Spencer Lake
Fly fishing in Maine · Intermediate · Best seasons: Summer, Fall
Target Species
Brook Trout, Landlocked Salmon
About This Water
Somerset County lake with brook trout and salmon. Remote mountain setting.
Fishing Recommendations
Welcome to one of the gems of the Maine North Woods. Spencer Lake, located in the Jackman region (T3 R5 BKP WKR), is a quintessential North Woods fishery. Surrounded by rugged mountains and dense timber, it offers a wilderness experience with a chance at some truly impressive native fish.
As your guide, here is the lowdown on how to tackle Spencer Lake for Brook Trout and Landlocked Salmon.
🎣 Location Overview
Spencer Lake is a deep, cold-water lake approximately 6 miles long, covering over 3,000 acres. What makes it special is its depth and water quality. Unlike many shallower Maine ponds that warm up too much in the summer, Spencer has deep "refugia" (colder layers) that allow Brook Trout to grow to trophy sizes—often exceeding 3 or 4 pounds.
The lake is framed by the dramatic Little and Big Spencer Mountains. The shoreline is rocky with significant drop-offs, but it also features several key inlets and a major outlet (Spencer Stream) that are magnets for fish. Anglers love it because it offers a "big water" feel with "remote pond" tranquility.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
Brook Trout (Squaretails)
- Behavior: In the summer, they retreat to the deep "spring holes" or the thermocline (typically 25–40 feet down). In the fall, they move toward the shorelines and tributary mouths to prepare for spawning.
- Diet: Smelt are the primary forage. They also feed on Hexagenia limbata (large mayflies) in early summer and caddisflies.
Landlocked Salmon
- Behavior: These are "pelagic" hunters, meaning they follow the schools of Smelt. They are faster and more aggressive than the trout.
- Diet: Almost exclusively Smelt. If you find the baitfish on your sonar, the Salmon are right there with them.
📅 Best Times to Fish (Summer & Fall)
Summer (July – August)
- Conditions: The surface is warm, so the fish are deep.
- Prime Window: Early morning (dawn till 9 AM) and late evening (dusk).
- Strategy: This is "dredging" season. You must use full-sinking lines to get flies down to the 20-30 foot mark.
Fall (September – September 30th)
- Conditions: As the water cools, the "turnover" occurs, and fish move into the shallows.
- Prime Window: Mid-day becomes productive as the sun warms the surface slightly.
- Strategy: This is the peak time for fly anglers. Fish become aggressive and territorial as they move toward the inlets (like Fish Brook) and the outlet. Note: Most Maine lakes close to general fishing on Sept 30, though some sections/rivers have extended seasons.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Streamers (The Maine Bread & Butter)
Since Smelt are the main food source, long, slender streamers are king.
- Top Patterns: Gray Ghost, Black Ghost, Herb Johnson’s Smelt, and the Governor Aiken.
- Technique: Trolling with a sinking tip or full-sinking line from a canoe or boat is most effective. If casting, use a "strip-strip-pause" retrieve to mimic a wounded smelt.
Dry Flies
- Top Patterns: Hexagenia (Size 6-8) for late June/early July evenings. For fall, use Royal Wulffs, Stimulators, or Elk Hair Caddis (Size 12-14).
- Technique: Focus on the areas where streams enter the lake. Twitch the fly slightly to create a ripple; these fish aren't used to seeing many bugs, so they are often opportunistic.
Nymphs
- Top Patterns: Pheasant Tail (Size 14), Bead-head Prince Nymph, and large Golden Stonefly patterns.
- Technique: Use a long leader (12ft+) when fishing the drop-offs. A "slow-roll" retrieve along the bottom can entice a stubborn Brookie.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- Find the "Cool" Water: In the summer, look for the mouth of Fish Brook or other small unnamed trickles. The water entering the lake is often 5-10 degrees cooler, and Brookies will stack up there like cordwood.
- The "Spencer Twitch": When trolling streamers, don't just let the rod sit. Use your hand to give the line short, erratic jerks. This often triggers a Salmon that has been following the fly for minutes.
- Wind is your Friend: A "Chop" on the water breaks up the light and makes the fish less spooky. If the lake is glass-calm, go deep or stay very quiet.
- The Outlet: The area near the dam/outlet where the water begins to move toward Spencer Stream is a prime spot for Landlocked Salmon, especially in the evening.
⚠️ Important Information
Access
- Remote Location: Spencer Lake is accessed via private logging roads (mostly the Spencer Road/Enchanted Road out of Jackman or West Forks). These are gravel roads; a high-clearance vehicle is recommended, and logging trucks always have the right of way.
- Launching: There is a primitive boat launch on the south end. It is best suited for canoes, kayaks, or small motorboats (14-16 footers).
Regulations & Permits
- License: A valid Maine Fishing License is required. You can buy them online via the Maine MDIFW website.
- Rules: Spencer Lake has specific length and bag limits to protect the trophy fishery. Always check the current Maine Open Water Fishing Laws before heading out, as "S-Codes" (Special Season/Bag limits) frequently apply here.
- Lead Tackle: Maine law prohibits the use of small lead sinkers and unweighted lead jigs to protect loons.
Special Considerations
- Cell Service: Virtually non-existent. Bring a satellite communicator (like a Garmin inReach) or a paper map (Delorme Maine Atlas is the gold standard).
- Wildlife: You are in prime Moose country. Drive slowly on the logging roads, especially at dusk.
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Hex (Giant Mayfly) Hexagenia limbata | mayfly | June, July | Dusk/Evening | #4-8 | Hexagenia Spinner #6-8, Hex Nymph #4-8, Crippled Hex #6 |
| Hendrickson Ephemerella subvaria | mayfly | May, June | Afternoon | #12-14 | Red Quill #12-14, Hendrickson Nymph #12-14, Comparison Dun #14 |
| Chironomids (Midges) Chironomidae | midge | May, June, September | Morning/Evening | #18-24 | Zebra Midge #18-22, Griffith's Gnat #20-24, Ice Budgie #16-18 |
| Eastern Green Drake Ephemera guttulata | mayfly | June | Evening | #8-12 | Green Drake Paradun #10-12, Green Drake Nymph #8-10 |
| Grannom Caddis Brachycentrus | caddis | May | All day | #14-16 | Elk Hair Caddis (Olive) #14-16, Pupa-Le-Do #14-16 |
| Flying Ants Formicidae | terrestrial | August, September | Afternoon | #16-20 | Black Flying Ant #16-20, Cinnamon Ant #18 |
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis | mayfly | May, September, October | Afternoon/Overcast days | #18-22 | BWO Sparkle Dun #20-22, Pheasant Tail #18-20 |
| Light Cahill Stenacron interpunctatum | mayfly | June, July, August | Evening | #12-16 | Light Cahill #12-16, Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear #14-16 |
| Dragonfly and Damselfly Odonata | terrestrial | June, July, August | Morning/Afternoon | #6-12 | Adult Damselfly #10-12, Marabou Damsel Nymph #10-12 |