February 12, 2008                                                   

Region A - Southwestern Maine 
          

The rising popularity of winter ice fishing derbies has been embraced by many nonprofit organizations as a means to launch fund-raising efforts to support various charities and programs.  Two of southern Maine’s largest ice fishing derbies are scheduled to occur over the next two weeks.

On Feb. 17, FET Inc. will host a one-day event on Little Ossipee Lake.  FET’s mission is “to promote fishing and more specifically ice fishing as a fun inexpensive family winter activity. Other major goals involve maintaining habitat and practicing ethical fishing tactics that will allow fishing to grow and prosper as a fun family orientated activity.” Proceeds from this family-oriented event support a variety of local programs including MDIF&W’s Hooked on Fishing Not On Drugs Program, MDIF&W sportfish management and conservation in southern Maine, Waterboro Park, as well as other local charities.  Lots of door prizes, a youth and adult division, and a grand prize of $3,000 draws a growing number of participants to this well-organized and fun event.  Tickets may be purchased at the Route 5 launch ramp and at Lakeside Market on the day of the event, but must be purchased before 9 a.m.  Tickets also are available at the Gray True Value hardware store until closing on Feb.15.  Additional derby details may be found on FET’s website at: (www.fetinc.net).

The state’s largest ice fishing derby is scheduled the week following FET’s event on Sebago Lake (Feb. 22-24).  This three-day event is hosted by the Windham Rotary, and has grown from being predominantly an ice fishing event to something more akin to a winter carnival, where many other nonfishing, family-oriented activities are planned including ice sculptures, polar dip, and auto/cycle/snowmobile/cross country ski races, to name a few.  The popular kids fishing derby is scheduled for Friday Feb. 22 between noon and 3 p.m. at Thomas Pond outlet, located immediately adjacent to and north of Route 302.  Kids must preregister to receive a free ice fishing trap.  The fishing derby on Sebago Lake is a two-day event (Feb. 23-24). A statewide two-day derby also is scheduled for March 8-9.  Prizes associated with the Sebago and statewide derbies include a Ski Doo GTX500, Ski Doo MX 2380, Polaris 300 ATV, an opportunity for entrants to win a 2008 Silverado Truck, and $20,000 in additional cash and prizes.  Proceeds from the event will benefit a number of charities and good causes, including Camp Sunshine. For more information on the ice fishing derbies, prizes, registration, and a schedule of events, visit www.icefishingderby.com.

Both nonprofit organizations (FET & Windham Rotary) should be acknowledged for their efforts to collaborate with MDIF&W in the development of derby programs that support MDIF&W fisheries management objectives.  For example, the Sebago Lake derby has increased recreational togue harvest opportunity by creating prize incentives for anglers to “weigh in” all legally caught togue, and not just the largest togue.  This additional harvest is desired as part of an overall management scheme to reduce the lake trout population and restore the lake’s smelt population and salmon fishery.  FET also has adopted numerous strategies to balance fishing interests on Little Ossipee Lake. For example, FET raised the minimum length entry requirement on bass from 10 inches (general law) to 20 inches, reducing derby related bass harvest by 95 percent.  This change has reduced derby related bass mortalities on this very popular open water catch and release, tournament sportfish. 
   
- Francis Brautigam, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Gray

Region B - Central Maine

As a fishery biologist I talk with hundreds of anglers every winter during our routine surveys. It’s always good duty and very interesting to hear the many different view points of anglers, one group may tout the latest regulations as the best thing for the fishery while the very next group is just as likely to tell me how stupid the same regulations are. I also enjoy all the questions these anglers ask, ranging from the past deer hunting season to the state budget. To this end I thought this week I’d list the top 5 questions asked this year.

5. Are you a warden?  This is one question every fishery biologist hears multiple times throughout the course of the winter. Of course we are not wardens and have no law enforcement responsibilities.

4. Are there any bad spots on the lake (referring to the ice conditions)? This may be the most frequently asked question during the first week or so of the season.

3. How much success are anglers having fishing at night? Now that ice fishing is open 24 hours a day people seem to be very interested in night fishing but most are not willing to deal with the cold and dark to give it a try. I’ve heard very little from people fishing at night. Most of the nighttime fishing has occurred from around 4 a.m. when its really just an early start rather than a nighttime trip. These early anglers have reported to me that the best fishing they have is just a dawn and now most of them just start around dawn.  I know night fishing for smelt and black crappie can, at times, be very fast fishing.  Hanging a light over an open hole while fishing through a hole close by seems to be the acceptable technique.

2. This is a generic question regarding specific fishing regulations, such as how many trout can I keep? Or what’s the minimum length limit on bass? These questions are always easy ones to answer and usually not too controversial, although the answer usually leads into a lengthy discussion on fishery management. The most common discussion I’ve had in central Maine concerns natural reproduction of trout in lakes and ponds.  Fishermen are very interested in having native trout but unfortunately we have very little natural reproduction in these waters. The lack of quality stream environments hinders trout spawning, there’s also a lack of good nursery areas for young trout. Any trout that survives and moves into the lake experiences problems with poor water quality and the high numbers of competing fish species. These factors severely limit the number of trout that reach legal size.

1. And by far the most asked question is, “Where are all the fish?  This is the easiest question of all to answer, since they are, of course, in the water!

- James Lucas, Fisheries Biologist, Sidney

Region C - Downeast

Free fishing days for this winter will be Feb.16-17! Anyone may fish without a license on those days as long as their fishing license has not been revoked or suspended. All other laws and regulations apply. This is a great weekend to try ice fishing for free if you have never participated. Beware, you may love it and decide to buy a year-long license! Then you also will have an excuse to buy such “necessities” as tipups, ice auger, snowmobile or ATV, ice shack, or even a lakeshore camp!

Togue are biting well at many of our lakes. Give togue fishing a try. You may like the action and the size of your catch. Although often caught on live bait and tipups, togue catchability improves if you jig for them. Proven producers are leadfish, Swedish pimples, chartreuse Weeping Willows, and airplane jigs, all commonly tipped with a piece of cut bait. Most anglers prefer fishing from 25- to 60-foot depths. Lakes that are producing good catches of togue this winter are Beech Hill Pond in Otis, Branch Lake in Ellsworth, Toddy Pond in Orland, Tunk Lake in Twp 10 SD, West Grand Lake in Grand Lake Stream, and West Musquash Lake in Topsfield.

White perch are a perennial favorite of ice anglers because they usually bite actively both early and late in the day. Sometimes the flags fly so fast that anglers can’t catch up to all of them quickly. Good locations for white perch fishing are the Chain Lakes (Twp 26 ED), Bog Lake (Northfield), Pocomoonshine Lake (Alexander), Meddybemps Lake (Meddybemps), Georges Pond (Franklin), Graham Lake (Mariaville), sections of the eastern end of Green Lake, and Webb Pond (Eastbrook).

With school vacation week upon us soon, family ice fishing trips will produce some excited kids chasing tipup flags, interspersed with trips to the campfire to cook some famed red hot dogs and warm up with a cup of steaming hot chocolate.

- Rick Jordan, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Jonesboro

Region D - Western Mountains

This January was a good month to have gone fishing. Anglers had a lot of action and caught some nice fish. Here are the results of our last month’s clerk creel surveys:

Pleasant Pond, Caratunk – The 336 anglers that we interviewed caught 192 legal lake trout and 2 brook trout. The largest togue sampled was 33½ inches long and weighed 11¼ pounds. In the month of January we estimate that 443 togue were harvested; they weighed a total of 1196 pounds.

• Clearwater Pond, Industry – We interviewed 290 anglers who caught 11 brook trout, 24 salmon and 27 lake trout. The largest brook trout was 16¾ inches in length and the largest salmon was 19 inches long. A few smallmouth bass were caught as well, the largest being 18¾ inches long and weighing 3½ pounds.
• Porter Lake, New Vineyard — 41 anglers interviewed caught 102 salmon and 21 lake trout. Thirty-five percent of the anglers were successful at catching salmon and 41 percent of the fish were released back into the hole. The largest salmon kept was over 18” in length and the largest lake trout weighed 3¾” pounds.
• Oaks Pond, Skowhegan — 42 anglers interviewed caught 2 brook trout, 36 splake, and a 17½-inch rainbow trout. Twenty-eight of the anglers were successful at landing a legal splake making for an 86 percent catch rate. These are very high numbers for a winter salmonid fishery.
• Wentworth Pond, Solon — 99 anglers interviewed caught 20 brook trout and 43 splake. Average lengths were 14 inches for splake and 13 inches for brook trout. The largest fish were a 16¾-inch splake and a 14¾-inch brookie. White perch are beginning to show up in the fishery now.

Anglers fishing late in the afternoon may see better action. With the days getting longer, there is more opportunity to fish later and anglers are reporting good action just before sunset. This seems to be the case with many fish species, but is especially true with lake trout and white perch.

This also is an excellent time of year to target cusk after the sun has set. Area waters that contain cusk and are open to ice fishing are Chain of Ponds and Clearwater Pond in Franklin County, and Embden Pond, Oaks Pond, Spencer Lake, and Wyman Lake in Somerset County.

- Dave Howatt, Biology Specialist, Strong

Region E - Moosehead Region

This week marks the opening of the “Salmon Ice Fishing Season” on Moosehead Lake. On Feb.15 anglers are allowed to harvest, as part of their daily bag limit, one salmon over 18 inches.  Prior to Feb. 15 all salmon caught were to be released alive without removing the fish from the water. Although, anglers are able to keep salmon, we are still emphasizing the importance of good handling practices of salmon that falling short of the 18-inch mark.  The best way to release these fish without injury and without increasing handling stress is to cut the line as close to the eye of the hook as possible, with the fish still in the water.

Looking at the fish data the Moosehead Lake Region fisheries staff has collected for the early part of the season will give you an idea of what to expect if you’re interested in fishing Moosehead Lake.  Eighty-four lake trout over 18 inches have been measured, and the largest was 27 inches and weighed 5.7 pounds.  The average lake trout kept over 18 inches was 19.6 inches and about 1.9 pounds.

Lake trout (14–18 inches) have been averaging 15.7 inches and roughly a pound, and we have sampled 414 lake trout in this size range.  Also, we have collected data on 63 lake trout less than 14 inches. These fish have averaged 13.2 inches and around half a pound.  Lake trout are the predominant fish in the catch and are providing fast action to anglers targeting them in water depths 25-45 feet.  We encourage anglers to take advantage of Moosehead Lake’s liberal bag limits on these smaller lake trout in hopes to decrease the number in this over abundant lake trout fishery.

In our travels this winter we have seen very few brook trout on Moosehead Lake.  To date, we have only seen 6 brook trout during our census coverage.  The sad thing is that we have also seen almost as many illegal brook trout.  Our staff has encountered 4 brook trout that have fallen short of the 14-inch minimum length limit. The 14-inch minimum length limit on brook trout has been in effect for the last three seasons on Moosehead Lake.  Anglers should familiarize themselves with the regulations that are in place on the water bodies they fish.  Length and bag limit regulations are different from water body to water body because management objectives often differ from water to water. So please consult the regulation book to confirm the regulation for the waters you are fishing this winter.

- Stephen Seeback, Fishery Biology Specialist, Moosehead Lake

Region F - Penobscot Valley Region

Over the past week the fishing pressure along with angling success has greatly improved here in Region F. This past weekend Department census clerks checked landlocked salmon exceeding 5 lbs from both Cold Stream Pond and Schoodic Lake, in addition to nice catches of lake trout.  Anglers also reported good catches of salmon from Upper and Lower Jo Mary, Pemadumcook, Pleasant Pond, and East Grand.

At Scraggly Lake anglers were having lots of action for small, but legal salmon (the regulations on Scraggly are 3 fish, 12-inch minimum length limit). One lucky angler at Scraggly landed two nice brook trout, one just over 2 lbs and one weighing in at a hefty 3½ pounds!
 
In the Penobscot Region we have two fishing derbies this weekend. The Millinocket Fin and Feather Club will be holding a “Family Fishing Day” at Jerry Pond Feb.16 (Storm Day Feb. 17) for more information check out http://ffc.50webs.org/fin.html.

The Milo Fire Department will be holding the 46th Annual Schoodic Lake Fishing Derby.  Schoodic Lake has a well-deserved reputation for delivering larger-than -average lake trout and landlocked salmon. Fat lake trout from 5 to 7 pounds have become commonplace over the last 10 years at Schoodic, and landlocked salmon also are becoming an attraction. This year salmon over 5 pounds are expected each weekend that clerks check the lake. This past weekend was no exception.

Anglers attending the Schoodic Lake derby will notice a change in the way lake trout and landlocked salmon are entered into the derby. This year, either species will have to be at least 22 inches to be registered. That doesn’t mean that an angler cannot keep a fish of legal size, only that the fish will not be eligible to be entered for a prize in the derby unless it is over 22 inches.

The Milo Fire Department is to be commended for taking this extraordinary step to ensure the future of the Schoodic Lake fishery. After all, there are not many places where the fishing for both lake trout and salmon is good enough that a derby will not even measure fish less than 22 inches! For more information you can call 207-943-2303 or check out their web sight at http://www.trcmaine.org/fishingderby .

Anglers can visit the Department’s Web site for a list of derbies being held around the state this weekend. http://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/derbies_tournaments/index.htm.

If you want to try ice fishing and you do not have a license this is the weekend for you. Any person, except those whose license has been revoked or suspended, may fish on these days without a license. All other laws and regulations apply. Get out and enjoy the Maine outdoors!

- Brian Campbell, Fisheries Biologist Specialist, Bangor

Region G - Aroostook County

Recent snow storms have made travel on area lakes very difficult.  Deep snow on lake-ice creates slush as the weight of the snow forces water up onto the ice.  If anglers are lucky to find areas with no slush, they oftentimes create it when holes are drilled for fishing.  We have observed many parties stuck in slush when trying to pull tote sleds full of gear during the past week.  During the derby at Long Lake, numerous trucks were stuck in snow, slush, and water and were having difficulty getting out.  Anglers should be aware of these conditions during mid-February.
 
Fishery biologists continue to check anglers on area lakes.  Use on the Fish River Lakes will likely level off at this time in the season and we are seeing more people venturing into the woods at Carr Pond, Millinocket and Millimagassett Lakes.  During the Long Lake derby held Feb. 2-3, biologists counted more than 400 anglers fishing during the two-day event.  The winning landlocked salmon weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces; the largest brook trout weighed 3 pounds, 14 ounces.

February 15 marks the opening of Madawaska Lake, a 1,500-acre water located along Route 161 in Westmanland and T16 R4.  The Lake was opened to winter fishing for a three-year period beginning in 2006.  Fishery regulations and stocking changes were made to coincide with this new season.  To provide for higher catch rates, the Department has stocked 1,500 large, catchable brook trout in the fall of 2005, 2006 and 2007; these trout are available to be caught during the subsequent winter season.  During the past two years, a small number of landlocked salmon have also been stocked; these fish should grow well due to the large smelt population.  Fishery biologists will be monitoring this experimental fishery again in 2008. 

- Frank O. Frost, Fisheries Biologist, Ashland

February 4, 2008                                                   

Region A - Southwestern Maine
          

Angler field surveys (creel census) are one of the perks of a career in fisheries management.  I say creel census is a perk of the job because we get to work outdoors at what can be a beautiful time of year.  We also get to talk with folks while they are enjoying the great outdoors and often get to see an excited angler catch a fish. 

Angler surveys involve interviewing anglers to determine what species and size of fish they catch and how long it took to catch them.  We also measure and weigh the fish caught and answer any questions from anglers.  Sometimes if we collect stomach content data you may even end up with cleaned fish courtesy of your friendly fishery biologist!  These surveys provide us with data on our fisheries, including angler activity, and helps us make management decisions.

Unfortunately for Region A biologists our creel census season is essentially over.  Most years we generally hit the ice twice a week for the entire ice fishing season, this year’s creel census was front loaded to four days a week in the month of January to accommodate a statewide study to assess the performance of fall stocked yearling brook trout (12-14 inches).  This study will in part examine angler catch rates at a standardized stocking rate of 1.5 trout per surface acre.  While the stocking of more “put and take” trout may equate to more fish being for the angler, the study will hopefully address the most efficient way of distributing these beautiful but expensive trout.

The end of winter creel census means more data entry, fish scale reading, and report writing for me, all of which are interesting and necessary parts of my job that unfortunately must be done indoors.  It also means I will have more time to do some fishing of my own! 

I have seen some very nice catches of fish in the recent past while surveying Keoka Lake in Waterford and Keewaydin Lake in Stoneham, and have received several favorable reports from other waters. Greg Massey of the New Gloucester state fish hatchery reports good catches of lake trout (togue) on Middle Range Pond in Poland including one about five pounds. Middle Range has also produced good catches of fall yearling (12-14 inch) brook trout and decent catches of rainbow trout in the recent past.  Our project clerks (Anthony Legee and Steve Lurvey) last reported the fishing for advanced fall fingerling brook trout (8-10 inches) is still holding up at the Otter Ponds in Standish and Worthley Pond in Poland. Remember to down size both bait and hooks for greater success on these smaller trout; jigging may also give you an edge. One angler who left his traps at home in favor of his jig pole caught several brook trout at Worthley Pond and also iced a brown trout weighing nearly five pounds.  A look at the calendar tells me there is two more months of hard water fishing left, I intend to enjoy them! 

- Brian Lewis, Fisheries Biology Specialist, Sebago Region

Region B - Central Maine

The first month of the 2008 ice-fishing season is history and anglers who fished their favorite water should have been rewarded with some pleasant memories. In the Central Maine region, also known as the Belgrade Region , many waters were stocked with 11- to 14-inch yearling brook trout last fall. Some of the waters were stocked at a higher rate that provided anglers with fast action in the early part of the month.  As January came to an end those persistent anglers were able to fill their limits.

Angler surveys on eight Belgrade Region waters showed that the range of success in catching a brook trout was between 20 percent and 40 percent. The better waters that we surveyed in January were Salmon, Cochnewagon, Alford, Biscay, and Nequasset. The three other waters surveyed, (McGrath, Flying, and Wilson) had lower success rates, but anglers still had an opportunity in making it a good fishing trip. Stocking rates of fall yearling brook trout in seven of the waters were between 1.2 and 1.6 fish per acre. Alford Lake, the eighth water in our survey, was stocked with less than 1 fall yearling brook trout per acre, but anglers were rewarded with the best brown trout success of all eight waters.

In earlier columns from this region, it has been mentioned that about 60 waters in this region are stocked with fall yearling brook trout. From the information from this winter’s work we will be better able to determine what adjustments need to be made in our stocking program for the future.

Anglers should still find brook trout in most of the waters we stocked last fall, but other species should not be overlooked.  Many of the same waters have been stocked with brown trout that are showing up in creels for those who fish in the deeper water. Salmon are still available for those who fish Damariscotta, St. George, Upper Narrows and Swan Lakes. Togue are being caught regularly at Maranacook, Damariscotta, Lower Narrows, Wassookeag and Swan Lakes. Do not overlook the abundance of warmwater species such as perch, pickerel, crappies, pike, and bass that inhabit many of the waters of Region B.  

- Bill Woodward, Assistant Regional Fishery Biologist, Belgrade Lakes Region

Region C - Downeast

Feb. 1 marked the start of ice fishing at West Grand Lake, and many anglers took advantage of the quality fishing that the lake has to offer. Region C staff members have increased the numbers of stocked salmon in the last couple of years, and anglers are reaping the benefits.  The forage base appears to be in good shape this year as many anglers are reporting fish regurgitating 1½ inch smelts.  The lake trout population is strong and we encourage anglers to harvest their limit to help hold the population in control.  As of Feb. 3, ice conditions were glare ice.  Ice depth ranged from 12-14 inches in most places.  Anglers still need to use caution around inlets and outlets, saddle areas around islands, and near rocks and shoals.  There is no snow on the ice now, and with rain in the forecast for the middle part of this week, it doesn’t look like there will be snow anytime soon.

Fisheries staff members have interviewed ice fishermen in the northwestern section of the lake.  Our target species was lake whitefish in the Junior Bay area.  We weighed and measured a fair number of fish, mostly between 14-16 inches.  We also removed a small number of scales from each whitefish in order to determine the age of the fish by looking at the scales under a microscope.  By comparing the age of the fish to its length we can get a good idea about how the population is doing.  We conducted a similar study in 1994, which we will compare to this year’s findings.  It is important to monitor the population of this significant and highly sought after species. 

Anglers also were successful at catching some nice salmon and lake trout over the weekend.  The first West Grand fish of the season for some mid-coast anglers turned out to be a real beauty - a 28 inch, 7 pound togue that dwarfed other fish on the ice.  Action was steady and productive all over the lake, and many anglers experienced success while jigging.

Anglers from many parts of the state make the drive to fish West Grand every winter. This 14,000-acre lake is one of the region’s premier salmon and lake trout waters. If you choose to fish it, you’ll go home with memories of beautiful scenery in a remote setting. With four species that bite actively in the winter, most people catch salmon, togue, whitefish, or cusk.

- Joe Overlock, Fisheries Biologist Specialist, Grand Lakes Region

Region D - Western Mountains

The first month of the 2008 ice fishing season is now history, and it certainly was a successful one for anglers in western Maine. Reasonably good ice conditions to start the season helped, of course, but decent weather, prudent stocking, and a brand new water to ice fish (Pleasant Pond) also made folks happy. Here’s a brief summary of what we’ve observed.

Through the first weekend in February our field staff interviewed slightly more than 1,100 anglers on five lakes. These include Pleasant Pond in Caratunk, Clearwater Pond in Industry, Porter Lake in New Vineyard, Oaks Pond in Skowhegan, and Wentworth Pond in Solon. The highest fishing pressure, as we expected, was at Pleasant Pond where a burgeoning togue population needed some thinning to improve brook trout survival. Porter Lake was the next most heavily fished water, followed by Clearwater Pond, Wentworth Pond, and Oaks Pond. We’ve “handled” over 400 individual fish from these five lakes, included more than 200 togue, 90 salmon, 55 splake, 32 brookies, and a smattering of rainbow trout, white perch, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, and cusk.

Working on the ice with fisherman is always a pleasure, and the information we collect is very important in helping us evaluate stocking programs and fishing rules. And having the chance to chat with anglers in this informal setting is a great way to gather input from those who actively use Maine’s fishery resources.

- David Boucher, Fishery Biologist, Rangeley Lakes

Region E - Moosehead Region

Well it seems that February is upon us and although the temperatures don’t show any indication of warming up soon, there has been a noticeable change in the amount of daylight we now have.  February is also the month that brings about the opening of three waters in the Moosehead Region that many ice anglers look forward to.  Allagash Lake, Lobster Lake, and Big Houston Pond all have special regulations designed to protect and enhance some very unique fisheries.  Big Houston and Lobster provide anglers the opportunity for catching some big lake trout.  Large salmon are also a possibility at Lobster.  Although these waters are only open for the month of February, the wait is often times rewarded with some very good fishing.  Check your ice fishing law book for complete regulations on each of these waters.

I will mention this as a reminder and to allow folks to plan accordingly if they wish, but Feb. 16 and 17 is the State of Maine’s Free Fishing Weekend.  This is a great opportunity for families to get together and spend a day fishing on one of Maine’s many lakes and ponds. This free day applies to any person except those whose license has been revoked or suspended.  All other regulations pertaining to the specific water body apply. 

Fishing activity on Moosehead Lake was quite a bit slower this weekend then last.  Saturday’s blustery winds kept most anglers at bay, but many more were encountered on Sunday.  Most of the parties we surveyed this past weekend were still targeting and taking advantage of our plentiful togue population.  As a note, Moosehead anglers will be allowed to harvest salmon on Feb. 15.  The bag limit on salmon is one fish with a minimum length limit of 18 inches.  Anglers fishing at Chesuncook Lake and Sebec Lake have indicated that the fishing has been quite good.  The salmon fishing at Chesuncook has been fairly fast and Sebec has given up some decent 5- to 6-pound lake trout.

This past week it was brought to the attention of the fishery staff here in Greenville that there was a misprint on our Department’s Web site regarding the Year Round Fishing Opportunity for the East Outlet of the Kennebec River.  The regulation has been corrected and reposted on our web site and now reads:  From dam at Moosehead Lake to yellow posts at tail of Beach Pool.
 
In closing I have my quote of the week.  Groundhog Day was this past Saturday and while conducting creel census on Moosehead Lake, I had a gentleman ask me if I thought Punxsutawney Phil had seen his shadow.   Before I could answer, another gentleman fishing with him spoke up and said “regardless if Phil saw his shadow or not, I guarantee Greenville, Maine will have six more weeks of winter”.  I guess I’d have to agree with that statement. 

- Jeff Bagley, Assistant Regional Fishery Biologist, Moosehead Lake Region

Region F - Penobscot Valley Region

Fishing reports from around the Penobscot Region find that the togue are biting at Schoodic Lake, but we are advising anglers to still be wary of thin ice conditions.  Schoodic is notorious for late freeze-up, and while there may be 12 to 16 inches of ice near shore, we are getting reports of as little as 3 to 5 inches of ice in the middle of the lake.  Biologists working on Matagamon and Scraggly this weekend found few people fishing, but plenty of slush and tough going on the lakes.  Last Friday’s storm, which was a mix of rain and snow in central and southern Maine, left 10 inches of new snow in the northern areas of Penobscot County.  We’re getting reports of nice catches of salmon from the eastern portion of the region, including Sysladobsis (Dobsie), East Musquash, West, Duck, and Spring Lakes.  If you’re headed to that area of the region, you might also consider giving Nicatous Lake a try.  We stock landlocked salmon and brown trout in Nicatous, which also has healthy populations of warm-water game fish including white perch, pickerel, and bass.
 
Finally, the Pushaw Lake ATV and Snowmobile Club held its 28th annual ice fishing derby at Pushaw Lake this past weekend.  Biologists from Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and Marine Resources teamed up during the two day event, interviewing anglers on the ice and at the weigh-in as we continue to evaluate the status of illegally introduced Northern pike in the lake.  This year seven pike were registered, accounting for a relatively small portion of the overall derby catch.  We consider this good news, as it appears that the number of pike in Pushaw Lake is still quite low.  In addition to monitoring the pike population, covering the derby also allows us to interact with the public and discuss the risks of illegal introductions to the native fish communities in Maine lakes.  The overwhelming majority of anglers I talked to this weekend are disgusted with the apparent recent increase in illegal introductions and are hopeful that the few individuals that are responsible for these crimes are caught and receive the maximum punishment allowed under the law.

- Richard Dill, Fishery Biologist, Penobscot Region

Region G - Aroostook County

Long Lake of the Fish River Chain continues to be a desirable destination for anglers. Over the course of the first two weeks that the season has been open I have interviewed many anglers on Long Lake from all corners of the state.  Many anglers have caught their “fish of a lifetime” on Long Lake. Steve Anderson of New Sweden has been fortunate to catch not one but two such fish. On June 25, 1991 Steve landed an 8 pound 5 ounce salmon on Long Lake that now graces a wall in his home. A great fish to be sure, but lightning would strike again on Jan. 15 of this year while fishing with family and friends. While jigging with his favorite lure, Steve hooked and landed a 28-inch salmon. Wouldn’t it be your favorite lure if you were to catch a twenty-eight inch salmon on it? The 9-pound salmon is a 5-year-old fish stocked in June of 2004. This great fish is destined to be placed next Steve’s first. Congratulations Steve on a fine salmon.

- Derrick Cote, Biology Specialist, Fish River Lakes Region

Maine Fishing Report

January 28, 2008 

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, GrayRegion 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 RegionRegion 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

  

January 15, 2008
2008 Ice Fishing Preview

Region A - Southwestern Maine

Region A – Southwestern Maine
This ice-fishing season I have been assigned to do my weekly creel census rounds on Keoka Lake in Waterford, Keewaydin Lake in Stoneham and Bear Pond in Waterford.

Keoka Lake has consistently produced good catches of 12- to 15-inch stocked brook trout with the occasional brood stock in the mix. Some angling parties have caught as many as 20 of these fish in a morning and a large party on Sunday, Jan. 13, managed 13. All I can say about these hatchery products is WOW! The anglers I have spoken to can’t get over the colors and depth of these brookies, and rumor has it that some of these are going to be mounted. I also happy to report that the 120 fall yearling (12- to 14-inch) salmon stocked in Keoka Lake in the fall of 2006 have grown to 16– to 18-inch fish of fair condition. Those fish were the beginning of an annual salmon-stocking program at Keoka and I hope the initial good results continue in the future.

Keewaydin Lake is a favorite salmon hole for some and early results were good. Most parties in the first week of the season managed a salmon or two though, predictably, catch rates have declined in the second week of fishing. Those few folks targeting brook trout over salmon at Keewaydin have generally been successful. One family of three had a stringer of stocked brook trout I will never forget. Five trout were on that stringer and not one was under a pound. A party I spoke with this past Sunday (Jan. 13) caught four 13- to 14-inch brook trout in less than half an hour jigging small lures with a small bit of bait on the hook. Angler use on both of these ponds is much lighter than I expected considering the number of large brook trout stocked.

Angler use of Bear Pond in Waterford, however, has been surprisingly higher than last year. A lot of these folks are targeting smelt due to last year’s success but early reports are of very light harvest. Those targeting trout and salmon have been generally successful with splake and brook trout being the most commonly caught fish. Salmon also are caught occasionally though their condition is highly variable.

Prior to the first of the year I spent some time interviewing anglers on the Otter Ponds in Standish before handing that job off to a seasonal creel census clerk. Brook trout fishing there started off with a bang and has been steady ever since. The most recent reports from our seasonal clerk Steve Lurvey indicate anglers still are catching 9- to 11-inch brook trout at a rate of about one fish per angler. To increase your catch rate it’s best to use very small shiners or worms on your traps with No. 6 hooks or smaller. Your best success will be had while jigging with something small and shiny with a bit of worm on a small hook. Try jigging holes where you are getting flags and stolen bait.
Best of luck

- Brian Lewis, Fishery Biologist Specialist, Gray

Region B - Central Maine

This weekend a number of anglers questioned me about black crappie. Therefore, I thought I would write about this relative newcomer to the State of Maine. The black crappie is native to the Great Lakes area, its range south to the Gulf of Mexico. Crappies were first introduced in Maine at Virginia Lake, the head-water lake of Sebago Lake watershed, in 1921. In 1969, black crappies were accidentally stocked in the Sebasticook River drainage when they were intermixed with a shipment of largemouth bass from a federal hatchery. They have further expanded their range and now are found in at least 64 waters throughout the state.

Spawning takes place in the spring and is similar to that of our native sunfishes. A small dish-like depression is made on a sandy area within heavy vegetative cover. Once the eggs are laid the male guards the nest until the fry emerge and disperse.

Young crappies feed on insects and switch over to a mostly fish diet as they grow larger. The typical black crappie in Maine is between six and 11 inches although larger individuals are fairly common. The state record is 3.25 pounds.

Crappies are a schooling fish and when actively feeding they may provide for some very fast fishing. The best time to catch them is in the morning and late evening when they typically feed. Most anglers prefer to jig for crappies using small jigs and rubber grubs often tipped with a small minnow. Black crappies also can be caught at night by suspending a light over the hole while jigging.

For those who haven’t tried crappie fishing give it a try. Not only can it be a fun species to catch, but when it’s filleted and fried it is very tasty.

- James Lucas, Fisheries Biologist, Sidney

Region C - Downeast

It appears as though the January thaw may be over with meteorologists forecasting colder weather conditions for the remainder of the week. If you are an avid ice fisherman, the recent warm days have been a bit of a downer. Fisheries staff members were out over the weekend talking to ice fisherman and checking ice conditions. We observed that most small coastal waters had between 3-5 inches of ice. Some of the inland waters had between 4-8 inches of ice. Many locations had ice broken up around the shoreline. Anyplace where moving water is found (inlet, outlet, saddle area between islands or shore) be aware of potential thin ice. Also, around the shoreline, around rocks, and shoals be cautious of ice thickness. Pay close attention to old ice holes and cracks in the ice since many of these places have opened and swelled to a larger size as a result of so many warm days. Many of the larger coastal waters (Tunk Lake, T-10 SD, Jordan Pond, Mount Desert, Eagle Lake, Bar Harbor to name a few) have now opened up again or have just a thin layer of ice. Be sure to check ice conditions before venturing out onto any body of water and check it often as you move to different locations.

If weather predictions hold true for the upcoming week we should see great improvements in ice conditions all over the Downeast region. Snowfall early this week will act as an insulating blanket, partially hampering additional ice formation. But if overnight temperatures dip down into the single numbers for any length of time, we surely will be making some ice!

Area Game Wardens would like to remind all anglers to be certain of the fishing regulations that exist on the body of water they are fishing. Also, be sure that any fish you harvest does not fall under the minimum length limit. Even if a fish is a ¼-inch short at the time a warden measures it, you are in violation of the law. You can pick up your free copy of this year’s ice fishing law book at any location where fishing licenses are sold, from any regional IF&W office, your local town office, or online at www.maine.gov/ifw. Remember, it is your responsibility to know the regulations on the body of water that you are fishing.

Ice fishing is a great way to get kids dedicated to a lifetime of fishing. Here are some suggestions of places where you are sure to have some exciting fishing for perch, pickerel or largemouth bass: Chalk Pond in Beddington, Scammon Pond in Eastbrook, Georges Pond in Franklin, Somes Pond in Mount Desert, Seal Cove Pond in Tremont, Graham Lake in Mariaville, Webb Pond in Eastbrook, Rocky Pond in T-22 MD, Spectacle Pond in Osborn Plantation., Great Pond in Franklin, Lily Pond and Forbes Pond in Gouldsboro, Boyden Lake in Perry, Rocky Lake in T-18 ED, and Hadley Lake in East Machias.

Also, I suggest visiting Unnamed (Foxhole Pond) in Deblois for kids-only fishing waters for brook trout.

In general, ice fishing pressure has been light this year, so there still are plenty of opportunities awaiting hard water anglers. Be safe, check ice conditions often, and have fun!

- Joe Overlock, Fisheries Biologist Specialist, Jonesboro

Region D - Western Mountains

Ice conditions were good on most waters last weekend. Most of previous week’s water and slush on the ice had frozen to create safer conditions and easier traveling. The ice thicknesses on the smaller waters in the northwestern corner of the state have six to eight inches. The larger waters still are a problem, so ice travelers need to use some caution. Slushy conditions likely will return after a few more snow events.

Overall, this year’s winter fishing season is off to a great start. The first couple of weeks in the year produced some fast action. Here are some of the regional highlights.

At Pleasant Pond, Caratunk: We have so far interviewed 185 anglers. They’ve caught 140 legal lake trout and a 15-inch brook trout. Two of the togue were over 30 inches long and weighed more than 10 pounds.

At Porter Lake, New Vineyard: We have interviewed 141 anglers that caught 97 salmon up to 18 inches in length. Seventeen lake trout also were caught with the largest being 22¾ inches long.

At Clearwater Pond, Industry: 15 salmon have been sampled that average 17.3 inches in length and 1 pound, 13 ounces in weight. The largest salmon was over 19 inches long.

At Oaks Pond, Skowhegan: In two days of fishing the 32 anglers we interviewed caught a 17½-inch rainbow trout and 34 splake, averaging 15.6 inches in length.
Wentworth Pond, Solon: 75 anglers that were interviewed caught 37 legal splake and 16 brook trout. Average lengths are 13.7 inches for splake and 13.0 inches for brook trout. The largest fish were a 16¾-inch splake and a 14¾-inch brookie.

We also have received good fishing reports for brook trout and brown trout at Wesserunsett Lake in Madison. Wyman Lake in Moscow is producing good numbers of salmon, splake, and brook trout. Also, Tibbetts Pond in Concord, which is open to kids only, is yielding some fine brook trout to these young anglers.

- David Howatt, Fisheries Biologist Specialist, Strong

Region E - Moosehead Region

The unseasonable weather the Moosehead Lake Region received this past week kept many anglers at bay last weekend. The warm weather and rain reduced the snow pack significantly and had many anglers questioning the ice conditions on local lakes and ponds. Ice depths, however, held their own during the warm spell. We still are seeing good ice depths of 14-16 inches on many of the smaller ponds and the shallow areas of Moosehead Lake. We still urge anglers to use caution since ice condition can change daily. Individuals should also avoid traveling over the deep basins on Moosehead Lake, since many of these areas of the lake have just recently frozen over. The 5-6 inches of snow ice we had last weekend soaked up most of last week’s rain and snow melt, and little if no slush was encountered in our travels this past weekend.

In our travels on Moosehead Lake and Lower Wilson Pond this past weekend we saw very little fishing pressure. The few fish we saw where predominately lake trout and a couple of nice brook trout where observed from Lower Wilson and Prong Pond. The majority of lake trout on Moosehead Lake and Lower Wilson Pond are 14–17 inches. We are encouraging angler to harvest these14– to 17-inch lake trout in hopes to reduce the abundant number of individuals in this size range on both of these bodies of water. By reducing the number of smaller lake trout we will increase the health of the lake trout populations in both of these bodies of water.
Last week we received a few phone calls in regards to access to some of the local ponds in the Moosehead Lake Region. The ponds in question were Mountain View (Fitzgerald Pond) Pond and Prong Pond. Local anglers have been plowing the access at Mountain View Pond for the past few winters. I stopped at the pond this past weekend on my way back from checking anglers in Rockwood and found that someone has once again plowed the access road to within a short distance from the boat launch. Prong Pond can be accessed from the Lily Bay Road in Beaver Cove. The access road to the boat launch is not plowed, but last week people where driving down to the boat launch. As the winter progresses and we receive more snow the access may become a little more difficult and anglers are going to have to access the pond by snow sled or a short walk down the access road.
Sebec Lake opens Jan.15 and remains open until March 15. Anglers have a few options to access the lake. Anglers can put on at Greeley’s Landing, Peaks-Kenny State Park, and Packard’s Landing. Anglers accessing the lake from the Packard’s Landing should use the parking area located across the road from the campground. There is a trail from the parking area to the lake. Anglers using this area to access the lake are urged to stay on the marked trail and comply with the landowner’s wishes of having snowmobile and ATV traffic use this access trail instead of the old route that has been used in the past.

We are within two weeks of the Moosehead Lake Togue Ice Fishing Derby. The event will be held Jan. 26-27. Got your ticket yet? To enter the derby anglers can purchase individual and family tickets at several locations in Greenville and Rockwood. A grand door prize will be given, daily drawings and cash prizes will be awarded for the three largest togue. For more information on the derby log onto www.mooseheadlake.org or contact the Greenville Chamber of Commerce at (207) 695-2702.

- Stephen Seeback, Fishery Biology Specialist, Moosehead Lake Region

Region F - Penobscot Valley Region

The warm temperatures of the past two weeks has been great for the winter fuel bills, however it has done little for ice conditions except deteriorate them.
We are hearing from and seeing very few anglers so far this year. This past weekend biologists surveyed Schoodic, Seboeis, Molunkus, Upper Cold Stream, Webster, Matagamon, and Scraggly Lakes. Each body of water was checked at least one day during the weekend. Only three parties were observed, and questionable ice conditions limited our ability to fully cover several of the lakes. Hopefully, the temperature will continue to cool down and more ice will form so all the winter anglers chomping at the bit to do some ice fishing will have safe conditions to do so.

The few fishing reports that we have received from around Region F have been good. The low angling pressure early in the season should produce some excellent ice fishing throughout the region later in the season. Here are a few highlights.

The splake are biting in Lower Togue, Cedar, and West Seboeis. We also stock splake in Endless but have had no reports from that lake. The fishing is slow so far for the fall yearling brook trout that were stocked in Upper Cold Stream Pond, Cold Stream Pond and Molunkus Lake, however anglers at Upper Pond and Silver Lake are doing well. Anglers are catching some nice salmon in Cold Stream Pond, Pleasant Pond, Upper Jo-Mary, West Seboeis and Scraggly. We have measured a few healthy lake trout from the north end of Schoodic Lake. Angling pressure has been way down on our togue lakes, but as the ice continues to form we expect that to change. Reports of nice catches of white perch have come from Dolby flowage, Molunkus, Escutasis, Brackett, Pemadumcook and Upper Jo Mary.

Again, we issue a word of caution when venturing out ice fishing. Hopefully the temperature will continue to drop over the next few weeks giving us plenty of ice for the winter anglers.

-Brian Campbell, Fisheries Biologist Specialist, Enfield

Region G - Aroostook County

Ice thickness on Millinocket and Millimagassett lakes this weekend were in the 10- to12-inch range, with excellent travel conditions on the lakes. The recent thaw has created many hazards on the trails going to and between lakes so caution is strongly suggested. With cold and snow forecasted conditions should improve greatly.

Angler activity in the Mattagammon Region was lower than expected during the past weekend and last week’s thaw and rains kept anglers close to home.
Opening day on Square, Cross, Long and Eagle Lakes is Jan.15. Local anglers have awaited this day with much anticipation. Reports from the summer and our work on Long Lake this fall indicate that Long Lake is the place to go for salmon of excellent size quality. By all indications brook trout fishing on the Fish River Chain should be nothing short of extraordinary.

For those who have been looking forward to the 2008 ice fishing season, I would urge a little more patience for conditions to improve. It will be more enjoyable to yourself and a relief to family members to know that ice is safe for your fishing trip.

- Derrick Cote, Fisheries Biologist Specialist, Ashland