Southwestern Maine Fishing Report: September 20, 2007

This morning’s light frost serves as a reminder of one of the many reasons why I will always live in Maine. Seasonal change here in northern New England keeps things fresh and new and ensures there is always something to do in the outdoors. In fact, if we narrow things down to our angling pursuits, there is always something to do outdoors and if we wish, it can almost always be as different as our seasons. Some folks actually divide their open water fishing season into as many as ten individual fishing seasons depending on their angling preferences and the best opportunities available at the time. For instance, your open water schedule could run a follows: early brook trout fishing, Sebago Lake salmon fishing at ice out, springtime smallmouth bass fishing, fly-fishing striped bass in rivers, bass and panfish in summer, off shore groundfish fishing, back to Sebago in the early fall for more salmon, and rainbow trout during the fall extended season. Those were just a fraction of the possibilities available in just one of our two major fishing seasons. The angling possibilities in this State are truly far above and beyond what most of us have for free time.

Recent sampling efforts at Lower Range Pond in Poland revealed yet another high quality angling opportunity. Our efforts resulted in the capture of good numbers of white perch averaging about 13 inches in length and about a pound in weight. No small perch were captured. Also found were a fair number of brown trout, the largest of which exceeded 5 pounds. The general law open water fishing season is quickly coming to a close but don’t forget the many opportunities available during the extended seasons through October and in some cases through November. Since we’re looking ahead, just consider the wide range of possibilities the ice fishing season can offer!