A Pond You Have to Earn
Pierce Pond sits in its own township in the mountains of western Somerset County, and reaching it requires effort. There is no road to the shore. You either hike in on a trail of about a mile and a half from the nearest logging road, or you arrive by floatplane, dropping onto the surface with the mountains rising on both sides. That inaccessibility is the entire point. Pierce Pond is one of Maine’s great backcountry fishing destinations precisely because getting there filters out casual traffic.
The pond covers about 1,600 acres at an elevation of 1,156 feet, surrounded by dense spruce-fir forest with no development beyond the historic Pierce Pond Camps on the western shore. The water is deep, cold, and clear, fed by springs and small tributaries that maintain the oxygen levels and temperatures required by landlocked salmon. Pierce Pond has produced trophy-class salmon for over a century, and the fishing today remains as good as anywhere in Maine.
Pierce Pond Camps has operated on the shore since 1903, making it one of the oldest continuously operated sporting camps in the state. Generations of anglers have stayed in the weathered log cabins, eaten meals in the lodge, and fished the same waters that drew sportsmen here when Theodore Roosevelt was in the White House. The camps operate under the traditional Maine sporting camp model: lodging, meals, boats, and guide services included.
Fishing for Trophy Salmon
Pierce Pond is managed specifically for landlocked salmon, and it delivers. The pond holds a self-sustaining population of salmon that grow large in the cold, deep water. Fish in the three-to-four-pound range are common, and salmon exceeding five pounds are caught every season. The occasional six-pound fish puts Pierce Pond in rare company among Maine’s inland fisheries.
Spring fishing after ice-out is the most productive period. Salmon move into the shallows and near tributary inlets as the water warms, and they are aggressive and accessible. Trolling streamer flies, Grey Ghosts, Black Ghosts, and Nine-Threes, on lead-core line is the traditional method and still the most effective. Fly fishing from a canoe with sinking lines and streamers also produces fish.
Spring is when the biggest salmon are caught. Plan your trip for the two to three weeks after ice-out, typically mid-May into early June. The salmon are concentrated in the upper water column and feeding actively after the long winter.
Summer fishing shifts to deeper water as the thermocline develops. Salmon hold in the cool depths during the day and may move shallower in the evening. Fall fishing picks up again as the water cools and salmon become active before spawning.
Pierce Pond also holds brook trout, though the salmon are the main attraction. The trout tend to be smaller but are wild and beautiful, colored up with the vivid reds and blues of a fish that has never seen a hatchery.
Pierce Pond Camps
Pierce Pond Camps is the only lodging on the pond and one of the last great Maine sporting camps. The operation includes log cabins along the shore, a central lodge where meals are served family-style, a fleet of canoes and boats, and guide services for fishing and hiking.
Staying at Pierce Pond Camps is an experience in itself. The cabins are simple but comfortable, heated by woodstoves, and lit by propane lamps. There is no electricity in the cabins, no Wi-Fi, and no cell service. What you get instead is the sound of loons at dusk, the smell of woodsmoke and balsam, and the kind of stillness that most people have forgotten exists.
Book Pierce Pond Camps well in advance, especially for the prime spring salmon season. The camps have a loyal following and many guests rebook the same week year after year. Contact the camps directly for availability and rates.
Getting to Pierce Pond
There are two ways in. The hiking trail begins at a trailhead on a logging road accessible from the Caratunk area. The hike is roughly 1.5 miles through forest, moderate in difficulty, with some elevation change. Pierce Pond Camps can arrange to have your gear transported separately so you hike in with just a daypack.
The alternative is a floatplane. Several operators in the Greenville and Jackman area offer flights to Pierce Pond. The flight takes about fifteen minutes from Greenville and drops you directly at the camps’ dock. Flying in is the faster option and an unforgettable way to arrive.
The access road to the trailhead is unpaved, remote, and can be rough. High-clearance vehicles are recommended. There is no cell service along the access road or at the pond. Carry a satellite communicator and leave a trip plan with someone at home.
The Appalachian Trail Connection
The Appalachian Trail crosses near Pierce Pond, and thru-hikers occasionally visit the pond during their northbound journey. Pierce Pond Lean-to, maintained as an AT shelter, sits near the shore and offers one of the more scenic overnight stops on the Maine section of the trail. If you are not a thru-hiker, the AT access provides an alternative route to the pond for strong hikers.
Planning Your Visit
Spring
Ice-out mid-May. Trophy salmon fishing at its peak. Blackflies emerge late May. Cool temperatures, bring warm layers.
Summer
Salmon move deeper. Evening fly fishing productive. Warm days, cool nights. Loons and wildlife active. Full services at Pierce Pond Camps.
Fall
Salmon fishing improves as water cools. Foliage peaks mid-September. Fewer visitors. Camps typically close mid-October.
Winter
Camps closed. Access extremely difficult. Ice fishing possible with snowmobile or ski access for experienced backcountry travelers only.
Pierce Pond Trip Packing List
- Fly rod or trolling gear for landlocked salmon
- Streamer flies (Grey Ghost, Black Ghost, Nine-Three)
- Hiking boots for the trail in
- Warm layers and rain gear (mountain weather changes quickly)
- Bug spray and head net (blackflies peak late May through June)
- Headlamp or flashlight (no electricity in cabins)
- Camera for the scenery and the fish
- Book or cards for evening entertainment (no screens here)
- Maine fishing license (required for age 16+)
- Satellite communicator or PLB (no cell service)
FAQ
How do I get to Pierce Pond?
You can hike in on a 1.5-mile trail from a logging road near Caratunk, or fly in by floatplane from Greenville or Jackman. Pierce Pond Camps can arrange transportation for both options.
What size are the salmon in Pierce Pond?
Salmon commonly run three to four pounds, with fish over five pounds caught each season. Pierce Pond is one of the best landlocked salmon fisheries in Maine.
Is Pierce Pond Camps the only lodging option?
On the pond itself, yes. Pierce Pond Camps is the only commercial lodging. The Appalachian Trail lean-to near the shore provides a primitive alternative for hikers. The nearest motels are in Caratunk and The Forks, about an hour's drive from the trailhead.
Is there cell service at Pierce Pond?
No. There is no cell service at the pond, at the camps, or along the access roads. Carry a satellite communicator for emergencies.
Can I bring my own boat?
The hike-in access makes bringing a large boat impractical. Pierce Pond Camps provides canoes and boats for guests. If you fly in, you are limited to what the floatplane can carry. Packable inflatable kayaks are an option for independent travelers.
