Central Maine Fishing Report: February 21, 2007
Having experienced many winter ice fishing seasons since I started this vocation as a fishery biologist, it almost seems that checking ice anglers is an avocation in itself. Every trip to a Maine water body provides some information that adds to the lore and excitement of working in the outdoors. In the 1970′s the Fishery Division was not blessed with many snowmobiles and borrowing one from the wildlife division was standard practice. But scheduling sure made it a hassle, so other means were used to interview anglers and we usually got out and made a day of it to get valuable fishery information.
One time in the early days, I had just gotten back to the office when Bob, who’s last name escapes me, called to report he had landed a large togue and was on his way to the office with it. He had been jigging for togue on Clearwater Lake with his friend Blackie the Barber. Coming into the yard with the large fish that seemed to stretch from one side of the vehicle to the other was pretty impressive. The fish was in excess of 25 pounds, and Bob landed it after he hooked it in one of the pectoral fins, and with much struggle, worked it to the ice surface.
This year with the early part of the season experiencing unsafe ice, anglers were scarce in my surveys of Long Pond. A snowmobile was not feasible for use until February. Up to that time, shore access points were found where the very few anglers parked and inquires on postcard were left for the anglers to report their trips by mail. A variety of techniques like this are the norm for getting information on the fisheries we manage in the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
With this last weekend following a long spell of cold weather that removed safety concerns for ice conditions, coupled with good snow cover, snowmobile traffic was heavy and angler numbers were light, but they were scattered from one end to the other on eight mile Long Pond. I observed one angler who put his shack on early this year who persevered and landed the top prize on the day of the Belgrade Lions Club Derby. Congratulations to Les Witham of Rome who showed all other comers, with a 41 inch 21.6 pound northern pike. His patience paid off.
Every year brings something new in fishery management and to those anglers who enjoy the resources that are offered on our many waters. We are fortunate to have such a great variety of waters for all anglers to enjoy.
