Downeast Fishing Report: March 17, 2009

Anglers in eastern Maine’s Hancock and Washington counties are catching colorful brook trout at several “magnet waters” where stocking and management is designed to create winter fisheries for trout from 7 to 18 inches.

Regional Fisheries Biologist Rick Jordan said, “we chose ponds with good access and adjusted our stocking plans to add 12- to 14-inch fall yearling brook trout to more numerous stockings of 6- to 9-inch fall fingerling trout. In addition, many of these ponds were stocked with retired 16- to 18-inch adult brook trout that had been used as brood stock in our hatcheries.” The management goal in the magnet waters is to attract families to fish together as well as to interest new anglers in fishing by offering good catch rates for a variety of fish sizes. The program is gaining in popularity, and anglers are enjoying the action.

Anglers wishing to fish these waters can go to Craig Pond in Orland, Lower Hadlock Pond in Orland, Keene’s Lake in Calais, Indian Lake in Whiting, Montegail Pond in Twp 19 MD, or Keeley Lake in Marshfield. In addition, Foxhole Pond in Deblois is stocked with trout from 6-18” long and is open to kids only under the age of 16. The pond is located 0.2 mile east of Route 193 opposite the Deblois airstrip.

For anglers hoping to catch salmon now that ice thicknesses have exceeded 12 inches, proven producers are Cathance Lake in Cooper, Brewer Lake in Orrington, Molasses Pond in Eastbrook, and Long Pond in Mount Desert. West Grand Lake is closed until February 1.