Thompson Lake in Poland offers one last chance for a big catch through the ice.

By Tom Roth

Special to the Sun Journal

Usually by this time of the season, most anglers are tired of trudging out onto the ice, laboring to drill holes and spending hours in the cold awaiting a flag or pull on the jig stick.

This year, however, was an exception. Unusual thaws and rain kept anglers off of many area lakes, shortening the season for many. While the thoughts of many anglers turn to ice-out salmon fishing a short four weeks away, there is one last chance to target the coveted salmon through the ice and Thompson Lake in Poland is the place to do so. For years, winter salmon angling on Thompson Lake was closed, much like it is on Sebago Lake.

With the help of area sporting groups and a state representative, this fishery was opened, much to delight of the ice-fishing crowd.

Enacted in 1995 by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIF&W) on a trial basis, the March open season on salmon on Thompson Lake has been a huge success to a fraternity of anglers who make their annual pilgrimage to the lake.

From the urging of local sportsmen’s clubs along with a push by then State District 64 Rep. John Underwood, this “artificial-lure-only” season has been a tremendous success. While Thompson is known for its togue, spring trolling anglers take decent fish each year in the 3- to 5-pound range. Occasional catches in the 6- to 8-pound range cause enough stir to keep anglers coming, and is surely one of the reasons for the popularity of the March opener among locals. That’s enough incentive to concentrate on this 4,426 acre pond in the spring, and there’s no reason to stay off it in the winter with that type of chance!

Durham angler Butch DeSanctis always has quite a bit of luck taking salmon on jigs on Thompson Lake during the March special season. He fishes various depths and various spots all over the lake and seems to catch fish with success wherever he ventures. However, Butch reports that he has the best luck in shallow water, even taking several togue while after salmon in the shallows.

Although most March anglers are after the silvery salmon, the abundant togue in Thompson Lake should not be ignored. With an entirely wild togue population, Thompson Lake yields several whoppers through the ice each year. Most fish run in the 3- to 5-pound range, but bigger fish do cruise the bottom and are caught from time to time. I would concentrate in the deeper spots, around 30 to 60 feet deep, but you can’t argue the success of those who take togue from the shallow spots.

The lure of choice for the March salmon season is undoubtedly the Swedish pimple. I use size 5N in nickel color with the best results. Other anglers swear by the “airplane” jigs that seem to dart back and forth as they dive up and down. White hackle on the hooks seems to work well for salmon and togue.

There are no “bad” spots to fish for salmon on Thompson Lake, but historically, some spots seem to produce more fish than others. When open water fishing, I typically chart a course through Potash Cove on the southern end of the lake, and then wind my way along the shore, past Agassiz Village, toward the middle of the lake. I also concentrate on the west shore near Otisfield Cove and around Megquire Island with some success. Winter anglers should try these spots, as well. Newcomers to Thompson should start out by fishing just under the ice and keep letting line out until they find the preferred depth, while working away from shore. Many wintertime anglers carry along a portable fish finder to take the guesswork out of locating salmon and togue. I use one to find fish and locate bottom structure.

Access to Thompson Lake is easily obtained at the boat launch by The Heath on Heath Road in Poland or in Oxford at the boat launch off of Route 121. While many anglers enter the lake via vacant camps, they should be reminded that almost all of the property around Thompson Lake is privately owned and camp owners do not appreciate trespassers, despite the season. Anglers are allowed to keep one salmon over 16-inches and must use artificial lures only. While many of us may be busy dusting off our open-water tackle and gear, don’t put the pack basket and jig stick away until you try Thompson Lake for its late-winter salmon and togue bounty.