Desolation Pond Fishing in Aroostook County, Maine

• Overview

  The Aroostook County entry here is Desolation Pond, in Maine. It stands 1,627 feet above sea level. With some 71 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. The bank runs about 1.9 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. It is high ground by Maine standards. Nearest town is Saint-Pamphile, 40 miles off. It is 74 miles to Lévis, the nearest city. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Desolation Pond

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Records held for Aroostook County cover Atlantic salmon, rainbow smelt, brook trout, lake whitefish and Arctic charr. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Desolation Pond fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 63°F and January reads 8°F. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late April. On average, late April opens the water and late November closes it again. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. At Desolation Pond the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Should this one be busy, Corner Pond is 0.8 miles off. Check the position at Desolation Pond before loading the car.