WHP kayaking-2069

Photo: David Dalena

Photo: Lois A. Glaser

Photo: David Dalena

WHP kayaking-2069

Photo: David Dalena

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WEST HARBOR POND UPDATES

2026 West Harbor Pond Fishing Derby Wraps UP

The 2026 WHP Fishing Derby comes to a close after another season of great catches, shared stories, and the easy camaraderie that makes West Harbor Pond such a special place. Thank you to every angler, every shoreline cheerleader, and everyone who helped keep this tradition thriving. Until next year, may your lines stay tight, your mornings calm, and your fish stories just bold enough to make us smile. And with a standout 19" largemouth bass, George Valasek takes top honors—though every entry this year was a win in its own right.

George Valasek Lands a Trophy Largemouth on WHP

George Valasek reeled in a standout catch on the north end of the pond, right in the heat of mid‑day, as a largemouth cruised past the rope swing with full confidence. George has been on a remarkable streak — nearly 100 fish caught in one week while staying at his Aunt and Uncle’s home at 128 Lakeside — but this one topped them all.

The fish measured 19 inches and weighed 3.26 pounds, smashing a white spinner bait with the force of a freight train and fighting all the way to the net. It was the biggest of the summer, the biggest of the stay, and the biggest of the entire streak. For scale, George stands 6'1". He was 14 when he landed the fish and turned 15 during what became a truly unforgettable week on the pond.

Lisa Valasek’s Dockside Surprise at 128 Lakeside

Lisa Valasek wasn’t even casting for a trophy when she hooked her biggest catch of the month. While untangling a stubborn line off the dock at 128 Lakeside, her curly tail lure sank quietly to the bottom of the pond. Once the line was sorted and she finally reeled in, she realized she had company — a 14‑inch largemouth bass had taken the bait during all the chaos.

An unexpected catch, a solid fish, and a perfect reminder that sometimes the best moments happen when you’re not even trying.

Max Hoffman Returns to WHP Derby with a Standout Catch

Max is back for his second year in the WHP Derby, bringing his full‑throttle fishing enthusiasm straight to Oma and Opa Camp. With his spinning reel in hand and a lure dancing behind him, he hooked into a beauty — an impressive 14.5‑inch largemouth bass.

A fantastic catch, a confident young angler, and another summer memory added to the WHP tradition.

Bayard Newton Hooks a Pondside Favorite

A young Bayard Newton spent his day fishing off the dock at Powder Hill Farm, soaking in the summer and loving every minute of it. With patience, focus, and plenty of excitement, he reeled in a fish that made his whole afternoon — a perfect catch for a young angler building lifelong memories on the pond.

James Byrne back another year

During a family paddle out to “Pirate Island,” James Byrne—fishing in the Youth category—settled onto a rock with his cousins and started casting with his trusty Ugly Stick rod and reel. It didn’t take long before everyone heard him calling out, “big fish, big fish, big fish!!”

Perched high above the water, James didn’t want to risk losing the fish by reeling it in from the rock. His uncle immediately sprang into action, grabbing a kayak and a net, and paddled over to help land the catch. With no tape measure on hand, they lined the bass up against the kayak’s label and measured it later, confirming an impressive 18-inch largemouth bass. It turned out to be a personal best for James—an unforgettable moment on a perfect summer adventure.

West Harbor Pond Watershed Association
2026 Annual Meeting

The 2026 annual meeting of the West Harbor Pond Watershed Association, was held on Sunday, August 16th. The speaker this year was Billy Helprin, Director of the Somes-Meynell Wildlife Sanctuary on Mount Desert Island and an expert on loons. He enlightend the WHPWA members with his talk “Loon Adaptations: It's Hard to be Expert at Everything.” There was also a short business meeting. Notes from the meeting can be found on this page.

The Great West Harbor Pond Fishing Derby — 2026

Celebrating Five Years of Community Tradition

The West Harbor Pond Watershed Association is pleased to announce the 5th Annual Great West Harbor Pond Fishing Derby, returning in 2026. This milestone year marks half a decade of friendly competition, community connection, and appreciation for the natural beauty of West Harbor Pond.

Residents and friends are invited to prepare for another memorable event. Participants of all ages and experience levels are welcome. As we look ahead to this year’s derby, we encourage anglers to ready their equipment—inspect rods and reels, refresh fishing line, and organize tackle in anticipation of a rewarding day on the water.

Additional details regarding registration, timing, and event guidelines can be found on the GWHP Fishing Derby webpage. Those interested in revisiting highlights from previous years may explore the Derby photo galleries and catch records available on the same webpage. These collections showcase the enthusiasm, sportsmanship, and community spirit that have defined the derby since its inception.

We look forward to welcoming you to the 2026 derby and celebrating this special fifth year together.

Beneficial microorganism identified in West Harbor Pond

Click here to read about a microorganism beneficial to water quality that has recently been discovered in the Pond and about the plans of a Bowdoin professor to conduct a study of it.

WEST HARBOR POND

West Harbor Pond is a beautiful 84-acre freshwater lake in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Designated and protected by the state as a Great Pond, it is home to an abundance of fish and wildlife.

As part of the watershed connecting Knickerbocker Lake to Boothbay Harbor's inner harbor and the Gulf of Maine, West Harbor Pond is a pathway for migrating alewives and glass eels. The population of large- and small-mouth bass and white perch keeps fishermen busy.

The Pond is a bird lovers’ paradise with regular sightings of bald eagles, osprey, owls, blue heron, loons, and white egrets. It is home to kingfishers, cormorant, and an ever-changing population of ducks including buffleheads, wood ducks, and other migratory waterfowl. Along its shores, deer, wild turkey, fox, and mink are plentiful. Turtles and beaver make their home in the Pond. See examples of Pond wildlife in our Photo gallery.

West Harbor Pond is also a place of stillness. State law prohibiting motorized craft over 9.9 hp means that there are few motorboats on the Pond. Most folks venture out in canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, rowing shells, and row boats when they wish to enjoy the benefits of this special place.

We might think of West Harbor Pond mostly in the warmer seasons, but in winter it becomes a special place as winter weather turns it into a home for winter's special seasonal activities as well.

Information on the West Harbor Pond Watershed Association (WHPWA)

Summer on the Pond

- Swimmers of all ages gliding through clear water

- Fishermen in kayaks, boats, and on the shore--and the Fishing Derby!!!

- Children splashing and laughing as they jump from floats or rope swings

- Ladies gathering in kayaks to enjoy a leisurely paddle and cocktail hour

- Vacationing and resident dogs love to swim, too...

- Wildlife: Osprey flying overhead or diving for a meal. Herons on shore tending their clutch. Beavers swimming, carrying bottom plants for lunch. A pair of loons swimming and diving. "Glenn" and "Frye", our resident bald eagles. Mallards, cormorants, gulls, turtles, and on it goes.