Aroostook County Fishing Report: March 23, 2007

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.

We would take this opportunity to advise anglers that Mud Brook in T17R3 WELS, Aroostook County, a tributary to Long Lake, is open to the taking of smelts with a dip net this spring. The legislature passed this law in 2006 but it was inadvertently left out of the 2007 Open Water Law Book.
As we do every year, we would suggest that anglers take the time to read the 2007 law book before going fishing this spring. Also, remember that the water is very cold so please wear your PFD when out on the water.