Aroostook County Fishing Report: June 14, 2007

Fisheries personnel spent 3 days last week on the Big Black River in western Aroostook County. Flow for the trip was dropping from 200 cfs as measured at the USGS station on the Big Black River near Depot Mountain. Water temperature was 60F. Based on our observations, flow less than 200 cfs would not be desireable for canoeing this river. Launching off the Depot Road, brook trout were observed in the upper quickwater section of river prior to hitting extensive deadwater above the Maibec Road bridge. Muskellunge were present in this deadwater. It is speculated that the trout caught in the upper section were dropdowns from cold tributary brooks. Another quickwater section of river prior to the confluence of the Shields Branch offered no brook trout.

Access to the Big Black down the Shields Branch from the Robinson Road is all deadwater that can be motored with no difficulty. Ninemile Deadwater stretches upstream and downstream from this confluence and was measured at 53 feet where the Shields Branch enters the Big Black but was typically 10-15 feet deep. This deadwater can be motored downstream to the site of the old dam where quickwater begins again. Another section of deadwater is present near Two Mile Brook and then it is once again quickwater to the take out at the crossing on the Estcourt Road. Muskellunge are the dominant sport fish now in this section of the Big Black.

No authorized campsites were observed from the start of the canoe trip to the confluence with the St. John River, except for those located at the end of the trip off the Estcourt Road and at the confluence with the St. John River. The trip between the Depot Road and Shields Branch and from the Shields Branch to the Estcourt Road can each easily be done in a day trip with a canoe and motor while enjoying some fishing. This is a very easy and enjoyable trip for anyone looking to get off the beaten path.