From the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Region A – Southwestern Maine

It is late February and we are finally seeing the results from data collected over the 2007 field season. Data is collected in a very organized fashion and always with a defined purpose. Some of our data collection is for routine monitoring of established and/or popular fisheries, some is collected as part of state wide research projects, some for the evaluation of experimental programs, and some is a direct result of public comment, report, or input.

All data collected are typically entered (by me) into various databases at some point in the fall or early winter. Once our winter fieldwork has calmed down a bit, we find ourselves with a small window of opportunity with which to analyze the data from the prior spring/summer/fall field season. The results of these analyses are summarized in short reports by water, which help us focus on a management strategies as a team. We refer to these 1- to 2-page reports as “lake and stream investigation summary reports” These reports not only provide a basis for the management team to assess the need for additional data collection and changes in regulations or stocking, the reports also provide clear documentation in the file regarding management history and past efforts. With over 300 lakes and ponds and thousands of miles of rivers and streams to manage, a little reminder can come in very handy at times!

These investigation summary reports begin with a short summary of the purpose of the data collection, the regulation in place on the water, and the stocking history of the water. The next portion of the report is dedicated to a summary of our sampling methods and the results of our sampling. This section often contains a table or two summarizing the data collected in the field, as well as a description of the fish habitat present. Also presented, if appropriate and available, is a table containing historical data for comparison to the newly collected data. Historical data is handy for observing trends over time on waters with several years’ worth of consecutive sampling.

Following the results section comes the conclusions portion of the report in which a concise analysis of the results is presented. This section includes a written summary of data patterns, likely causes for those patterns, consequences for management, and relevant notes. The last portion of the report focuses on recommendations based on the analyzed data, historical patterns associated with the water, and potential benefits to anglers. These recommendations can include regulation changes, stocking changes, suggestions for future fieldwork, or even a tentative schedule for a follow up visit after proposed changes have been implemented. These fishery investigation reports are just one more tool utilized by Region A fishery biologists to keep us efficient and organized.

On a different note, angler reports indicate that even as we approach the end of February, fishing for trout and salmon continue to hold up. A recent chat with Maine Guide Fern Bossy indicates that brood salmon still were being caught on Norway Lake in Norway as recently as last week. He also noted that some folks are catching rainbow trout in Norway Lake as big as 16-17 inches. We just started a rainbow trout stocking program this past fall.

Warmer weather is on its way and good hardwater fishing for warmwater fish is expected for the month of March. March is a great time to get the whole family out for a day of fun and fast action. Bass, perch, pickerel and crappie are all more vulnerable as the weather warms, and I am looking forward to a morning of fun on my favorite pickerel hole.

The two-day Sebago Derby experienced some of the most comfortable weather conditions that I can recall, although poor ice conditions in the Big Bay tended to concentrate most of the fishing activity in Jordan Bay and the “Station.” Francis Brautigam visited the weigh station on Saturday, where there was some indication that the number of derby participants might be up from previous years. Near the end of the day on Saturday, togue in the 6 and 7-pound size range were in contention for the top prizes. At the time of this report, I was unable to confirm the results of the weekend derby.
–Brian Lewis, Fisheries Specialist, Sebago Region

Region B – Sidney and Belgrade Lakes

Any cusk anglers out there? I’ve received a number of inquiries lately regarding the fish and it seems like there is a growing interest in fishing for them. Recent regulation changes have greatly increased the number of waters open to night fishing. Since the best time to fish for cusk is after dark, they present another terrific angling opportunity.

The cusk or burbot is the only member of the cod family found in fresh water. It is an elongate fish with two distinct dorsal (upper) fins. The first dorsal is rather short; behind it is a second fin that extends almost to the rounded tail. On the underside of the body is a long anal fin. All of the fins are soft-rayed, meaning no spines are present. They possess a broad head for such a long body, and have an equally large mouth. Under the mouth is a single barbell or whisker. They vary in color from a dark yellow to almost black, depending on the color of the water in their home lake or pond. An average-sized cusk angled from local waters is around 15 inches in length and about a pound in weight. The state record cusk is 18 pounds, 8 ounces, caught out of Eagle Lake up in the county.

From the description above, it is obvious that the cusk is no beauty, at least in comparison to a trout or salmon. It does however, have one greatly redeeming value. The meat of a cusk is white and flaky, making it delicious table fare. It reminds one of a mild flavored cod or flounder.

Some waters in the Region that are known to have good cusk fishing are Sand and Woodbury ponds in the Tacoma Lakes, Flying Pond in Vienna, Echo Lake in Fayette (open January and February), Parker Pond in Mt. Vernon (open January only), Brettun’s Pond in Livermore, Big and Little Indian ponds in St. Albans, Great Moose Pond in Hartland and Minnehonk Lake in Mt. Vernon.

As noted above, cusk fishing is most productive at night. This is when the cusk actively forage and are most likely to take bait. It’s best to fish with live or dead bait or a piece of worm about six inches to a foot off the bottom. In my past cusk fishing endeavors, I always fished deep water since that is what I learned from my elders. I was under the impression that I did OK as far as angling success. Recently though, I was out fishing with a young man who lives and breathes everything outdoors. While I fixed my usual deep water sets, he set his lines in two feet of water, again less than a foot off the bottom. While I caught one cusk that evening, he caught four. So, the best bet is “angler’s choice” for depths — fish close to the bottom at a variety of depths.

There is no bag limit on the number of cusk an angler can possess. Under general law, the person who set them must visit all lines set for cusk once an hour.
– Robert Van-Riper, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Sidney

Region C — Downeast

Ice conditions on many Downeast lakes and ponds are providing great traveling for anglers. In most locations ice depth ranges from 14-18 inches with a few inches of snow on top. We encourage anglers to pay attention to conditions before venturing out since ice can be weakened by a rain event followed by above average temperatures. Use caution around inlets and outlets, rocks and shoals, and near islands and saddle areas. The current weather forecast, however, looks good for the upcoming week. Depending on how much snow falls in the next few weeks, anglers may be able to travel by ATV or snow sled. If you do end up on the lakes following a rain event, take care to avoid pockets of slush on the ice, since a mired machine is a sure way to ruin your day.

Action for lake trout on many Downeast waters increases as we enter the month of March. Fishing for this species can be a great way to introduce someone to the sport. I was able to experience this first hand over the weekend with two anglers who are both fairly new to ice fishing. My 4-year-old niece was extremely excited to help her father land her very first togue. It also didn’t take her long to learn how to break the ice from the holes and check the bait. It was a lot of fun to see the interest and enthusiasm she had for fishing. The second angler, who has only been ice fishing for a few years, was my wife. After losing her first togue at the hole, she was determined to land the next fish she had on her line. Her focus and determination paid off as she was successful at catching her very first togue without any coaching at all (she also was quite proud of the fact that all I caught that day was a yellow perch!) Even though I didn’t land any togue that day, it was truly worthwhile to see my wife and niece get excited about a sport that we can all enjoy together.

For good lake trout action in the Downeast region I suggest trying your luck at the following waters that have special regulations to help reduce an abundance of lake trout: Beech Hill Pond in Otis, Jordan Pond in Mt. Desert, Phillips Lake in Dedham, Toddy Pond in Surry, and Tunk Lake in T10 SD.

Other waters in the region that provide quality lake trout fishing and a good potential for larger fish are Eagle Lake in Bar Harbor, Green Lake in Dedham, West Grand Lake in Grand Lake Stream, Musquash Lake (West) in Talmadge, and Pocumcus Lake in T06 ND

Be sure to check your current ice fishing law book for the regulations that are in effect on these waters.

Plenty of ice fishing opportunities are still out there waiting for anglers. Get out and enjoy them with someone new to the sport. Be safe!
– Joe Overlock, Fisheries Biologist Specialist, Jonesboro

Region D – Western Mountains

With the “new and improved” Embden Rearing Station on line and up to speed, we’ve been able to stock a lot more large brook trout for anglers to catch. We’ve stocked both spring yearlings and fall yearlings in many of our waters — these fish range from 10-14 inches in length when stocked. In the lakes stocked with fall yearlings, we expected ice fishermen to be yarding them out right and left right after opening day, but they’ve actually proved a bit more difficult to catch. We see this as a good thing, because rather than having fantastic fishing for a week or so followed by slow action the rest of the winter, fishermen are continuing to catch these nice brookies throughout the season. Our own Dave Howatt fished at Crowell Pond last weekend and caught several of the 800 brook trout we stocked last fall, even though he was really fishing for white perch. This bodes well for the upcoming Cape Cod Hill PTO fishing derby to be held at Crowell Pond on March 8. Prizes include $100 for the largest trout, trophies, ice fishing traps, a pack basket, T-shirts, gloves, and pizzas. For tickets call DeAnna Meeks at 778-9658 or the Cape Cod Hill School, 778-3031.

There are a number of other upcoming fishing derbies to be held before the end of the ice fishing season:
 The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is holding a derby at Ellis Pond, Roxbury, also on March 8. Tickets are available at the Ellis Pond Variety.
 And — this is a biggie — the Upper Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce will be holding its annual Wyman Lake derby March 7-9, with $1,150 in prizes.

Travelling conditions on the ice are good. The slush that formed earlier has frozen solid, forming a solid base for snowmobiling. As we begin to feel some real warmth in the sun in March, however, be aware that some areas — such as near rocky points and areas near moving water, will begin opening up, so be careful.
– Forrest Bonney, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Rangeley Region

Region E – Moosehead Lake

This past weekend the Moosehead Lake Region fisheries staff was out and about collecting creel census data. Traveling conditions were good and we were able to get excellent coverage on the lake extending from Greenville up to Rockwood and even northward to Seboomook and Northeast Carry. Many parties were encountered and most were having great success at landing our abundant supply of small lake trout. We were able to collect data from nearly 180 of these fish over the course of two days. We still are encouraging anglers to keep the togue under 18 inches.

We’ve received reports that folks are having success on some of our fall yearling stocked brook trout waters. Sawyer Pond in Greenville and Branns Mills Pond in Dover-Foxcroft have given up a few of these 12- to 14-inch trout. A few other waters in the Greenville area that received these fall yearling trout include: Fitzgerald Pond (Mountain View), Prong Pond, as well as Manhanock and Harlow ponds in Parkman.

On Saturday the word was out that a large lake trout had been caught on Moosehead. Although our staff did not get the opportunity to see this fish on the ice, reliable sources inform us that it was 38 inches long and weighed in at just over 16 pounds. We did observe a few brook trout and landlocked salmon on the ice this weekend.

With this past weekend coming to a close so did the end of school vacation. Many families had spent a portion of the in the Greenville area enjoying the outdoors snowmobiling, skiing, or fishing. In my travels around the lake I encountered several parties, which were made up of anglers ranging from four to 16 years old. The nice weather combined with hungry togue made it an enjoyable time for most of these young anglers this weekend. It’s always great to see these youngsters on the ice. The questions they ask are sometimes the most challenging to answer. How do you respond when a 5- year-old asks, “Why are you saving the guts from my fish?” It can be difficult to explain to them that we look at the stomachs to see what the fish are eating and how much they have eaten. Most of the time I get some strange looks and often times the response of “that’s gross!”
– Jeff Bagley Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist, Greenville

Region F — Penobscot

What a great weekend for ice fishing! Surprisingly, though, staff conducting creel census work around Region F observed lower than expected number of anglers. Perhaps everyone flocked to one of the numerous derbies held around the state in hopes of big prizes offered for big fish. We did measure several 4-pound lake trout and a 3.5-pound salmon at Schoodic Lake, along with some nice splake and salmon captured at West Seboeis. One party on Schoodic had fished Upper Jo Mary Lake in the Katahdin Iron Works region during the past week and reported catching several 14-inch brook trout and a 3-pound salmon. They reported lots of action and released several salmon as well.

Eric Ham, our contract winter census clerk, checked several nice catches of fish from Matagamon, Webster and Scraggly over the weekend. The anglers on Matagamon were catching lake trout, salmon and brook trout. Webster continues to give up some nice trout in the 1- to 2-pound range. Very few anglers were seen at Scraggly over the weekend, but those that were there had good luck catching salmon.

The East Grand Snowmobile Club held its ice fishing derby this past weekend, which included East Grand, Deering, and Brackett lakes. The largest salmon was 20 inches long and weighed 2 pounds, 13 ounces. The second place salmon had the same weight but was an inch shorter, and the third place salmon was 2 pounds, 12 ounces. The top three lake trout weighed 8 pounds, 9 ounces; 8 pounds, 5 ounces; and 7 pounds, 10 ounces. The first prize brook trout weighed 2 pound, 4 ounces with second place going to a 1 pound, 6 ounce fish.

As the days get longer and the temperature gets warmer we are all looking forward to spring. Some of the best ice fishing weather is yet to come though. On several of our warm water lakes this time of year the white perch become very active and can provide anglers with some fast fishing. If interested in taking part in this great family fishing experience here are a few water bodies to try in Region F, Pushaw, Boyd, Endless, Mattawamkeag, Baskahegan, Nicatous and Saponac lakes.
Get out and enjoy the great weather and the great Maine outdoors.
– Brian Campbell, Fisheries Biologist Specialist, Bangor

Region G – Aroostook County

Northern Maine fishery biologists currently are surveying seven waters open to ice fishing. We have seen a definite shift in fishing pressure from the popular, early-season waters — Long and Eagle lakes — to Square and Madawaska lakes that are more difficult to access (Square) and open at a later date in the season (Madawaska Lake opened Feb. 15th). These two waters have been very good late-season destinations. At Madawaska Lake the recently stocked fall yearling trout that are mostly 12-14 inches should provide some action. Although pressure has dropped considerably at Long Lake, this lake still is a good choice for anglers seeking a chance at a large fish.

Winter has set in with generally good ice conditions and snow for good traveling. Due to a recent thaw the extremely slushy conditions of the past couple of weeks no longer exists. As the days get longer and the sun gets stronger there should be some very pleasant and productive fishing days through the end of the ice fishing season.
– David Basley, Fisheries Biologist, Ashland

Posted by Tom Remington

Region A – Southwestern Maine

Angler use on the smaller ponds in York and Cumberland counties has lightened up quite a bit as anglers begin to venture out onto bigger waters, which have gained some appreciable ice since the earlier January thaw. Nonetheless, those small waters are still producing some decent fishing opportunities, particularly for the 8-11 inch advanced fingerling brookies. For example, I interviewed five anglers at Barker Pond in Lyman on Saturday morning (1/25). Three had each caught a brookie, the fourth had caught 2 brookies, and the last angler managed to land 6 brookies including one of the larger fall yearlings (12-14 inches). Kids fishing Round Pond in Lyman are still having some great fishing, too. On Saturday I checked one of the regulars, and he had caught and released 9 brookies in a couple hours and kept a nice 13 incher. On Sunday I interviewed a young girl that was out for her first time with her mom and grandfather, and she had gotten her limit in about an hour. It’s great to see kids out there fishing, and having some fast action for trout!

Anglers at Ossippee Lake are picking up some brookies and salmon. We have also heard rumors of a few browns, but most that I have observed in hand have actually been misidentified brood salmon. The male salmon sometimes sport yellow coloration that most anglers associate with brown trout.

Kennebunk Pond anglers had their typical great one to two weeks of fishing, and now the fishing has slowed to a more typical pace. I spoke with one angler on Sunday that had caught and released several 13″ browns and had kept a 14″ brookie. He claims the fishing there has been really good this year, and his best catch was a 23″ 4 1/2 pound rainbow! A local camp owner said he witnessed a little boy pulling out a 4+ pound brood brookie on opening day, and exclaimed he’ll remember that day better than his first prom date!

Two observations I wanted to point out based on my survey experiences so far this season. First, on waters where we stock advanced fingerling brook trout (8-10″)…the intent is to create a put-and-take winter fishery with relatively fast fishing opportunities. On these waters we typically also stock a smaller number of 12-14″ brookies, and a handful of brood (2-4 pounders). These stockings have been very popular and have created trout fisheries on waters that saw little angling all winter. These programs have really helped to spread out use, while creating some new and popular fishing opportunities. However, anglers often release the smaller ones exclaiming “we’ll let those grow up,” but in reality most of these waters have limited summer quality and/or an abundance of predators that will prevent those brookies from holding over to older ages. While practicing catch-and-release on these put and take waters may allow you to fill your bag with one of the larger fish or allow the fish to be caught another day by yourself or another angler, don’t feel guilty if you want to keep a couple fish for a nice trout meal every now and then. Secondly, I had an angler fishing Barker Pond this past weekend in hopes of catching one of brood brookies. While it may occasionally happen this late in the season, if you want to catch one of the brood brookies then the old adage the early bird gets the worm holds true. Most of the large brood brookies are all caught and harvested within the first two weeks of the season. But don’t let that stop ya, there are still plenty of fish out there and our better waters yield a handful of trophies all season long. Good luck!

– James Pellerin, Assistant Regional Fishery Biologist, Gray

Region B — Sidney Belgrade Lakes Region

Some Anglers may refer to them as breeders, brood trout, or just “ large fish”. They are 3-year old brook trout, the trophy species for many winter anglers. After these large fish have been used as sources for eggs and milt in our hatcheries they are stocked into many lakes and ponds around the state. The purpose of stocking these retired brood is to provide an opportunity for an angler to harvest a larger than average size fish.

Brood brook trout commonly display brilliant red and orange colors and can be quite robust. Most retired brood fish will not have any missing fins. Fins that are missing are nothing more than normal wear and tear from an extended hatchery life. Female brood fish will not have many eggs left in their body cavities because they have been ‘stripped’ out prior to being stocked. These large 3-year-old brook trout can range in sizes from 17 to 19 inches and weigh up to 3.5 pounds.

Anglers can increase their chances in catching these brood fish by fishing close to shore in relatively shallow water. Boat landings are popular release sites for these retired fish and some of the fish tend to hang around where they were stocked. Brood fish “traditionally” will not last very long once the ice-fishing season begins. Most will be caught within the first few weeks of the season.

In addition to the brood fish, several tens of thousands of fall yearling brook trout have been stocked in many regional waters. These 2-year-old fall yearlings can range in sizes from 13 to 14 inches and weigh up to 1.5 pounds. Female fall yearlings can be full of eggs and will most likely be in the process of reabsorbing them. This absorption of eggs is nothing more than the fish not finding a suitable spawning site to deposit their eggs. A few hundred of these fish will be held over for one more year in the state’s hatchery system to replace this year’s brood. Once these fish play their roles in supplying eggs or milt, they also will be retired and stocked out the following fall. For local stocking locations of retired brood brook trout and fall yearling brook trout, go to the Maine fish and wildlife web site: www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/reports/stocking/index/htm.
– Scott Davis, Fisheries Specialist, Belgrade Lakes Region

Region C — Downeast

As we approach the end of the first month of the regular ice-fish season, biologists are reporting much improved ice thicknesses and traveling conditions on most Hancock and Washington County waters. Dangerous ice conditions still exist on the major portion of Tunk Lake, and extreme caution should still be used when venturing out Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake on Mount Desert Island.

Because of the previous week’s’ thinner ice and poor traveling conditions, overall angler use has been lower across the region, so there are still plenty of catchable fish for eager anglers. Remember that because of the very cold-water temperatures, the fish’s metabolism is slower, and many don’t feed as readily as they do in the openwater season. When they do feed, it’s generally in a small area and for the most part they do not travel great distances. Other trout and salmon that are more active feeders still do not travel great distances to feed, but rather feed in generally tight patterns in an area where they have regularly found food, these areas are known to anglers as “hot spots”. Anglers who find a combination of favored habitat and forage, may experience the fast action of what they call “hot spots”. But remember, once these so called “hot spots” on a lake have been fished hard, which generally occurs at the beginning of the season, the catchable trout and salmon have been handled, released, and/or harvested. Then the fishing in these locations slows down dramatically. Anglers who know and watch these areas the first few weeks of the season know when it’s time to move to a different spot on the lake. Try this and you will be rewarded.

Now that the easy access places on lakes and ponds have been fished, adventurous anglers should consider fishing some of the more remote backwoods trout ponds that are open to ice fishing. I recommend the follow waters:
 Rainbow Pond – T 10 SD
 Tilden Pond – T 10 SD
 Anderson Pond – T 10 SD
 Halfmile Pond – Amherst
 Keely Lake – Marshfield
 James Pond – Charlotte
 Lakewood Pond – Bar Harbor
 Bubble Pond – Bar Harbor
 Second Pond – Dedham
 Ackley Pond – Cutler
 Second Marks Lake – Marshfield
 Vining Lake – Cooper
 Goulding Lake – Robbinston
 Long Lake – Marion

Just a reminder that West Grand Lake in Washington County opens later this week on Feb. 1. If you haven’t fished this lake, you’re missing a treat as it has one of the most diverse cold-water fisheries in the region with terrific landlocked salmon, lake trout, lake whitefish and cusk fishing. It’s a 14,000-acre lake with generally good ice conditions. As always, use caution when venturing out on a lake for the first time this winter and be particularly cautious around inlets, outlets, points, island saddle areas, known spring holes and wind funnel areas.

Take a child fishing, good luck and be safe!
– Greg Burr, Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist, Jonesboro

Region D – Western Mountains

The early weeks of ice fishing are often characterized by fast fishing and thin ice. After a nice stretch of cold weather, however, the ice on western Maine lakes has thickened to 12-15 inches, allowing anglers to fish pretty much where they want. After the initial flurry of fast fishing the action inevitably slows down, with longer waits between flags. Still, we’re seeing good numbers of fish caught. Ethan Tracy recently checked a 31-inch, 8 pound lake trout at Pleasant Pond and Dave Howatt checked a number of salmon and lake trout at Clearwater Lake in Industry. Thanks to an abundance of smelt, the salmon there are nice and fat. Salmon fishing has also been good at Porter Lake in New Vineyard.

Other than checking ice fishermen, our winter days are largely taken up by entering and analyzing the information we collected the previous field season. We determine the ages of many of the fish we sample by “reading” scales (magnified scales have series of growth rings that yield their ages) and there are hundreds of them to be read every year. This and other information must be entered into regional and statewide data sets, and, using this information, we typically write a number of reports on individual waters each winter.

As an indication of the extent of data we’ve compiled, Dave Boucher, our landlocked salmon specialist, has information on more than 79,000 individual salmon (dating back to 1939!), and we also have information on more than 25,000 brook trout from around the state. These databases tell us how old the fish are, their lengths and weights, whether they are wild or stocked, and much more information. As an example of how we’re using this information, I’m currently looking at how brook trout growth and population age structure is affected by different regulations.

This winter we have written (or are in the process of writing) reports on movement of radio-tagged fish in the Magalloway River; updates on several stream restoration projects; the Rangeley Lake fishery; and the status of brook trout populations in a number of ponds throughout the region.
– Forrest Bonney, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Rangeley Region

Region E — Moosehead Lake

Last weekend’s First Annual Moosehead Lake Togue Derby was a tremendous success. We have had an over-abundance of small lake trout in the big lake for the past 15 years and they have severely reduced the number of smelts; which are critical to both salmon and lake trout growth. Although we have seen some improvements from time to time, we have not been able to reach our established goals for growth and average size for these prized gamefish. The derby was one of several strategies in our efforts to reduce the number of small lake trout in the lake in order to improve the forage base.

The Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce organized the derby with support from Greenville’s favorite NASCAR personality, Ricky Craven. The derby raised thousands of dollars for several charities including: The Children’s Miracle Network and the James Alleson Foundation. Some of the proceeds will also be dedicated to a Fisheries Enhancement/Internship program with the Natural Resource Education Center in Greenville (NREC). This cooperative program between NREC and the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will create college internships for fisheries management and research projects in the Moosehead Lake Region.

Nearly 500 derby entries were sold including many family tickets. There were a lot of kids on the ice this weekend taking advantage of the good weather, fast fishing, and liberal bag limits. This year’s first prize for the biggest fish was $1,500 and it went to Paul Thomas of Corinth with a very nice 8.29 lb lake trout. Second place went to James Bragdon with a 7.15 lb fish and third place went to Penny Hatch with a 4.03 lb fish. There also were over 60 prizes in the fish pool. Everything from hats to free pizzas to ice traps was up for grabs in this pool. Anglers received a ticket in the fish pool for each lake trout that was registered. A total of 2,024 lake trout were registered during the 2-day event. This is a great start at thinning down the togue.

Three big door prizes were drawn from the entry tickets and anglers did not have to register a fish to win. Thomas Reinheart of Hampden won the Grand Prize, very substantial ice fishing package donated by Indian Hill Trading Post. Jacob Hacket of Greenville Jct won second prize, a cedar deck donated by Moosehead Cedar Log Homes. Loriann Milligan of Peru won third prize, a 2-night stay at Evergreen Lodge.

It was a great weekend of family fun and fishing. The town was really bustling with activity. There were a lot of happy anglers on the lake, many who had never been to the lake. We saw anglers from as far away Vermont, Portland, and Augusta. The derby will help us meet our fishery goals for the lake. It will also provide funds for several great charities, including reinvesting some of the proceeds into the future fisheries management of the region. It created a very busy winter weekend for local businesses. It will provide future college students interested in natural resource management with an opportunity for an internship. There were many winners all around this weekend!

We want to thank Craig Watt and Bob Hamer of the Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce for adopting this project and really making it happen. They did a great job in a short period of time and exceeded all expectations. Many local businesses really stepped up and donated prizes for the derby. Thanks to Dan Legere of the Maine Guide Fly Shop, Brad and Maggie Scott of Moosehead Bait and Tackle, and others that volunteered to man the weigh-in stations all weekend. Finally, thanks to all the anglers that came to Moosehead Lake over the weekend. We hope to see you on the ice later this winter and again next year at the Second Annual Moosehead Lake Togue Derby.
– Tim Obrey, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Moosehead Lake Region

Region F — Penobscot

As the winter progresses, anglers are venturing forth throughout the region to their favorite fishing spots, and traveling conditions are always a topic. Specifically SLUSH! Slush is the bane of all ice anglers, as nothing can ruin your day faster than to have your sled and tag mired in a foot or more of it on your way to your fishing grounds. Patience, some ingenuity, a little help, and a strong back are the only things that matter when you’re in the soup. In our travels on regional lakes and ponds while checking anglers, we have encountered some pockets of slush on most every lake, but nothing too serious. However, the east shore of Schoodic Lake would be one area to avoid, if at all possible.

Anglers across the Region are reporting good to excellent landlocked salmon fishing. Some handsome fish from 2 to 4 pounds are showing up at Pleasant Pond in Island Falls, one of our premier salmon lakes. Other landlocked salmon lakes of interest include Duck Lake in T4 ND, Cold Stream Pond in Enfield & Lincoln, Schoodic Lake in Brownville, East Musquash Lake in Topsfield, Millinocket Lake in T1R8 WELS, and West Lake in T3 ND. Sebois Lake in T4R9 NWP is also producing some excellent salmon fishing for anglers, as well as splake in the 12 to 16 inch category.

Lake trout anglers at Cold Stream are finally able to set up in “togue water”, and it is starting to pay off for some. Fast fishing for lake trout from 16 to 22 inches seems to be the norm for experienced anglers. Schoodic Lake in Lakeview and Brownville, probably the Regions best togue lake, has started giving up some fat 3 to 6 pound fish.
– Nels Kramer, Assistant Regional Fishery Biologist, Penobscot Region

Region G – Aroostook County

The past two weekends have been spent in the headwaters of the Aroostook River surveying anglers at Millinocket and Millimagassett Lakes. These two lakes lie physically in the Enfield region but because they flow north, the sport fishery is managed out of Ashland. Most anglers are accessing these lakes from the Huber Road. Whereas landowner relations with sportsmen are a hot button topic, the Huber Company should be acknowledged for their effort to plow several areas along their main trucking road that are affording anglers the opportunity to safely park on this busy land management road.

In conducting this survey, we have received the cooperation of the Bureau of Parks and Lands to stay at their camp on Scraggly Lake while on official business. Personnel from the Enfield region are also surveying waters in the immediate area, so each weekend is an opportunity to share time with coworkers that would not ordinarily be available. The groomed snowsled trails going north and south from the Scraggly camp make for great traveling to the lakes – our thanks to the volunteers who are running the groomer to maintain these trails in great condition. This past weekend it was excellent travel conditions.

Several deer were observed walking or crossing the trails and one one Millimagassett Lake was bedded down on the snow, enjoying the warmth of the sun. A fox on Millimagassett Lake was making visits to two parties and was enjoying a feed of smelts that were being tossed his way. These were much favored over triscuits. I would consider a mature fox with its striking red coat, offset with the black legs and white tip of the tail, as one of the most handsome creatures in the Maine woods.
Unfortunately, the wildlife viewing was more active than the fishing – no doubt offset by the full moon during the week. A few togue, trout and a handful of smelts were measured at Millimagassett Lake on Saturday and a few salmon and a splake were seen at Millinocket Lake. Millimagassett Lake affords the opportunity to fish for togue, salmon, brook trout and smelts. The sport fishery in Millinocket Lake is primarily for salmon and splake.
– David J. Basley, Regional Fishery Biologist, Ashland

Posted by Tom Remington

Region A—Southwestern Maine

The ice fishing forecast for southern Maine is excellent! Early ice, beefed up catchable trout stocking programs, and new stocking and management programs should offer even better winter angling in southern Maine than previous years.

Winter-like temperatures have prevailed through the month of December and except for the largest-area lakes, most smaller- to medium-size ponds are supporting some ice. Persistent snow storms, however, likely have reduced some early opportunities for thick black-ice formation before the traditional start to the ice fishing season on Jan. 1. But unless prevailing freezing temperatures in recent weeks change dramatically before Jan. 1st, we are likely to have more “opening day” ice than the recent past few years. Early ice conditions already have allowed anglers to experience some good trout fishing on smaller, shallower ponds, including waters which are open under the county-wide “Class A” designation. Under this county designation, anglers now may catch and keep gamefish, including trout, from the time of ice formation. Some stocked waters where trout can taken from the time of ice formation include: Otter Pond No. 2 and No. 4 (Standish); Knight Pond (South Berwick); Symmes Pond (Newfield); and Adams-Rock Haven Pond (Newfield).

Anglers should be aware of additional statewide regulation changes this season. Among the changes: the minimum length on bass has been lowered from 12 to 10 inches, and fishing is no longer restricted to daytime hours, thus anglers are allowed under general law to fish all hours of the day and night.

Significant stocking this fall including adult retired hatchery brood, and 12- to 14-inch fall yearling brook trout will provide a greater number of fish – and bigger fish — in many of our stocked waters. Most waters that received fall yearling brook trout prior to 2006 were stocked at higher levels in 2006-2007 due to increased production. In fact, our fall yearling brook trout stocking program has more than tripled since 2000. Additional increases in this popular fall stocking program are planned for the future, made possible by the renovation of the Emden State Hatchery using funds provided by a bond referendum several years ago.

Some of the stocking increases this year will occur in our “catchable brook trout” study waters, which are part of a statewide research project to assess angler returns of stocked fall yearling brook trout. During this 3-year study anglers will note an elevated level of stocking fall yearling brook trout in the following study waters: Bear Pond (Waterford); Keoka Lake (Waterford); Keewaydin Lake (Stoneham); Sabbathday Lake (New Gloucester); and Crystal Lake (Gray). Biologists and clerks will be conducting winter angler surveys on these waters, and anglers are requested to note any missing fins on trout that are kept or released, as this information will be asked during the survey. Also, approximately 475 brood brook trout (2½ pounds-plus), 190 brood landlocked salmon (2-3pounds), and 225 brood brown trout (3 pounds) were retired from Maine’s hatchery system and stocked in southern Maine. These large fish always are well received by anglers. For a complete list of waters stocked check out the Department’s web site (www.mefishwildlife.com).

A number of winter brook trout fisheries occur where habitat is not suitable to sustain a year round trout fishery, but where fall and winter temperatures support stocking of legal size fish to create winter-spring fisheries. Examples of successful winter-spring brook trout fisheries include: Worthley Pond (Poland); Barker Pond (Lyman); Otter Pond No. 2 (Standish); Littlefield Pond (Sanford); Hobbs Pond (Norway); Knights Pond (South Berwick); Cold Rain (Naples); Halls Pond (Paris); and Silver Lake (Phippsburg); and Sprague Pond (Phippsburg). These waters are fished hard the first few weeks of the season, but often boast high catch rates. Some of these waters continue to offer good fishing throughout the entire winter season.

A new stocking program that was started last winter for kids only is under way. Round Pond (Lyman) is open to youth only during the winter. This small pond is owned by York County Fish and Game, who have partnered with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to create the only exclusively youth winter fishing opportunity in southern Maine. Beefed up MDIF&W fall stocking is intended to provide some exciting action and help promote youth fishing. The pond was fished lightly last winter and as expected good fishing was had by those few who participated. We would encourage youth anglers to experience this unique fishery in southern Maine.

The top picks for great lake trout action remain consistent over the last few years, including Great East Lake (Acton), Sebago Lake (Naples) and Thompson Lake (Otisfield). All three waters will offer good catches of 16- to 22-inch togue, with Sebago being the most consistent producer of trophies each year. The lake trout found in Sebago are even fatter than last year, with reported increases in average size quality. In fact, togue exceeding 23 inches were commonly reported by anglers in 2007. The largest catches of lake trout are usually taken by jigging, and this technique is particularly effective on Sebago and Thompson lakes.

The best winter prospects for large salmon (over 4 pounds) are Trickey Pond (Naples), Bryant Pond (Woodstock) and South Pond (Greenwood), but the fishing for salmon is generally very slow on these waters. Most other regional waters open to winter salmon fishing offer higher catch rates, including some of the less fished waters like Long Lake (Naples/Harrison), Panther Pond (Raymond), and Kezar Lake (Lovell), although the fishing on these waters appears to have increased in recent years.

Increased availability of brood salmon have allowed for the creation of some relatively new salmon fishing opportunities in waters marginally suited for salmon. Most of the retired salmon brood was stocked in Little Ossipee Lake (Waterboro), Thomas Pond (Casco), Tripp Lake (Poland), Mousam Lake (Acton), Presumpscot River (Windham), Pennesseewassee Lake (Norway), and Highland Lake (Windham). We are also in the second year of a new salmon program using larger fall yearling stocked salmon on Keoka Lake (Waterford). This stocking program will largely benefit winter anglers, but some carry-over to the open water fishery is anticipated.

Splake enthusiasts will find fast action, but heavy fishing pressure on Bryant Pond (Woodstock) and Trickey Pond (Naples). In addition, a new splake stocking program was initiated on Bear Pond (Waterford), where larger 14-inche splake were stocked for the first time last fall to create faster fishing for ice anglers. This stocking program has produced successful fisheries at Big Wood Pond and Squa Pan Lake, both located in northern Maine.

Brown trout anglers have no shortage of waters to fish. With the exception of the more popular fisheries, like Sabbathday Lake (New Gloucester), Middle/Upper Range Ponds (Poland), Worthley Pond (Peru), Hancock Pond (Denmark), and Square Pond (Shapleigh), many of the approximately 35 regional brown trout waters will receive little fishing pressure even though these waters offer quality fish. Sampling undertaken the past several years continues to indicate the presence of a high percentage of fish between 3 and 6 pounds, although densities are generally low. So get away from the crowds and check out some of the those ponds you don’t hear about. But be patient. Brown trout are not known for fast fishing yet they are some of the largest fish caught in the region each year.

The 225 brood brown trout retired this past fall were stocked in four rivers open to year-round fishing. Those are the Mousam River, Ogunquit River, Royal River and Presumpscot River, as well as Mousam and Little Ossipee lakes.

A small rainbow trout stocking program is providing some relatively new fishing opportunities in southern Maine. In addition to continued stocking of rainbows in most waters that have been experimentally stocked over the last 5 to 6 years, new stockings this past fall will provide rainbow trout winter action on Stanley Pond (Porter), Norway Lake (Norway), and Forrest Lake (Canton) this winter. Little Ossipee Lake (Waterboro) also will be stocked, but not until spring.

For those that still like to open water fish throughout the winter, there are several year-round river fishing opportunities in the region that have been enhanced under beefed up fall stocking programs. These waters include the entire Presumpscot River, the Saco River (particularly below Skelton Dam and Hiram Dam), and the lower Royal River (below Elm Street). Additional open water trout fishing opportunities continue to increase in popularity on some tidewater rivers, including the Mousam River (Kennebunk), Ogunquit River (Wells), and Salmon Falls River (South Berwick). We are requesting anglers to provide fishing information on these three stocked tidewater rivers. To help get this collection effort done, we have posted angler survey boxes at streamside angler access locations, have recruited some anglers to keep personal fishing logbooks, and have provided area tackle shops with personal fishing logbooks. This information will be used to support improved management of the three tidal rivers and possibly future program expansions.

– Francis Brautigam, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Gray

Region B – Central Maine

In a few short days, the day that is perceived to be the traditional opening of the ice-fishing season will arrive on Jan.1. In reality, anglers have had the opportunity to fish through the ice in numerous lakes and ponds throughout the region for a while now. These waters are identified in the regulations booklet as “A” waters, while those that open on January 1 are “B” waters. “A” waters are open to fishing for all fish from the time ice forms until March 31. Be advised that some waters have special regulations or limited seasons. Others may be closed to ice fishing. For example, Echo Lake in Fayette is open for ice fishing during January and February only and is restricted to two lines (5 are allowed at night for cusk only) and a one fish limit for salmon and togue. Be sure to check your regulations booklet before you head out, wherever you plan to fish.

Again this year, our hatchery staff has done a stellar job in stocking out over 55,000 fish for winter angling opportunities. Below are some examples of where those fish found homes: Big Indian Pond (Saint Albans) 500 brook trout; Wassokeag Lake (Dexter) 500 brook trout; Cobbossee Lake (Manchester) 1,000 brook trout; Alford Lake (Hope) 250 brown trout; Quantabacook Lake (Searsmont) 500 brown trout; Hosmer Pond (Camden) 100 brown trout; Sheepscot Pond (Palermo) 500 brook trout; Maranacook Lake (Winthrop), 500 brook trout; Lake George (Canaan) 400 rainbow trout; Unity Pond (Unity) 1,200 brown trout; Damariscotta Lake (Jefferson) 60 brook trout (brood); Messalonskee Lake (Oakland) 500 brook trout; East Pond (Smithfield) 250 brook trout; Nequasset Lake (Woolwich) 400 rainbow trout; Three Mile Pond (China) 600 brown trout; Washington Pond (Washington) 600 brown trout; Great Moose Lake (Hartland) 40 brook trout (brood); Megunticook Lake (Lincolnville) 1,000 rainbow trout; Garland Pond (Garland) 10 brook trout (brood).

Please note that the above list is just a small sampling of what is out there for winter fishing opportunities. Also note that I’ve included some ponds on the list that were stocked with retired brood brook trout. These fish are in the 3-pound range and they are always hungry. Almost 1,200 fish of this size were stocked in 44 different waters this fall in addition to our scheduled stocking.

With the recent cold weather, some ice formed quickly, especially on the smaller ponds. But the frequent snows we’ve had recently have insulated the existing ice cover and slowed down freezing. Many lakes and ponds have a deceptive mantle of snow covering what may be unsafe ice thicknesses. Always check for adequate ice conditions before venturing on any body of water. There is some terrific information on judging ice conditions on Page 46 of your regulation booklet. Use it, but use your own good common sense to guide you too.

The long and the short of it is that there are lots of fish waiting to be caught! It promises to be exciting winter fishing around the Mid-coast Region.

– Robert Van-Riper, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Sidney

Region C — Downeast

Finally, Maine experiences a real winter, complete with early-season ice and plenty of snow! Winter anglers who lamented the warm January temperatures and lack of early ice in recent years are excited and ready to pursue their favorite sportfish. So test out your ice auger, register your snowmobiles and ATVs, change your leaders, and prepare to enjoy winter in Maine.
Many of the lakes discussed above have special fishing regulations. Be sure to consult your ice fishing law book for applicable regulations on the lake you plan to fish.

Finally, a new regulation adopted for this ice fishing season permits night-time ice fishing under the following regulation: “Except as otherwise provided by rule, all waters open to ice fishing are open to ice fishing 24 hours a day. All lines must be under the immediate supervision of the person who set them.”

If you intend to fish in Hancock or Washington County, here are some good spots to fish:

Brook trout
 Keene’s Lake (Calais). In addition to annual fall stockings of 6- to 8-inch trout and 150 fall yearling trout averaging 11 inches, Keene’s was stocked with 40 16-inch retired brood stock trout averaging 1.7 pounds.

 Goulding Lake (Robbinston). Expect good action on 6- to 11-inch trout with some larger individuals.

 Indian Lake (Whiting). In addition to annual fall stockings of 6- to 11-inch trout, Indian Lake was stocked with 35 16-inch retired brood stock trout.

 Keeley Lake (Northfield). This small pond is a good place to escape from the wind as much of it is narrow with high banks. Catch rates can be good for both brook trout and splake. Brook trout stocked this fall ranged from 6 to 11 inches. Keeley is located about a mile from the closest paved road.

 Montegail Pond (T 19 MD). This pond is popular with anglers from Cherryfield to East Machias for its good catch rate on 6- to 11-inch trout plus an occasional larger fish.

 Rainbow Pond (T 10 SD). Located a mile west of Tunk Lake, this remote trout pond is difficult to reach. Because of its location, it is only lightly fished, yielding some nice trout.

 Anderson Pond (T 10 SD). Anderson Pond is a new stocking of 6- to 8-inch fall fingerling trout. It was stocked in 2006 and 2007. This remote pond requires some determination to access, but could provide some surprises. We would appreciate angler reports (207-434-5925) from those who fish it this winter to help us evaluate the success of this introductory stocking.

 Blunts Pond (Lamoine). Blunts Pond is a new stocking of 12- to 14-inch fall yearling brook trout. Anglers should try this easily accessible small pond.

 Jacob Buck Pond (Bucksport). Anglers who catch one of the 50 retired brood stock brook trout averaging over 2 pounds will be pleasantly surprised.

 Lower Hadlock Pond (Mount Desert). In addition to annual fall stockings of 6- to 11-inch trout, Lower Hadlock was stocked with 25 retired brood stock trout that averaged 16 inches.

 Echo Lake (Mount Desert). Echo Lake is expected to provide good action for trout. Fishing is restricted to two lines and 2 trout. Trout must be 12 inches or larger, and no more than one can exceed 14 inches.

 Round Pond (Mount Desert). In addition to its regular stocking of legal-sized fall yearling brook trout averaging 11 inches, Round Pond was stocked with 25 retired brood stock brook trout averaging 2-plus pounds.

 Craig Pond (Orland). In addition to annual fall stockings of 6- to 11-inch trout, Craig Pond was stocked with 50 retired brood stock trout that averaged 16-plus inches. An additional 30 retired brood stock salmon will provide additional action.

Landlocked salmon
 Cathance Lake (Cooper and Plantation No. 14). Cathance is a perennial favorite among salmon anglers for larger fish with a chance to catch a wild trout.

 Nash’s Lake (Calais). In addition to its regular salmon fishery, 30 retired broodstock salmon from the Grand Lake Stream Hatchery were stocked here late in the fall.

 Gardner Lake (East Machias). Salmon growth and catch rates have improved.

 Schoodic Lake (Cherryfield). Located in the blueberry barrens, this lake is lightly fished in the winter so could yield some surprise catches.

 Big Lake (T 27 ED). Big Lake is a popular winter salmon lake, especially in the early season. Each fall, many spawned-out salmon from Grand Lake Stream drop down into Big Lake for the winter, often providing fast action. Consult your lawbook for a description of a section near the mouth of Grand Lake Stream that is closed to fishing.

 Tunk Lake (T 10 SD). Knowledgeable anglers know that Tunk has a 16- to 20-inch protected slot limit where no salmon may be harvested, so there is a chance for a real beauty when fish over 20 inches are caught. Catch rate is slow, but the lake also has a fast catch rate on togue.

 Green Lake (Dedham and Ellsworth). Green Lake is always popular with anglers who want to fish for salmon with an additional option of a chunky togue.

 Long Pond (Mount Desert Island). Fall trap netting indicated that salmon growth has rebounded in response to two stockings of smelt eggs by biologists. Anglers should be pleased with the improvement in growth.

 Eagle Lake (Bar Harbor). We expect a steady fishery for average-sized salmon this winter at Eagle Lake.

 Craig Pond (Orland). Thirty retired broodstock salmon from the Grand Lake Stream Hatchery were stocked here late in the fall and will provide action for larger salmon.

 Brewer Lake (Orrington). Salmon growth has improved following transfer of smelt eggs in recent years. Some larger salmon will be caught here this winter from a late fall stocking of 30 retired broodstock salmon from the Grand Lake Stream Hatchery.

 West Grand, Grand Lake Stream Plantation. West Grand has a delayed opening of Feb. 1. We expect good action for salmon this winter due to increased stockings during each of the past three years. With additional fisheries for togue, lake whitefish and cusk, anglers will enjoy the variety of species they may catch.

Lake trout (togue)
 Beech Hill Pond (Otis). Anglers have a chance at fairly fast action when they fish for togue at Beech Hill.

 Green Lake (Dedham and Ellsworth). Green Lake is one of eastern Maine’s most popular fisheries for fat, chunky togue of above-average size. Anglers should note that the minimum length on togue at Green Lake has been changed to 23 inches to create a higher quality fishery in this lake that has demonstrated the potential to grow fat, large togue.

 Toddy Pond (Orland). Anglers have a chance at fairly fast action.

 Tunk Lake (T 10- SD). Tunk has a very abundant population of stunted togue, and anglers are strongly encouraged to harvest their limit.

 West Grand (Grand Lake Stream Plantation). Biologists weighed, measured and examined numerous togue at West Grand during the past year. Fish condition (fatness) has declined, so anglers are encouraged to harvest togue here in an attempt to reduce the population and improve fish condition.

Brown trout
 Round Pond (Charlotte). Brown trout grow very well here by feeding heavily on abundant juvenile yellow perch.

 Pennamaquan Lake (Charlotte). Located just downstream of Round Pond, brown trout grow very well here also by feeding heavily on abundant juvenile yellow perch.

 Jones Pond (Gouldsboro). This pond is popular with coastal anglers for its variety of fish species.

 Flanders Pond (Sullivan). This pond also is popular with coastal anglers for its variety of fish species.

 Lower Hadlock Pond (Mount Desert). Biologists expect an improvement in this brown trout fishery based on a return to stocking fall yearling brown trout instead of spring yearlings, which had not produced acceptable catches.

 Spring River Lake (T 10 SD). Spring River Lake is one of eastern Maine’s best producers of larger brown trout.

 Walker Pond (Brooksville). Walker Pond has yielded the largest brown trout (greater than 11 pounds) in the Hancock-Washington County region. Stocking has been suspended for two years due to loss of public access, but for anglers who can find a way to access the lake, there still are some large fish. Both the Department and the townspeople are working to provide future public access so stocking can resume at this important lake.

 Upper Lead Mountain Pond (T 28 MD). Brown trout have performed better here than salmon, which were previously stocked, because brown trout feed on a wider variety of forage than was used by salmon.

Splake
 Jacob Buck Pond (Bucksport). Located close to the population center of Bucksport, this easily accessible pond has been a consistent producer of attractive 12- to 18-inch splake, along with a variety of other species in the catch.

 Fitts Pond (Clifton). This small pond produces some very attractive splake during most winters.

 Lower Springy Pond (Otis). Splake feed heavily on smelts and juvenile white perch here, producing some above-average sized splake. In addition, 35 retired brook trout broodstock averaging 16-plus inches were stocked late in the fall.

 Mopang Lake (T 29 MD). This highly picturesque lake is one of our best large splake producers, along with yielding some average-sized salmon.

 Pleasant River Lake (Beddington). Located just south of Mopang Lake, Pleasant River Lake has been a consistent producer of attractive splake, along with occasional salmon. Thirty retired broodstock salmon from the Grand Lake Stream Hatchery were stocked here late in the fall.

 Second Lake Old Stream (T 37 MD). Located far from paved roads, Second Lake is one of our best producers of splake.

 Keeley Lake (Marshfield). Keeley has not produced large splake, but its action is consistent for a small lake.

Chain pickerel
Great Pond (Great Pond Township); Eddington Pond (Eddington); Spectacle Pond (Osborn); Seal Cove Pond (Tremont); Upper Patten Pond (Orland); Fields Pond (Orrington); Lower and Middle Lead Mountain ponds (T 28 MD); Rocky Pond (T 22 MD); Scammon Pond (Eastbrook); Beddington Lake (Beddington); Patrick Lake (Marion); Rocky Lake (Whiting); and Hadley Lake (East Machias).

White perch
Bog Lake (Northfield); First, Second and Third Chain lakes (T 26 ED); Boyden Lake (Perry); Second Gardner Lake (Marion); Georges Pond (Franklin); Clifford Lake (T 26 ED); Jones Pond (Gouldsboro); Graham Lake (Waltham); Brewer Lake (Orrington); Alamoosook Lake (Orland); and Pierce Pond (Penobscot).
– Rick Jordan, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Downeast Region

Region D – Western Mountains

The big news in western Maine this year is that thanks to expansion of the Embden hatchery we’ve stocked lots of fish for ice fisherman to catch. Also, we have a new lake open to ice fishing.

First the stockings — these are all fall yearling fish, which means that they’re nearly 2 years old when stocked this fall and generally are in the 12- to 14-inch range. The stocking locations are: Clearwater Lake (Industry0 1,500 brook trout; Embden Lake (Embden) 1,000 brook trout; Haley Pond (Dallas Plantation) 450 brook trout; Hancock Pond (Embden) 800 brook trout and 200 salmon; Lufkin Pond (Avon) 200 splake; Oaks Pond (Skowhegan) 300 splake; Smith Pond (Brighton Plantation) 400 brook trout and 400 brown trout; Webb Lake (Weld) 3,300 brook trout and 1,300 brown trout; Wentworth Pond (Solon) 450 splake; Wesserunsett Lake (Madison) 2,200 brook trout and 2,200 brown trout; Wilson Pond (Wilton) 1,100 brook trout; and Wyman Lake (Moscow) 2,500 splake.

In addition to these fall yearling fish, we’ve stocked even bigger brook trout (retired brook fish) in a number of waters: 50 in Porter Lake, 50 in Clearwater, 75 in Wilson, 30 in Crowell Pond, New Sharon, and 30 in Norcross Pond, Chesterville.

Pleasant Pond in Caratunk is open to ice fishing for the first time this year per Group B with a liberal limit on lake trout. The daily bag limit on togue is five fish and minimum length limit on togue is 14 inches. Other regulations in effect are S-4 (use or possession of live fish as bait is prohibited) and S-19 (daily limit on trout: 2 fish). Because it has been closed to ice fishing until this year, anglers aren’t familiar with the lake. It is deep and will take a while to safely freeze over. So if you fish there be very careful. Also, be aware that the town has implemented a parking ban on town roads near Pleasant Pond.

Please note the following error in the new ice fishing law book: Weeks Pond (also known as Smith Pond) in Brighton Plantation in Somerset County was inadvertently omitted but it is open to ice fishing per Group B, as it has been for many years. And, as noted above, we’ve stocked a total of 400 fish there this fall for the ice fishing season.

Look for biologists Dave Boucher, Dave Howatt, and Ethan Tracy who will be checking anglers on the following waters this winter: Clearwater Lake, Porter Lake, Oaks Pond, Wentworth, and Pleasant Pond.

— Forrest Bonney, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Strong

Region E — Moosehead Lake Region

Well Ole Man Winter arrived on time this year for a change. Exactly one year ago, you could walk across the grass lawn and throw a canoe into Moosehead Lake, but today we are back on schedule for a normal winter. The Greenville cove froze the last week of November and the lake is slowly making ice. As always, anglers should take care when venturing out this winter especially over the deeper areas of the lake, which are the last to freeze. We also have been blessed with a couple early snowstorms, so the snowmobiling should be excellent in the Moosehead Lake Region in the new year. You can get weekly updates on the status of the riding at http://www.mooseheadriders.org.

Smaller ponds in the region like Brann’s Mill Pond, Harlow Pond, Fitzgerald Pond and Prong Pond are now open for business for those anglers interested in catching a few early fish. All of these ponds were stocked in October with 12- to 14-inch brook trout, and early reports indicate anglers are getting out on the ice in December.

Kids should give Drummond Pond in Abbot a try this winter. This is the first winter the pond is open and this little gravel pit pond is exclusively for kids under age 16. We stocked the pond in October with brook trout so the fishing should be good. We would like to thank the “elves” that are keeping the parking lot plowed this winter. We appreciate the effort to keep everyone safely off Route 15.

We do have a couple big changes for this winter in the Moosehead Lake Region that anglers should be aware of. First, we have significantly liberalized the bag limits on lake trout on Moosehead Lake. For the past 15 years or so, we have seen the number of small lake trout increase dramatically in the lake. As a result, we have seen a decline in the forage base, primarily smelts, as the number of predators increased. There have been peaks and valleys in growth but we have not been able to maintain our goals for growth for either togue or salmon. Recent data indicate another wave of small lake trout entering the fishery. In an effort to be proactive, we have implemented a no-size or bag limit on lake trout less than 18 inches starting this winter. We also have increased the bag limit on lake trout over 18 inches from one fish to two fish. We encourage anglers to remove as many of the smaller lake trout as possible. We simply cannot feed them and the quicker we remove them, the quicker the recovery will be. We hope these new, very liberal regulations will be a short-term endeavor.

The Moosehead Lake Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring its first Moosehead Lake Togue Ice Fishing Derby with Ricky Craven this winter, which it hopes will become an annual event. The weekend fishing derby is scheduled for Jan. 26-27. This derby will help us reach our management goal of removing lake trout from the lake and raise money for some local and national charities. There will be cash prizes for the 3 biggest lake trout. Contestants also will get a ticket for each small fish they bring in, for entry in a drawing for other prizes. You can check out the Chamber’s webpage to learn more at: http://www.mooseheadlake.org. So come out and enjoy the wilderness setting of Moosehead Lake, assist us in managing the lake, and help raise a few dollars for some of Ricky’s favorite charities.

For those anglers who just can’t seem to put away the fly rod, then you may want to give the East Outlet a try this winter. The section from the dam down to the Beach Pool will be open for catch and release fishing starting on Jan.1. This is a great stretch of river for salmon and brook trout fishing. Be careful getting into the water this time of year. You can expect shell-ice and deep snow along the river.

– Tim Obrey, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Greenville

Region F — Penobscot Region

With several weeks of cold weather and snow already behind us, the upcoming ice fishing season should get off to a good start. Here are just some of the opportunities for ice fishing enthusiasts:

Kids Only Ponds:
Kids 15 and younger have several opportunities to be the star of the show, with some assistance from mom and dad when needed, of course. Pickerel Pond located at the Maine Youth Fish and Game Club beside the Stud Mill Road near Milford, Little Round Pond in Lincoln, Jerry Pond in Millinocket, Rock Crusher Pond in Island Falls and Harris Pond in Milo are all kids only ponds that the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife stocks several times throughout the year with brook trout. In fact, all of these ponds recently received supplemental stockings of fall yearling brook trout ranging from 10 to 14 inches long, as well as retired brood stock ranging from 14 to 18 inches long this past fall.

Coldwater Sport Fish:
 Schoodic Lake (Brownville, Milo and Lakeview Plantation): Schoodic Lake continues its remarkable recovery from the poor fishing of the late 1980s and early 1990s, and is once again a premier destination point for anglers in search of quality lake trout (togue) and landlocked salmon. A new regulation for this season will allow anglers to keep two togue as part of their daily limit, but only one can be over 23 inches in length. The intent of the new regulation is to protect some of the larger togue in the lake while still allowing angers to take two togue home with them if they would like. The Department’s effort to restore the smelt forage base in the lake over the past decade continues to benefit salmon and our trapnetting results from last fall indicate that Schoodic is prime to give up some nice fish this winter (and potentially a trophy or two). Salmon trapnetted last fall averaged over 3 pounds in weight, and the largest was over 7 pounds!

 Cold Stream Pond (Enfield, Lincoln and Lowell): Growth of landlocked salmon at Cold Stream Pond remains very good, as they have responded well to the liberalized bag limit of lake trout (Daily limit: 5 lake trout, 14 inches) and reduced stocking rate of salmon, which has helped reduce the forage pressure on smelt in the lake. While catch rates of salmon may be a bit slow, anglers often find this an acceptable trade-off considering the potential size quality of the fish. Those looking to mix-it-up a bit should put a few lines on bottom in deeper water for togue. Togue in Cold Stream Pond typically range in size from 2 to 4 pounds, however the lake is known to occasionally give up a lunker of 15 pounds or greater. Anglers should set their lines with live bait a foot off bottom in water depths of 20 feet or more. An alternative and often preferred way to fish for togue is to lay a dead bait right on the bottom. It also helps to smash the bait up a bit before threading it on the hook, which will help disperse the scent.

 East Grand Lake (Danforth, Forest City, Orient and Weston): The landlocked salmon fishing at East Grand in recent years has been on the downside due to poor smelt survival and potential negative impacts of illegally introduced landlocked alewife into the system. In response, the Department has been decreasing the number of salmon it stocks in recent years to allow the smelt population a chance to rebound. Recent assessments of salmon growth at East Grand suggest that the strategy is beginning to work and salmon are improving in size. The trade off will be lower catch rates of salmon for a few years until smelt populations recover and salmon stocking is increased. On the other hand, the lake trout fishery at East Grand has recently become very popular both for the size of fish being caught and for the number of fish being reported by anglers.

Some of the other landlocked salmon waters in the region known to provide good action for quality sized salmon include:
 The Jo-Mary’s (Upper, Middle, and Lower), Millinocket Lake and the Pemadumcook Chain of lakes, all just north and west of the town of Millinocket;

 Pleasant Lake (Island Falls) and Deering Lake (Weston) both have the reputation of producing some of the fattest salmon in the Penobscot Region;

 East Musquash Lake, Pleasant Lake (Kossuth), Junior Lake, and Lower and Upper Sysladobsis (Dobsie) lakes can all be accessed off Route 6 running east from Lincoln to Topsfield;

 Finally West, Duck, Spring and Nicatous lakes east of the town of Burlington are known for fast action, especially early on in the season.

Anglers should keep these waters in mind later in the season as well when fishing pressure tends to decline.

Some of the other lake trout waters worth a try include: Millinocket, Ambajesus, Pemadumcook, Lower Jo-Mary, and First and Third Debsconeag lakes.

Matagamon Lake near the north entrance to Baxter State Park has a new regulation in place for this season, allowing anglers to keep a total of three togue daily from 14 to 18 inches in length, one of which may be over 18 inches. We encourage anglers to keep these smaller togue when they catch them, as we are trying to thin some of the stockpiled smaller fish from the lake and hope to see an improvement in growth of togue in the future. Matagamon also has self-sustaining populations of landlocked salmon and brook trout, so anglers will want to stagger their traps both along the shoreline and in the deeper waters to take advantage of the multiple opportunities.

Other Opportunities:
There currently are four waters stocked with splake, a hybrid species created by crossing lake trout and brook trout. Splake generally are stocked in lakes and ponds with water quality capable of supporting a cold water fishery, but for various reasons the traditional principal coldwater species (landlocked salmon, brook trout, and lake trout) managed by the Department have performed poorly. Splake resemble either lake trout or brook trout in appearance, or something in between, so all splake stocked in Region F waters are fin clipped prior to stocking to reduce confusion with other species that may inhabit these lakes (mainly brook trout). Splake waters include Lower Togue Pond, Cedar Lake, West Seboeis Lake and Endless Lake.

Nicatous Lake is the only lake in the region currently stocked with brown trout. There have been mixed reviews over the years concerning the success of this fishery due to the low catch rates, but our assessments have shown that Nicatous has the ability to produce some nice fish. Recently, salmon have been stocked in the lake in addition to brown trout, so anglers heading to Nicatous should carefully inspect their catch to ensure correct species identification (see page 40 of the 2008 Ice Fishing Regulation book for a guide to identification of brown trout versus landlocked salmon).

Finally, the region has a tremendous amount of opportunity for those in pursuit of warm water game fish (pickerel, perch, bass). Often these species are considered second fiddle to coldwater species, but in my opinion there’s nothing better than a fry of fresh perch, or even pickerel, when prepared correctly. Just a few of the warm water lakes in the region include: Chemo, Pushaw, Mattamiscontis, South Branch, Saponac, Dolby Flowage, Number 3 Pond, Baskahegan Lake, and most of the lakes in the town of Lincoln including Mattanawcook, Crooked, Folsom, Center, Caribou, Egg, and Cambolasse.

New Opportunity:
Molunkus Lake in the Aroostook County towns of Molunkus and Macwahoc was stocked this fall with nearly 1,000 fall yearling brook trout ranging is size from 10 to 14 inches. Biologists have attempted to establish a coldwater fishery in the lake for years, stocking both landlocked salmon and brown trout, but with little success. Fall yearling brook trout have done fairly well at other lakes around the region in recent years, and may provide an acceptable fishery at Molunkus as well. We will monitor the lake during this winter to assess catch rates and determine the success of our efforts. The lake also supports healthy populations of warm water game fish including white perch, pickerel and small-mouth bass.

– Richard Dill, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Bangor

Region G – Aroostook County

The region has been covered in a deep blanket of snow which has been great for snowmobiling, but it has added an insulating layer to ice forming on the lakes. Fortunately, we have been experiencing cold air temperatures that over time will add to ice thickness for the Jan. 1 start of the 2008 ice fishing season. We have heard reports of slush forming on some of the larger lakes from the weight of the snow. Anglers venturing onto a lake for the first time will want to consider unhooking tote sleds to check travel conditions and make a path to their destination for easier going with their load of gear.

New regulations have been implemented for this upcoming season, and the new ice fishing law book should be required reading prior to any fishing trip this winter.

Except as provided by rule, all waters are now open to ice fishing 24 hours a day. All lines must be under the immediate supervision of the person who set them. The exception being that all lines set at night for cusk must be visited at least once every hour by the person who set them. On page 10 of the law book are three new entries that define ice fishing, an ice fishing device and an ice fishing trap. The definition of illegal fishing, also on page 10, notes that the restriction to fish other than by the use of a single pointed hook and line does not apply to smelt fishing. Also eliminated was the regulation that allowed night fishing using 3 hooks per line, hooks not to be less than 4 inches apart.

Anglers in southern Aroostook now will be able to fish for smelts at night at Drew’s and Nickerson lakes. Drew’s Lake also has received a stocking of fall yearling splake that should make for great fishing at the start of the season. The togue regulation at Nickerson Lake has been changed to allow the taking of 3 togue with a minimum length limit of 14 inches; only 1 may exceed 18 inches.

In central Aroostook, Squa Pan Lake continues to be a popular destination for the splake and smelt fishery. Fall yearling brook trout have been stocked in Arnold Brook Lake. This has been a disappointing fishery the past few years but this easily accessible lake might be a good destination early in the year.

Smelt anglers that routinely fish Long, Cross, Square and Eagle Lakes for smelts from Jan. 1-14 should be aware that this fishery still is limited to night fishing from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise. There is no limit on the number of hooks per line. From Jan. 15-March 15, fishing is allowed for all fish 24 hours a day.

At Eagle Lake in the Fish River Chain, the daily bag limit on togue now is 6 fish with a minimum length limit of 14 inches; only 1 may exceed 23 inches. The daily bag limit on salmon is 3 fish with a 12-inch minimum length limit. There has been no change in the brook trout regulation. Anglers fishing Eagle Lake may legally possess 6 togue, 3 salmon and 2 trout in one day.

First, Second and Third Musquacook Lakes also have had the daily bag limit on togue increase to 6 fish with a minimum length limit of 14 inches; only 1 may exceed 23 inches. An angler fishing one of these lakes may legally possess in one day: 6 togue and 2 trout.

At Portage, St. Froid and Square lakes, 3 salmon may be harvested per day with a minimum length limit of 12 inches. A reminder that the minimum length limit on whitefish is 16 inches and the daily bag limit is 3 fish.

Anglers fishing Big Eagle and Churchill Lakes need to be aware that the daily bag limit on togue has increased to 2 fish. These lakes remain closed to the taking of whitefish.

Regulations have been liberalized on these waters to reduce predation on the smelt population and/or to improve growth rates on coldwater gamefish.

Fishery staff from the Ashland headquarters will be surveying anglers on Long Lake, St. Froid Lake, Portage Lake and Carr Pond in the Fish River Chain; Millinocket and Millimagassett lakes; Madawaska Lake; and early in the season, Drew’s and Nickerson lakes. As always, angler cooperation with IF&W biologists is greatly appreciated.

–David J. Basley, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Ashland

“Catchable Trout”

Most of the brook trout fishing opportunity for winter anglers in central and southern Maine occurs in lakes and ponds that are stocked in the fall with 10- to 14-inch trout by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlifes’s Hatchery Division. This fall stocking is part of the Department’s Catchable Trout Stocking Program.

Approximately 20,000 of these legal-sized brook trout are stocked each fall in these regions alone. The intent of these stockings is to provide trout fishing opportunity in waters that do not sustain year round brook trout fisheries for a variety of reasons, such as a lack of suitable cold-water habitat in summer, competing fish species, or no brook trout spawning habitat. The trout that do survive the winter provide fishing opportunity right after ice out but these trout very seldom live through the summer to be around the following winter. Due to their close proximity to population centers, waters in this part of the state experience moderate to high angler use during both the open water and ice fishing seasons. MDIF&W’s catchable trout stocking program provides anglers with the opportunity to catch legal size brook trout in addition to other coldwater fish species (brown trout, landlocked salmon, and rainbow trout). Additionally the region provides diverse fishing opportunities for warm-water fish species.

During the 2006 and 2007 ice fishing seasons, fisheries biologists from MDIF&W’s Sidney office and the Bangor office’s Lake Research Group creel surveyed a number of central Maine waters that were stocked with fall yearling brook trout. Not unexpectedly, more questions emerged than were answered. On some waters anglers were catching brook trout, while on others hardly a brook trout was caught during the entire season.

Based on the 2006 and 2007 creel surveys and supporting data from other regions a multi-year study to intensively investigate angler catch and return rates on waters stocked with fall-yearling brook trout was developed. The objective of the “Catchable Trout Study” as we call it is to determine what conditions provide the best returns to anglers. A better understanding of where catchable trout perform best will help guide future stocking decisions to maximize angling success. As such our focus is on the environmental parameters of the stocked waters, stocking methods, quality of the stocked trout, and public access…It is always up to the anglers to catch the fish though!

As part of this study IF&W fisheries biologists from the Gray and Sidney offices and the Lake Research Group will be conducting creel surveys on 16 waters, ranging in size from 6 to 665 acres, during the first four weeks of the 2008 ice fishing season. These study waters are: Barker (Parker) Pond (Lyman); Bear Pond (Waterford); Biscay Pond (Bremen); Cochnewagon Pond (Monmouth); Crystal Pond (Gray); Flying Pond (Vienna); Keewaydin Lake (Stoneham); Keoka Lake (Waterford); McGrath Pond (Oakland); Nequasset Lake (Woolwich); Otter Pond No. 2 (Standish); Round Pond (Lyman); Sabbathday Lake (New Gloucester); Salmon Pond or Ellis Pond (Oakland); Wilson Pond (Wayne); and Worthley Pond (Poland).

Ice fishing for brook trout requires a different approach than fishing for brown trout, landlocked salmon, or togue. Shallow water and structure are probably the most important things to think of when ice fishing for brook trout. Water less than 10 feet deep associated with aquatic vegetation, boulders or rocky points are usually excellent locations to fish for brook trout. If fishing traps use worms or small minnows, bait should be placed just under the ice. Jigging with small jigs (rubber or marabou bodies) or spoons can at times bring fast action. Remember that winter water temperatures are suitable for trout throughout a lake and that prey items favored by brook trout will be in these shallower areas. It is hard to think that the rocky point where you catch bass during the summer is the best place to fish for brook trout during the winter, but give it a try, you might be surprised by the success you have! Experiment with your techniques until you find what works.

– Joe Dembeck, Research Fisheries Biologist, Bangor

Posted by Tom Remington

Can you believe it? Here it is January the 10th and the Ice Fishing Report from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and wildlife, is telling everyone where they can go and fish OPEN WATERS. That’s right. With the exception of a few isolated small, shallow ponds in western and central Maine, most of the southern two-thirds of the state has no safe ice. Check your law book.

Northern Maine has some ice but officials warn that thicknesses are varied and with some snow on top of that ice, it impedes the ice from freezing any thicker. They warn snowmobilers to extra cautious before considering venturing across bodies of water on machine.

Where there is ice fishing, anglers are finding some success. Wardens are urging everyone to make sure of your ice depth before going out too far. Many ice anglers are fishing in water around three feet just in case.

Tom Remington

Spring is on the way, believe it or not and I think many anglers are just willing to put this season of ice fishing in the record books and forget about it. With the sun getting higher in the sky each day, it begins to eat away at the totally unpredictable ice conditions making for potentially hazardous ice. With the winter being what it has been, expect the ice to disappear rapidly.

Those who are venturing out are having some good success as the picture below will testify to.

Tim Obrey, Regional Fisheries Biologist, for the Moosehead Region, shares his thoughts and the upcoming plans for experimenting with trophy fish pond management. His thoughts are expressed in some photos of what some of those trophy fish might look like. Here’s one example of a fish caught in a trophy managed pond in Maine.

You can read the entire report at our Maine Fishing Today News section.

Tom Remington

The late February Ice Fishing Report sent out by Mark Latti from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has been posted in the news section of Maine Fishing Today.

Believe it or not, officials say not to trust the ice. Even with the onset of some frigid weather, some lakes still refuse to freeze. Biologists say there are two reasons for this. One has been the incessant northwest winds that refuse to let the water calm down long enough to freeze and the other being the intensity of the sun this time of year, now working on the open water keeping it just above the freezing mark. So, when you are heading out, you still want to carefully check the ice conditions.

Fishing remains good in most places even though as has been the case all year, not a lot of heavy traffic on the ponds. Rainbow trout are still being caught this late into the season but most of the action seems to be for lake trout and some salmon.

Greg Burr, Fisheries Biologist Specialist, reminds anglers that Maine is facing a serious problem that needs addressing. The lack of water access and the fact that it continues to shrink more and more each year. Selfish groups and individuals who want to buy up land around our lakes and close it off to public use is becoming a huge problem. This continued effort can have a detrimental affect on the entire fishing industry. Greg says, get involved. Become active and work within organizations to ward off this attack by those who want to rob us of our fishing heritage.

Tom Remington

Rex Turner, who writes columns for the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel and who is a member of Friends of Baxter State Park, has a piece today in the Morning Sentinel about the upcoming discussions concerning the land swap proposal that would add Katahdin Lake and about 6000 more acres to Baxter State Park.

While I am not opposed to adding 6000 acres to Baxter to further complete Governor Baxter’s dream, I am opposed to the manner in which it is being done. Turner begins his piece by stating that publicly owned land in Maine accounts for a meager 5% of the total land mass and he points out this is one of the lowest in the country.

Without getting too specific, the deal would take some of Maine public land and some private land and give it over to Gardner Land Co., owners of the Baxter Lake parcel, in exchange.

The problem with this concept is the loss of public land. This is not a clean exchange of land use for land use. The public land would fall back into the ownership of Gardner Land Co. and the 6000 acres adjacent to Baxter would become part of the Park and closed to many outdoor activities – hunting, trapping, snowmobiling, ATVs, motorized boats and logging operations.

Maine lags in much of the nation in providing public lands for recreation. Giving up a portion of this for the purpose of fulfilling one man’s dream might not be in the best interest of the citizens of Maine. As Turner says, they will soon decide.

I would like to see the proposal changed to include a commitment by the Maine Legislature to appropriate the necessary money to purchase enough public land to replace what is being lost to the Baxter land swap.

In Turner’s article he asks the question: “Is a 6,000-acre addition to Maine’s most iconic north woods park, managed per Gov. Baxter’s sanctuary principle, too much of a threat or loss to the hunting and snowmobiling community?”

To be able to answer that question, one needs to look at the entire picture which includes the future. I have pointed out several times already that Maine is lacking in providing public lands. This will come back to haunt the citizens in this state if this isn’t rectified soon. Our shrinking availability to land for recreation is dwindling every day. Taking away public land for the enlargement of Baxter Park the way it is proposed, is wrong.

Maine needs a bill that at least says that whatever dealings the state makes when bartering public lands, the result is a zero net loss. This proposal results in a loss of public lands. Today, the loss of that public land may not appear that great but look down the road. Even with the programs in place in Maine to purchase public lands, it is not happening at a fast enough pace.

I would suppose that I could ask a similar question to that of Mr. Turner. Is adding 6000 acres at the expense of losing the equivalent in public land too much of a threat or loss to Baxter State Park?

Time will tell. As stated by Mr. Turner, because the deal involves public land, the Maine Legislature would need to approve the swap by a 2/3 majority vote. I would encourage all Maine residents to contact their Representatives and tell them how you feel. In the meantime, would somebody please rewrite the proposal so that Maine would agree to purchase 6000 acres of more public land in exchange for what we will be losing?

That would let us all know that Maine citizens care not only about Baxter State Park but also the need for public lands.

Tom Remington

Just because you stop at the nearest boat landing and determine there is two feet of ice there, certainly doesn’t mean there is two feet of ice 100 feet further out – any winter in Maine and especially this winter in the Pine Tree State.

Tell that to three men who on Sunday narrowly escaped death when their 1995 GMC pick-up truck broke through thin ice and sank into about 40 feet of water. The driver Al Asselin, 40, of Arundel, said he looked up and saw what looked like a dark spot on the ice but he couldn’t stop his truck. It slid forward and broke through the ice.

He and his other two passengers, his son Jason Brown, 17, of Arundel and a brother, Joe Asselin, 44, of Rockwood, were able to roll down their windows and get out. Their dog escaped as well.

The three were extremely fortunate to be alive. They were lucky to be able to find thick enough ice to get out of the water for starters. Once out into air temperature that was about 10 degrees below zero, they found a camp owner who just happened to be there who helped them get warm and dried out. If the camp owner hadn’t been there, it was seven miles to the nearest help. They wouldn’t have made it.

The Bangor Daily News has the complete story.

Tom Remington

Despite the unpredictable ice depths on the three lakes, Schoodic, Ebemee and Sebois, the Schoodic Lake Ice Fishing Derby will take place this Saturday and Sunday, February 18 and 19, 2006.

The host of the event, the Milo, Maine Fire Department, consulted with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and they decided it would be alright to hold the event but warned all participants to use extreme caution on all three lakes while fishing.

Tom Remington

Due to lack of sufficient ice on Maine’s Sebago Lake, the Sebago Lake Rotary Club Derby Fest is going statewide. Any lake that if frozen over in Maine is now eligible to fish. This will also expand the species of fish to enter into the derby instead of just togue.

Weigh stations will be set up at Sebago, Augusta, Greenville, Brewer and Presque Isle. All the normal other activities associated with the derby at Sebago, will still be held.

The event happens on February 24-26, 2006.

Tom Remington

Ice conditions have improved but there isn’t an over abundance of ice anglers wetting a line. Those who do venture out are having good success.

Ben Hooper shows off his prize catch!
Biologists report that for those looking for salmon, Chesuncook Lake is the place to be with an over abundance of fish to catch.

You can read the entire fishing report in our news section of Maine Fishing Today.

Tom Remington

The ice is four to five feet thick in all waters across Maine! NOT!!! Not a lot has changed since the last report last week. The weather remains mild and ice conditions vary greatly still. The forcast ahead is calling for colder temperatures.

Linden Rogers of Baldwin reported catching an 8.6 pound brown trout on an undisclosed pond in Oxford County. Hmmm, I wonder why he isn’t telling what pond.

Bill Woodward, regional wildlife biologist says that he’s been digging through some past records and finds that this winter’s weather isn’t so weird after all. He says in 1981 he had a call to Dresden Bog about a fish kill there. This was on February 28, 1981. The bog was not frozen at all and he used a canoe to investigate the report.

He finishes his report with what he calls a “ditty” from Norm Jeffries.

“I don’t want to ketch no tarpon that weighs half a ton.
And feeding clams to sheepshead isn’t just what I call fun.
Of salmon when it’s boiled or baked I’ll say that I am fond—–
But when I’m after sport I fish for pik’rel in a pond.

Trapped in Lily Pond in East Machias by a bait dealer is a golden shiner. What makes this fish a bit different is it is hunter orange in color, a probable result of a mutation of sorts.

In the downeast sections of Maine there is virtually no safe ice. Most ponds are open or have very thin coverings of ice. Inland ponds and lakes aren’t fairing much better. Caution is urged before heading out on the ice.

Bill Strout caught a 17-inch brook trout while fishing on Beech Hill Pond.

Reports are that a 37 inch, 19 pound lake trout was caught on Spring Lake in T3 R4 BKP WKR in Somerset County.

This week Stephen Seeback and Jeff Bagley conducted an analysis of winter stomachs of lake trout, landlocked salmon and brook trout. Lake trout stomachs from Moosehead Lake revealed good numbers of smelts all across the lake. The stomachs from salmon obtained from Chesuncook Lake, showed very few smelts.

In the Aroostook county region, reports coming in are favorable about the fishing on St. Froid Lake. Fishermen believe that with the changes in the fish management in recent years, better fishing has resulted.

And finally this tip from Colonel Tom Santaguida of the Maine Warden Service.

Wardens encounter anglers who sometimes catch fish that are undersized and kept because they thought the fish would die due to hook being swallowed, and the angler didn’t want to “waste” the fish by throwing it back after injuring it by removing the hook.  All you need to do in this situation is take a small pair of nippers and cut the line as close to the hook as possible, leaving the hook in the fish. Research has determined that this hook deteriorates very quickly and the fish usually survives to be caught another day. A small pair of finger nail clippers works very well. Don’t forget extra hooks though!

You can read the entire Ice Fishing Report from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife at the Maine Fishing Today news section.

Tom Remington