Fishing at Duck Lake, Washington County, Maine

• Overview

  In Maine, Duck Lake belongs to Washington County. Elevation runs to 512 feet. Roughly 1,142 acres of surface: treat each bay as a water in its own right. Shoreline length is close to 7.0 miles, and each section fishes a little differently. It is among the larger waters listed here for Washington County. 24 miles away sits Enfield, the nearest town. Lincoln is 25 miles and Greenbush 27 miles. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Duck 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. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Public occurrence data for Washington County names alewife, Atlantic salmon and rainbow smelt. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Read Duck Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 15°F in January up to 67°F in July. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough mid April. The water is typically free of ice between mid April and early December. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. It holds true on Duck Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. If the gate is shut, Upper Unknown Lake at 2.1 miles is the nearest alternative. For Duck Lake in particular, ask before you travel.