The Belgrade lakes, just north of Augusta, is a chain of seven fresh water lakes. All the lakes have excellent fishing and state-operated boat launches. Open water fishing and ice fishing is permitted. Expect to find brown trout, brook trout, salmon, smelt, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white perch, pickerel, northern pike. See
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for more information and fishing licenses.
Ponds include Great Pond in Belgrade and Rome, off routes 27, 8, and 225; Messalonskee Lake in Belgrade, Oakland, Sidney, off routes 8, 11, and 23; North Pond in Mercer and Smithfield, off routes 8 or 137 or Caswell Road; East Pond in Oakland and Smithfield, off East Pond Road.