Fishing at Tumbledown Pond, Franklin County, Maine

• Overview

  Tumbledown Pond falls in Franklin County, part of Maine. It sits at 2,654 feet above sea level. At 8 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. It is a small entry by Franklin County standards. Phillips is the closest place, 11 miles off. Mexico is 13 miles away, with Rumford at 14 miles. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Tumbledown Pond

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Records held for Franklin County cover Atlantic salmon, brown trout, rainbow trout and brook trout. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. The near bank of Tumbledown Pond is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 64°F; the cold one sits at 13°F. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late April. From about late April to around early December, expect open water on the long-run figures. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. It sets the rhythm of the year at Tumbledown Pond.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. If the gate is shut, Muskrat Pond at 3 miles is the nearest alternative. Rules at Tumbledown Pond are worth checking on the day.