Hadley Lake

Hadley Lake is a lake in Washington County, Maine and covers about 1,771 acres, with a deepest recorded spot of 31 feet.

How the Size and Shape of Hadley Lake Affect Fishing

Hadley Lake is too large to fish all at once, so pick one group of coves and points and stay there long enough to learn what the fish are using.

Fish and Baits at Hadley Lake

Fish reported from Hadley Lake include landlocked Atlantic salmon, brown bullhead, chain pickerel, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, white perch, and yellow perch.

Bass

For bass at Hadley, use a tube, Ned rig or small crankbait on rock for smallmouth, and fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.

Perch and Sunfish

For panfish at Hadley, use a worm or tiny jig near weeds and shade for pumpkinseed, and fish a small jig, minnow or worm close to the bottom for yellow perch.

Pike, Pickerel and Muskellunge

For pike, pickerel or muskellunge at Hadley, throw a small spoon or flashy swimbait along weeds for chain pickerel.

Bullheads

For brown bullheads at Hadley, put a nightcrawler or small piece of cut bait on the bottom in quiet water, especially after sunset.

Salmon, Lake Trout and Other Deep-Water Fish

For deep-water fish at Hadley, troll a smelt-colored streamer, thin spoon or small minnow plug for landlocked salmon and use a small jig, minnow or worm when white perch gather over deep flats and drop-offs.

How the Seasons Change Hadley Lake

Spring at Hadley is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer is a good time to fish shade, weeds and the first drop into deeper water. Fall at Hadley can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.

A Simple Plan for Fishing Hadley Lake

On a first trip to Hadley, check one quiet cove, one rocky or firm point and the nearby deep water with a moving lure, then use a jig or worm where you find fish.

Useful Tackle for Hadley Lake

A medium spinning rod covers most casting at Hadley, while a second rod with enough line and weight to reach deep water is useful for salmon.

Hadley Lake FAQs

Where should an angler start on the 1,771-acre Hadley Lake?

At Hadley, pick one cove and the closest point or drop into deep water, then fish that small area well before making a long move.

Should anglers fish the 31-foot deep end of Hadley Lake?

Not every trip. A better place at Hadley is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.

Which reported fish is a simple first target at Hadley Lake?

Landlocked Atlantic salmon is on the fish list for Hadley, so start with a bait made for that fish instead of guessing at a species that may not be there.