Archive for March, 2007
Posted on Friday, March 23rd, 2007 by Maine Sportsman
Although many parts of the state will have lakes free of ice come April 1, winter is still very much evident in northern Maine. Usual early fishing spots in this region include the small trout ponds in eastern Aroostook County, in particular many that were stocked with fall fingerlings last year such as Daigle Pond, Echo Lake, Hanson Brook Lake, Arnold Brook Lake, Timoney Lake and Carry Lake. Soldier Pond in Wallagrass is usually open for fishing on April 1 as are stretches of the Meduxnekeag River, Prestile Stream and various other small brooks in eastern Aroostook County.
Retired brook trout brood fish were released last fall in Conroy Lake, Echo Lake, Durepo Lake, Monson Pond, and Mud Pond in Linneus. These trout should be looking to bite as the ice recedes from these ponds.
Eagle Lake in the Fish River Chain is usually a sure bet for ice out landlocked salmon, togue and brook trout fishing. Square Lake has been excellent fishing for trout this winter and these fish should provide an attractive spring fishery at ice out. In the backcountry, access on the private gravel land management roads can be tricky with mud season. The Allagash River below Churchill Dam and fishway is usually a popular destination.
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Tags: Aroostook County Fishing Report • Categories: General
Posted on Friday, March 23rd, 2007 by Maine Sportsman
It will probably be mid-April before the ice goes out of the brooks and streams and late April before ice starts going out of lakes and ponds in Region F. There is still a lot of ice on most waters and a deep snow pack. If normal runoff conditions occur, there will be a lot of water. The West Branch of the Penobscot should be at least partially open on April 1 but low flows from McKay station will affect fishing opportunity in waters free of ice and deep snow will affect travel to the river. Salmon fishing has been slow the last few years and is still being affected by the status of the smelt population in Chesuncook Lake. When good fishing conditions do occur there should be a lot of good fishing opportunity. Winter fishing pressure was not high on salmon and trout waters which should result in good fishing action for those species.
Due to the low use this winter by anglers and the good water flows over the past summer, this springs fishing should be very good in the Penobscot Region. Get your rods and boats ready.
Think spring and warmer weather
Tags: Penobscot Valley Fishing Report • Categories: General
Posted on Friday, March 23rd, 2007 by Maine Sportsman
As the ice fishing season winds down anglers are taking advantage of the final two weeks of the season on their favorite lake and ponds in the Moosehead Lake Region. Soon it will be time to put away the augers and ice traps and take out the spinning and fly fishing gear. Although many of the lakes and ponds in the Moosehead Lake Region are still covered in ice and snow until the end of April the best chance to wet a line on opening day is to visit some of the regions rivers and streams. The East Outlet and West Outlet of the Kennebec, West Branch of the Penobscot River, Piscataquis River, and the Moose River are a few of the rivers to check out.
Annual spring stocking of legal- size brook trout are stocked in easily assessable waters throughout the region to create “instant fishing”. These waters are stocked on more than one occasion to ensure fishing success longer into the season. Some of these waters would have no fishing opportunities without these stocking efforts. These waters will be accessible once they are ice free.
LIST OF SPRING STOCKED BROOK TROUT WATERS
Fitzgerald Pond, Big Moose Twp.
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Tags: Moosehead Region Fishing Report • Categories: General
Posted on Friday, March 23rd, 2007 by Maine Sportsman
It’s 14 degrees with a stiff breeze outside my office this morning. It sure doesn’t feel like it’s time for spring fishing, but the calendar says it’s almost here, so here’s a brief preview of what’s happening in the western Maine. Expect April 1 to be similar to most opening days (excepting last year!) – the water will be very cold and there will still be lots of ice. Best bets, as usual, are the main stems of the Kennebec and Androscoggin Rivers. The Kennebec below Wyman Dam is always an early season favorite for large rainbow trout, and the Androscoggin River below Gilead and Rumford may hold some large brookies and browns from last fall’s stocking. Big fall yearling brook trout and brown trout were also stocked in the Kennebec below Solon and Madison, and in the Sandy River below Phillips. If these fish held through last fall and winter, it should be fun.
The Rapid River is usually good in early April if you want to trudge in to the inlet to Pond in the River or to the remnants of Lower Dam. Another popular opening day spot is the Dead River below Long Falls – expect a good crowd of eager anglers seeking nice-sized rainbows, salmon, and brook trout.
A number of waters are scheduled to receive stockings of spring yearling brook trout, but that won’t happen by opening day. The recent rebuild of our Embden Rearing Station is allowing us to greatly expand the “catchable trout” program. These fish are stocked to provide immediate fishing opportunities, mostly near population centers. New waters to receive spring/early summer brookies include Wilson Stream, Temple Stream, Webb River, Sunday River, the Kennebec River below Solon, the Androscoggin River in Bethel, the Sandy River below Phillips, Muddy Brook in Industry, and Haley Stream in Rangeley.
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Tags: Western Mountains Fishing Report • Categories: General
Posted on Friday, March 23rd, 2007 by Maine Sportsman
When the ice goes out of Downeast lakes and ponds in April, anglers will be ready and eager to fool hungry fish with their arsenal of streamer flies, hardware, and favored baits from worms to smelts. Anglers will tie on some new lures with the hope of finding a new secret bait, while others will be the tried and true lures that have proven faithful in yielding hook-ups on Maine waters.
What will the fishing be like in eastern Maine and where will the hotspots be found? Here’s a preview of what to expect in Hancock and Washington Counties.
The big news is that there are still lots of fish left over from the winter season. Here’s why. The ice fishing season effectively started after the third week of January because temperatures did not cool sufficiently to make safe ice until then on most lakes. Then the days saw more than 30 consecutive days of cooler-than-normal temperatures with lots of wind. Numerous weekend storms kept anglers home and produced slush problems on the lakes, then the snow and heavy rains of St. Patrick’s Day week-end effectively ended the season for most anglers. The reduced winter harvest will translate to better catches in April and May, so get that boat and motor registered and ready.
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Tags: Downeast Fishing Report • Categories: General
