September 12, 2005 Fishing Report

Region A- Southwestern Maine

Fall is almost here, and with it comes some great opportunities for fishing! Water temperatures have cooled quite a bit on both lakes and rivers, and trout are likely to start getting more and more active as the season progresses. I spoke with an angler today that reported lake surface temperatures between 65-70 F on several local waters. While general law regulations end September 30, after October 1, most of our lakes and ponds in the region are now open until the end of November with catch-and-release regulations on trout, salmon, and bass. Pond fishing in the fall has many advantages including cool air, no bugs, light angler use, beautiful foliage, and often times excellent fishing! Despite low use, anglers have reported good fall fishing on several waters. Some good bets would include many of our brown trout and salmon waters, as well as many of our smaller trout ponds in Oxford County. Be sure to check your law book to insure the water you intend to fish is indeed open. The region also offers several fall fishing opportunities for stream anglers and I would recommend trying any of the following rivers: the Presumpscot River in Windham, the Pleasant River in Windham, the Royal River in Yarmouth, the Saco River below Skelton and Bar Mills dams, and the Mousam/Ogunquit/Salmon Falls Rivers in York County for sea-run browns.

In addition to all of the benefits mentioned above, fall anglers also have the first crack at fish stocked out by IFW's hatchery system each fall. Although many anglers don't realize it, our hatchery system has quite an extensive legal-sized fall stocking program, particularly in Southern Maine. These fish can be exceptionally large, 12-16 inches for yearlings or even larger in the case of retired brood! The majority of our fall stocked fish go out during the month of October, and are largely intended to spice up winter fishing opportunities or to reduce predation issues. However, fall anglers are certainly welcome to take advantage of these beauties! Anglers will also be pleased to hear that recent hatchery improvements (oxygen systems and wastewater treatment), and a complete renovation/expansion of our Emden facility are nearing completion. These improvements will likely allow us to expand production including an increase in our fall stocking programs.

Region A sampled a new trout stream, Worthley Brook in Poland, last week as part of a long-term Statewide brook trout monitoring project. Although, the stream appears to be very heavily fished, we were pleasantly surprised to find excellent numbers of brook trout and a fairly high proportion of legal sized trout. We still have several field projects to complete before the end of the month including : nettings of Crystal Lake (Gray), and Middle/Upper Range Ponds (Poland) to evaluate our experimental rainbow trout stockings; hydroacoustics sampling on Thompson Lake (Oxford) and Sebago Lake (Raymond); and we need to finish sampling all of the streams in 3 Towns as part of our stream inventory project. The following quarter will largely consist of fall trapnetting, data entry/analysis, and reporting. We'll keep you posted on what we see during our upcoming adventures!

-James Pellerin, Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region B - Central Maine

During the latter part of summer, regional fisheries staff complete numerous stream surveys throughout the area. We do the work at this time of year because habitat conditions for cold-water fisheries are at their most stressful. Water temperatures tend to be at their yearly maximums. Water flows are usually at their lowest, barring any extended periods of heavy rain. The combination of the two above factors often results in lowered oxygen concentrations in the water. For a trout, this can limit the amount of habitat that they can survive in without hardship. It is also an indicator that if conditions are suitable during late summer, they are usually sufficient as habitat during the remainder of the year.

Our goals are to monitor those streams where known trout populations exist and to evaluate other waterways for potential populations. With over 1500 miles of named streams in the region, we have our work cut out for us. With that much running water, there is no way we can evaluate every reach of every brook and stream in the area. So, the department has developed several levels of effort for surveying streams.

To survey as many streams in a given area as possible, we most commonly perform what is called a Level 1 survey. These are 'snapshot' surveys that give us an idea of the habitat in a portion or portions of a stream. Our Level 1 surveys are completed by town; that is, one biologist surveys all of the streams in that town.

Level 1 surveys use road crossings as evaluation sites. Using a road crossing has a number of benefits. First, they are easy to access and relocate for potential follow-up work. Usually, if a brook or stream is used for fishing, the crossing site is where anglers get to their favorite fishing spots; trails and other evidence of use are often present.

Our 'snapshot' data involves collecting a variety of water quality information including temperature and oxygen levels, among other parameters. We make observations on the stream, making note of degree of slope is present, what the stream bottom materials are, and if there is any cover in the area. Finally, we sample the fish population in a section up and downstream of the crossing.

Level 2 stream surveys provide a more intensive look at a particular stream. These surveys are called reach-based, they include data collected from many sections of a stream rather than the single site used in a Level 1 survey. Depending on the length of stream to be surveyed, they may take several days to complete.

This summer, Region B completed a Level 2 survey of Martin Stream, which courses for 11+ miles through the towns of Livermore and Turner. Martin Stream exists in a valley that contains moderate and increasing human development, yet maintains good water quality overall. It is a good example of the characteristics found in many other streams of similar size in the region.

Level 2 surveys require a team effort to collect the necessary data. The Martin Stream survey was accomplished with the very able assistance of volunteers from the Merrymeeting and Mollyockett chapters of Trout Unlimited, the Izaak Walton League, the Friends of the Nezinscot, and several local residents. Surveying an 11-mile long stream is a monumental task, one that could have not been done without such an enthusiastic group of volunteers.

Each team consisted of a biologist and 2 to 3 volunteers. They measured stream widths and depths at selected intervals and made constant notes on the characteristics of the stream between the measurement points. Each team surveyed about 1.5 to 2 miles a day. Once the reach surveys were complete, we all spent a day using electro-fishing gear to evaluate the fishery of the stream.

Now, back in my office, I'm beginning the task of putting all the information together. All of the teams did an excellent job of collecting information and the resulting pile of maps and forms will all be put to good use. From this effort, we'll get a more detailed description of the stream's diversity of habitat and its fisheries that will give us insights on future management.

-Robert Van-Riper, Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region C - Downeast

Fall! - the season many Mainers live for, with its cool nights, bright sunny days, and colorful foliage. September weather produces a change from warmwater summer fishing to renewed surface fishing opportunities for landlocked salmon, brook trout, and brown trout as crisp autumn nights cool the surface waters. As coldwater sport fish approach the fall spawning season, they return to the shoreline in search of spawning habitat. Knowledgeable lake and pond anglers will experience success near tributaries and outlets. Grand Lake Stream, West Grand Lake, Cathance Lake, and Long Pond (Mt. Desert Island) are good chances for fall salmon fishing.

Fall is also a prime time for white perch fishing. Anglers who locate schools of this delicious sport fish have fast fishing and ensure many meals of fried perch fillets or fish chowder. If you're looking for perch, try Grand Falls Flowage, Big Lake, Pocomoonshine Lake, Third Machias Lake, Chain Lakes, Georges Pond, Abrams Pond, Lower Patten Pond, or Green Lake.

Our staff has been conducting hydroacoustic and midwater trawling surveys of freshwater smelt populations at night. We recently surveyed Long Pond on Mt. Desert Island and early indications point to a healthy smelt population there. West Grand will be the next lake we survey.

Maine is fortunate to have such a high-tech diesel-powered 22' mini-lobsterboat freshwater research vessel combined with a scientific-quality $30,000 sonar to detect fish as small as 1.2" young-of-the-year smelts. This was made possible through a grant by the Outdoor Heritage Fund. All work is done at night when the smelts are feeding as individuals, permitting individual sonar echoes from each fish, rather than getting one large echo from each school of smelts near bottom as would occur in the daytime.

Soon we will be electrofishing lakeshores of several St. Croix lakes (Woodland Flowage, Grand Falls Flowage, Big Lake, and West Grand) to obtain samples of young-of-the-year bass to determine how large they grew in their first growing season. Trapnetting, to collect age and growth information on salmon and trout will start in early October.

Enjoy Maine's fall fishing!

-Rick Jordan, Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region D - Western Mountains With the water cooling down and higher flows, many anglers are heading for rivers that flow into the large lakes. Most serious anglers know that the place to be a few days after a heavy rain event is were the brook trout and salmon will be running for fall spawning season. These rushes of water trigger the fish's instinct to move to their pre-spawning holding areas. At this time, large fish from the lakes are catchable by anglers wading or standing near the shoreline.

Many stocked brook trout waters are open to fly fishing or artificial lure fishing throughout October. A few of these waters in Somerset County are Austin and Little Austin Ponds in Bald Mountain Twp., Pleasant Pond and the Dimmick Ponds in Caratunk, and Moxie Lake in The Forks Plt. For those interested in fishing rivers in October, try some areas around The Forks Plt. The Kennebec and Dead Rivers should be good fishing when the flows are right.

The hatchery division will soon begin stocking thousands of fish throughout the state. Most of these fish will be small, six to eight inch fingerlings brook trout, which will likely grow into nice ten to twelve inch fish by this time next year. Some larger yearling brook trout and brown trout will also be stocked to provide fall and winter fishing opportunities.

Anglers interested in bass fishing don't have to give up quite yet. Although these fish become less active and more difficult to catch as the warm summer days end, they will take bait or lures if presented to them properly. Try fishing a little deeper than you normally would in lakes and ponds. The fish in rivers are more likely to be in their same old haunts, even moving into very shallow water on bright sunny days. For anglers in the northwestern region of the state I recommend fishing the Androscoggin River on either side of the Riley Dam in Jay or Canton. There are some very large smallmouths in these stretches of water.

-Dave Howatt, Fisheries Biologist Specialist

Region E - Moosehead Region

On Saturday, September 17th, IFW staff from the Greenville Office will be sponsoring the annual Family Fishing Day at the Gravel Pit Pond in Greenville. This is a great chance to bring the kids, grandkids, or just any kids out to the pond for a day of fishing. Fisheries staff will be on hand from 9:00 until 12:00 to measure and weigh fish and answer any questions. Bring some munchies, your poles, and some bait and spend the morning hanging out and catching trout. To get to Gravel Pit Pond from downtown Greenville, just head west on Main St (Rte 15) toward Greenville Jct. Take a left at the intersection with Depot St. Take your first left toward the Greenville Industrial Park and then a quick right as you pass over the bridge on Wiggin Brook.

This week we had our annual meeting with Kennebec Water Power to discuss fall water management on Moosehead Lake and Brassua Lake. The additional rainfall at the end of August really helped to fill most of the impoundments in the region. Anglers can look forward to flows in the 2200 cfs range at the East Outlet until early October. At the Moose River below Brassua Dam, flows will be around 900 cfs for the duration of the fishing season. Storage impoundments to the north of Greenville are a little lower than average this fall, but there will be a flow of 900 cfs from Seboomook Dam until the end of the month. These are all good fishing flows and early reports have been pretty good, so get out there and take advantage of it.

-Tim Obrey, Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region F, Penobscot Region

As fall approaches and we look back at the past summer, we always seem to wonder "where did summer go?" It seemed as if at first we would have some very hot days and nights then the skies would open up and, wow, did it ever rain. This was good for the coldwater fish -- The water temps stayed fairly cool and the water levels remained high for most of the summer, except for the major rain events that would push the water levels to almost flood stage. Despite that, we had and continue to get great reports from our brook and river anglers. As the trout and salmon become more active as spawning season arrives, we are expecting some great fall fishing.

I'm sorry to announce that for the third year in a row it looks like we have another illegal species introduction. Last week we had a report from an avid angler that he had caught a largemouth bass in Ebemee lake. We have not been able to confirm this report yet, but I'm sure this angler knows what he caught and we are waiting for the picture that he took. Last winter we confirmed reports of smallmouth bass in Silver lake in Lee. In 2004, regional personnel confirmed reports of largemouth bass in the Penobscot river around Lincoln, smallmouth bass in Upper Jo Mary and we found several trout waters with new minnow species in them. In 2003, Pike were confirmed in Pushaw lake. The Penobscot Region is only one region out of 7. The other 6 regions can tell similar stories. I don't believe the parties responsible for these illegal introductions understand how devastating their acts are or what the fines are that go with them. If you have any information on any illegal fish introduction please contact you local game warden or call Operation Game Thief at 1-800-ALERT US (253-7887) .

This week here at the Enfield fish hatchery, we will be marking a total of 137,951 fish to be stocked out this fall and next spring. With the help of several other regions and a group of excellent clippers from around the area, the task will be completed in just 5 days. We will clip (remove) a fin from 12,495 Lake trout, 27,624 Splake, 10,457 Salmon, 81,675 Brook trout and 5,700 Lake Whitefish will be handled and a fin removed. We mark these fish so that they can be identified by the angler and fishery personnel as hatchery fish. This assists us in management decisions on individual waters.

Get out and enjoy the great fall weather!

-Brian Campbell, Fisheries Biologist Specialist

Region G - Aroostook County

While waiting for cooler weather and fall rains conducive for fall movement of trout and salmon, we suggest that anglers consider spending a few days fishing for pickerel at Drew's Lake in the southern Aroostook town of Linneus. A public boat launch at the outlet allows easy access for boats of all sizes. The best pickerel fishing would probably be found at the very west end of the lake and in some of the shallow coves on the north shore. We recommend casting around the emergent vegetation and pond lilies that give these fish cover as they sit and wait for unsuspecting prey. Red and white spoons with large treble hooks are very successful at attracting pickerel to strike. It is advisable to keep checking the line ahead of the lure after catching several pickerel to check for worn line. A short steel leader attached between the lure and monofilament line would eliminate this problem and not infringe tremendously on the action of the lure. Because these fish have numerous sharp teeth anglers should be very careful in removing the hooks from the mouth. That is the reason for suggesting using large treble hooks on whatever lure is used. A pair of needle-nose pliers is also a welcomed addition to the tackle box when fishing for pickerel. Should several larger fish be kept in the creel, they make an excellent fish chowder (especially with some new potatoes), however, removing the numerous bones is the test of patience required to prepare this table fare.

-Dave Basley, Regional Fisheries Biologist

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