Posts Tagged ‘Moosehead Region Fishing Report’
Posted on Thursday, September 4th, 2008 by Maine Sportsman
A typical summer field season in the Moosehead Lake Region includes many different tasks. This summer we have surveyed a number of ponds that have never been inventoried by this Department. We generally find a few new nice trout ponds, while most newly surveyed ponds offer little or no potential for the development of a coldwater fishery. This summer was no different.
What was different this summer was the amount of time we spent investigating introductions of exotic species. Early in the summer we had a reliable report of smallmouth bass in Big Wood Pond in Jackman. Regional staff, along with assistance from Research staff and volunteers, spent several days electrofishing, trapnetting, and angling on this lake that sits in the middle of the Moose River drainage. In addition to the initial angler report of a 17-inch smallmouth, we captured one other smaller bass. It is unclear whether these fish will become established. The drainage is very large and it is possible that a small illegal introduction could disperse and never see each other again. But, like nearly all cases of illegal introductions, there is very little we can do to eliminate the threat.
If bass do become established they will be able to move downstream to Brassua Lake, which has a very good wild brook trout population, all the way to Holeb Pond.
We have also spent three days investigating an area north of Ebeemee Lake as part of an evaluation for the Penobscot River Restoration Project. Northern pike are established in Pushaw Lake and have access to the lower Piscataquis River. A fish by-pass is in the plans for the Howland Dam which will provide passage for all fish species, including pike. There is some concern that a large wet area north of Ebeemee Lake may provide a watercourse connection to Jo-Mary Lake and the West Branch of the Penobscot River drainage. The area was certainly wet in August, but more field work will be needed during spring run-off to determine for certain if the two systems are connected.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Moosehead Region Fishing Report • Categories: General
Posted on Friday, July 25th, 2008 by Maine Sportsman
The summer is certainly passing by at a rapid rate and the fisheries crew here in Greenville has been taking advantage of the nice weather we’ve been experiencing. One of the many tasks we’ve been working on is collecting a lake-wide sample of lake trout from Moosehead Lake.
Many readers may remember that this past winter new regulations went into effect on Moosehead Lake allowing anglers to keep two lake trout over 18 inches with a no size or bag limit on lake trout under 18 inches.
As usual during the winter season our staff put forth a substantial effort to collect creel census data from the Moosehead. A variety of data is collected from the coldwater species we encounter during the winter. We collect lengths, weights, and stomachs from all salmonids, as well as scales from brook trout and salmon for aging.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Moosehead Region Fishing Report • Categories: General
Posted on Wednesday, July 9th, 2008 by Maine Sportsman
There certainly were some explosive fireworks this weekend in the Greenville area and not just from the annual Fourth of July celebration. The hex hatch has started in earnest in the region and now is the time to enjoy some of the best dry fly fishing of the year.
I am a firm believer that if you want to catch big brook trout while fly fishing then you must fish below the surface with a sinking fly line. I’ve pawed through enough gut piles to know that big trout feed primarily on small fish, leeches, and crayfish. But this week is one of the few times when the big boys will be coaxed from the depths to feed on the surface for the those massive mayflies sometimes referred to as Green Drakes.
On many ponds the hatch begins around sunset and continues well after dark. I have seen some hatches that dribble off and on all day when the conditions are good, including a flat calm pond surface and warm air temperatures. Friday night was the best night in the area. The light west wind subsided and both the bugs and fish were ready. We have had a southerly wind since Saturday afternoon which has persisted through the prime evening hours. I suspect the next calm night will be very good hex fishing.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Moosehead Region Fishing Report • Categories: General
Posted on Tuesday, March 25th, 2008 by Maine Sportsman
April 14, 2006 – Department response to splake article in the Maine Sportsman
In the April edition of the Maine Sportsman, there is a column critical of stocking splake in Maine waters. In that column, it is wrongly stated that splake are “threatening some of Maine’s finest wild salmonid waters”. Our data does not support this contention.
We have stocked splake in Maine since the mid- 1980′s. In fact, fishery managers across North America have utilized splake since the turn of the century. It has been well documented in Maine and in other States and Canada that splake can provide excellent coldwater fishing opportunities where other species, such as brook trout, have not succeeded.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Moosehead Region Fishing Report • Categories: General
Posted on Thursday, March 6th, 2008 by Maine Sportsman
Two months are down, and we have one to go in this unusual ice fishing season in which we have seen above average snowfall. The weather this past weekend undoubtedly put a damper on fishing pressure in the Moosehead Lake Region. Although the snow continues to pile-up, ice conditions remain safe, but caution in traveling is still advised. The snow is a welcome sign for snowmobile trails, but on our lakes and ponds slush will soon be a problem for travel in some areas as temperatures warm and the weight of the snow continues to accumulate.
Over the past two months the Moosehead Regional Fisheries staff has been encouraging anglers to keep any and all lake trout under 18-inches. We feel that we have done a good job educating anglers about the over abundance of smaller lake trout in Moosehead Lake. Catch rates on lake trout 14 – 18 inches are still high and show no sign of slowing down as we enter the last month of the season.
If you have been fishing Moosehead Lake this year and have kept your share of lake trout, you must have them coming out your ears. Wondering what to do with all those lake trout? Lake trout broiled over an open fire, smoked lake trout, and skinless lake trout fillets, either baked or pan fried, are a good bet. However, if an endless supply of lake trout is in your grasp, cooking for one meal will undoubtedly result in leftovers. Cooked lake trout leftovers are the main ingredient for a fish cake recipe that will make your mouth water for another limit of Moosehead Lake lake trout. The following is a favorite recipe of our good friend and confidante, Paul Johnson, Regional Fisheries Biologist Emeritus:
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Moosehead Region Fishing Report • Categories: General
