Penobscot Valley Fishing Report: February 13, 2007
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.
The annual Schoodic Lake Fishing Derby sponsored by the Milo Fire Department will be held on Feb.17-18. Derby lakes include Schoodic, Seboeis and Ebeeme. For more information you can contact Leon Brown at 943-5157.
Last weekend the Pushaw Lake Snowmobile Club held its annual fishing derby on Pushaw Lake. Fisheries personnel were there to check the pike that were being entered. 4 pike were entered in the derby and the largest weighed in just over 2lbs. We are asking the angler to kill all pike that they catch to help slow their expansion in the drainage. If you have any information on pike caught or know of the origin of this illegal introduction please call us at 207 732-4131.
The fisheries staff checked East Grand Lake, Cold Stream Pond and Pushaw Lake over the weekend. East Grand was producing some nice salmon, with one being over 20″. This weekend was the first with any number of anglers seen on East Grand. Cold Stream was producing mostly lake trout and one was 5 lbs. There were a few salmon up to 3 lbs and one brook trout around 1 lb. Cold stream continues to be producing excitement for the angler. The brook trout catches have declined since the beginning of the season, but the lake trout are beginning to replace them. And occasionally a 5 lb. salmon is caught which helps to makes the trip well worth it.
Get Out and enjoy the great Maine outdoors and all it has to offer. Make sure to bundle up and stay warm. Warmer weather is coming soon.