Key Species: landlocked salmon, brook trout, smallmouth bass, white perch
Best Way to Fish: boat, bank, canoe
Best Time to Fish: April through September
MAG: Map 14, B-1
Description: This is a spring-fed lake with incredibly clear, cold water. In spite of some shoreline development, the lake retains a wild feeling because its rocky shoreline is lined with large pines and spruce trees. Lake St. George State Park is located on its shores, and lakeside camping is available. This is a good site for families with children.
St. George Lake is heavily stocked. In 1995 alone, 7,945 brook trout and 1,000 landlocked salmon were stocked here. Special fishing regulations on landlocked salmon include a one-fish bag limit and a 16-inch minimum length. The special open water fishing season runs from October 1 through October 31, with artificials only. All fish caught during that time must be released alive immediately.
Fishing index: Brook trout and salmon are the popular species here, but good smallmouth bass fishing can also be had all around the lake’s rocky shoreline. In spring, anglers using worms as bait fish from shore by the boat ramp for stocked brook trout. Just after ice out, landlocked salmon are on top, ready for trollers. Streamer flies that imitate smelt are popular here, as are live smelt. Late afternoon through dusk is the best time of day to fish. From June through September, anglers take landlocked salmon in deep water using live minnows fished behind Dave Davis lake trolls with lead-core line. (See the species section for specifics on this technique.) Some of the largest landlocked salmon
A Midcoast angler displays an average-sized smallmouth bass from St. George Lake. Smallmouths are great acrobats and when hooked will spend as much time in the air as they do in the water! have been taken in September, when fishing is fairly slow. St. George Lake is noted for trophy landlocked salmon, fish of 8 pounds and more. The author believes that fish weighing twice that much may be present here.
A companion body of water, Little Pond, is connected to St. George Lake by a narrow channel. This pond is shallow and weedy, great for largemouth bass, pickerel, and white perch. Most anglers use worms for white perch. Pickerel are sometimes taken by bass fishers using plastic worms, but live minnows are preferable. Largemouth bass anglers rely on plastic worms; black is a favorite color. In May, anglers using worms fish from shore for spawning white perch by the dam on Maine Route 173 in Liberty Village. Parking is limited, so you may wish to come by boat.
Directions: From Belfast, take Maine Route 3 west to Liberty Village. It is 17 miles from Belfast to the state boat ramp, located on the left of the highway.
For more information: Contact Elma’s Tackle Shop.
