A Capital City Pond
Togus Pond sits just east of Augusta, Maine’s state capital, roughly three miles long and a mile wide. At 648 acres with a maximum depth of 46 feet and a mean depth of 18 feet, it is a mid-sized warm water pond that draws anglers, paddlers, and families from the surrounding area. The western shore faces Augusta proper, while the eastern side backs up against wooded hills and the VA Maine Healthcare Systems campus at Togus.
What makes Togus Pond notable is the combination of accessibility and quality fishing. You can leave the State House, drive ten minutes east, and be launching a kayak or casting for bass. For visitors passing through the capital region, it offers a genuine outdoor experience without the drive to more remote lakes.
The shoreline is a mix of residential camps, forested stretches, and a few rocky points. Development is moderate but not overwhelming. The pond has a lived-in feel, with docks and swim floats along the western shore and undeveloped woods on parts of the east side.
On the Water
There is a public boat launch on the western shore, accessible from Route 105. The ramp handles small to mid-sized boats, and parking is free. The pond allows motorboats, though most traffic is modest. On summer weekends you will see a mix of fishing boats, pontoons, kayaks, and canoes.
The pond is well-suited for paddling. Three miles of length gives you room to stretch out, and the sheltered coves on the eastern shore are calm even when afternoon winds pick up across the open water. Morning paddling is best for solitude.
Launch early on summer mornings before the recreational boat traffic builds. The eastern coves stay glassy until mid-morning and hold good bass habitat along their rocky shorelines.
Fishing
Togus Pond is a warm water fishery with a few cold water surprises. The headline species are brown trout, stocked by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and smallmouth bass, which have established a strong population around the rocky structure on both shores.
Largemouth bass, chain pickerel, white perch, and yellow perch round out the fishery. The pickerel fishing is particularly good in the weedy coves, where fish stack up in summer. Ice fishing for perch and pickerel draws a steady crowd in winter.
Brown trout are the wild card. The pond is stocked periodically, and fish hold in the deeper water of the central basin during summer. Trolling small spoons or streamers along the drop-offs is the standard approach. Spring and fall, when the water column is cooler, browns move shallower and are more accessible to shore anglers and fly fishers.
The rocky point on the eastern shore, roughly halfway down the pond, is a reliable smallmouth bass spot. Work soft plastics or topwater along the boulders in early morning. The drop-off nearby also holds brown trout in spring.
A Maine fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older. Purchase one online at the MDIFW website or at local sporting goods stores in Augusta.
When to Go
Spring
Ice-out fishing for brown trout. Water warms quickly. Blackflies arrive late May.
Summer
Bass fishing peaks. Swimming and paddling. Warm water temperatures by July.
Fall
Brown trout active again as water cools. Fall foliage along the eastern shore.
Winter
Ice fishing for perch and pickerel. Reliable ice by mid-January most years.
Practical Notes
Cell service is good around Togus Pond thanks to its proximity to Augusta. You will have reliable coverage on most of the shoreline and on the water.
The pond is dog-friendly. Dogs are welcome at the boat launch and along the shoreline, though there are no designated swimming beaches with lifeguards.
Swimming is informal here. There is no state park beach, but locals swim from docks and shore access points. The water warms up considerably by mid-July, reaching the low 70s on the surface.
Togus Pond occasionally experiences algae blooms in late summer, particularly during hot, calm stretches. Check the Maine DEP advisories before swimming if the water looks discolored or has a greenish tint. The pond’s nutrient levels are moderate, and blooms tend to be localized.
Togus Pond Packing List
- Fishing license (if fishing)
- Bug spray (May through July)
- Sunscreen
- Life jackets for every boat passenger
- Kayak or canoe (or small motorboat)
- Polarized sunglasses for sight fishing
- Cooler with drinks and snacks
Getting There
From Portland, take I-95 North to Augusta (Exit 109), then Route 105 East toward Togus. The boat launch is on Route 105, about 10 minutes from downtown Augusta. Total drive is roughly 70 minutes.
From Bangor, take I-95 South to Augusta (Exit 113), then Route 3 East to Route 105. About 80 minutes. The VA campus at Togus is a useful landmark; the pond is directly adjacent.
FAQ
What fish are in Togus Pond?
Brown trout (stocked), smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, chain pickerel, white perch, and yellow perch. The bass and pickerel fishing is consistent, and brown trout offer a bonus for those willing to troll the deeper water.
Is there a public boat launch on Togus Pond?
Yes. A free public boat launch is located on the western shore off Route 105. It accommodates small to mid-sized boats with trailer parking.
Can you swim in Togus Pond?
Swimming is informal. There is no designated swimming beach, but locals swim from shore access points and docks. Water temperatures reach the low 70s by mid-July. Check for algae advisories in late summer.
How deep is Togus Pond?
The maximum depth is 46 feet, with a mean depth of 18 feet. The deepest water is in the central basin.
Is Togus Pond close to Augusta?
Very close. The pond is about 10 minutes east of downtown Augusta, just past the Togus VA campus on Route 105.
