Rock Pond near Phillips: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  This water sits in Franklin County, Maine. The ground round it is lake country bush. About 6 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Franklin County. The nearest place of any size is Phillips, 12 miles away. Beyond it, Strong at 18 miles and Kingfield at 19 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Rock Pond

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Fish documented in Franklin County include Atlantic salmon, brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout and rainbow smelt. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Take Rock Pond a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 63°F and January near 10°F. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late April. On average, late April opens the water and late November closes it again. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Time your trip to Rock Pond by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. Parking sits half a mile out, which makes for a walk with tackle. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Should this one be busy, Midway Pond is 0.4 miles off. For Rock Pond, the notice at the access point is the final word.