WHP kayaking-2069

Photo: David Dalena

Photo: Lois A. Glaser

Photo: David Dalena

WHP kayaking-2069

Photo: David Dalena

1/26

WEST HARBOR POND UPDATES

West Harbor Pond Watershed Association
Annual Meeting Announced

You are cordially invited to the 2026 annual meeting of the West Harbor Pond Watershed Association, which will be held at 11:45 AM on Sunday, August 16th. Our speaker this year will be Billy Helprin, who is the Director of the Somes-Meynell Wildlife Sanctuary on Mount Desert Island and an expert on loons. The title of his talk is “Loon Adaptations: It's Hard to be Expert at Everything.” His talk and a short business meeting will be followed by our traditional potluck meal. For complete information on the meeting, click here.

July Derby Catches & Notable Moments

July brought a mix of memorable catches, great stories, and the kind of summer moments that make this derby special. While it may have been a slower month for some of us, we still have plenty to celebrate.

Featured Catch of the Month

Some stories feel like they’re pulled straight from a classic Maine summer, and this one certainly does.

James Byrne and Xavier Williams first met last year at Boothbay Sea & Science Camp, quickly becoming friends. Even after camp ended, they stayed connected throughout the school year—despite living nearly 1,500 miles apart, with James in Boston and Xavier in New Orleans.

This summer, the boys reunited for three weeks at camp, spending their days exploring the coast and their evenings doing what they love most: fishing. On Sunday, July 5, their teamwork paid off when they landed a 15-inch largemouth bass at West Harbor Pond.

Although this catch came from West Harbor Pond, the pair have also spent countless hours fishing Appalachee Pond, where Xavier lives, building memories and reeling in plenty of fish along the way.

Their friendship—sparked at summer camp and strengthened across distance—is a reminder that some of the best catches of summer aren’t just the fish. They’re the friendships that come with them.

Catch: 15" Largemouth Bass Anglers: James Byrne & Xavier Williams Location: West Harbor Pond Date: July 5, 2026

More July Highlights

Another notable entry comes from Charlie Whitehead, who landed a lively bass right from the dock at 322 Lakeside. West Harbor Pond Date: July 26, 2026. Congratulations to these youthful fishermen for adding excitement and heart to this month’s derby.

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.