Archive for February, 2007
Posted on Wednesday, February 21st, 2007 by Maine Sportsman
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.
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Tags: Downeast Fishing Report • Categories: Fishing Reports
Posted on Wednesday, February 21st, 2007 by Maine Sportsman
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.
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Tags: Central Maine Fishing Report • Categories: Fishing Reports
Posted on Tuesday, February 13th, 2007 by Maine Sportsman
Cold temperatures have produced ice thickness that has made access around the lakes in this region less troublesome. Anglers taking advantage of the winter fishing had to brave cold temperatures and howling winds this weekend. Fishing activity to date on back country waters seems to be down from what we had seen five years ago. Poor ice conditions and travel costs may have the greatest influence. Regulations have remained unchanged for brook trout and lake trout on most of these waters. Because of low numbers, lake whitefish must be released on Big Eagle, Churchill, Spider and the Musquacook Lakes. Clear Lake and Ross Lake have a bag limit of 3 fish and a length limit of 16 inches on lake whitefish. Although fishing conditions were difficult, brook trout, togue and whitefish were observed in angler creels.
A light snowfall made travel conditions on local snowmobile trails much more enjoyable. The International Snowmobile Festival in Madawaska allowed enthusiasts of this sport to buy a 3-day passport to enjoy trails on both sides of the border. The new snow that fell on Friday night was greatly appreciated by those sponsoring the event. Winter marks the tourist season for many businesses in the County as old and new visitors alike take advantage of the excellent trails maintained by volunteers from area snowmobile clubs. Should you be looking for something new to get you through the winter, we would suggest taking a trip to the Crown of Maine. There is a lot of the state above Bangor-experience it.
Tags: Aroostook County Fishing Report • Categories: Fishing Reports
Posted on Tuesday, February 13th, 2007 by Maine Sportsman
The ice conditions continue to get better. The artic freeze that has set on us for the past couple weeks has resulted in thicker ice. This past weekend several of Region F’s largest lakes have been making pressure ridges. For the most part the ridges tend to push ice up and form a reef that in some cases can reach up several feet into the air. On rare occasion the ice pushes down. When this happens open water results along these pressure ridges. Several anglers on Cold Stream Pond reported this happening on Saturday. The anglers reported that a couple of loud snaps that resulted in an 8 foot opening that extended from one point on the west shore across the narrows to a point on the east shore. To make things even more dangerous this froze over with a skimming of ice and then snow blew in and covered it, resulting in a very dangerous situation. Caution always must be used when venturing out onto the ice.
This past fall the guys at Cobb State Hatchery in Enfield stocked some surplus brood brook trout in Silver Lake (Lee), Weir Pond (Lee), Upper Pond (Lincoln), Smith Pond (T3 Indian Purchase), Cedar Lake (T3R9 NWP), and Cold Stream Pond (Enfield). They also put brood brook trout in 3 Kids only ponds: Jerry (Millinocket), Pickerel Pond (T32 MD) and Little Round Pond in (Lincoln). Some of these fish tipped the scales at 4 lbs. We have had several reports of these fish being caught. Fishing reports from Schoodic Lake (Lakeview Plt.) are very good. Several lake trout in the 5lb + range have been taken. Reports of 4lbs+ salmon and great smelt fishing have also been reported. Seboeis Lake (T4R9 NWP) is producing some nice salmon and splake. Reports from Pleasant Lake (Island Falls) are good with 3lb + salmon being caught.
This weekend, the 5th Annual Ice Fishing Derby sponsored by Boy Scout Troop #64 is scheduled to take place. The lakes included in this Derby are Cold Stream Pond, Escutarasis, Saponic, Madagascal, Mattanawcook Lakes and Folsom, Crooked and Long Ponds. Tickets can be purchased at the Enfield General Store, Enfield Maine.
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Tags: Penobscot Valley Fishing Report • Categories: Fishing Reports
Posted on Tuesday, February 13th, 2007 by Maine Sportsman
The early season concerns over warm temperatures and thin ice conditions are now in the past in the Moosehead Lake Region. Ice conditions are now more typical of mid-winter on most lakes and ponds. Fishermen on Moosehead Lake are reporting 14-18 inches of ice in most areas. Anglers still need to be cautious of pressure ridges and thin spots in the usual places. There may be a little slush here and there as well.
This winter fisheries staff from the Greenville Office will be checking anglers during the weekends and holidays on Moosehead Lake, Lobster Lake, Chamberlain Lake (including Round Pond and Telos Lake), and Allagash Lake. We did hear of some good catches of fish on Allagash opening week. Last year we had reports of many short salmon on Lobster Lake, which prompted us to include it on this year’s schedule for a winter survey. Small fish are not typical for Lobster Lake, which has a 20-inch minimum length limit on salmon. The lake is known for slow fishing but with trophy-sized fish. We made our first trip to the trophy lake on Saturday and will continue to check the lake throughout the month of February.
When we are not on the ice talking to anglers, we are busy working up data collected during the past year. Sitting in front of the computer crunching numbers may not sound very exciting, but this is how we evaluate the success and/or failure of the various fisheries management plans on our waters. We also rely on comments from the hundreds of anglers we have contact with each year. Local anglers are our eyes and ears on many of the 1200+ lakes and ponds and over 4,000 miles of flowing water in the Moosehead Lake Region, which is managed by just 3 full time fisheries biologists. We really appreciate the productive and practical comments we get from these folks.
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Tags: Moosehead Region Fishing Report • Categories: Fishing Reports
