Doughnut Pond, Maine: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Maine holds Doughnut Pond, in Piscataquis County. The surroundings are mixed forest. Small at around 14 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Millinocket lies 23 miles from the water. It is 120 miles to Lévis, the nearest city. Other water within reach: Rainbow Lake near enough 1 mile, Stratton Pond lies 1.6 miles on, Bear Pond near enough 1.7 miles, Gould Pond lies 1.9 miles on and Woodman Pond near enough 1.9 miles. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Doughnut Pond

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Across Piscataquis County, recorded fish include Atlantic salmon, rainbow smelt, brook trout and brown trout. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. The shape of Doughnut Pond rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 65°F at the top of summer and 11°F at the bottom of winter. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. The lid usually goes in late April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Averages suggest open water from about late April through to roughly early December. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. At Doughnut Pond the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Appalachian National Scenic Trail runs up to the bank here, which usually means extra restrictions. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. The nearest alternative is Rainbow Lake, 1 mile out. For Doughnut Pond, the notice at the access point is the final word.