Second Machias Lake, Maine: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Second Machias Lake lies within the bounds of Washington County, Maine. Tidal water begins 32 miles from here. Around 182 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. The edge runs 2.4 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. 30 miles away sits St. Stephen, the nearest town. The big place round here is Sherbrooke, 197 miles distant. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Second Machias Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Reported across Washington County: alewife, Atlantic salmon, rainbow smelt, brown trout and smallmouth bass. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. At Second Machias Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 67°F, while January sits near 16°F. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Break-up comes around mid April, and the run that follows is short and strong. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid April and starts locking again about early December. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Second Machias Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Launching is possible: a slipway lies half a mile off. Overnight stays are possible half a mile away. Machias River Corridor Public Lands covers this ground, which means extra rules to check. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. If the gate is shut, Knox Lake at 2.2 miles is the nearest alternative. Signs at Second Machias Lake carry more weight than any list.