Best big Smallmouth Bass Lake in Maine

[Zachh Nute]

What's everyone's opinion on the lake with the biggest smallmouth bass in the state of Maine? My friend got lucky a couple years back and caught a 5lb 6 oz Smallmouth out of Thompson Lake. I have been going back year after year to duplicate it and never can! So I lock my answer in with, Thompson Lake!

[BBQ_Pitmaster]

I second Thompson Lake - regardless of the season, you always have great chance at a 3+, a good chance at 4+, and a puncher's chance at a 5+. Fish are plump and aggressive. There's a reason the 8 lb state record came out of there! Attached is a picture from my last trip up there in 2018.

 

Last weekend I stayed at Lake Winnecook in Burnham. The Sally in my profile picture choked a 4.3 Keitech. Didn't have a scale unfortunately. My buddies and I had a big fish money pool but they caught 2 more of a similar size and we couldn't figure out whose was biggest. 

[roadwarrior]

[Smokinal]

State record smallie of 8 even came from Thompson; good lake for sure.

Lake Auburn has some good fish in it I've heard

[bodenbassin]

On 8/13/2020 at 7:47 AM, BBQ_Pitmaster said:

I second Thompson Lake - regardless of the season, you always have great chance at a 3+, a good chance at 4+, and a puncher's chance at a 5+. Fish are plump and aggressive. 

Do you have any tips for fishing the northern end of the lake? I’ve got a lake house there and want to take advantage of the great fishing that I’ve heard it has.

[BBQ_Pitmaster]

6 minutes ago, bodenbassin said:

Do you have any tips for fishing the northern end of the lake? I’ve got a lake house there and want to take advantage of the great fishing that I’ve heard it has.

I've only fished Thompson in July and August so my advice might only be relevant for the next few weeks. Maybe a local could throw in their two cents.  

 

Try throwing a wacky worm around floating docks and letting it sink on slack line. I've also had a lot of luck with a Roboworm on a dropshot at offshore points. Deep diving crankbaits can also be effective. Those are the three techniques that I've had the most success with on Thompson, but Ned rig or tube jig would probably also work. 15 - 25 feet has been the sweet spot for me in the summer. I've never used a fish finder on Thompson but it would definitely help. 

 

 

[Zachh Nute]

On 8/13/2020 at 7:47 AM, BBQ_Pitmaster said:

I second Thompson Lake - regardless of the season, you always have great chance at a 3+, a good chance at 4+, and a puncher's chance at a 5+. Fish are plump and aggressive. There's a reason the 8 lb state record came out of there! Attached is a picture from my last trip up there in 2018.

 

Last weekend I stayed at Lake Winnecook in Burnham. The Sally in my profile picture choked a 4.3 Keitech. Didn't have a scale unfortunately. My buddies and I had a big fish money pool but they caught 2 more of a similar size and we couldn't figure out whose was biggest. 

I'll be up there in Oct. those smallies should be shallower by then eating jerkbaits, blade baits and maybe some hair.. Should be a fantastic time! Awesome fish, btw!

[roadwarrior]

[BBQ_Pitmaster]

On 8/16/2020 at 4:33 PM, Zachh Nute said:

I'll be up there in Oct. those smallies should be shallower by then eating jerkbaits, blade baits and maybe some hair.. Should be a fantastic time! Awesome fish, btw!

I'm inexperienced with fall smallmouth fishing because it's usually a busy time with school, sports, etc. This year I'll have more time to fish at Quabbin on my new boat. What types of areas do you target as the smallmouth move out of their summer spots? What are you looking for on your electronics? Hoping to learn a lot this fall and some tips from more experienced anglers would be awesome. 

[CHIP-MAINE]

how about rivers also- got 6lb in androscoggin river last year. also many 5s

 

[Zachh Nute]

On 8/22/2020 at 9:33 AM, BBQ_Pitmaster said:

I'm inexperienced with fall smallmouth fishing because it's usually a busy time with school, sports, etc. This year I'll have more time to fish at Quabbin on my new boat. What types of areas do you target as the smallmouth move out of their summer spots? What are you looking for on your electronics? Hoping to learn a lot this fall and some tips from more experienced anglers would be awesome. 

When the water temp hit's the 55 degree mark, the fishing gets to be extremely good. When the water is clear, like Quabbin is, the fish really push shallow and will eat a jerkbait very well, especially on the sunny days. We all know that smallmouth love sun. you can also catch them using other baits like squarebills, spinnerbaits, etc. Although, keep in mind that those smallmouth will be in a bit of a funk when the water first begins to drop from its summer temps (78-83 degrees until about 60-63 degrees. But, as stated earlier, those smallmouth will really feel between that 55-63 degree mark. and they will eat almost anything that replicated the forage they're eating. A for areas, they will be in the same areas you find then in the spring for the most part. 

 

As the water falls below the 55 degree mark, I really slow down my presentation and will fish a hair jig, tube, blade bait, slow roll a small 2.8" swimbait. Those fish will start to push into their winter patterns. I will always start with humps and points. those always have fish on them in the colder months. It gives a place for fish to move up and down the water column. When I get a bite, I keep in mind where those fish came out of. I fish Candlewood Lake a lot in CT and the fish will winter usually in the 30 FOW and on the sunny days, they will push up to about 15-20 FOW. smallmouth are roamers and love sun.

 

I hope this helps a tad. If you have anymore in depth questions just DM me! 

On 8/22/2020 at 3:27 PM, CHIP-MAINE said:

how about rivers also- got 6lb in androscoggin river last year. also many 5s

 

can you get a bass boat in there? I have heard many great things about that river, and the Penobscot. 

[Frezzy]

On 8/25/2020 at 10:47 AM, Zachh Nute said:

When the water temp hit's the 55 degree mark, the fishing gets to be extremely good. When the water is clear, like Quabbin is, the fish really push shallow and will eat a jerkbait very well, especially on the sunny days. We all know that smallmouth love sun. you can also catch them using other baits like squarebills, spinnerbaits, etc. Although, keep in mind that those smallmouth will be in a bit of a funk when the water first begins to drop from its summer temps (78-83 degrees until about 60-63 degrees. But, as stated earlier, those smallmouth will really feel between that 55-63 degree mark. and they will eat almost anything that replicated the forage they're eating. A for areas, they will be in the same areas you find then in the spring for the most part. 

 

As the water falls below the 55 degree mark, I really slow down my presentation and will fish a hair jig, tube, blade bait, slow roll a small 2.8" swimbait. Those fish will start to push into their winter patterns. I will always start with humps and points. those always have fish on them in the colder months. It gives a place for fish to move up and down the water column. When I get a bite, I keep in mind where those fish came out of. I fish Candlewood Lake a lot in CT and the fish will winter usually in the 30 FOW and on the sunny days, they will push up to about 15-20 FOW. smallmouth are roamers and love sun.

 

I hope this helps a tad. If you have anymore in depth questions just DM me! 

can you get a bass boat in there? I have heard many great things about that river, and the Penobscot. 

Great post bud.  Thanks for sharing.  I fish the Wachusett Reservoir for Smallies and this helped a lot.

[shimanoangler]

On 8/13/2020 at 7:47 AM, BBQ_Pitmaster said:

I second Thompson Lake - regardless of the season, you always have great chance at a 3+, a good chance at 4+, and a puncher's chance at a 5+. Fish are plump and aggressive. There's a reason the 8 lb state record came out of there! Attached is a picture from my last trip up there in 2018.

 

Last weekend I stayed at Lake Winnecook in Burnham. The Sally in my profile picture choked a 4.3 Keitech. Didn't have a scale unfortunately. My buddies and I had a big fish money pool but they caught 2 more of a similar size and we couldn't figure out whose was biggest. 

Is there a public boat launch on Lake Winnecook (which I also think is called Unity Pond?)?  I knew this was a shallow water fishery holding largemouth, but I had no idea it also held smallmouth.  That is a nice fish!! 

On 8/22/2020 at 3:27 PM, CHIP-MAINE said:

how about rivers also- got 6lb in androscoggin river last year. also many 5s

 

I have heard great things about the Andro!  Can you put a bass boat in there to fish or is it too shallow for that?  Where are you launching from on the Andro?  Thanks for the post. Have always wanted to try the Androscoggin. 

[BBQ_Pitmaster]

12 hours ago, shimanoangler said:

Is there a public boat launch on Lake Winnecook (which I also think is called Unity Pond?)?  I knew this was a shallow water fishery holding largemouth, but I had no idea it also held smallmouth.  That is a nice fish!! 

 

Yes, there is a public boat launch on Unity/Winnecook. I rented a house on the lake and I was able to carry my boat through the yard so I didn't need to use the ramp, so I can't comment on the condition of it. 

 

"Friends of Lake Winnecook" on Facebook is very responsive. They answered all of my questions, I'm sure they could give you more information about the ramp. 

[CHIP-MAINE]

there are many places to fish andro river with bass boat.most people go up to turner to boat launch there. gives you a lot of area to roam up and down river. my favorite area is in the lewiston/auburn area. good boat launch just above great falls on auburn side between 2 dams. another is on lewiston side below new auburn bridge. little shallower putting in but great smallie fishing. i fish these two spots from kayak and do very well.

[Zachh Nute]

On 8/26/2020 at 9:08 PM, Frezzy said:

Great post bud.  Thanks for sharing.  I fish the Wachusett Reservoir for Smallies and this helped a lot.

I'm glad it helped you! If you have any other question, feel free to contact me. I try to log on once or twice a week to check in! 

[Tlaz]

I rent a house every year for the 4th of July week on Thompson Lake. Have caught 3&4 lb smallies and largemouth. Ive had good weeks and a couple bad weeks. This year I will be more prepared with better electronics and gear. Hoping for a 5 lb'er this year.

[ShelbysDad]

Abrams Pond in Eastbrook.

Catch and release only

 

Caught 2 - 18", 2 20 " and a 22" in 20 minutes.

 

All while trolling various Rapalas

[JBM Bassin]

Biggest smallmouth in Maine is probably somewhere in the Sebago Lakes region but definitely not the big lake itself, Thompson Lake in Oxford and Crescent Lake in Raymond are two really good spots to start, I've seen 4+ pound smallmouth out of both lakes, the Belgrade lakes system near Augusta can also give up some decent smallies, although most of those lakes are LM dominated fisheries

[Smokinal]

On 8/15/2022 at 5:15 PM, JBM Bassin said:

Biggest smallmouth in Maine is probably somewhere in the Sebago Lakes region but definitely not the big lake itself, Thompson Lake in Oxford and Crescent Lake in Raymond are two really good spots to start, I've seen 4+ pound smallmouth out of both lakes, the Belgrade lakes system near Augusta can also give up some decent smallies, although most of those lakes are LM dominated fisheries

Is there a public launch on Crescent? I've never fished it