August 8, 2005 Fishing Report

Region A- Southwestern Maine

The summer doldrums are upon us and for many anglers, the peak of fishing fun is well past us or is shortly to come. Fishing opportunity however, is where you find it. Summertime heat oftentimes forces fish into cool well-oxygenated refuges that can be very effectively targeted for mid-summer fishing fun. In lakes, this condensed trout and salmon habitat can be found near where the warmer surface waters meet the cooler waters below. Just make sure not to fish too deep, as deeper waters often lose their oxygen content as summer progresses. Cool water refuges in streams can be found by simply looking for the deepest pools that offer significant cover. Brush piles from beaver activity and under cut banks are good bets in small streams. Bring your thermometer when you target larger streams and look for where small tributaries join the main stem. Even if the tributary is dry, there may still be cool water influence from under the dry streambed. Your thermometer should be your guide.

Region A staff recently returned to evaluate the stocked brook trout fisheries in two of our most recently reclaimed ponds. On visiting Broken Bridge Pond and Crocker Pond in Albany, we discovered both ponds full of illegally re-stocked golden shiners. Golden shiners compete with brook trout for available resources and were a very unwelcome sight for biologist's eyes. The long hours and thousands of dollars in resources that went into reclaiming these ponds in the hope of recreating a quality brook trout fishery were largely undone by one selfish act. These ponds are closed to the taking of bait and will remain closed regardless of the quality of the trout fisheries in these ponds. Remember, the stocking of any fish into any outdoor water is illegal without a permit from MDIF&W. The application is easy to fill out and both the application and the permit are free.

-Brian Lewis, Fisheries Biology Specialist

Region B - Central Maine

It is uncommon for the fisheries staff in central Maine to work on a body of water within the region that has not yet been surveyed. Round Pond in the town of Rome was one such body of water. Some of the historic fishing data suggested that there were some large trout caught from the pond. One large trout in particular was caught by a retired Maine Game Warden in 1958 and was just over 3 pounds. The pond is nestled to the east of Vienna hills and just west of Belgrade's Long Pond. It is accessible only by a foot trail from the Watson Pond Road, giving it a unique remote setting for the central Maine area. Two tributaries flow into the pond from the west side. One of the tributaries still supports a significant wild brook trout population. The other originates from Kidder Pond, which is just north of Round Pond and does have some rough fish species present.

With these characteristics one may think that Round Pond could still have some wild brook trout present.

Our spirits were high as we dragged our canoe and all of the necessary equipment into Round Pond to evaluate the pond's fish species and water quality. We set out paddling across the pond recording depths along the way. When we reached the other side, we discoverd that young largemouth bass have already taken residence in the ponds shallows. Our tests revealed that water quality was marginal for trout survival. Unfortunately, the presence of largemouth bass all but destroyed our hopes of finding some trout.

Nevertheless, we set our sample nets in the deeper, cooler water of the pond in the hope of finding some trout. After the nets were set, we passed some time paddling down the thoroughfare into Beaver Pond where we again saw several larger largemouth bass lurking in the shallows. This made things seem even more dismal for finding a few trout in our nets that we had just set. After a few hours the nets where pulled and with no surprise we pulled up six white suckers and no trout. Our thoughts that that brook trout no longer inhabit the pond were confirmed. Just one more example of how illegal introductions can effect native fish populations.

-Scott Davis, Fisheries Biology Specialist

Region C - Downeast

The Fisheries staff of the Downeast Regional Headquarters is considering an expansion of brook trout stocking to create fishing opportunity in two small ponds in Hancock County - Second Pond in Dedham and Anderson Pond in Township 10 SD. Prior to instituting substantive new management changes, we take proposals before the public and solicit your input.

Second Pond in Dedham is a 64-acre pond whose outlet flows into Phillips Lake. The pond's water quality is adequate to support trout through the summer months in well-oxygenated water found from 12-16 feet where water temperatures range from 54º F to the low 60º F range. The surface pH is 6.5, which is fine for trout. Brook trout were formerly stocked during the period 1961-70. We propose to stock approximately 2550 fingerling brook trout each fall. The pond is open to fishing during both the winter and openwater seasons. Our goal is to create an additional trout fishery near the population center of Bangor-Brewer-Ellsworth-Bucksport where demand is high for this type of fishing opportunity. Because chain pickerel are present in the pond, the initial stockings would be considered experimental until we determined the success of the program. If survival and return of trout to anglers was low, we would terminate the program.

We also propose to stock brook trout into 16-acre Anderson Pond located north of Route 182 (Black Woods Road) in Township 10 SD. When we surveyed this crystal-clear, remote pond in 1998, we found it to be homothermous from the surface to the bottom at 21 feet. Although cooler bottom waters would improve the chance of successful survival of brook trout, sometimes springholes exist, providing coolwater refuge over the warm summer months, making trout survival possible. The only fish species found in our survey were baitfish and pumpkinseed sunfish. We propose two experimental stockings of 475 fall fingerling brook trout followed by evaluation of whether the program is successful enough to merit continuation. If successful, anglers will have a trout fishery in a beautiful remote section of eastern Hancock County.

We encourage comments on these proposals. If you wish to email, send to: Richard.Jordan@maine.gov <mailto:Richard.Jordan@maine.gov> . Comments by phone can be taken at 434-5925, and letters can be sent to: Fisheries Division Maine Dept. Inland Fisheries and Wildlife P.O. Box 220 Jonesboro, ME 04648

-Rick Jordan, Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region D - Western Mountains

I spent the past weekend fishing at Clearwater Pond in Industry. I fished mainly for smallmouth bass and lake trout with very little luck in catching anything. However, that doesn't mean that I didn't see some fish. Due to the pond's exceptional water clarity I was able to see a good number of large smallmouth bass, quite a few over sixteen inches in length. Togue could also be seen feeding on baitfish near the surface. The large splashes created and the jumping of bait looked like a school of bluefish chasing their prey at the ocean. Seeing these large fish was quite spectacular and even though I only caught a few very tiny bass and perch, I had a great time just observing the fish.

If anglers are interested in brook trout fishing this time of year, things are getting tough. Overall the ponds are getting warm and the best insect hatches are over. Unless you know of a secret spring hole or a cool deep pool in a stream, trout become difficult to locate and angle for. For the adventurous angler, higher elevation ponds are another option. The nighttime temperatures are lower in the mountains, so the water temperatures stay cooler and trout remain active throughout the summer. A few places to try this summer are Speck Pond in Grafton Twp., Tumbledown Pond in Township 6 North of Weld, The Horns Pond in Wyman Twp., and Mountain Dimmick Pond in Caratunk. All have well-established trails that lead to each pond and are annually stocked with brook trout to maintain a fishery.

Last week, two new waters were added to the regional inventory. Pennell Pond in New Portland and Metallak Pond on Township C were officially surveyed for the first time. Pennell Pond is a pretty little 15-acre, 9-foot deep pond with hornpout and minnows present. Metallak Pond is a 75-acre bog with a maximum depth of four feet and only lake chubs present for fish. Both ponds have poor water quality for trout. However, brook trout are present in the outlets, so they may seasonally enter the ponds when conditions are right.

-Dave Howatt, Fisheries Biology Specialist

Region E - Moosehead Region

Last week, regional personnel finished the deep netting for juvenile lake trout on Moosehead Lake. This annual sampling enables regional personnel to evaluate the growth and abundance of juvenile lake trout in Moosehead Lake. Two 100-foot gillnets were set in water depths greater than 100 feet and fished over a 24 hour period.

We set 24 nets over the course of 4 nights, six nets per night. The netting locations for these sampling events were two nights in the deep water in Whisky Cove on the west side of Deer Island, one night in the deep water in the northwest end of Lily Bay, and one night in the deep water between Burnt Jacket Point and Moose Island. During our sampling, we collected 43 lake trout that ranged in size from 6 to 14 inches. The stomach analysis from these individuals stayed true to history. Although there was little found in their bellies, we were able to identify fish remains, smelts, insects, and small amounts of Mysis in the stomachs that did contain food items.

On August 25, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. at the Quimby Elementary School, Maine Street, Bingham, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing regulation changes for the upcoming ice fishing and open fishing seasons. The affected water being discussed at the public hearing for the Moosehead Lake region is Foss Pond, Kingsbury Plt.

The current regulation at Foss Pond : -S-4: Use of possession of live bait is prohibited. -S-10: Daily bag limit on togue; 1 fish. -S-17: Daily bag limit on brook trout; 2 fish, minimum length limit: 10 inches, only 1 may exceed 12 inches.

Proposed regulation change: -S-6: Artificial lures only. (ALO) -S-10: Daily bag limit on togue; 1 fish, minimum length limit: 23 inches. -Daily bag limit on brook trout 1 fish; minimum length limit 14 inches.

Other proposals from our western region will also be discussed at Bingham.

All proposals may be obtained from Andrea Erskine, Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 Stae Street, 41 SHS, Augusta, ME 04333-0041; e-mail: andrea.erskine@maine.gov. Written comments may be submitted on any of the proposals. Deadline for comments is September 16, 2005.

-Stephen Seeback, Fisheries Biology Specialist

Region F, Penobscot Region

The weather in the Penobscot region this past week has been very enjoyable; great for camping, hiking, swimming and most other vacation activities. But for the angler, this is not the time to expect fast fishing for trout, togue, or salmon. This past week we have had very few reports from our coldwater anglers. Although catch rates are slow, East Grand Lake is still producing some nice catches of fish. Catch rates have dropped off, but the togue continue to be in the 2 to 6 lb. range.

Fisheries staff spent 2 days in Baxter State Park last week doing follow up surveys on 3 trout ponds: Celia, Daicey, and Jackson. Nice brook trout were netted at all 3 ponds. Park Rangers report slow angling success throughout the park. However, anglers that are successful are catching some nice fish.

The Penobscot River continues to produce great smallmouth bass fishing, We have also had some good reports from South Branch Lake, Seboeis Lake and Dolby Pond.

If your visiting Maine and looking for some exciting fishing, might I suggest fishing for some warm water species? Some excellent angling can be found for smallmouth bass, pickerel and perch. If you stop buy the local sporting goods store and ask the store keeper, I am sure they can direct you to bodies of water with better fishing activity. Most times these fish can be taken on bobber and worm. It's a great way to keep the kids busy, while building some great vacation memories.

Summer is more than half way over, so get out and enjoy all that Maine has to offer.

-Brian Campbell, Fisheries Biology Specialist

Region G - Aroostook County

These hot, humid and calm days of August are opportune times to fish for togue. The lack of wind allows for slow trolling in deep water with a "Christmas Tree" set of spinners or one large bladed spoon ahead of a piece of sewed bait or artificial lure. Togue are typically found at depths of 45-60 feet in the deep, well-oxygenated water of the lake. To reach these depths it is necessary to use lead core line, wire or, what is becoming increasingly popular, a downrigger attached to a lighter spinning gear.

Togue lakes in the eastern part of the region include Nickerson Lake in Houlton and Eagle Lake and St. Froid Lakes in the Fish River Chain. The largest togue would probably be found in Eagle Lake.

Popular togue lakes to the west of Ashland include Carr Pond, 2nd Musquacook Lake, Clear Lake, Munsungan Lake, Ross Lake, Haymock, Spider, Cliff and Togue Lakes. Togue are also found in Big Eagle Lake and Umsaskis Lake in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway (AWW). Special restrictions on canoe size, motor size, and access sites have been implemented by the AWW for these two lakes so please check with the AWW before making your trip. As a reminder, please check the 2005 open water fishing regulation booklet for special fishing regulations that may apply to these waters.

A public hearing will be held on Monday, August 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Stockholm School on School Street in Stockholm. The following regulation proposals will be heard:

Black Pond, T15R9 WELS, South Little Black Pond, T15R9 WELS, Crater Pond, T15R9 WELS are all being considered for a daily bag limit on trout: 1 fish; minimum length limit on trout: 18 inches.

Eagle Lake in the Fish River Chain is being considered for a daily bag limit on togue: 5 fish; minimum length limit on togue: 14 inches.

Madawaska Lake (including Little Madawaska Lake), T16R4 WELS & Westmanland: Remain open to fishing from October 1 - October 31 using artificial lures only; all fish caught must be released at once. Open to ice fishing from February 15 - March 31 with a daily bag limit on trout: 2 fish.

-David J. Basley, Regional Fisheries Biologist

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