Fishing at Beaver Lake, Washington County, Maine

• Overview

  Look for Beaver Lake in the Washington County part of Maine. It sits 1.7 miles in from the sea. It runs to roughly 89 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. Around 1.5 miles of margin, front to back. Ground here is low by Maine standards. Nearest town is Calais, 4.8 miles off. Then St. Stephen, 5.3 miles, and Saint Andrews, 8.6 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Beaver Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Species logged across Washington County include alewife, Atlantic salmon, rainbow smelt, Atlantic cod and brown trout. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Treat Beaver Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 17°F and July at about 66°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly mid April. The open-water window runs from around mid April to about early December in an average year. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Beaver Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. If the gate is shut, Pine Lake at 1.5 miles is the nearest alternative. Treat Beaver Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.