Archive for February, 2007
Posted on Monday, February 26th, 2007 by Maine Sportsman
It’s derby time! Mid to late February is a popular time for ice fishing derbies in southern Maine, and they seem to get more and more popular each year. Two sizable ice fishing derbies occurred over the past weekend, the Great East Lake Derby in Acton and the F.E.T. Derby on Little Ossipee Lake in Waterboro. We haven’t gotten any details on the Great East Derby at the time of this writing, but we have heard the lake trout from Great East Lake are looking much better. It appears the togue may be benefiting from recent smelt egg introductions conducted by the Maine and New Hampshire Fish and Wildlife Departments. F.E.T.’s 8th annual ice fishing derby was its largest turnout ever with 1,031 adult and 229 children entries. Ryan Whitmore took the $3,000 first place prize with a 5.28 pound largemouth bass, and a complete listing of winners and photos can be viewed at www.lakesidemarket.net and past/future derby information can be obtained at www.fetinc.net.
The last weekend in February marks the Windham Rotary Club’s Sebago Lake Togue Derby, which seemingly grows exponentially each year. Although the entire lake (Sebago) has yet to freeze, anglers have been fishing much of Lower and Jordan Bays for the last week or two. This year a Kid’s Derby was added to the “Derby Fest” events, which will be held on Thomas Pond in Casco/Raymond on Friday, February 23rd. In addition, a third statewide derby is included for the first weekend in March. The “Derby Fest” includes many nonangling events, and certainly offers something for everyone. Its a great time to get out and enjoy some Maine winter festivities, so be sure to check it out if you get the chance. Details on this year’s event and future events are available at www.icefishingderby.com.
Other than derby waters, the fishing pressure in southern Maine seemed a little lighter this past weekend. My impression was that many of the “regulars” were attracted to the local derbies, and the fishing pressure was less spread out than normal. My first highlight of the weekend was an angler check of 2 youth anglers on Round Pond in Lyman. I checked them at around 10 AM and they had already caught and released nine 9-11 inch brookies! Round Pond is a new kids only ice fishing pond (2 line limit) created in cooperation with the local fish and game club and MDIF&W. The small size of the pond and our relatively heavy stocking makes it a great place to introduce kids to ice fishing. My second memorable event of the weekend was helping a couple of novice anglers get their friend’s ATV unstuck from the deep snow and slush created from the prior week’s major snow event. It took some shoveling and towing with my sled, but we eventually got the ATV on some firm ground and I think they learned a valuable lesson. That’s all I’ve got for this week, stay safe and enjoy the winter!
Tags: Southwestern Maine Fishing Report • Categories: General
Posted on Wednesday, February 21st, 2007 by Maine Sportsman
The snowstorm last week may have added snow to the trails allowing groomers to get out and smooth them up, but on the lakes it made for slow travel. The wind following the storm created “whitecaps” on lakes that caused sea sickness among some snowmobilers. The drifts caused gear being hauled behind snowsleds to get pounded and, on some lakes, slush is becoming a factor with all of the snow. It would be great to get a little snow without a following wind to smooth up the lakes.
The free fishing weekend added increased use to some lakes while others saw very little use. Square Lake was on of the “hot spots” in the region this weekend. Salmon and trout were coming good with most parties catching fish. Long Lake has entered its winter doldrums with most anglers having long waits in the chance of catching a big salmon. Madawaska Lake opened on February 15 and the fishery for the FY brook trout this weekend was pretty decent. Sledders should use caution when traveling around the lake where there has been fishing activity as slush has been observed in these areas.
With milder days this week being forecast and the high school basketball tourney in full swing, we have officially reached the mid-point of the ice fishng season. Hopefully, with longer and warmer days ahead of us, the best fishing is yet to come.
Tags: Aroostook County Fishing Report • Categories: General
Posted on Wednesday, February 21st, 2007 by Maine Sportsman
The results are in from the 45th annual Schoodic Lake Fishing Derby, and they are impressive. Anglers could fish Schoodic Lake, Seboeis Lake and Ebeemee Lake on both Saturday and Sunday. Estimates from Schoodic Lake on Saturday indicate that around 1200 to 1500 anglers were on the ice enjoying a great day. Although no monsters were entered, some handsome fish took the prizes. All the top slots for togue were between 6 and 7 pounds, with a 6.98 pounder placing 1st. A 6 pound salmon was entered for 1st place, with 4.9 pound and 4.4 pound in 2nd and 3rd. First place trout was a 5.5 pound splake from Seboeis, with a 2.75 pound splake also from Seboeis taking the 2nd place prize. A 2.25 pound brook trout was entered from Schoodic for 3rd. All in all a great weekend for all participants.
A Family Fishing Day was also held at Jerry Pond in Millinocket on Saturday. A total of 20 brook trout from 12 to 19 inches were caught , with the largest weighing in at almost 4 pounds! Over 300 hotdogs and gallons of hot chocolate were served up to a great bunch of kids. Kudos go to The Millinocket Fin and Feather Club for sponsoring this ever popular event. For some excellent pictures from the Jerry Pond Family Fishing Day, go to http://ffc.50webs.org/fin.html
This next weekend (February 24th and 25th) is the date of the 9th Annual East Grand Fishing Derby. The derby was postponed from January 27 – 28 because of poor ice conditions. This derby includes East Grand Lake, Brackett Lake, Deering Lake and North Lake. Grand prize is $1000 cash, and the “Special Youth Grand Prize” this year is a Lifetime Fishing License for Maine Residents under age 16. Ice conditions are good on all lakes involved in the derby, with ice thickness from 18″ to 24″ most everywhere. We have been conducting a winter creel survey on East Grand this winter, and clerks have measured many salmon and a few nice brook trout and togue. Should be a good time this weekend up there! For more information, please call Buck Plummer at 448-7018.
Tags: Penobscot Valley Fishing Report • Categories: General
Posted on Wednesday, February 21st, 2007 by Maine Sportsman
Ice fishing this year on Chamberlain Lake was slow to start. Most of the fishing pressure early during the month of January was isolated to Round Pond and Telos Lake, since there were unsafe ice conditions on the big lake. On the first weekend of the ice fishing season we only had 4 inches of ice on Round Pond and open water and white caps were observed in the Arm of Chamberlain Lake from the trailhead on Chamberlain Lake. We interviewed 10 parties during the entire weekend. We saw only 3 brook trout on the first weekend.
Russ Danner, IF&W Fish Pathologist, accompanied me on the second weekend of the season. Russ brought some good insight into the work we are doing at Chamberlain Lake and pointed out some good techniques from his lab work, especially when experiencing the cold weather conditions we have seen the last few weeks. I will be using these techniques for many years to come. Time spent with Russ in the field was enjoyable and he is invited anytime he can get away from his duties in Augusta to accompany us with fieldwork in the Moosehead Lake Region. Russ and I interviewed and collected data from 11 parties during our stay. We collected biological data from 3 brook trout, 1 lake trout, and 1 lake whitefish.
Joe Dembeck, Research Fisheries Biologist, helped with the creel census duties on Chamberlain Lake on the third weekend. This was the first time we had safe enough ice conditions to get around the entire lake to check anglers. The lake was rough with many spots that went from glare ice to snow, then the occasional snowdrift that may have shook the cookie jar a little more than we may have liked. Joe learned firsthand the importance of making sure your pack is fashioned properly to the sled, since he had to backtrack many miles to retrieve his gear. The highlight of Joe’s trip was when he landed his first cusk ever, which weighed 4 ½ pounds, during an evening of fishing, after hours, in the thoroughfare between Round Pond and Chamberlain Lake. That weekend we saw 6 brook trout and 4 lake trout.
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Tags: Moosehead Region Fishing Report • Categories: General
Posted on Wednesday, February 21st, 2007 by Maine Sportsman
Last week’s big snow dump certainly changed the landscape here in western Maine. While snowmobilers and skiers are reveling in the long-anticipated white stuff, the deep fluffy powder and tall drifts made it tough for ice anglers to reach their favorite fishing spots. Stuck snowsleds, developing slush, high winds and frigid temperatures for part of President’s day weekend discouraged more than a few winter anglers during what is typically a busy time on the ice. Despite this, a few fish were caught most everywhere we checked – brookies and small salmon at Chain of Ponds, and splake, brookies, and salmon at Wyman Lake. Embden Pond and Hancock Pond were mostly bereft of anglers on President’s Day. Don’t give up on these lakes yet, folks. There’s still plenty of winter left and there should be a fair number of fish around. Wyman typically produces splake action all season long. Chain of Ponds is noted for it’s mid-late season salmon and trout fishing; and lots of stocked brook trout and salmon remain in Embden and Hancock.
Tags: Western Mountains Fishing Report • Categories: General
