Waters where some of the larger brood fish are stocked include Little Ossipee Lake in Waterboro, Middle and Upper Range ponds in Poland, Wilson Lake in Acton, Thomas Pond in Casco, Wortherly Pond in Peru, Keoka Lake in Waterford, Mousam Lake in Acton, the Presumpscot River in Windham, and Kennebunk Pond in Lyman.

There are a number of ponds in the region where the habitat is not suitable for year-round trout fisheries. But fall and winter temperatures allow the stocking of catch-worthy trout to create excellent winter fishing opportunities for brook trout.

These include Wortherly Pond in Poland, Barker Pond in Lyman, Otter Pond #2 in Standish, Littlefield Pond in Sanford, Hobbs Pond in Norway, Knights Pond in South Berwick, Cold Rain Pond in Naples, Halls Pond in Paris, and Silver and Sprague lakes in Phippsburg.

New stocking sites for 2006-07 included Parker and Thomas ponds in Casco, Moose Pond in Acton, Horne Pond in Limington, Wilson Lake in Acton and South Pond in Greenwood.

Top picks for consistent lunker lake trout over the past few years have included Great East Lake in Acton, Sebago Lake in Naples and Thompson Lake in Otisfield. (Continued)

All three offer togue in the 16- to 22-inch range, with Sebago's ice-anglers leading the pack.

For salmon tipping the scales at over 4 pounds, this winter try Trickey Pond in Naples, Bryant Pond in Woodstock or South Pond in Greenwood.

For smaller fish but faster action, drill those salmon holes in Long Lake in Naples-Harrison, Panther Pond in Raymond, Crescent Lake in Casco or Kezar Lake in Lovell.

Many of the region's waters see little fishing pressure, even though they offer up some quality brown trout. Avoid the crowds this winter and take a shot at landing brown trout up to 6 pounds from Horne Pond in Limington, Long Lake in Harrison, the Presumpscot River in Windham and Woods Pond in Bridgton.

For information on regulations, destinations, stocked waters and more, interested anglers should log onto www.state.me.us/ifw.

MASSACHUSETTS
Asnacomet Pond is one of the most popular Bay State trout ponds. Also known as Comet Pond, this coldwater fishery covers 127 acres north of the junction of Route 68 and Route 62 in Hubbardston. It's a popular hardwater destination because the pond traditionally freezes early and thaws late.

Asnacomet Pond is stocked with browns, brookies and rainbows each spring and fall. Most of the trout caught here are recently stocked.

But occasionally, anglers will land big holdover brown trout. Infusions of brood-stock salmon offer a shot at trophy-sized salmon.

Despite more than 50 percent of the shoreline being developed with year-round and summer homes, the pond remains scenic, with good access.

Shoreline access extends up the southeastern shore from the paved ramp off Route 62. Access may also be had off the town beach entrance off Route 68.

For lunker largemouth bass, head to Benedict Pond in Great Barrington-Monterey. This western-district pond is small and shallow, covering 35 acres at an average depth of 5 feet and a maximum of 8 feet. The pond is inside Beartown State Forest, and the shoreline is undeveloped other than the beach and boat ramp. Access may be had about 1 1/2 miles north of Route 23 off Beartown Road.

Many waters in the Bay State are stocked with northern pike and tiger muskellunge. These two fierce fighters are usually stocked at 3 to 12 inches, and take up to five years to reach their minimum-length limit of 28 inches. That means this year's hardwater anglers will want to drill holes in waters stocked in 2002.