Key Species: brown trout, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, white perch
Best Way to Fish: boat, canoe, bank, shore
Best Time to Fish: April through September
MAG: 14, C-3 and D-3
Description: This scenic 1,220-acre lake is studded with islands. The water is cold and crystal-clear, and the lake has a maximum depth of 64 feet. Fernald’s Neck, a Nature Conservancy preserve, extends into the center of the lake. Another local landmark is Maiden Cliff, a rugged promontory on Mount Megunticook that is visible from most parts of the lake. Camden Hills State Park, in Camden, offers camping. Motels dot U.S. Route 1 between Camden and Lincolnville.
Fishing index: In spring, anglers fishing from shore near the boat ramp on Maine Route 52 take brown trout by fishing with worms and night crawlers on the bottom. Those in boats successfully troll around the islands with tandem streamers and single-hooked streamers such as Jerry’s smelt, Mooselook Wobblers, and Flash Kings. White perch are taken in all parts of the lake. Most anglers prefer to drift in 10 to 40 feet of water, using worms and night crawlers as bait. You can do equally well with artificials. Use small lead-head jigs with plastic bodies, either the sparkle-tail kind or curlytails. Smallmouth bass are found near the islands and on the edges of rocky ledges; action can be good in spring, summer, and fall. Use the same jigs you would use for perch when fishing for smallmouth bass here. Smallmouths at Megunticook Lake seem to prefer yellow bodies above all other shades. Anglers also catch smallmouths by fishing a live minnow on bottom while slowly drifting. Purposely fishing for largemouth bass is almost a waste of time here because largemouths, while present, are vastly outnumbered by smallmouths.
Rainbow trout are a new addition to this site. In November 1994, the Megunticook Fish and Game Association stocked 3,600 10- to 12-inch rainbows at the lake. The association was working in cooperation with state biologists as part of an experimental 3-year project. Following that initial stocking, in May 1995, the author caught and released a 12-inch rainbow while trolling with a Jerry’s smelt. Though small, the fish put up a good account of itself, a harbinger of things to come when the rainbows grow larger. These rainbows should provide exciting dry-fly action for fly fishers in May and June. Try size 14 hairwing royal coachmen. Early morning and evening should
An angler smiles as a feisty white perch strains her ultralight spinning rod at Megunitcook Lake. Notice the landing net at the bottom of the photo. When perch get over 12 inches, it is good practice to net them be the best times of day to take rainbows on dry flies, because then the water is calmest. You are encouraged to release any rainbow trout you catch here so that the species can have a better chance to prosper. Navigational buoys are set out to mark hidden ledges. You can profit by fishing near these buoys; the ledges harbor bait fish, which in turn attract trout and bass.
Directions: From U.S. Route 1 in Camden, take Maine Route 52 north for 3 miles. The state boat ramp is on the left. An alternate boat ramp is located on Maine Route 105 in Camden. There is a public swimming beach at the south end of the lake, just past the boat ramp.
For more information: Contact The Outdoor Sportsman.
