Moosehead Region Fishing Report: May 31, 2007

Thanks to the late snowstorms we received this spring and recent rain events, we had plenty of water to work with this spring for filling First Roach Pond. So much in fact that we had to release higher flows for an extended period of time so that we wouldn’t run the risk of extremely high lake levels. We will be making adjustments to the dam in the near future to maintain a summer flow in the river. Flows in the smaller streams and brooks, have subsided and are providing some good trout fishing.

Last week with the help of Verizon and the folks at Northern Pride Lodge we were successful in getting our new remote water level logger up and running. This logger will help us by cutting down the number of trips and time for monitoring the lake level at First Roach. In the past we frequently had to travel from Greenville to Kokadjo to check on the lake level. With the new logger in place we are able to call into the dam and the logger will automatically give us a lake level reading. This can be done from anywhere; office or home and we hope will cut down on the amount of heartburn the Regional Biologist has encountered over the past 2 springs in dealing with water level management at First Roach.

With the first hot days of spring that we had last week the flying ant hatch was right on cue and signs of mayfly hatches were also noted on some of the smaller trout ponds in the Region. Unfortunately it has also intensified the blackflies and mosquitos, so don’t forget the fly dope!

Flow at the East Outlet on the Kennebec River, as of May 29th is running at 1,211 cfs. This flow is much more wadeable than the high flows that the East Outlet had been running at earlier this spring. Brook trout and some decent salmon have been showing up at the West Outlet. Fishing at the Moose River below the Brassua Dam has been difficult as well, with flows running higher than normal. However, with drier weather and reduced runoff due to leaf out, flows should be subsiding and fishing in this area should begin pick up as well. Memorial Day Weekend reports from Moosehead Lake indicate that fishing was quite good. Salmon and lake trout were reported being caught in the Spencer Bay and Rockwood areas. Anglers stated that they caught these fish trolling but were not very forthcoming with the type of tackle they were using. Wardens reported checking many parties this past weekend and indications were that the fishing was very good.

Here are some of the waters that were stocked with spring yearling brook trout during the past week: Power Trout Pond and Shadow Pond in Little Moose Twp., Snows Pond and Black Stream in Dover-Foxcroft. The Piscataquis River in Guilford and Dover-Foxcroft is scheduled to receive a few more spring yearling brook trout this week.