Downeast Fishing Report: February 21, 2007

Ice and snow conditions in the Downeast region are perfect from the coastal lakes to the lakes above Route 9. Biologist reports from this past weekend show that waters located just inland from the coast have an average of 17 inches of ice, where as northern regional waters above Route 9 are averaging 21 inches. All lakes are snow covered and offer great traveling conditions for either ATVs or snowmobiles.

This past weekend’s great weather and pleasant winter landscape saw hordes of people out enjoying ice fishing with friends and family. Regional biologists reported seeing good catches of fish from one end of the region in Hancock County to the other in Washington County, with anglers hooking many salmon at Long Pond on Mount Desert Island and at West Grand Lake in the town of Grand Lake Stream. Biologists also reported that fishermen were still catch good numbers of brook trout at Keenes Lake in Calais, Indian Lake in Whiting, Hopkins Pond in Clifton and Craig Pond in Orland.

Anglers looking for good togue action should set their sights on the western part of the region in Hancock county where anglers are having fast fishing at Tunk Lake, Branch Lake and Hopkins Pond. Most togue being caught at these waters are averaging between 15 and 22 inches but several larger fish have been iced.

Fishermen seeking splake action should put the following waters on their list: Mopang Lake in T 29 MD, Pleasant River Lake in Beddington, Second Lake Old Stream in T 37 MD, Fitts Pond in Clifton and Lower Springy Pond in Otis. To tempt anglers even further to try the splake action they should know that most of the above waters recently have produced splake between 3 and 6 pounds. Last winter at Lower Springy Pond a regional record splake was caught measuring 29 inches and weighing 9 pounds. Anglers are enjoying these great fisheries with their families and are contributing lots of money into the local economy by buying supplies for their fishing trips. These are indeed success stories and ones that local people are embracing.

Brown trout enthusiasts should concentrate their efforts on Upper Lead Mountain Pond in T 29 MD and at Walkers Pond in Brooksville. The browns being caught at Upper Lead are ranging from 14 to 18 inches with occasional larger fish over 20 inches (see photo of young Dylan Kelly with his 16 inch brown). Walker Pond is giving up browns between 16 and 20 inches and the occasional larger fish. As some anglers know, last winter a 10 pound brown was caught at Walkers. This water has consistently produced the biggest browns in the region and some of the fastest fishing for this species. But those wanting to take advantage of the brown trout fishing at Walkers should do it soon as the pond recently lost its public access and therefore lost its stocking of browns. The last year this water was stocked was in the fall of 2005, making the remaining year classes 3, 4 and 5 years old. This water is still worth fishing but do it soon before the last of these stocked fish disappear. To access this water please ask a landowner first.

My parting words of advice is to take advantage of this week’s school vacation and escort your children fishing. They’ll love it and love you for it! Be safe and enjoy our Maine winter wonderland.