All along the Atlantic seaboard from north to south lies some of the most mind-blowing sections of fish-able water. This project takes a long hard look at the sport of fly fishing along the eastern…
Modern technology has gone a long way in making winter angling comfortable and fun. I have seen many changes in equipment and strategy in the forty years that I have been ice fishing. Below are some tips that can keep you safe and greatly improve your ice fishing success rate in Maine.
Ice Conditions
Freeze up on northern Maine lakes usually starts in early December, and occurs two to three weeks later on lakes in southern Maine. Small lakes freeze first, with larger lakes freezing later. This is a result in differences in water depth, wind action and current. Many Maine lakes are usually ready to fish by
opening day (January 1). Notable exceptions are very large lakes such as Sebago and Moosehead, which might not adequately freeze until the middle of January (or later). A phone call to a local tackle shop to get a report on ice conditions is always a good idea.
In general, five inches of solid, blue ice is safe enough for a single angler to stand on. Seven inches is usually the minimum needed to support a group of people. To test the ice, always cut a hole near shore, and several more on the way out onto the lake. Shoals, points of land, and areas near islands can all produce current and much thinner ice. Follow existing paths made by other fishermen if possible.
Clothing
Since most of your body heat is lost through the head, wear a warm polypropylene hat or hood. Hands should be protected
by mitts or gloves with Thinsulate or other synthetic fiber. I wear a pair of wool fingerless gloves under mitts, so that I can
remove the mitts while fighting a fish. Footwear is a matter of choice, between felt packs with leather uppers, and rubber boots with felt liners. If the lake is prone to slush, then opt for the rubber boots, especially in mild, late season conditions, when rain and substantial melting can occur.
For maximum protection, some people wear a floater suit or jacket. Manufactured by Mustang and Buoy- O-Buoy, both provide the warmth of a snowmobile suit and the floatation of a life jacket. They are also semi-watertight and will help keep out cold water should you fall through the ice.
Shelter
Although fishing in the open increases your mobility, an extremely cold day calls for some exterior protection. Renting an ice hut from an operator is a good way to gain an introduction to ice fishing in a comfortable environment. Most huts are heated by propane and offer shirt sleeve weather inside, as well as the ability to make coffee and eat heated meals. There are also a number of portable huts for sale, such as The Clam. These are light enough to be disassembled and pulled to a new location, or carried in the back of a pickup.
Ice Augers
For beginners, a hand (manual) ice auger is sufficient for most situations. A six inch blade is easier to cut with than an eight inch blade; but it’s definitely easier to get a large fish up an eight inch hole. To start the hole, clear the area of all snow and apply pressure to the top of the auger while turning. When the blades first break through, continue turning for a few seconds to trim the bottom of the hole. Then pull the auger straight up to remove the slush out of the hole.
Ice scoops, which are like large perforated spoons, are then used to finish cleaning out the hole. It’s a good idea to cut a new hole rather than trying to cut through an existing frozen hole. After cutting the hole, don’t leave the auger in the snow since water will freeze on the blades. Cut down three or four inches so the auger can stand up vertically.
Ice Fishing Equipment
There are two types of equipment that are used for ice fishing: either stationary lines, or jigging lines. Tip-ups are the most common type of stationary lines used in Maine. Commercial tip-ups usually have a small reel to hold the line and a flag mechanism to indicate the presence of a fish. The best type of tipups to purchase are those that allow the reel to sit under the surface of the water (so the line doesn’t freeze). Some tip-ups (manufactured by Windlass) have a metal or plastic vane that catch the wind and jig your minnow. These can be very effective, since they offer increased visibility and action of the bait under water.
Jigging equipment consists of a reel, matched with a short rod. Jig rods are usually 24 to 32 inches in length, and feature a variety of actions from light to medium heavy (depending on what you’re fishing for). Most ice fishermen use line in the range of 6 to 12 pound test. A good quality line is Trilene XL or Cold Weather. Since ice can be abrasive, it makes sense to use line of approximately two pounds greater strength than you would use in warm water conditions. The most popular jigging spoons are Swedish Pimples and Leadfish. These are often tipped with a small piece of cut bait (fish).
Where To Find Fish
On any body of water, experienced anglers look for the magic underwater feature called “structure”. In general, structure can consist of shoals, underwater humps, stepped dropoffs around islands, saddles and just about any irregularity in the bottom contour of the lake. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries, and several commercial vendors, sell hydrographic maps of most lakes that show depth contours.
For more information, contact IF&W spokespersonDeborah Turcotte at 287-6008 or592-1164
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : January 28, 2010
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife conducted its annual mid-winter waterfowl survey early in January 2010 and recorded numbers identical to or lower than 10-year-average figures.
The mid-winter waterfowl survey is conducted at the same time each winter in every state in the Atlantic Flyway. MDIFW wildlife biologists Brad Allen and Kelsey Sullivan and U.S. Geological Survey biologist Dan McAuley flew with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pilot John Bidwell for nearly 40 hours to conduct the low-level survey between January 4 and January 16.
This year, the team counted slightly more than 56,000 ducks and geese, a figure significantly lower than the latest 10-year average count of 69,000.
According to Brad Allen, leader of MDIFW’s bird group, this year’s count likely was low because of the relatively mild, ice-free coastal conditions encountered during the survey. In years when the survey is preceded by cold, harsh weather conditions, waterfowl become concentrated along the coast and are more likely to be counted. In years when the weather is mild, waterfowl are either along the coast or are dispersed in freshwater sites near the coast that remain ice free. These inland areas are not searched by the survey team.
Despite the mild conditions, a relatively good number of black ducks were recorded at 16,388 birds. This figure is nearly identical to the latest 10-year average for this species.
The most disappointing numbers recorded this year were for the sea ducks, according to Allen. Fewer than 1,000 scoters were encountered during the survey. Long-tailed duck numbers also were low at 1,253. Common eider numbers were the lowest ever recorded during mid-winter waterfowl survey flights. The survey team tallied fewer than 15,000 eiders, well below the latest 10-year average of 26,500 for this species.
Other numbers recorded for waterfowl in Maine in early January 2010 were as follows:
· Mallards: 2,778
· Scaup: 232
· Goldeneyes: 7,549
· Buffleheads: 6,561
· Mergansers: 2,613
· Ruddy ducks: 107
· Harlequin ducks: 24
· Canada geese: 3,286
While Maine’s numbers were relatively low this year, the overall status of winter populations cannot be determined until Maine’s data are pooled with the other state’s numbers from Maine to Florida. Collectively, these data provide a relative index to the abundance of all waterfowl species and their distribution within the flyway.
For more information, contact Spokesperson Deborah Turcotte at 287-6008 or 592-1164
For Immediate Release January 27, 2010
Moose Lottery Permit Applications Now Available. Apply Online!
AUGUSTA – It’s time to enter the 2010 Moose Permit Lottery!
For the last couple of years, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has encouraged hunters to apply online for the lottery through its website, www.mefishwildlife.com. It’s an easy and convenient way to submit an application!
The deadline for online applications is 11:59 p.m. on May 14, 2010.
MDIF&W no longer prints or mails paper applications for the moose lottery. If an interested hunter is unable to apply using the online licensing system, the Department suggests:
· Printing out a paper application from IF&W’s website at www.mefishwildlife.com, fill it out, and mail it with your payment to the Department;
· Coming to IF&W’s main office to fill out a paper application. The address is 284 State Street in Augusta;
· Sending a stamped self-addressed envelope to IF&W at the address below. Department personnel will mail a paper application that can be filled out and mailed with your payment to IF&W. The address is:
Moose Permit Application Request
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
41 SHS, 284 State St.
Augusta, ME 04333-0041
Paper applications must be postmarked or hand-delivered to MDIF&W in Augusta by 5 p.m. on April 1, 2010. The April 1 deadline for paper applications provides adequate time for department employees to process the paperwork before the lottery.
This year, 3,140 permits will be allocated in the state’s 28 Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs). Season dates are:
A “Maine Residents Only Day” is set for October 30, in WMDs 15, 16, 23, 26. Maine hunters need a lottery-drawn permit to hunt these districts on that day.
For more information, contact Spokesperson Deborah Turcotte at 287-6008 or 592-1164
For Immediate Release January 27, 2010
Bidding Now On For 2010 Moose Permit Auction
AUGUSTA – Bids are being accepted for the 2010 Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Moose Permit Auction.
Each year, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife auctions 10 moose hunting permits and awards them to the highest bidders. Proceeds from the auction go to the Youth Conservation Education Fund, which awards partial scholarships to send Maine boys and girls, ages 10-14, to one week of conservation camp at the Bryant Pond 4-H Camp and Learning Center on Lake Christopher or Greenland Point Center on Long Lake in Princeton.
More than 400 boys and girls were able to attend conservation camp in 2009 because of these scholarships.
“Ever since the auction began, hunters have been very generous in their bids because, I believe, they know this program helps send Maine kids to conservation camp,” said Deputy Commissioner Paul F. Jacques. “We are appreciative of their participation in this program. While successful bidders get a permit, the real winners are the children.”
The Moose Permit Auction was created by the Legislature in 1995 specifically to fund youth conservation education efforts. Ten of this year’s 3,015 allotted moose permits will be auctioned. Last year, close to $100,000 was raised from the auction, and the 10 winners had a 90 percent success rate.
The 10 highest bidders are able to choose their 2010 season hunt dates.
Bids must be submitted to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife no later than 5 p.m. EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) on February 17, 2010. A non-refundable bid fee of $25 must accompany each bid. A bid packet is available by calling (207) 287-5207.
Submitted bids will be opened Feb 19, and successful bidders will be contacted. If selected, bidders have 30 days to send in the bid payment and select a moose hunting district, hunting week for the permit and permit type. A subpermittee, if desired, must also be selected at this time. The bid amount covers the resident or non-resident moose permit fee, but does not include the resident or non-resident hunting license fee.
The Bryant Pond 4-H Camp and Learning Center and the Greenland Point Center offer five-day residential camps that are designed to teach the boys and girls of Maine the importance of conservation, a respect for the environment and a working knowledge of outdoor skills. Subjects taught at the camp include wildlife identification, introduction to fishing, boating safety, archery, firearms handling, hunter safety, forest conservation and map and compass work.
The two conservation camps currently are accepting applications for this summer’s camp sessions. Partial scholarships are available and distributed on a first come, first serve basis. For information and applications, visit www.extension.umaine.edu/bryantpond/ or www.greenlandpoint.com
For more information, contact Spokesperson Deborah Turcotte at 287-6008 or 592-1164
For Immediate Release January 27, 2010
Bidding Now On For 2010 Moose Permit Auction
AUGUSTA – Bids are being accepted for the 2010 Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Moose Permit Auction.
Each year, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife auctions 10 moose hunting permits and awards them to the highest bidders. Proceeds from the auction go to the Youth Conservation Education Fund, which awards partial scholarships to send Maine boys and girls, ages 10-14, to one week of conservation camp at the Bryant Pond 4-H Camp and Learning Center on Lake Christopher or Greenland Point Center on Long Lake in Princeton.
More than 400 boys and girls were able to attend conservation camp in 2009 because of these scholarships.
“Ever since the auction began, hunters have been very generous in their bids because, I believe, they know this program helps send Maine kids to conservation camp,” said Deputy Commissioner Paul F. Jacques. “We are appreciative of their participation in this program. While successful bidders get a permit, the real winners are the children.”
The Moose Permit Auction was created by the Legislature in 1995 specifically to fund youth conservation education efforts. Ten of this year’s 3,015 allotted moose permits will be auctioned. Last year, close to $100,000 was raised from the auction, and the 10 winners had a 90 percent success rate.
The 10 highest bidders are able to choose their 2010 season hunt dates.
Bids must be submitted to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife no later than 5 p.m. EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) on February 17, 2010. A non-refundable bid fee of $25 must accompany each bid. A bid packet is available by calling (207) 287-5207.
Submitted bids will be opened Feb 19, and successful bidders will be contacted. If selected, bidders have 30 days to send in the bid payment and select a moose hunting district, hunting week for the permit and permit type. A subpermittee, if desired, must also be selected at this time. The bid amount covers the resident or non-resident moose permit fee, but does not include the resident or non-resident hunting license fee.
The Bryant Pond 4-H Camp and Learning Center and the Greenland Point Center offer five-day residential camps that are designed to teach the boys and girls of Maine the importance of conservation, a respect for the environment and a working knowledge of outdoor skills. Subjects taught at the camp include wildlife identification, introduction to fishing, boating safety, archery, firearms handling, hunter safety, forest conservation and map and compass work.
The two conservation camps currently are accepting applications for this summer’s camp sessions. Partial scholarships are available and distributed on a first come, first serve basis. For information and applications, visitwww.extension.umaine.edu/bryantpond/ or www.greenlandpoint.com
Augusta, Maine – – The Maine Warden Service is urging people to check any ice before venturing out as spring-like conditions, with warm temperatures, substantial rainfall and heavy winds, are weakening ice throughout the state.
According to the National Weather Service, between one to three inches of rain is expected today (Jan. 25, 2010), and temperatures near or above freezing are expected for most of the week.
Significant snow melt is likely, with possible flooding.
The heavy rains either will open the water, thin existing ice or create slush, according to Maine Warden Service Major Gregory Sanborn. Inlets and outlets will be dangerous due to runoff from rivers and streams.
“January ‘thaws’ are not unusual,” said Major Sanborn. “However, most of Maine has not had a consistent stretch of sub-freezing temperatures this winter to provide a thick layer of ice that can withstand this wet, warm spell. What may have been moderately safe ice this past weekend may be extremely treacherous this week.”
The Maine Warden Service offers these tips for ice safety:
Never guess the thickness of the ice – Check it! Check the ice in several different places using an auger or some other means to make a test hole and determine the thickness. Make several, beginning at the shore, and continuing as you go out.
Check the ice with a partner, so if something does happen, someone is there to help you. If you are doing it alone, wear a lifejacket.
If ice at the shoreline is cracked or squishy, stay off! Watch out for thin, clear or honeycombed ice. Dark snow and dark ice are other signs of weak spots.
Avoid areas with currents, around bridges and pressure ridges. Wind and currents can break ice.
Parents should alert children of unsafe ice in their area, and make sure that they stay off the ice. If they insist on using their new skates, suggest an indoor skating rink.
If you break through the ice, remember:
Don’t panic.
Don’t try to climb out immediately – you will probably break the ice again. Reach for solid ice.
Lay both arms on the unbroken ice and kick hard. This will help lift your body onto the ice. Once on the ice, roll, DON’T WALK, to safety.
To help someone who has fallen through the ice, lie down flat and reach with a branch, plank or rope or form a human chain. Don’t stand. After securing the victim, wiggle backwards to the solid ice.
If late fall fishing is any indication, the ice fishing in southern Maine is expected to be very good this year.
Late fall fishing reports were excellent from anglers who fished through the extended open water season. Also, in recent years, fall stocked “catchable trout” have created expanded brook trout ice fishing and harvest opportunities for “hard water” anglers. In addition, stocking enhancements include a limited expansion of the rainbow trout stocking program, which has produced some outstanding fishing reports from open water anglers. This exciting new program is also popular with winter anglers, although rainbows are a little more difficult to catch through the ice.
Furthermore, winter anglers will benefit from an unusually high number of retired brook trout brood (averaging 1.2 to 3 pounds) that was stocked this fall. Winter anglers also will benefit from some exceptionally large lake trout (averaging 10 pounds) that were stocked as retired brood from Governor Hill Hatchery. Almost every year brood salmon, brown trout, and brook trout are retired from southern Maine hatcheries and stocked in select area waters.
Anglers should review “Current Year Stocking Reports” on IF&Ws web site, http://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/reports/stocking/index.htm, to see what has been stocked in their favorite waters.
Anglers seeking fast early-season action should consider fishing “Catchable Trout” waters stocked in the fall with 12- to 14-inch brook trout. Some of these waters include: Otter Ponds #2 and #4 (Standish), Barker Pond (Lyman), Worthley Pond (Poland), Crystal Lake (Gray), Sabbathday Lake (New Gloucester), Keoka Lake (Waterford), Bear Pond (Waterford), and Keewaydin Lake (Stoneham). Round Pond (Lyman) also is well stocked with catchable brook trout BUT is reserved exclusively for youth under the age of 16 during the winter.
Bear Pond (Waterford), Bryant Pond (Woodstock), and Trickey Pond will offer the best splake fishing prospects and are best fished early in the season.
The region’s most promising lake trout prospects include Great East Lake (Acton), Sebago Lake (Naples), and Thompson Lake (Otisfield). In addition to these wild lake trout fisheries, lake trout averaging 10 pounds were stocked in Little Ossipee Lake (Waterford) and Mousam Lake (Acton).
Rainbow stocking programs recently were started on Stanley (Hiram), Norway Lake (Norway) and Little Ossipee Lake (Waterboro). We’ve received very good reports from anglers fishing Norway and Little Ossipee Lake. Small baits and jigging methods are most productive when targeting winter “bows”.
Salmon of above-average size may be found in a number of area lakes open to winter salmon fishing, including South Pond (Greenwood), Pleasant Pond (Casco), Kezar Lake (Lovell), Moose Pond (Bridgton). In addition, adult hatchery salmon brood were stocked in waters where smelt are insufficient to provide rapid salmon grow, including Little Ossipee Lake (Waterboro), Thomas Pond (Casco), Tripp Lake (Poland), Mousam Lake (Acton), Pennesseewassee Lake (Norway), and Highland Lake (Windham).
There is no shortage of places to target brown trout, with approximately 35 area waters stocked. Many of the brown trout waters receive light fishing pressure and produce quality fish, although catch rates are generally much lower for browns than other trout or salmon.
For those who still like to open water fish throughout the winter, there are several year-round river fishing opportunities in the region, which have been enhanced under increased fall stocking programs. These waters include the entire Presumpscot River, the Saco River (particularly below Skelton Dam, Hiram Dam), the lower Royal River (below Elm Street), and the Mousam River (Springvale/Sanford). Open water trout fishing opportunities continue on stocked tidal rivers, including the Mousam (Kennebunk), the Ogunquit (Wells), and the Salmon Falls River (S. Berwick).
- Francis Brautigam, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Gray
As I write this, the thermometer outside my window reads a balmy 7 degrees. Even if the sun shines, a run of days with similar temperatures will find lakes and ponds in the mid-coastal area freezing up. For anglers with a bent towards ice fishing, the timing is right. As the waters solidify, many of these anglers will be turning their thoughts time spent on the ice.
The Mid-coastal region, which extends from the coast all the way to the Dexter area, has a diversity of winter fishing opportunities. As part of the Department’s fall stocking program, 64 lakes and ponds are stocked annually with brook trout, 40 with brown trout, and 36 with both species. Rainbow trout are stocked in 3 waters. There also are many waters where species, such as bass, white perch and pickerel, can be targeted.
The list of waters of what can be caught where in the region is a long one. (Please consult your Ice Fishing regulations book.) Some examples of brook trout waters are Minnehonk Lake in Mt. Vernon, Etna Pond, Etna, Pemaquid Pond, Damariscotta, Big Indian Pond, St. Albans, and Upper and Lower Narrows Ponds in Winthrop. For brown trout, try Androscoggin Lake in Wayne, Unity Pond, Unity, Alford Lake, Hope, Damariscotta Lake, Jefferson or Great Pond in Belgrade.
Anglers can pursue landlocked salmon in Parker Pond, Vienna (January only), Lake St. George, Liberty (January and February) and Swan Lake in Swanville (January and February). Lake George in Canaan has produced some very nice brookies and rainbows. In addition to the salmonid species listed above, other fish species can be targeted at not only the waters described above, but at a myriad of smaller ponds, many of which are open early if safe ice is present.
Although we have been speaking of ice angling so far, our major rivers and some streams are open to open water fishing during the winter months. The Kennebec River from below Abenaki Dam in Madison to tidewater, the Nezinscot, Medomak and St. George rivers, Cobbossee Stream and lower Messalonskee Stream are examples of opportunities for anglers to wet a line. See the open water fishing regulations booklet for the rules on these particular waters.
As always, be sure to exercise caution whether going out on the ice or approaching a body of moving water. Early winter ice conditions are extremely variable and deserve your full attention with respect to safety. Be sure that ice is thick enough to support you and your gear or that access to open water is safe. See you out there!
- Robert Van Riper, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Sidney
There are many exciting fishing opportunities in the Downeast region for the 2010 ice fishing season, least of which are the many fine landlocked salmon fisheries scattered through out the area that biologists recommend. They include Cathance Lake in Cooper, West Grand Lake in Grand Lake Stream, Pocomcus Lake in T 6 ND, Long Pond in Southwest Harbor, Tunk Lake in T 10 SD and Phillips Lake in Dedham. Live capture netting this fall showed good salmon growth and numbers in all of these waters, which should equate to consistently good fishing in January and February.
In addition to these annually stocked salmon waters, retired brood stock landlocked salmon, between the sizes of 2.5 and 3.5 pounds, were stocked late this fall from the Grand Lake Stream Hatchery. These larger salmon will create a buzz at the following waters where they were released: Pleasant River Lake in Beddington with 65 salmon, Mopang Lake in T 29 MD with 65 salmon, Nashes Lake in Calais with 25 salmon, and Lower Springy Pond in Otis with 25 salmon.
Anglers in eastern Maine will find terrific brook trout fishing at the following biologist-recommended waters: Second Mark’s Lake in Marshfield, Billings Pond in Blue Hill, Echo Lake in Southwest Harbor, Lakewood Pond in Bar Harbor, Tilden Pond in T 10 SD and Rainbow Pond in T 10 SD.
In addition the following lakes and ponds were stocked with the larger fall yearling trout that ranged between 12 and 14 inches and will make for some fun action through the ice: Indian Lake in Whiting, Keenes Lake in Calais, Goulding Lake in Robbinston, Vining Lake in Cooper, Montegail Pond in T 19 MD, Craig Pond in Orland, Jacob-Buck Pond in Bucksport, Bubble Pond in Bar Harbor, Eagle Lake in Bar Harbor, Lower Hadlock Pond in Northeast Harbor and Round Pond in Somesville. Indian Lake in Whiting and Keenes Lake in Calais were stocked with 50 large retired brood stock brook trout ranging in size between 2 and 3 pounds.
All of these waters hold exciting possibilities for some wonderful outdoor memories. Good luck to all!
With nearly 15,000 catchable-size brook trout stocked specifically for winter anglers, the 2010 ice fishing season in western Maine should start with a splash. These attractive 12- to 15-inch fish were scattered in lakes throughout the region, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find some close to home.
The waters include Ellis (Roxbury) Pond in Roxbury, Crowell and Norcross Ponds in Chesterville, Webb Lake in Weld, Wilson Lake in Wilton, Porter Lake in New Vineyard, Wentworth and Baker Ponds in Solon, Smith Pond in Brighton, Wesserunsett Lake in Madison, Chain of Ponds in Chain of Ponds Twp., and Spring Lake in T3 R4. Baker, Smith, Webb, and Wesserunsett also received fall yearling brown trout that averaged 12-14 inches in length. As a bonus, Wilson Lake in Wilton was the recipient of 60 large togue; these retired brood fish weigh about 10 pounds apiece!
Winter anglers also love splake, and these will be available in Wentworth Pond, Lufkin Pond in Phillips, and Wyman Lake in Moscow.
So let the games begin, but as usual, please use common sense when traveling on the ice during the early part of the season, especially on the larger lakes that take a bit longer to freeze well.
- Dave Boucher, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Strong
The cold weather has finally arrived and the smaller ponds in the Moosehead Lake Region are starting to button up for the winter. As I write this report on Dec. 17, Moosehead Lake still is wide open and we will need a few calm, cold nights for the big lake to freeze over. Anglers should be cautious this time of year — no fish is worth a cold dip in a lake in the winter.
Anglers looking for a place to fish early in the season could try Big Wood Pond in Jackman. Big Wood Pond is usually at its best in early January and it is one of first ponds to have good ice. This pond is stocked in the fall with 12- to 14-inch splake, and it also received a number of retired brook trout brood fish this year.
Mountain View Pond and Prong Ponds also are early season favorites in the Greenville area. These waters generally have good ice early and are stocked regularly. These ponds are open as soon as ice forms, so you can try out your new gear from Christmas before the New Year.
In 2007, we liberalized the bag limits on lake trout on Moosehead Lake in an effort to reduce the overabundant population. We have been very successful. We still are encouraging the harvest of lake trout less than 18 inches for one more winter. New regulations will go into effect in April 2010, including a reduction in the bag limit for lake trout over 18 inches from two fish to one fish. We had hoped to have this regulation in effect for this winter. However, because we are developing a new two-year law book that includes both summer and winter rules, it was logistically not possible. Therefore, we are asking anglers to voluntarily consider keeping just one lake trout over 18 inches from Moosehead Lake this winter and help protect some of the quality fish.
- Tim Obrey, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Greenville
Once again, ice anglers should be excited to hear that this past fall more than 10,000 fall yearling-age brook trout were stocked in 14 of the region’s waters. The fall yearling trout program has proven to be very popular, as these fish average about 1 pound each and generally provide fast fishing action, especially early in the season.
One particular water worth mentioning this year is Perch Pond (formerly Mud Pond) located in Old Town (Maine Delorme, Map 33, E-2), which was stocked for the first time ever with nearly 600 fall yearling brook trout and a few retired adult brood fish. No doubt, Perch Pond does not fit the typical mold of a Maine brook trout water. It is quite shallow and has an abundance of warm water species of fish including pickerel, perch and bass. So why bother to stock it with trout, you may ask? What Perch Pond does offer is easy access to the pond via Sewall Park, which is plowed regularly by the Town of Old Town throughout the winter, and is in close proximity to a densely populated part of the region, making it an ideal location for a put-and-take brook trout fishery for anglers of all ages. This is an experimental program, with future stockings hinged on angler interest and of course angler success.
“Kids Only” Ponds
Kids 15 years old and younger have several opportunities in Region F to be the star of the show, with some assistance from mom and dad when needed,of course. Pickerel Pond, located at the Maine Youth Fish and Game Club beside the Stud Mill Road near Milford, Little Round Pond in Lincoln, Jerry Pond in Millinocket, Rock Crusher Pond in Island Falls, and Harris Pond in Milo are all kids only ponds that the Department stocks several times throughout the year with brook trout. In fact, all of these ponds last fall received supplemental stockings of fall yearling brook trout ranging from 10 to 14 inches long, as well as retired brood stock ranging from 14 to 18 inches long.
The recent deep freeze will assist the freeze up of area waters for the upcoming ice fishing season. Larger, deeper lakes will warrant considerable caution for the January 1 opening in spite of the cold weather. Smaller lakes might be the safest bet for family fishing on opening weekend.
An ample supply of 12- to 14-inch brook trout have been stocked in Arnold Brook Lake in Presque Isle, Cochrane Lake in Linneus, Spaulding Lake in Oakfield, Nickerson Lake in New Limerick and Umcolcus Lake in T7R5 WELS just west of Rt. 11.
Nickerson and Arnold Brook Lake also received a number of 16- to 18-inch trout that were retired from our brood fish program.
Splake, very popular with our winter anglers, were stocked this fall in Drew’s Lake in Linneus and Squa Pan Lake in Masardis. These 12- to 14-inch fish will afford great action in these two waters.
Round up the gear, buy some hot dogs and head for the lake – there won’t be any black flies. Have a safe and enjoyable fishing season and maybe we’ll see you on the ice!
- Dave Basley, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Ashland
ResearchContinuation of IFW’s Catchable Trout Study
Fisheries biologists from the Gray, Sidney, and Bangor offices will be conducting angler surveys on several stocked brook trout waters in central and southern Maine during the first four weeks of the 2010 ice fishing season. This is a continuation of our Catchable Trout Study, which focuses on improving angler success in stocked waters. The lakes and ponds included in the study are stocked with fall yearling brook trout and are listed below.
McGrath Pond (Oakland), Nequasset Lake (Woolwich), Biscay Pond (Bremen), Cochnewagon Pond (Monmouth), Crystal Pond (Gray), Sabbathday Lake (New Gloucester), Flying Pond (Vienna), Salmon Pond (also known as Ellis Pond) (Oakland), Keewaydin Lake (Stoneham), Wilson Pond (Wayne), Keoka Lake (Waterford), Otter Pond #2 (Standish)
Biologists have interviewed thousands of anglers on these study waters during the previous two ice fishing seasons, compiling a huge amount of valuable information about the fishing opportunities that each water offers. Studies during the previous years have shown a wide variety of success rates for ice anglers seeking fall-stocked brook trout. When comparing the number of trout stocked in a particular water to the number of trout caught from that same water, success rates have varied from 1 percent to nearly 50 percent! This winter, anglers can do their best to catch their share of over 7,300 brook trout that were stocked throughout the study waters listed above.
Ice anglers seeking brook trout in central and southern Maine will most likely be fishing lakes and ponds that are stocked in the fall with 10-14 inch trout by IFW’s Hatchery Division. IFW’s goal is to provide trout fishing opportunities in waters that do not sustain year round brook trout fisheries for a variety of reasons such as: lack of suitable cold-water habitat in summer, competing fish species, or no brook trout spawning habitat. That said, in addition to the stocked brook trout many of these waters offer a variety of species that can make a great day of fishing such as brown trout, smallmouth and largemouth bass, white perch, and pickerel.
This will be the final winter assessment of the Catchable Trout Program. With the assistance of numerous ice anglers we hope to gain a better understanding of where catchable trout perform best and how to maximize angling success.
Hope to see you on the ice!
- Jason Seiders, Research Fisheries Biologist, Bangor
Travis Barrett, a public relations representative at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, is writing a blog where he shares his observations on the work being done by IF&W biologists, his experiences in the outdoors, and our responses to topics being widely discussed by the outdoors community.
Of particular interest to you may be today’s posting on Maine’s whitetail deer population. Select the link below to read the blog, “Dear Deer Hunters: Some facts about Maine’s whitetail deer population.
Bookmark this site and check it daily or so to find out what we’re doing at IF&W!
Thank you.
Deborah Turcotte Spokesperson, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife SHS 41 284 State St. Augusta, MEÂ 04333 W: (207) 287-6008 C: (207) 592-1164
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