Western Mountains Fishing Report: August 23, 2007

Regional staff have been very busy in the field during the past month. Our primary focus in July and August has been on evaluating small trout ponds, which the western Maine highlands have plenty of. This effort usually entails a detailed water chemistry analysis, collection of fish samples of all species including minnows, an assessment of tributary and outlet condition, and a check on current access and signs of angler use. If warranted, we’ll even “re-sound” the pond if earlier depth surveys appear inaccurate or if water levels changed significantly since the original survey. Taken together, this information helps us evaluate fishery responses to new fishing regulations or stocking programs, and sometimes shows us a need for slight tweaking of either or both.

Much of the work we’ve completed this summer focused on wild brook trout ponds in the King and Bartlett and Seven Ponds Townships. We’ve also re-surveyed several togue waters, including Lincoln Pond in Parkertown TWP, Varnum Pond in Wilton, King and Bartlett and Little King Lakes in King and Bartlett TWP, and Richardson Lake in Richardsontown. For the latter, I received assistance from Biologist Frank Frost, who works out of our Fish River Lakes Region in Ashland. Frank’s visit was part of our “biologist exchange program” whereby regional staff are required to work in outlying regions. This is an excellent way for us to stay in touch and experience a broader range of fishery issues. I’m sure Frank enjoyed his brief visit and we appreciated the help.

Soon we’ll gear up to begin routine electrofishing surveys to assess stream trout populations. This year we plan to estimate the size of trout and salmon populations in Alder Brook in Perkins, Abbott Brook in Wilsons Mills and Mass Bog Stream in Coburn Gore.