Aroostook County Fishing Report: May 31, 2007

Action was hot and heavy on area rivers over the Memorial Day weekend. Anglers found flows and temperature at perfect conditions and the brook trout cooperated very nicely. When anglers wanted to go ashore to stretch their legs, they could pick a pail full of fiddleheads that would later accompany their trout on the dinner plate. The only misery to the weekend might have been the blackflies that were anxiously seeking warm bodies. Depending on weather conditions, the trout fishing should continue to cooperate into next weekend, as well.

Public access to the Aroostook River is found in Fort Fairfield, Presque Isle, Washburn, Ashland, Masardis and a new one this year in the town of Oxbow. The Meduxnekeag River has public access in Houlton and at the Lowrey Road in Littleton. The Fish River is accessible in Soldier Pond and at Fort Kent. The Allagash River has access points at Churchill Dam, Umsaskis Thoroughfare, Henderson Brook Bridge, and Finley Bogan. The St. John River, better known now for its muskellunge fishery although trout can still be picked up in the tributaries, can be accessed near Moody Bridge, the former Priestly Bridge site and the Big Black crossing as well as numerous campsites below the confluence with the Big Black River.

The Presque Isle Elks Club and the Presque Isle Fish and Game Club will be hosting a Hooked On Fishing Program on Saturday, June 2 at Mantle Lake Park. Mantle Lake is a small pond within city limits that is open to kids under the age of 16 and adults with complimentary licenses. There are playground and picnic facilities available at the site and on this day there will be numerous recreation and educational activities for children. Masons from the 1st District of the Grand Lodge of Maine will be on hand offering their free Child Identification Program for families wishing to participate.