Archive for March, 2008
Posted on Tuesday, March 25th, 2008 by Maine Sportsman
The Rangeley chain of lakes in Western Maine is a land of salmon and brook trout. The brook trout are native; the salmon (and the smelt they feed on) were introduced over a hundred years ago. Before the salmon were introduced, brook trout gorged on blueback trout and grew to tremendous size. The blueback’s disappeared after the turn of the century, but this chain of lakes still provides salmon and trout fishing that attracts anglers from far and wide. The Rangeley chain of lakes, which form the headwaters of the Androscoggin River, lie in Maine’s western mountains. The Appalachian Trail runs south of the lakes, providing views of the lakes and mountains to the north, as well as providing access to a series of isolated trout ponds.
The Rangeley Region pioneered fly fishing, and many of the waters, especially the rivers and smaller trout ponds, are limited to fly fishing today. On the larger lakes, trolling with flies, lures, or sewed-on bait is the preferred angling method. A number of waters, particularly stocked trout ponds, have less restrictive regulations, and provide great opportunities for family fishing.
Central to the Region is the Rangeley chain of lakes. Rangeley village, located on the northeast shore of Rangeley Lake, has a wide variety of businesses catering to anglers. There are motels, inns, and cabins to provide housing, as well as marinas, restaurants, fly fishing shops, and a helpful Chamber of Commerce, which can be reached at (207) 864-5571.
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Tags: Western Mountains Fishing Report • Categories: General
Posted on Tuesday, March 25th, 2008 by Maine Sportsman
Downeast Maine is noteworthy because of the wide variety of angling experiences it offers. Anglers can choose among coldwater (salmonid) and warmwater fisheries in lakes, easily accessible and remote wilderness-type waters, wading or fishing from a canoe for wild brook trout in streams.
Numerous waters offer good fishing for one or more of 9 species of sportfish; landlocked salmon, brook trout, lake trout (togue), brown trout, splake, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, white perch, and pickerel. The region boasts one of the top 10 salmon and togue lakes in Maine (West Grand Lake), one of the top 5 riverine fisheries for salmon (Grand Lake Stream), some of the very best smallmouth bass angling in the state, and the premier lake for whitefish in eastern Maine, West Grand Lake.
West Grand Lake
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Tags: Downeast Fishing Report • Categories: General
Posted on Tuesday, March 25th, 2008 by Maine Sportsman
All too frequently anglers ignore the Augusta area when they are considering a destination for a fishing trip. They do so at their peril! The Belgrade Region in which our state capitol is located, contains some of the finest fishing in the state. This is particularly true in the case of warm water fish species such as smallmouth and largemouth bass and that popular newcomer, the Northern pike.
Fishery Region B is bounded on the West by the Androscoggin River and on the East by the Penobscot River. The Region’s “southern” boundary is, of course, the Atlantic Ocean; its northern boundary approximates a line drawn from Livermore Falls through Skowhegan, Harmony and Dexter.
Let’s talk fish.
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Tags: Central Maine Fishing Report • Categories: General
Posted on Tuesday, March 25th, 2008 by Maine Sportsman
Perhaps the most impressive attribute to fishing in the Sebago Region is the wide diversity of opportunities available to anglers. Within a 90 minute drive of Portland anglers can fly fish for brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout, troll for salmon and lake trout or cast for bass. In addition, warmwater species such as pickerel, perch and black crappie abound in many of the area waters.
In recent years Maine Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists have developed innovative stocking programs and more progressive regulation changes to provide higher quality angling opportunities on a year round basis. Most trout and salmon fisheries including those on the larger streams and lakes are maintained through annual stocking programs, while most of the smaller brooks are sustained by wild populations. Anglers can obtain a copy of the stocking list from this department, or consult with the biologists at the regional headquarters.
With the exception of the northwest corner, much of this southernmost region in the state is ice free by mid April, which affords anglers an opportunity for some early season fishing. May and June are possibly the best months to fish for trout salmon or bass, since water temperatures are optimal and the most prolific insect hatches are taking place. Well informed and prepared anglers can also expect excellent fishing throughout the summer months. The fall is a favorite time to fish for several reasons. Salmonids are in their spawning colors and sometimes are concentrated in certain streams or areas of the lake. The foliage is spectacular and generally the fall weather is favorable. Beginning in 1998 anglers in several southern Maine counties will see the general law fishing season extended until the end of November. This progressive regulation change will provide anglers with limitless fall fishing opportunities in this portion of the state. The following information will hopefully provide interested anglers with a basic understanding of some of the opportunities that exist in the Sebago Region.
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Tags: Southwestern Maine Fishing Report • Categories: General
Posted on Thursday, March 6th, 2008 by Maine Sportsman
The last weekend in February brought ideal travel and fishing conditions for anglers in northern Maine. I surveyed two lakes in the southern portion of our region during this time and experienced the best traveling on trails and lakes that we have seen all winter. With frequent snowstorms throughout the season, anglers have dealt with thin ice, slush, and drifting snow making any angling experience difficult. The great conditions in the Millinocket and Millimagassett lakes area didn’t last long, however, as we received two recent storms totaling more than 20 inches of snow. March fishing will begin with deep snow on northern Maine lakes; as of Sunday, March 2, slush had not yet developed on several of these lakes that we routinely check.
As we approach the last month of the season, we typically see large groups of anglers venturing out to areas that have received relatively little use during the first couple months of ice fishing. More remote areas like the Allagash Waterway, Musquacook Lakes, and Beau and Glazier lakes will see more anglers this month as weather and travel conditions moderate, days are longer, and some days in late March feel more like spring than winter. Any of these areas are great, late season destinations, each offering a slightly different angling experience. This is a great time of year to experience the back country of northern and western Maine. Many summer roads are converted to snowmobile trails during winter or, when a heavy crust develops on the snowpack, one may explore more remote areas even further.
Tags: Aroostook County Fishing Report • Categories: General
