January 24, 2005 Ice Fishing Report

Region A- Southwestern Maine

Sub-zero temperatures and a storm a week has finally made me concede that winter is definitely here. With cold temperatures and an increasing snow pack, angler activity remains light. However, the intrepid angler with a decent ice shack can still catch those elusive trout as Biologist Jim Pellerin reports from the Range Ponds. Several fat rainbow trout in the 16-18 inch range as well as a 7- pound togue were harvested this past Saturday. Moderate size brown trout were also reported on Crystal Lake in Gray and on Canton Lake.

Carrol Cutting reports that both Jordan's bay and Lower Bay of Sebago Lake have decent ice cover and shacks are starting to appear off the Station landing. Ice on the Big Bay however, continues to form at night only to be broken by daytime. This behavior is not uncommon according to Cutting and February 1st is an average date for the Big Bay to set up. While you're out fishing or otherwise recreating on any part of Sebago remember, Sebago Lake is dangerous and care should be taken at all times to ensure adequate ice thickness to support your activities.

In other news, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is partnering with Sportsman's Alliance of Maine to launch the "Classic Salmon Initiative" in which trophy class land-locked salmon fisheries would be created. Region A has chosen Kezar Lake in Lovell as the focus of this initiative. Under this management plan, attainment of a trophy salmon fishery on Kezar Lake would consist of an increase in the number of 3and 4-pound class salmon with the production of a few larger fish in the mix. Regulations that increase the average size of salmon while protecting the forage base of smelt to maximize growth potential would be the basis of this initiative. Pending public comment and peer review, one or more of the following strategies is being considered for Kezar Lake:

* Continue suspension of lake trout stocking to reduce predation pressure on smelt. * Eliminate recreational harvest of smelt to leave more smelt in the lake available for forage. * Liberalize the regulations on lake trout to increase their harvest and reduce predation on smelt. * Adopt a high maximum length limit on salmon to ensure escapement of quality fish while limiting the size of the salmon population. * Reduce salmon stocking rates of salmon to maintain salmon growth rates.

We will post more information as we more fully develop this management package.

The creators of "Triptracks", which is the online version of our volunteer fishing log program, have compiled the results of a recent survey. The survey indicates that most users are happy with the service and would recommend it to a fishing friend. Most users use the service because they wish to contribute to the management of Maine's fisheries. A big "thank you" to those contributors from Region A! It also indicated that over half the contributors are fly anglers and that almost half the contributors fish 40 or more days a year. That's more that 1/10 of the year spent fishing. What a life! To contribute to the Triptracks online fishing logbook go to www.triptracks.com <http://www.triptracks.com>, the service is free.

-Brian Lewis, Fisheries Biologist Specialist

Region B - Central Maine

The question I've been asked most frequently this winter has been why we changed the regulation on Parker Pond. In the past Parker Pond has been restricted to 2 lines and opened only for the month of January. The daily salmon bag limit was 1 fish with a minimum length limit of 16 inches. As many anglers have noted, and hence the questions, Parker Pond is open for all three months still with the 1 salmon bag limit but the length limit is only 14 inches and anglers may use 5 lines. The change to a three month season and five line limit were the results of a typographical error in the law book. The fishing regulation law book the Department published each year effectively becomes law as written when it is file with the Secretary of State's Office. The special Kennebec County regulation KC-5 outlining the restrictive regulations for Parker Pond was inadvertently omitted from the law book, therefore, Parker Pond regulated under general law except for the 1 salmon bag limit (S-22) listed. These regulations will be corrected in the next ice fishing lawbook.

Ice conditions have greatly improved through Central Maine with the recent rash of brutally cold weather, reports of nearly 10 inches of new ice formed this past week on many lakes. Hot fishing spots reported this week include, Messalonskee Lake for brown trout and splake, Sabattus Lake for northern pike, and excellent salmon fishing at Lake St George.

-Jim Lucas, Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region C - Downeast

Recent bitter cold weather has kept anglers huddled around their wood stoves rather than out on the ice. Once the cold snap ends, fishermen will have ample opportunity to finally get out on their favorite lakes under safe ice conditions. If you catch a large fish, I'd appreciate receiving a digital photo of your catch. I'm just as interested in seeing your bass, pickerel, or white perch pics as salmon and trout. Send them along via e-mail at: ronald.brokaw@maine.gov <mailto:ronald.brokaw@maine.gov>.

The town of Mount Desert has petitioned the Commissioner to promulgate a special restrictive regulation on salmon at Long Pond. In response, the Department will hold a public hearing this Thursday evening at the Somesville Fire Station beginning at 6:30. The proposal, initiated by angler Dennis Smith of Otter Creek, calls for a 2-fish daily bag limit on salmon, only one of which may exceed 24 inches, and a mandatory release 20-24 inch slot limit. In other words, all salmon measuring between 20-24 inches would have to be immediately released. I'll be available at the hearing to respond to questions, and anglers are encouraged to attend and present their comments to Commissioner Danny Martin. Throughout my career, Long Pond has been one of the most popular salmon fishing locales Downeast. Accordingly, I'm hoping for a good turnout of anglers. Opening day (February 1st) at West Grand Lake is rapidly approaching. This day before Groundhog Day is eagerly anticipated each year by numerous anglers looking forward to having good action provided by salmon, togue, whitefish, and cusk. As usual, the outlook is favorable for nicely shaped 17-18 inch salmon, 20-22 inch togue, and 16-17 inch whitefish. Indications are that the 10,000 yearling salmon stocked in May, 2003 are growing well feeding on a reasonably abundant smelt population. If you're not having much luck with smelt, shiners, or mummichubs, try jigging a small Swedish Pimple or lime green Weeping Willow several feet under the ice periodically throughout the day. Salmon which are reluctant to strike a live bait...which may be very sedentary under the ice...can sometimes be fooled by an active, darting jig which imitates an injured baitfish.

Once again, I'm asking anglers for their cooperation in helping to thin out an abundant population of wild togue. These fish are strong competitors with stocked salmon for smelt. Salmon growth rates could likely be improved if more anglers practiced "hook and cook" as opposed to catch and release. Please consider keeping more togue this winter. The typical 21-22 inch West Grand togue is an ideal size for baking/broiling, and makes fine table fare. If you're interested in receiving two excellent recipes for togue, send your request to: Ron Brokaw, P.O. Box 220, Jonesboro, ME. 04648, or e-mail me at the address above.

Many West Grand ol' timers prefer to jig for togue, and some only put out one or two set lines, having more confidence in their jig sticks. Sweeten up your jig with a small piece of cut bait, and work your jig about a foot off bottom in 25-40 feet of water. Because the lake holds some 10-18 pounders, most anglers favor 12-20 lb test monofilament on their jig sticks. For tip-ups, you'll catch more togue using a length of lighter, thinner, 6-10 lb mono, but run the risk of losing a big one. A good compromise is to use the heavier mono on your jig stick and two traps, and go with the lighter leader on your other two traps. Whatever your preference, if you can get out on this 14,300-acre salmonid stronghold on a cloudy, snowy, low pressure type of day, rather than a sunny, cold, bluebird one, you should have some luck. If you catch a good one, I'd enjoy hearing about it.

-Ron Brokaw, Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region D - Western Mountains

Our clerks braved near-Arctic conditions to check anglers on Spencer, Embden, Hancock, and Wesserunsett Lakes this past weekend and found that they had the lakes mostly to themselves. The few anglers who ventured out were having problems not only keeping warm but in keeping holes free of drifting snow. Dave Howatt reports that the one party of anglers at Spencer caught several fish - salmon, togue, and brook trout - and were keeping warm by stoking a huge bonfire. The frigid temperatures have 'grown' the ice to a thickness of about two feet in most areas.

I enjoyed an article in one of Maine's daily papers this past weekend that featured ice fishing shacks throughout central Maine. Constructed at minimum cost from available materials, these little shelters provide refuge from the harsh elements, making ice fishing a pleasant experience. I was reminded of the hospitality I've received travelling around lakes to check anglers in past years. After I gathered the information I needed, I was often invited into the shacks ("Come on in and get warm") and had a chance to sit and chat a few minutes before I continued on my way. This is an excellent way to pick up information about fishing from the people who know the most about it - the fishermen.

-Forrest Bonney, Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region E - Moosehead Region

Over the past weekend extremely cold weather, combined with yet another storm of this young century to the south, helped put a damper on fishing activity in the Moosehead Region. On Saturday, Jeff Bagley encountered very few parties, and even fewer fish, in his route on Moosehead Lake from the Greenville HQ up to Lily Bay and back. To the north, Albert Hall and Steve Sutton braved the sub zero temperatures in locating a dozen parties in the Rockwood area and behind Kineo. They did find fishing to be quite a bit better on their half of the lake, where they examined 20 lake trout, 2 cusk, and a brookie. As we observed last year, ice fishing on the northern part of Moosehead has been faster than on the southern half of the lake. No theories about this yet, but I am sure one will come to us before the season is over. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues this winter after the weather moderates and more people get out and about to fish.

Fish frozen to the consistency of a brick prevented Albert and Steve from taking stomachs, as is our protocol when checking the winter's catch on Moosehead Lake. However, in previous weekends we had collected a good number of stomachs from around the lake. The results of our food habit studies so far indicate an increase in the occurrence and number of smelts in the stomachs of Moosehead Lake fish this winter. Reports from fishermen about their fish "spitting up smelts" agree with our findings. Whenever possible in examining fish stomach contents we measure individual smelts. This year we are finding a high proportion of fish less than 3 inches in length, yearling smelts that were spawned in 2004. Smelts appear to be abundant lake wide, a sign that smelt spawning success improved in the areas where they spawn naturally throughout the lake. In winemaking terms, it appears that 2004 was "a very good year" for smelt reproduction in Moosehead tributaries. That is very good news indeed for Moosehead Lake and its salmonid fisheries.

Saturday evening we continued a tradition that began last winter, a monthly supper where the fisheries crew kicks back after a day out on the ice and enjoys an evening of camaraderie, good food, and an occasional libation. Warden Joel Wilkinson joined us for the occasion (minus the libation, of course). For our February and March "retreats" we are planning to invite more of the wardens who work out of the Greenville HQ. During the winter we all spend 7 days a week working together, sharing our stories and concerns over the area's fishery resources. We look forward to the opportunity to get together in a much less formal atmosphere. Rumor has it that our old friend and confidant "Buds" McGooseley may even join us in March.

On Sunday we escaped the snowfall that could have contributed significantly to the area's winter recreational offerings. However, the snow to the south, a biting north wind, and quite likely the afternoon's AFC title football game kept people many folks home and inside. We received some snow during the past week, and it improved travel by snowmobile on our lakes. Without a thick covering of snow the cold weather is making ice on a daily basis. Winter is here to stay, and all waters in the region are suitable for travel, with the understanding that the usual bad places around tributaries, outlets, and thoroughfares will remain unsafe throughout the entire season.

Word reaching us from the small ponds open to ice fishing in the Greenville area, as well as waters like Branns Mill Pond and Manhanock Pond to the south, indicates that our fall stockings of adult brook trout are generating more than a little excitement. Derek Nisbet sent us a photograph of the brook trout he caught at Prong Pond. (photo attached) I'll let him tell you about it:

"We got out on the ice just before 3:00 on Friday (January 14), and caught the fish at about 3:30. Chad Cray from Torsey Shores guide service did everything but pull in the fish, so I can't take all the credit. Chad was drilling holes in water about 4' deep, claiming that this was good brook trout water, and I must say that I was a bit skeptical at first. I'm also ashamed to say that I was "that guy" who's putting in traps while others are drilling and ladling holes, but the crew I was with insisted (I was a guest). While putting in my second trap, one of my companions alerted me that the first flag was off. It was the first flag of the weekend, so there was some excitement. Although I insisted that my friend take the flag, he claimed that it was bad luck to pull another man's trap (a philosophy he might need to reconsider in the future). If it were my Brother and I, claim to the flag would have been decided with speed and possibly fists, but this was a kinder crew. I'm more accustom to Salmon, where a tip-up's spin could generate enough power to light a small cabin, and this fish was only taking what it though necessary. I waited about a minute before setting the hook, assuming that I had a perch or whitefish. After the set, there was no doubt that it was sizeable. I haven't kept a fish in years, but couldn't resist the opportunity to get some pictures and possibly a mount. If the picture had audio, you would hear some colorful adjectives being used to describe the fish...we were pretty excited! We went on to catch some more nice brookies, but nothing in the same class as this one. I had the fish weighed at Indian Hill in Greenville. It was 20 1/2" and 4.27 lbs....more than 2 lbs less than another brookie that had been caught this year in the same place (6.44 lbs I believe)! Kudos to the State for providing such great fishing opportunities!" <<Derek's Prong Pond Brookie.jpg>> Thanks for the report, and for your kind words, Derek! And as I have already indicated to you, Nice Fish!!

-Paul Johnson, Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region F, Penobscot Region

The snow storm last week dumped between 12 and 14 inches across the region, insulating many of our lakes and ponds. Cold Stream had about 8 to 12 inches of good, black ice before the storm, so the additional snow created some minor pockets of slush. Schoodic Lake had only 4 to 6 inches of snow ice before the storm so anglers should also be aware of the potential for slush in spots. Slush is the bane of all ice anglers, as nothing can ruin your day faster than to have your sled and tag mired in a foot or more of it on your way to your fishing grounds. Patience, some ingenuity, a little help, and a strong back are the only things that matter when you're in the soup.

Anglers across the Region are reporting good to excellent landlocked salmon fishing. Some handsome fish from 2 to 4 pounds are showing up at Pleasant Pond in Island Falls, one of our premier salmon lakes. East Grand Lake in Danforth and Weston is producing some fast fishing for landlocks, with some fish up over 20 inches and in very good shape. Sebois Lake is also producing some excellent salmon fishing for anglers, as well as splake in the 12 to 16 inch category.

Lake trout anglers at Cold Stream are finally able to set up in "togue water", and it is starting to pay off for some. Fast fishing for lake trout from 16 to 22 inches seems to be the norm for experienced anglers. Schoodic Lake in Lakeview and Brownville, probably the Regions best togue lake, has started giving up some fat 3 to 6 pounders.

Students from the Lewis Libby School in Milford had an ice fishing day at Pickerel Pond on the 14 th of January. The Maine Youth Fish and Game Association hosted the event at their clubhouse on the banks of Pickerel Pond. The 5th to 8th grade students braved the high winds and pouring rain to have a great day catching brook trout and pickerel. Some fish over 2 pounds were iced by the persistent young anglers. Cocoa, hot dogs, chips and brownies were provided by the Club to everyone's enjoyment. Pictures can be found at http://www.state.me.us/ifw/fishing/regionfphotos.htm

A couple more northern pike have been reported from Pushaw Lake this winter. The illegal introduction of any fish into any Maine water is a Class E crime, punishable by fines up to $10,000! The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is offering a minimum reward of $2,000 for information leading to the apprehension of persons responsible for the illegal introduction of fish. Call Operation Game Thief at 1-800-253-7887, or the regional fisheries office at 732-4131.

Go Pats!

-Nels Kramer, Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region G - Aroostook County

The second weekend of the season at Long Lake of the Fish River Chain was very quiet. Regional staff checked 50 Long Lake fishing groups on Saturday. The cold weather no doubt kept the number of anglers to a minimum. A few salmon were measured with 16 to 18 inch being the size of the fish that were biting . Smelt fishing continues to have good days with limits reported. Splake fishing reports from Squa Pan Lake continue to be encouraging. Travel conditions on regional waters are excellent after an extented cold period and now have a light covering of snow. And for those who enjoy snowmobiling, the trails north of Caribou ar ereported to be in excellent shape.

-Derrick Cote, Fisheries Biologist Specialist

From the Maine Warden Service...The Colonel's Outdoor Tip

When ice fishing on ice that offers poor traction or when it is not snow covered, its a good idea to wear ice "creepers" to avoid falls. For a small investment you can get a pair of pull on creepers. Pull on ice cleats fit easily over your winter boots and can keep you in good traction on even the most slippery ice covered surfaces.

Every year, a few Maine ice fisherman experience nasty falls and injuries that could have easily been prevented by wearing "creepers."

Creepers are available at outdoor stores statewide. An additional bonus is ice creepers are very useful to prevent falls when shoveling or cleaning up around the yard after an ice storm or freezing rain.

Be safe and have a more enjoyable ice fishing experience.

-Colonel Tom Santaguida, Chief of the Maine Warden Service

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