Archive for May, 2007
Posted on Thursday, May 31st, 2007 by Maine Sportsman
he past few springs have been anything but productive for the wading angler who desires to fish the Shawmut stretch of the Kennebec River. Lower than normal angler use has been directly related to water flow. In recent years, it has been well into July before water levels have reached a manageable level that allowed for productive wading. Unfortunately in July, water temperatures are undesirable and less productive for good trout fishing.
Currently, water levels are in the process of receding and water temperatures are becoming more conducive for good insect hatches. The flashboards on the Shawmut Dam should be installed soon, provided we do not get another tremendous rain event.
Some management changes have occurred in the Shawmut stretch since 2006. Voluntary angler data has suggested that our prized brown trout fishery is in decline. In an effort to reduce the competition between the two species, rainbow trout stocking will be reduced from 2000 to 1000 spring yearlings. In time, if results show that this stocking reduction is having a positive effect one can expect that rainbow trout numbers will decrease and the quality of the brown trout fishery will begin to improve.
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Tags: Central Maine Fishing Report • Categories: Fishing Reports
Posted on Thursday, May 31st, 2007 by Maine Sportsman
If trout and salmon are your game, this is the time to get out there and wet your line! The hatcheries trucks have just about finished up with their stocking, so there’s plenty of fish out there to catch. How many? According to our records the hatcheries were scheduled to stock out the following number of fish this spring in Region A alone:
56,800 brook trout;
35, 925 brown trout
2,300 lake trout;
8,275 landlocked salmon;
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Tags: Southwestern Maine Fishing Report • Categories: Fishing Reports
Posted on Thursday, May 24th, 2007 by Maine Sportsman
Smelt runs in northern Maine continue to wind down. Smelt populations in southern and central Aroostook as well as in the western “woods” area have completed their annual spring migrations. The only runs still ongoing are those in the Fish River Chain, particularly Long Lake. Smelt run timing was delayed 6-8 days in most locations this spring due to the cold spring with a couple of late snowstorms. Currently the weather is colder than normal which might delay these last few runs even later; we could possibly see some smelt still spawning on June 1st.
On Tuesday May 15th, the Department stocked 200 brook trout in Raymond Pond, a private water in Caribou. The stocking is the result of an agreement with the landowner to allow public access across their property in exchange for annual trout stocking. These types of partnerships have become more common throughout the State to provide more angling opportunities for youth, especially in urban areas. These waters are typically listed with a S-11 code in the Department’s regulation book: “fishing restricted to persons under 16 years of age; daily bag limit on trout: 2 fish.” Raymond Pond is adjacent to and lies directly south of Caribou High School; the area is managed as non-motorized use with many school activities taking place throughout the year. The designated access for fishing is at the High School ski shack; from this point a short walk down the hill toward the downhill ski area will lead to the pond. The Department wishes to thank Carl and Lisa Soderberg of Caribou for allowing public use of the Raymond Pond area.
Tags: Aroostook County Fishing Report • Categories: Fishing Reports
Posted on Thursday, May 24th, 2007 by Maine Sportsman
On Saturday, in spite of a weather report forecasting heavy rain, youth from the greater Old Town area enjoyed a great day fishing at Pickerel Pond in T 32 MD. A damp start early, but the sun came out on the Cops and Bobbers program sponsored by Maine Youth Fish and Game and Penobscot Nation Health Care. Forty youngsters caught trout, kayaked, ate hamburgers and hot dogs and generally had a great time in the outdoors. Every child that attended won a prize on Saturday, and Emilee Pinkham of Old Town, won the Grand Door Prize, an Old Town kayak with paddles, life vest and spray skirt. Information about the Maine Youth Fish and Game Club can be found at: http://www.maineyouthfishandgame.org/
The Family Fishing Day at Jerry Pond in Millinocket has been postponed because of a forecast of heavy rain on Saturday, which never arrived however. The rain date is June16th. All are invited to attend, with rods, reels, bait and food provided. Mark the 16th on your calendar and take a kid fishing in Millinocket. Pictures from the February 17th Winter Family Fishing Day can be seen at: http://ffc.50webs.org/fin.html
The old adage” you should have been here yesterday” apparently still holds true. Angler reports of having fast fishing one day, going back the next day and being skunked are common. Any one of our regional lakes and ponds can provide great fishing at any time, you just want to pick your day carefully. Good choice for landlocked salmon would include West Lake in T3ND, Pleasant Lake in Kossuth, Lower Sysladobsis in Lakeville, East Grand Lake in Weston and Danforth, Millinocket Lake in T1 R8 WELS, and Pleasant Lake in Island Falls. Togue anglers are directed to Schoodic in Brownville, Cold Stream in Enfield, and Pemadumcook Lake in T3 Indian Purchase. Splake anglers shouldn’t overlook Seboeis Lake in T4R9 NWP, Lower Togue in T2R9 WELS and Endless Lake in T3R9 NWP.
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Tags: Penobscot Valley Fishing Report • Categories: Fishing Reports
Posted on Thursday, May 24th, 2007 by Maine Sportsman
The hatchery trucks are rolling and most of our multi-stocked put and take waters have had their first stocking. This week hatchery crews from Enfield and Embden stocked catchable brook trout in: Heald Stream, Sandy Stream, Parlin Pond, Crocker Pond, Bennett Pond, Pingree Pond, Whetstone Pond, the West Outlet, Kiwanis Park Pond, Drummond Pond, and Gravel Pit Pond.
The Greenville Recreation Committee sponsored a kids fishing day. Fifty-six youngsters from all over the region participated in the annual event. Fishing was a little slow but they did manage to land a few, including a couple “lunker” trout that apparently survived from last year’s stocking.
On Friday, approximately forty 1st graders from the McKusick Elementary School in Parkman assisted Fisheries and Hatcheries personnel at the stocking of Drummond Pond in Abbot. This gravel pit pond is located on Rte 15 just north of downtown Guilford and it is a great spot to take the family fishing. The 1st graders formed a bucket brigade and released 250 brook trout, ranging in length from 8-10 inches, into the new pond. We plan to stock the pond again in a few weeks. For a look at pictures from the event, please click on photos from the field, above.
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Tags: Moosehead Region Fishing Report • Categories: Fishing Reports
