Fishing at Penknife Lakes, Washington County, Maine

• Overview

  In Maine, Penknife Lakes falls inside Washington County. The shore lies 4.8 miles out. About 9 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It is a small entry by Washington County standards. Nearest place of any size is Saint Andrews, 8 miles away. The big place round here is Dartmouth, 180 miles distant. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Penknife Lakes

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Washington County records list alewife, Atlantic salmon, rainbow smelt, brown trout and smallmouth bass among the fish reported. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Anyone new to Penknife Lakes should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 66°F and January about 17°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough mid April. The open-water window runs from around mid April to about early December in an average year. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. That shapes the year on Penknife Lakes.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Coleback Lake at 1.3 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the position on Penknife Lakes before loading the car.