Baskahegan Lake in Washington County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Within Washington County, Maine, you have Baskahegan Lake. Beyond the shoreline you have lake country bush. At roughly 10.7 sq miles it ranks among the larger waters in the region. Some 34 miles of shoreline means conditions can differ from one end to the other. It ranks high for size among our Washington County listings. For supplies, McAdam is 26 miles out. Lincoln is 34 miles and St. Stephen 34 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Baskahegan Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Survey and observation records for Washington County include alewife, Atlantic salmon, rainbow smelt and brown trout. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Baskahegan Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 14°F in January to roughly 67°F in July. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid April and starts locking again about early December. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Plan around that when you fish Baskahegan Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Little Pickerel Pond, 3.9 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Nothing on Baskahegan Lake should be assumed from this page alone.