Contact: Mark Latti
Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
mark.latti@maine.gov
207-287-6008
pager 818-9617
fax 207-287-6395
284 State Street
41 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333

For Immediate Release January 10, 2006

January 10, 2006 Ice Fishing Report

Region A- Southwestern Maine

The 2006 Ice Fishing season is now well underway, but the number of anglers out fishing appears to be lighter than normal for opening week. Variable weather patterns and "iffy" ice conditions on some of our larger regional lakes may be partially responsible, and of course the NFL playoffs often causes many anglers to leave the ice earlier than usual to catch the games. If you haven't had a chance to wet a line yet, remember the crowds may be bigger, but the first several weeks of the season are typically the most productive for trout and salmon fishing.

Most of the smaller ponds in the region are buttoned up and have up to 6-7 inches of ice on them, some of our medium sized lakes still have areas of thin ice or openwater, and most of the larger lakes (i.e. Kezar Lake, Thompson Lake) reportedly still have significant areas of open water. Of course, Sebago is still wide open and typically sets-up around the 3rd week of January. I heard several reports of a 4-wheeler that broke through the ice on Lake Arrowhead during the second week of the season, and anglers still need to be exercise caution whenever they ice fish.

Although several anglers have reported slower than normal fishing for opening week, we have observed several good fish and good catches. On opening day, I observed 1 party on Kennebunk Pond that had caught 3 brook trout weighing 3, 3.5, and 4 pounds. The same party also had a 17 inch brown, had released 4 12-14" brookies, and lost several others in the hole. While this group was the exception, many had groups had managed to land brookies and browns on the pond that day. This past week, I was out on Little Ossipee and spoke to several anglers that had fished most of the day without a bite, suddenly I noticed another nearby angler (John Roberts of Buxton) had pulled a nice fish out onto the ice. I walked over and he explained that he was disappointed his afternoon of fishing had ended so quickly. Apparently, he had only been fishing about 20 minutes and had limited out with a nice 15 and 17-inch brookie! Two days later a saw him with another 3.5 half pound brook trout that he caught from the same area! While I can't divulge his exact techniques, I will say this once again proves how effective jigging can be if you have the patience to give it a whirl.

The regional staff have been checking anglers on various waters throughout southern Maine, and we intend to make the following waters part of our regular sampling route for the 2006 season: Deer Pond - Hollis, Little Ossipee Lake- Waterboro, Kennebunk Pond - Lyman, Big and Little Clemons Ponds - Hiram, Sand Pond - Baldwin, Big and Little Pennesseewassee Lakes - Norway, and Twitchell Pond in Greenwood. The more intensive survey on these waters are being conducted to evaluate current stocking programs, and/or to explore future management changes (i.e. stocking/regulations).

For example, many of the waters being sampled this season are what we call "advanced finglerling" waters, which was a "new" management idea the regional staff began implementing in the mid-late 1990's. Most fall fingerling stocked brook trout are generally 6-8 inches long; however, the fingerling trout used on these waters are fed extra amounts of feed to accelerate their growth to produce legal-sized fish in the 8-12 inch range. The idea being that these legal-sized fingerlings could be used to essentially create winter "put-and-take" brook trout fisheries on waters that may have poor to marginal summer water quality and/or heavy competition/predation pressures from other fish species.

Although these trout are smaller than spring stocked fish, the fall stocking maximizes angler use of the fish from fall through to early summer, and reduces bird/fish predation issues. On these waters, we also typically stock a smaller number of fall yearling brook trout in the 12-14 inch range and a very small number of brood fish (3-4 pounds) to "lure" anglers to these waters. The bottom-line is that anglers generally experience relatively fast action for the smaller 8-12" trout, but also have the opportunity to be rewarded with a few quality trout and/or a trophy! This management technique has been very effective on many waters in southern Maine, although we are learning that it doesn't work on every pond. This stocking program has not only allowed us to create "new" winter trout fisheries, but has also been a great tool for spreading out angler pressure in the region. For example, before this program was initiated, Worthley Pond in Poland experienced little to no winter angling activity, but use has steadily increased each winter to the point where it is now a destination water for many anglers (Table 1).

Table 1. Winter Angler Trips by Year for Worthley Pond - Poland Year Estimated Number of Angler Trips 1998 397 1999 354 2000 492 2002 606 2005 993

We have noticed some common angling errors and misconceptions on these "advanced fingerling" waters. The first is how people fish for the trout, several anglers have reported watching several trout "pick" at their bait until it dies or is stolen without ever tripping the flag! Anglers need to use smaller bait and hooks, while worms and jigging have also proven to be very effective. The release rate on these smaller fish is often quite high, and anglers state we'll let that one go to grow bigger. Remember these are put-and-take fisheries, and only a small percentage of the fish would likely survive through the following summer months. The point being, if you like to eat a few trout every now and then...you don't have to feel guilty about taking a couple of these pan fryers home for a meal.

-Jim Pellerin, Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region B - Central Maine

The weather this winter has started out like many others, where cold temperatures come in for a while followed by some rainy periods with milder temperatures. These seasonal variations create some reluctance by ice anglers to wait and see what others are doing before they venture out. Those that are familiar with what to look for, go out and with their accumulated knowledge, visit lakes or ponds that in the past have had adequate ice to fish, providing them with wonderful fishing opportunity. This experience usually rewards them with a quiet and successful trip, because other active and noisy winter pursuits have not started into full swing.

On the last day of 2005 a couple of anglers who practice mostly catch and release no matter what season, went to an unnamed small central Maine water that provided some fast action for largemouth bass and yellow perch. On the more popular waters, decent sized white perch are termed "hump backs". But on this little remote water, the yellow perch are better described by a western term that anglers there use - "jalopies". These are yellow perch in excess of 15 inches. The anglers caught and released 34 bass and 20 yellow perch on a very busy day, including a lot of jalopies.

Angler use on opening day in Central Maine was variable, depending on ice conditions. Coastal waters had tentative ice conditions, while far inland anglers had plenty of ice. Many anglers used the usual precautions, as inlets, outlets and shallow areas had questionable ice and were avoided. Early January also brought another concern for many ice anglers as the higher water level bought on by December rains was receding in many lakes and ponds causing pressure ridges and leads (openings) with potentially treacherous conditions.

On Long Pond in the Belgrades, low angler activity was observed. Caution was used by all as ice conditions were not uniformly safe. The catch was reflective of the low number of anglers on the ice. No pike were seen, and only a few perch and pickerel brought up through the holes. Activity on Minnehonk and Parker was better as access and ice conditions were better. Brook trout, splake, and salmon were reported and anglers were able to bring some fish home to the family. St. George Lake in Liberty and the Narrows Pond's in Winthrop had anglers catching some of the recently stocked retired brood stock brook trout in excess of 16 inches. Many central waters were reporting good catches of the fall yearling book trout, about 12 to 14 inches. Many of the region's water are stocked with these fish and it is a popular program for those waters.

The northern part of the region had anglers pursuing game fish as well as smelts. Wassookeag Lake was a popular water, yielding salmon and togue about to around 20 inches as well as smelts. Great Moose Pond and other local area waters had anglers looking for the fall yearling brook trout as well as brown trout. Great Moose is one of the most popular stocked central Maine for ice angling. Ice fishing brings greater angling success because the summer water temperatures are not conducive to the cold- water demanding brook trout, togue and, salmon.

The 2006 season should become more active as ice conditions improve. Anglers should use the old tried and true methods that have been successful for them in the past. Continue to ply your most popular lake or pond that has been a place for success in the past and rewards will come.

An Irish Proverb indicates that, "It is not a fish until it is on the bank", or in the winter, on the bank would be on the ice! ---- Happy Fishing!

-Bill Woodward, Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region C - Downeast

Five to six inches of ice represents the best ice conditions in eastern Maine, according to local fisheries biologists and game wardens. Ice thickness at eastern Maine's larger and deeper lakes varies from none to just a few inches of unsafe ice. As always, early season winter anglers are advised to be cautious, stay close to shore, and cut numerous test holes when venturing away from shore.

Early reports indicate that where the ice was safe, anglers have caught fish.

Splake produced good action for fish from 12-20" at waters like Second Old Stream Lake in T 37 MD, Pleasant River Lake in Beddington, Mopang Lake in T 29 MD, Jacob Buck Pond in Bucksport, Heart Pond in Orland, and Fitts Pond in Eddington. Splake, a hybrid between brook trout and lake trout have been a highly successful fish that grows rapidly and bites well, features that anglers desire and appreciate.

Brook trout, a perennial favorite, excited anglers at Keene's Lake in Calais, Indian Lake in Whiting, Lower Hadlock Pond in Mt. Desert, and Montegail Pond in Columbia, where some retired broodstock larger than 16" had been stocked. There is no prettier sight than looking at the multicolored speckles of brook trout against a background of ice and snow. Other popular trout ponds are Vining Lake in Cooper, Keeley Lake in Marshfield, Billings Pond in Blue Hill, Echo Lake in Mt. Desert Island, and Craig Pond in Orland.

Eastern Maine's landlocked salmon and brown trout waters generally still need more cold days and nights to form safe ice before anglers can fish them.

Because many pickerel and perch ponds are shallow, they already have safe ice. If you are looking for action and a fun trip with the kids that the whole family will remember, these species provide the best action.

-Rick Jordan, Assistant Regional Fishery Biologist

Region D - Western Mountains

The 2006 ice fishing season is in full swing here in western Maine. While fishing pressure was unusually low during the holiday weekend, perhaps due to concerns about safe ice conditions, anglers turned out in droves the following week. We're seeing at least 12 inches of good ice on most lakes in the greater Farmington area, and we're getting reports of thicker ice in more northern areas. That said, we still urge caution on very deep lakes (Embden Lake comes to mind), or near flowing inlets and outlets, shoals, and springs. Snow depths are still low throughout most of the region and we haven't observed much slush yet, so expect good traveling conditions to your favorite fishing spots.

Togue fishing in Clearwater, Porter, and Wilson Lakes was spotty during the first week, but we did check several parties with bag limits. Most togue were "slot size" fish (14 to 18 inches long), but a few lunkers were iced, including a 6 1/2-pounder from Porter Lake. Bag limits on togue were liberalized in these three lakes some time ago as a means of "culling" abundant, immature fish, and easing predation pressure on forage species, which are usually smelts. Keeping young, rapidly growing togue moving quickly through the system increases the chance for providing good fisheries for salmon in the same lake. Salmon, of course, are exceedingly reliant on smelts for good growth. We stock salmon very conservatively in all three waters, generally just a few hundred every-other-year, in order to maintain the delicate balance of predators and prey. The timing of our most recent salmon stockings were such that they should be nearly all legal-sized and available for anglers this winter. Expect to see salmon from 14-18 inches from Clearwater and Wilson; those from Porter should be in the 17-19-inch class.

Elsewhere, we're getting reports of fast fishing in Embden Lake for recently stocked fall yearling brookies. Fall yearlings were also planted in Hancock Pond in Embden and Haley Pond in Rangeley to enhance winter fishing opportunities. Expect more of this type of management as our refurbished hatchery in Embden comes fully on line.

-Dave Boucher, Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region E - Moosehead Region

Well the question of the week here in Greenville has been, "how are the ice conditions on the Lake?". According to a few reliable sources, the ice conditions vary greatly depending on where you may be planning to go. On the southern portion of the Lake we've had reports of 4 inches of ice in some places to a foot in others. Game Warden Pilot Charlie Later, reported that North Bay from Mt. Kineo, north of Farm Island to Northeast Carry and Seboomook has not been frozen over for very long. Our comment to the pubic has been use caution and common sense when venturing out onto Moosehead Lake or any other body of water.

Due to the uncertainty of ice conditions the Moosehead Regions Staff have not started our annual creel census work. The fishing information coming in this past week has been that the togue fishing has been pretty good on the lower part of Moosehead Lake. We are planning on starting our work the weekend of January 14th. So stay tuned, as we will pass along first hand fishing information as we see it on the ice. This winter the Greenville staff is fortunate enough to have 2 Unity College students assisting us in collecting valuable creel census information. Returning from last winter is Albert Hall and joining him this winter is Eric Rudolph. Both are seniors at Unity and are hoping to gain experience as field biologists. Welcome aboard guys!

This winter our creel census work will be concentrated on Moosehead Lake and Chesuncook Lake. As in the past we are encouraging anglers to harvest the 14 to 17 inch togue, as they are still very abundant in Moosehead. At Chesuncook Lake we are encouraging anglers to keep the smaller (14 to 16 inch) salmon. There is an abundance of these smaller salmon and by harvesting some of these smaller fish, we expect to see improved growth and condition in the salmon population at Chesuncook.

-Jeff Bagley, Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region F, Penobscot Region

The majority of the lakes in the region have unsafe ice conditions on all or parts of the lakes, and some still even have areas of open water. Most of the smaller lakes and ponds have sufficient ice but even on these, anglers must use caution. Weather conditions are predicted to be mild over the next several days and ice conditions are not likely to improve. An aerial angler survey found anglers on most of the lakes but they were mostly restricted to shoreline areas. The upper basin of Cold Stream Pond has sufficient ice for fishing and has been producing some good brook trout although salmon and lake trout angling has been slow. Pleasant Pond in Island Falls is well frozen and salmon fishing has been good.

Angler success in most waters has been highly variable because anglers have been restricted to areas of good ice and have not been able to travel to traditional "hot spots" or to fish for lake trout over deep water because of unsafe ice conditions. Salmon and brook trout fishing have been good on Upper Jo Mary Lake although travel conditions on the access road have been very poor. Several more Northern pike have been caught from the illegal introduction in Pushaw Lake and Mud Pond in Old Town. Anglers who catch Northern pike are encouraged to keep the fish and report the catch to Department personnel working on the lake or to the IFW offices in Bangor or Enfield. Kids only ice fishing ponds; Jerry Pond in Millinocket, Little Round Pond in Lincoln and Pickerel Pond in T32MD (near Milford) have been very popular with young anglers and have produced many fine brook trout.

-Mike Smith, Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region G - Aroostook County

Lake conditions have improved greatly for travel and ice fishing in Eastern Aroostook County. In the greater Houlton area, ice anglers were out in good numbers during the second weekend of ice fishing with good success at area lakes. Numerous brown trout, lake trout, brook trout, chain pickerel, and white perch were observed by biologists during surveys over the weekend. Local snowmobile clubs have cleared many of the trails making travel between lakes much easier than during opening weekend. Local baitshops are well-stocked with live baitfish that are ideal for these lakes in Southeastern Aroostook: Mac's Trading Post in Houlton; Rairdon's Baitshop in New Limerick; Brown's Trading Post on Drews Lake; and Ben's Trading Post in Presque Isle.

Travel conditions to the west in the North Maine Woods is much different, however. Deep snow on lakes has created slushy conditions that really hampers travel. Anglers going to any lakes West of Ashland and Portage should be aware of these conditions and plan accordingly by leaving totesleds near shore to pack trails prior to venturing out. The Musquacook Lakes area was surveyed this past weekend with very light fishing activity. The few parties checked had been stuck in slush at some point during the weekend.

The larger lakes of the Fish River Chain (Long, Cross, Square, and Eagle Lakes) open on January 15th, the upcoming weekend. Many anglers from Southern Maine make an early trip to one of these lakes in search of a trophy salmon, brook trout, or lake trout. Last year conditions were near glare ice on these lakes during opening weekend; anglers should expect the opposite this year. Deep snow has forced water onto the ice layer creating slush. Anglers should make trails onto lakes to check both ice and slush conditions prior to venturing out with fishing gear.

-Frank Frost, Assistant Regional Fishery Biologist

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