Lake Of The Week

Craig Pond

Location: Orland; Hancock County
Acres: 218
Maximum Depth: 69 feet
Gamefish: Salmon, brook trout, lake trout, smelt
Other Species Present: Eel, white sucker

Crystal-clear, Craig Pond in East Orland offers one of the best possibilities for Eastern-Maine anglers to catch a trophy salmon. This scenic little pond is located in hilly terrain, east of Alamoosook Lake. Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery uses water from Craig Pond to raise Atlantic salmon. Approximately 10-years ago, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife created a spawning bed for an increasing togue population. The State periodically stocks this watershed with brook trout and salmon. The togue population is maintained through natural reproduction with occasional efforts of biologists who live-trap lake trout, strip, fertilize and broadcast their eggs over the spawning bed. Although it is unlawful to catch-and-keep togue from this pond, those that caught-and-released often exceed 5-pounds.

Anglers occasionally take salmon of over 6-pounds here. The most productive salmon grounds lie on the southwestern part, near the shoreline, where ledges and deep water provide excellent summer habitat for landlocked. Early-season ice anglers get flags by fishing along the southwest shore in 10- to 20-feet of water. Winter anglers also catch smelt for bait or a meal.

Craig Pond has a two-trap ice-fishing regulation and a restriction that no togue may be kept. Family activities in the area can include: using the public beach at the boat landing, a visit to the historic Atlantic-salmon museum at Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery, or a hike to the summit of Great Pond Mountain.

The boat launch is at the northwestern end of the pond. Anglers can reach Craig Pond by turning off Route 1 in East Orland and following the signs toward the Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery. After approximately one mile take a right, just before the hatchery, the boat landing is about a half-mile at the end of this gravel road.