Fishing at Chamberlain Lake, Piscataquis County, Maine

• Overview

  Chamberlain Lake sits within Piscataquis County in Maine. Around the bank it is rolling bush. At roughly 17.1 sq miles it ranks among the larger waters in the region. The outline measures near 62 miles, so a boat opens up water the bank never reaches. On our Piscataquis County list it sits near the top for size. For a base, Patten sits 43 miles out. Lévis is the closest city, 98 miles away. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Chamberlain Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Records held for Piscataquis County cover Atlantic salmon, rainbow smelt, brook trout and brown trout. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. Chamberlain Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 65°F and January about 9°F. Winter shuts the surface down for months. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around late April. Average temperatures cross freezing around late April in spring and again near late November in autumn. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Anyone fishing Chamberlain Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Being dammed, it draws down in some seasons and fills in others. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. If the gate is shut, Leadbetter Pond at 1.9 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position at Chamberlain Lake before loading the car.