Archive for June, 2007
Posted on Wednesday, June 6th, 2007 by Maine Sportsman
Not only are the Black flies biting in Region F, but so are the smallmouth bass. Over the past weekend, we received several reports of excellent fishing on the Penobscot. The reports were from both below Enfield to Veazie as well as from Lincoln north to Mattawamkeag. The anglers I spoke with reported bass in the 1.5 lbs to 2 lbs range and several over 3 lbs. These fish had provided them with great action and a great trip. Might I Suggest Mattanawcook, Long and Egg in Lincoln, the South Branch in Seboeis, Dolby in Millinocket or Chemo in Clifton. Any of these waters should provided the angler with plenty of action.
Water temperatures are rising and the white perch are beginning to move into the shallower water to spawn. If your looking for a good feed of perch and some enjoyable evening fishing you might want to try Saponac or Eskutassis in Burlington, South Branch in Seboeis, Pushaw in Orono, Mattawamkeag in Island Falls or Basskahegan in Brookton. We have had reports from 2 of these lakes. The reports were of great evening fishing and all you need for tackle is a bobber and worms.
As we move into summer and the surface temperature warm up the coldwater fish move in to deeper water. Reports from a Schoodic Lake angler reported that lake trout seemed to be hanging around 14 feet below the surface. The angler and his son handled 4 lake trout all around 3 to 4 lbs and 1 brook trout around 2 lbs. They reported the 2 lake trout they kept to be full of smelts. One having over 20 in its stomach. Another angler and his family reported great day fishing Seboeis with a diverse catch of warm water and cold water species two white perch in the 1 1/2 lb range, one 3 1/2 lb pickerel, one 2 1/2 lb salmon and to top it off, a splake in the 4 lb range.
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Tags: Penobscot Valley Fishing Report • Categories: General
Posted on Wednesday, June 6th, 2007 by Maine Sportsman
For the past few weeks the Hatchery staff has been working around the clock to complete the annual spring stocking of lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers across the State. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife stocks fish to provide fishing opportunities that would not be present unless we stocked fish. In the Moosehead Lake Region, we typically stock salmonid species such as brook trout, salmon, and lake trout. Biologists rely heavily on anglers providing information to get a grasp on the relative success of the fishery programs. The voluntary records provided to us by anglers like you greatly influences the management of a waterway, such as the number of fish stocked or regulation changes. Providing fishing records is the most valuable contribution you can make to the Fishery Division!
We would encourage anglers to collect information on the waters they fish around the State since sound management begins with good information. Your contributions as a voluntary record keeper or by filling out survey cards at access sites are a valuable asset to the Department. So next time you use an access site that has a survey box, we encourage you to take the time to fill out a survey card. If you or other anglers you know might be interested in keeping a voluntary fishing record book for the Moosehead Lake Region, please contact Stephen Seeback at Stephen.Seeback@maine.gov or at PO Box 551, Greenville, Maine 04441 or by phone at 695-3756. Anglers with access to the internet can record their fishing efforts at www.triptracks.com.
This week, we will be wrapping up the spring stocking of legal-size brook trout in the Moosehead Lake Region. The last few places to receive brook trout are: East and West Outlets of the Kennebec River; Little Chase Stream Pond, Misery Twp.; Chub Pond, Hobbstown; and the Piscataquis River, Guilford. We also will be stocking Drummond Pond in Abbot and Kiwanis Park in Dover-Foxcroft for the second and last stocking of the spring.
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Tags: Moosehead Region Fishing Report • Categories: General
Posted on Wednesday, June 6th, 2007 by Maine Sportsman
This week biologists are sampling Androscoggin River smallmouth bass from Rumford to Jay. This study was last done in 1996 when 111 bass where sampled. They averaged 12.8 inches in length and 1 pound, 3 ounces in weight. The largest bass sampled was twelve years old, 19 inches long, and weighed 3 pounds, 3 ounces. This year’s data will be compared to past studies to evaluate this relatively new and popular fishery.
Mooselookmeguntic Lake in Rangeley has been a fishing hot spot lately. As of Memorial Day, our creel clerk Liz Studdert had interviewed 155 anglers, logging 656 hours of fishing time. In that time they reported catching 94 legal brook trout, 141 legal salmon, and a few sublegals of both species. The brook trout kept averaged 13.8 inches. The average salmon kept was 16.1 inches long, the largest was 20 inches long and weighed just over 2 pounds. To encourage fish growth in Mooselookmeguntic Lake salmon regulations are liberal, with 12-inch minimum length (only one over 18 inches) and a 3 fish bag limit. We are hopeful that anglers will take home more salmon.
Downstream and west of Mooselookmeguntic Lake, the Richardson Lakes have also provided good fishing. Anglers report an average of 3.7 legal fish per boat. The voluntary box card survey at Aziscohos Lake shows that 30 anglers caught 10 legal brook trout and 20 legal salmon. The largest fish reported in the card survey were a 20-inch, 3½-pound salmon and a 16½-inch brook trout.
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Tags: Western Mountains Fishing Report • Categories: General
Posted on Wednesday, June 6th, 2007 by Maine Sportsman
Warmer weather and longer days are growing more common. The brooks and streams are still producing fun and exciting fishing for wild brook trout. Whether you prefer to fish with the old stand-by red and white spinner or if you prefer to drop your favorite fly just inches away from that undercut bank, your trip is sure to be worthwhile by landing a beautiful Maine brookie.
Over the weekend salmon fishermen were still having luck catching fish at the surface at West Grand Lake, however, in the next few weeks the fish will need to be targeted in deeper water as surface temperatures increase. Lake trout fishermen were finding the fish just a few feet off bottom in water between 70-80 feet. Grand Lake Stream itself was producing some fine catches of salmon over the weekend. Many anglers reported catching multiple fish each day from the upper sections of the stream.
These next few weeks will be the best time to be out on your favorite smallmouth bass lakes and ponds. Once these fish become 4-5 years in age they become sexually mature. Males begin building nests once the water temperature is in the range of 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit. These nests are usually constructed in association with some sort of cover, such as a large rock, downed tree, dock, or cover by water depth. The nest is composed of a small circular patch on bottom where the male has fanned his fins to remove sediment. Females deposit eggs once the water temperature reaches the early to mid-60s, and males fertilize them. Male smallmouths will guard and defend the nest from anything that approaches. After about a week the fry will have hatched and will remain in close proximity to the nest for another week or longer. The male continues to stay close by to defend against predators.
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Tags: Downeast Fishing Report • Categories: General
Posted on Wednesday, June 6th, 2007 by Maine Sportsman
Now that the spring trout fishing has slowed down, it’s time to try your luck with warm water species such as bass and black crappie. Although, we’ve received a number of comments in the past couple of weeks that the bass fishing has been slow, the fishing will be improving throughout Central Maine.
Our annual spring bass sampling has shown that despite cooler than average temperatures, bass are on schedule for spawning. Cool water temperatures can delay spawning but more of a problem occurs with a drastic drop in temperature after the eggs are laid. Male bass guard the eggs and the fry but a sharp drop in water temperatures may result in the male bass abandoning his duties of guarding the young fish. This behavior is typical and may have an impact on year class strength if the bass don’t re-nest.
Overall, bass populations remain very healthy in Central Maine. Many anglers prefer fishing when the bass are nesting because it’s an experience like fishing the Florida flats, site fishing. Anglers cruise the shoreline looking for fish then casting trying to entice a bass to strike. This can lead to very fast fishing but be aware when the male bass is off the nest the young are exposed to predation. Therefore, it is important to play the fish quickly and return it close to the nest.
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Tags: Central Maine Fishing Report • Categories: General
