Pretty Pond in Piscataquis County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Pretty Pond sits within Piscataquis County in Maine. This is lake country bush ground. The water covers some 51 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. Shoreline comes to about 1.3 miles, small enough to learn in a day. For supplies, Patten is 39 miles out. The big place round here is Lévis, 103 miles distant. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Pretty Pond

  Our records hold no depth for this water. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Across Piscataquis County, recorded fish include Atlantic salmon, rainbow smelt and brook trout. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. On Pretty Pond a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 64°F and January near 8°F on the long-run figures. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late April. Break-up near late April, freeze-up near late November: that is the shape of an average year. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. The season on Pretty Pond follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. For a change of water, Line Pond is 1.2 miles distant. Check the position on Pretty Pond before loading the car.