Bowles Lake, Maine: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Set in Washington County, Maine, this is Bowles Lake. It sits 25 miles in from the sea. Around 62 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. The whole outline is near 1.8 miles, and most of it is walkable. Addison lies 24 miles from the water. Sherbrooke sits 201 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Bowles Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Fish documented in Washington County include alewife, Atlantic salmon, rainbow smelt and brown trout. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. On Bowles Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 67°F; by January the average is down near 16°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Once it clears, about mid April, the fishing comes on quickly. From about mid April to around early December, expect open water on the long-run figures. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Bowles Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. If the gate is shut, First Lake at 2.2 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the current arrangement for Bowles Lake.