August 24, 2018 at 3:40 pm
[caption id="attachment_3087" align="alignright" width="346"]
Beal Pond has a reputation for producing quality size brook trout.[/caption]
By MDIFW Fisheries Biologist Liz Thorndike
The nights are getting cooler as fall is approaching (if you don’t believe me, Dunkin’ Donuts is already serving pumpkin spice coffee!) and sportsmen’s thoughts are shifting from fishing towards hunting. However, don’t be so quick to put your fishing pole away for the season. As water temperatures start to cool, trout become more active. If you don’t already have a go-to fall fishing spot or are headed towards Rangeley, consider making a fishing trip to Beal Pond in the town of Madrid in Franklin County.
Beal Pond, or “Trout Pond” as the locals refer to it, is spring-fed pond nestled near the base of Saddleback Mountain, offering spectacular views and a remote, wilderness feel. The pond itself is just over 30 acres in size with a maximum depth of 18 feet and an average depth of 5 feet.
If the views and remote feel are not enough, the most distinguishing feature of this pond is the ability to grow quality-size brook trout. When we last sampled this pond with trap nets, we found over 40% of trout were greater than 14 inches in length and 15% were over 16 inches. You’ll be happy to know these fish were all released and may still be waiting for you. Each year, we stock this pond with of 1,900 fall fingerling brook trout since spawning habitat is lacking and the pond’s high-quality fishery is dependent upon stocking.
[caption id="attachment_3081" align="alignleft" width="444"]
Beal Pond offers vistas of Saddleback Mountain and fishing for large brookies.[/caption]
Aquatic life flourishes in the shallow waters that encompass most of this small pond, and it fuels a healthy trout fishery that would make any angler happy. Beal Pond is a fly fishing only water and a recent regulation change (now 2 trout; minimum length limit of 12 inches and only 1 may exceed 14 inches) ensures that this pond will continue to offer a quality-size brook trout fishery well into the future. Fishing is open through November and catch and release begins after October 1st so don’t put that fly rod away yet, as some of the best trout fishing is yet to come!
Beal Pond has a reputation for producing quality size brook trout.[/caption]
By MDIFW Fisheries Biologist Liz Thorndike
The nights are getting cooler as fall is approaching (if you don’t believe me, Dunkin’ Donuts is already serving pumpkin spice coffee!) and sportsmen’s thoughts are shifting from fishing towards hunting. However, don’t be so quick to put your fishing pole away for the season. As water temperatures start to cool, trout become more active. If you don’t already have a go-to fall fishing spot or are headed towards Rangeley, consider making a fishing trip to Beal Pond in the town of Madrid in Franklin County.
Beal Pond, or “Trout Pond” as the locals refer to it, is spring-fed pond nestled near the base of Saddleback Mountain, offering spectacular views and a remote, wilderness feel. The pond itself is just over 30 acres in size with a maximum depth of 18 feet and an average depth of 5 feet.
If the views and remote feel are not enough, the most distinguishing feature of this pond is the ability to grow quality-size brook trout. When we last sampled this pond with trap nets, we found over 40% of trout were greater than 14 inches in length and 15% were over 16 inches. You’ll be happy to know these fish were all released and may still be waiting for you. Each year, we stock this pond with of 1,900 fall fingerling brook trout since spawning habitat is lacking and the pond’s high-quality fishery is dependent upon stocking.
[caption id="attachment_3081" align="alignleft" width="444"] Beal Pond offers vistas of Saddleback Mountain and fishing for large brookies.[/caption]
Aquatic life flourishes in the shallow waters that encompass most of this small pond, and it fuels a healthy trout fishery that would make any angler happy. Beal Pond is a fly fishing only water and a recent regulation change (now 2 trout; minimum length limit of 12 inches and only 1 may exceed 14 inches) ensures that this pond will continue to offer a quality-size brook trout fishery well into the future. Fishing is open through November and catch and release begins after October 1st so don’t put that fly rod away yet, as some of the best trout fishing is yet to come!