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Trues Pond
Trues Pond: A Winding Waterway in the St. George System
Discover
Trues Pond is a shallow impoundment on the St. George River in Liberty and Montville. The state's historical fisheries survey identifies a northern small-watercraft access off Route 173 and another by the dam in South Montville. Its 1992 revision gives a maximum depth of 17 feet and describes largemouth bass as having reached the pond from Lake St. George. That movement puts the water in a connected river landscape, rather than an isolated basin. Check the present access and water level before carrying a boat down, and keep well away from the outlet dam when choosing where to paddle.
Ron Chase's July 2025 column follows an exploration that began at the northern landing on Trues Pond Road. He and his companions worked through shallow passages near the inlet, found a promising-looking opening was a dead end, and backtracked. Later, an extended bend led them into another stretch of open water. The pond's irregular outline supplied the pleasure of discovering what lay around the next corner. It also required choices rather than a simple straight crossing. His group explored an upper marshy sector until a fallen tree stopped their progress. This is a description of their visit, with no assurance that the same openings will be passable on yours.
Maine KayakGirl's July 2018 account describes a substantially different waterline. The northern access did not lead through to the main pond under the conditions the writer encountered, so the outing began from the southern end. Much of the journey then felt like following a winding stream between exposed vegetation rather than crossing a broad pond. Wildlife observations made the unexpected route rewarding, including a snapping turtle laboring across muddy ground. The post also records the writer's dog jumping from the kayak toward the turtle, an encounter that ended with retrieving a very muddy dog. Observe wildlife without trying to recreate that close encounter; the story is a personal recollection, not a model of animal handling.
The shore also has a cultural connection through Maine Fiddle Camp. The organization describes learning traditional tunes by ear and sharing music across different levels of experience, using recordings and sheet music to prepare a common repertoire. Its accommodation information places tenting along the pond and stream, but makes clear that the site is a children's camp rather than a commercial campground. Visitors and friends need the organization's permission to enter its grounds. Those distinctions matter for a lake outing: a camp seen from the water is part of the landscape, not an additional public landing or an informal picnic destination. Anyone interested in the musical program should make arrangements with the organization directly.
To photograph the pond's changing outline, try framing one opening with the vegetation or shoreline on either side still visible. This lets a viewer understand the scale without inventing what lies beyond the bend. Stop camera work before moving through a confined section. Your outing can end with a satisfying partial exploration even if a promising opening remains a question for another day.
Fun facts
- The historical fisheries survey describes a shallow impoundment on the St. George River.
Before you go
- Check current water levels and keep clear of the outlet dam.
- Camp grounds require permission; they are not public shore access.
Visitor perspectives
- Ron Chase’s group backtracked from a dead-end opening and explored marshy water until a fallen tree stopped further progress.
- Maine KayakGirl found a winding stream-like route during a low-water outing and described a snapping turtle crossing exposed ground.
Capture
- Frame an opening with both edges visible from a stable position; stop photographing before entering a confined passage.
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Social
Trues Pond is an impoundment on the St. George River.
Check the present waterline before carrying a boat down.
A 2025 group backtracked after a promising opening proved a dead end.
An earlier paddler found a stream-like route in low water.
Leave wildlife space rather than recreating a close encounter.
Maine Fiddle Camp gives the pond a musical community connection.
Camp grounds require permission and do not supply public lake access.
A bend can remain an unanswered question at the end of a satisfying outing. #Cre8Travel
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