Orange Lake Fishing in Washington County, Maine

• Overview

  Orange Lake stands in Washington County, Maine. The bank is 75 feet above sea level. At 253 acres this is proper open water rather than a pond. Around 3.5 miles of bank, which is a long day on foot. By elevation it sits in the lower part of our Maine listings. The town to know is East Machias, 7.2 miles out. Beyond it, Machiasport at 8.6 miles and Machias at 11 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Orange Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Open biodiversity records for Washington County list 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. At Orange Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 18°F in January to roughly 66°F in July. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early April. The water is typically free of ice between early April and mid December. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Orange Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. A made slipway is half a mile from here, which settles the boat question. The closest car park is half a mile away, so pack accordingly. Overnight stays are possible half a mile away. A picnic spot sits half a mile from the bank. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. For a change of water, Rocky Lake is 0.7 miles distant. For Orange Lake in particular, ask before you travel.