Grab your old gear and bring the kids fishin’
Trout ponds “will fish well” this month and “larger lakes should be prime for trolling.” Photo by Emily Baer.
May 4, 2026
By Jacob Scoville
Spring is now in full swing here Downeast. As of April 20th, all the Downeast lakes and ponds are ice-free, and anglers are catching fish across the region. Trout ponds will fish well throughout the month, while larger lakes should be prime for trolling. As the month progresses, rivers and streams should move to the top of your priority list, and by the month's end, bass will be on beds.
Where to fish: West Grand Lake is free, and anglers looking to catch salmon and lake trout should make the trip to Grand Lake Stream and get out on the lake. Trolling for salmon and lake trout at West Grand can be fast, and in the few weeks after ice-out in early May, trolling near the surface can be effective. This allows anglers who don't have lead-core line or downriggers on their boats to have a good chance of catching fish.
May is also a great time to bring children fishing. The weather is warmer, the fishing is usually fast, and there is no better place to take a child fishing than one of the waters open to fishing only for persons under the age of 16 (commonly known as youth-only waters). Here in the Downeast region, these waters include Foxhole Pond in Deblois Grand Lake Stream canal in Grand Lake Stream, Middle River in Machias and Marshfield, Myers Pond (North and South) in Columbia, and the Penobscot County Conservation pond in Brewer. We are already getting reports of fast fishing at some of these ponds!
The Downeast Region is also home to unique fisheries that offer impressive splake fishing. If you are interested in trying your luck for splake, consider Peaked Mountain Pond, Burntland Lake, Hosea Pug, and Heart Pond. These waters should not be overlooked!
Fishing Tips: If you are a traditional fly angler who wants to dabble in some trolling but think you need to get all-new gear, think again. Sure, trolling with fly rods is not a new concept by any means, but if all you have is a traditional floating line for your setups, instead of buying a whole new line, pick up a sink-tip. A fast sink-tip attached to the end of your fly line will sink just enough to get your flies off the surface. Getting your flies just a few feet down is surprisingly effective and can make a huge difference this time of year.
Reminders: Private road closures are still in effect here in Downeast, with many roads still slated to open on May 15th. Being the first to fish the waters when the gates open can make for an epic day of fishing, so keep an eye out for those opportunities. Also, don't forget that the last weekend of the month (30th and 31st) is Free Fishing Weekend!
—Scoville is a Fisheries Resource Supervisor with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.