - 5 pounds
Kezar Lake, Lovell
Salmon 2 - 4 pounds
South Pond, Greenwood
Salmon 2 - 5 pounds
Bryand Pond, Woodstock
Salmon 2 - 5 pounds
Trickey Pond, Naples
Salmon 2 - 6 pounds
Panther Pond, Raymond
Salmon 2 - 4 pounds
Pleasant Lake, Casco
Salmon 2 - 4 pounds
Auburn Lake, Auburn
Salmon 2 - 4 pounds
Landlocked Salmon (Rivers and Steams)
Crooked River
Fall angling for wild landlocks
Presumpscot River (Route 35 section)
Salmon 12" - 18"
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Lake Trout (togue)
These fish can be taken in early spring with conventional gear such as fly rods or light trolling tackle, but after mid May anglers require equipment that enables them to lower their bait down to the feeding lakers. At Sebago Lake for instance anglers troll at 60 - 150 feet during the summer months and enjoy exceptional fishing.
Trolling sewed-on bait, spoons or flatfish at a very slow speed is the preferred fishing method. In 1996, Sebago produced a 27 pound laker as well as numerous fish over 15 pounds. Many anglers believe this lake will soon produce a new state record for the species. Several additional opportunities for quality lake trout fishing exist in this area of the state.
Auburn Lake, Auburn
Laker 2 - 10 pounds
Thompson Lake, Poland
Native Lakers 2 - 3 pounds
Great East Lake, Acton
Native Lakers 2 - 5 pounds
Sebago Lake, Windham
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Trophy Lake Trout
Splake
Splake are a fairly recent introduction into Sebago region waters and are now stocked into approximately 10 waters. These fish can be caught using similar tactics to those used for brook trout, but can also be caught using trolling gear in deeper water. Most of the area’s lakes produce fish in the 12-16 inch range with an occasional fish weighing in at five pounds or larger. A few fish in the 8 pound range have been taken.
Trickey Pond, Naples
Shagg Pond, Woodstock
Indian Pond, Greenwood
Bryant Pond, Woodstock
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Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass
Nearly all waters in this part of the state have fishable populations of both smallmouth and largemouth bass. Spring and early summer provide the best bass fishing opportunity, but special regulations are in effect during this time period to protect spawning fish. The best fishing for smallmouths occurs along rocky shorelines and bars where ample structure is located. Anglers must fish deeper along these areas during the summer months since smallmouths prefer cooler water. Largemouths prefer shallow weedy coves with lots of cover such as weed beds or submerged trees.
Largemouth Bass:
Little Sebago Lake, Windham
Moose Pond, Bridgton
Sate Record 11lb 10oz
Little Sebago Lake, Windham
Lake Arrowhead (Little Ossipee Flowage), Limerick
Trophy Bass management reg in effect
Panter Pond, Raymond
Kezar Lake, Lovell
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Spectacular scenery Smallmouth Bass
Hancock Pond, Denmark
Auburn Lake, Auburn
Peabody Pond, Denmark
Thompson Lake, Oxford
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Rivers
Saco River, Hiram downstream
Excellent fishing/canoeing
Adroscoggin River, Lewiston downstream
White Perch and Yellow Perch
Fishing for these species is becoming increasingly popular due to their prolific numbers and fine eating quality. Fishing during the spawning runs in late April or early May can be very exciting; however, anglers can enjoy excellent fishing all season long. During the summer months perch are most easily caught using worms or live bait and the best opportunities occur at daybreak or dusk.
White Perch & Yellow Perch
Little Sebago, Windham
Panther Pond, Raymond
Lake Arrowhead, Limerick
Thomas Pond, Casco
Square Pond, Shapleigh
Auburn Lake, Auburn
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Chain Pickerel
These toothy predators inhabit the shallow weedy covers and are very aggressive feeders. They are very abundant throughout the region. Shiny lures, flies or live bait fished in the shallows are most effective.
Nearly all waters in the region have fishable populations of chain pickerel.
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Black Crappie
Black crappies are not native to Maine, but were introduced into the upper Presumpscot River basin in the early 1900’s. They have since become well established in more than 20 waters within the region. While not pursued by many native anglers, crappies provide a lot of action and offer great table fare. While crappies average 7 to 12 inches long, they can reach a size upwards of 15 inches. Crappies are more numerous, but generally of smaller size, where there is an over abundance of shallow weedy habitat. Fishing is best early and late in the day, during periods of diminished light. Small live minnows or jigs (less than 1/8 oz.) work best, particularly when fished near structure. Crappies can be light biters, so small diameter line (2 to 6 pound test) in combination with active jigging techniques work best.
Mousam Lake, Acton
Balch & Stump Ponds, Newfield
Little Ossipee Flowage, Waterboro
Estes Lake, Sanford
Rock Haven Lake, Newfield
Bonny Eagle Flowage, Standish
Saco River
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Anglers are encouraged to contact the regional biologists at (207) 657-2345 for additional information on the lakes in this region.
MDIFW Regional Office
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