Posts Tagged ‘Southwestern Maine Fishing Report’
Posted on Thursday, September 4th, 2008 by Maine Sportsman
As the fall fishing season approaches, anglers are reminded of the new fall fishing regulations in effect this year on Sebago Lake. In the past the open water fishing season on most of the lake closed on Sept. 30. The single exception was a small area near Sebago Station that permitted fishing from Oct. 1 through Nov. 30.
The new regulations allow anglers to fish the entire lake from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31. From Oct. 1 through Dec. 31 togue (lake trout) may be harvested under the same size and bag limits in place for the rest of the year, but all salmon and trout must be released. These new changes are not printed in the current open water fishing law book because the changes were advanced after the current law book was printed. Also, since the changes represented a liberalization of the existing regulation, providing expanded opportunity, anglers could not be penalized (fined) if they weren’t aware of the change.
The regulation change was proposed by Sebago Lake Anglers Association and as adopted is consistent with the new salmon management plan recently adopted for Sebago. The change also is consistent with the Classic Salmon Initiative, which Sebago is being managed under.
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Tags: Southwestern Maine Fishing Report • Categories: General
Posted on Friday, July 25th, 2008 by Maine Sportsman
Most of our previous fishing reports focus on fishing and what area anglers are catching. However, this week I’d like to talk about the management of two Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife-owned boat launch sites.
This past week regional staff spent about six days addressing management issues on Little Sebago Lake (Windham) and Cold Rain Pond (Naples). What I learned from these “projects” is just how many good and helpful members of the public are out there working to keep our public waters and access sites clean. I would like to recognize just a few of these people and highlight some recent accomplishments.
The public launch at Little Sebago in Windham was built over 15 years ago and remains one of our most heavily used regional water access sites. The size of this waterfront property limits parking and at times the demand for access exceeds available parking. Fifteen years of tree growth had encroached upon the facility, interfering with access and parking. This growth was removed over a tow-day period to restore full use and function to the launch facility and address the need for improved visibility of the property to discourage unwelcome deviant activities.
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Tags: Southwestern Maine Fishing Report • Categories: General
Posted on Wednesday, July 9th, 2008 by Maine Sportsman
Lake fishing for trout and salmon has held up relatively well in southern Maine due largely to the cooler (and rainy) weather pattern. Sebago is still producing decent catches of salmon and lake trout, particularly the later.
Anglers also have also reported some good fishing for browns and rainbows in the 2- to 4-pound range from several regional waters. Good bets for rainbows and browns include Crystal Lake (Gray), the Range Ponds (Poland), Kennebunk Pond (Lyman), Worthley Pond (Peru), and Pennesseewassee Lake (Norway).
As the summer progresses and the surface becomes too warm for salmonids, lake
anglers will need to change their gear and tactics to target deeper, cooler water. For salmon, browns, and rainbows anglers should be targeting water depths in the 15- to 40-foot range, depending on the individual water and/or species. Lake trout will typically be even deeper during the summer, anywhere from 40 to 100 feet. Lakers will reside even deeper, but targeting them at depths over 100 feet is more difficult.
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Tags: Southwestern 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
A salmon management plan for Sebago Lake has been drafted and is available for viewing on the Department’s Web site. The direct link is www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/regional_information/region_a.htm. The current draft plan is based on input received to date from area fish and game clubs including Sebago Lake Anglers Association, Windham-Gorham Fish and Game, Sebago Lake Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and Pine Tree Fish and Game. The plan also is based on input received from Larry Fiori of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine as well as key Department staff.
The draft plan attempts to advance the expectations under the “Classic Salmon Initiative” while balancing the need to address local angler interests and the need to protect an indigenous population of landlocked Atlantic salmon. The plan contains a brief history of lake management and a discussion of regulatory options, as well as identifies a set of action items to support attainment of the following salmon management goal and objectives:
Management Goal: Develop and maintain a sustainable landlocked salmon fishery characterized by higher size quality and greater abundance, so as to provide a more equitable allocation between the salmon and lake trout angling community.
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Tags: Southwestern Maine Fishing Report • Categories: General
