March 18 Ice Fishing Report

Region A- Southwestern Maine More seasonal temperatures over the weekend brought out the anglers and we observed higher angler use on many of our waters. The warm temperatures and sunny weather also encouraged more families and children to show up on the ice. The trout and salmon fishing was a little slow this week; however, a young angler on Worthley Pond (Poland) had quite a story. Apparently, he had iced a nice 3-4 pound brown trout just as his line broke, but the brown had other ideas...it flopped once or twice and found its way back down the hole. I told him the loss of this fish and others will make better stories and be remembered much longer than most of the fish he actually lands. He didn't quite understand or appreciate the meaning of my statement at the moment, but I suspect he will someday.

Hook-and-line smelt fisheries seemingly pop-up over night when smelt abundance and size quality are favorable and they quickly disappear when conditions change. We recently heard that anglers have been getting some decent smelt on Trickey Pond (Naples) and Bear Pond (Waterford). Speaking of smelt, over the last several years regions A and B have been working on an experimental live smelt stocking project to evaluate its effectiveness at reestablishing smelt populations. Biologist Francis Brautigam and I will be working with a local bait dealer (Bruce Steeves) this week to evaluate transfers made to Ingalls Pond (Bridgton), and we will be making a third transfer to Bunganut Pond (Lyman).

As many of us have said, March is great time to target panfish and other warmwater species. Several regional warmwater ponds were producing some fast action, and kids were having a ball. Over the weekend the Durgin and Perrault families caught their limit of 5 largemouths with one that weighed almost five pounds (see photo)! Another group on the same pond had caught and released up to 20 bass. Adults should keep in mind that most kids prefer the fast action warmwater species provide over a slow day of trout fishing. Following are a few waters worth trying: Balch Pond (Newfield), Lake Arrowhead (Waterboro), Roberts & Wadley Ponds (Lyman), Raymond Pond (Raymond), Highland Lake (Bridgton), Upper/Lower Moose Pond (Bridgton), Little Sebago Lake(Windham), Lovewell Pond (Fryeburg), Lower Range Pond (Poland), Winnegance Lake (Phippsburg), Norway Lake (Norway), and North/Round Ponds (Greenwood).

A week or two ago I got a call from an angler that was curious when the pond he had been fishing earlier in the year suddenly wasn't producing anymore and his bait was dying. He was wondering if the pond had been polluted, but I explained the pond was probably experiencing a natural loss of oxygen. Many trout and salmon anglers are aware of the fact that the volume of cold, oxygenated water preferred by these species typically changes as the summer season progresses due to thermal stratification and the depletion of oxygen. However, many don't realize similar events occur in the winter months and can lead to a phenomenon known as winterkill. In the fall, lakes and ponds become saturated with oxygen from top to bottom, but once ice forms and becomes snow covered the lake losses its two principle sources for oxygen, the atmosphere and photosynthesis. In the meantime, the biotic community in the lake including fish, plankton, and microbes is still consuming oxygen. During moderate to severe winters, some waters can lose most or all of their oxygen, which leads to a fish kill. Shallow, weedy ponds are more susceptible due to their smaller volume of oxygenated water and their large demand for oxygen for the decomposition of dead vegetative material. As a result of the call, I went out and checked water quality on a few of our small, productive trout ponds last week. One pond in Norway that is 40' deep had experienced a reduction of oxygen below the optimum levels for trout (5ppm) from a depth 17' and deeper. Another small trout pond in Hiram had 4 ppm in the hole and 1.5 ppm at 5 feet deep, which indicates a potential for winterkill considering ice conditions may hang on for several more weeks. The lesson learned is that anglers fishing smaller ponds in late winter may need to modify their techniques if they experience a change in action or dying bait. Ponds lose their oxygen from the deepest water first and simply raising their bait higher in the water column or targeting shallower areas might generate better action.

For a look at some fishing photos from Region A, please click here: <http://www.state.me.us/ifw/fishing/regionaphotos.htm>

-Jim Pellerin, Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region B - Central Maine What are Maine's Department of Inland fisheries and Wildlife Stewards doing to contain exotic fish species? In central Maine, regional fisheries staff is gathering information on a number of lakes to determine population abundance and distribution of several exotic fish species. Northern pike were illegally introduced into Webber Pond, Bremen. If they become established in this water, their introduction raises much concern for both residents and fisheries personnel. Pike would pose a threat to neighboring bodies of water and might unfortunately serve as a source of fish for future illegal introductions. In an attempt to eliminate this population, trap netting was initiated in 2002 and pike were eliminated. Because the pike caught were 1 to 4 years of age, there is concern that they could have already reproduced successfully in the first years of the introduction. Regional staff will be following up this effort in April, providing that there is adequate trapping conditions and staffing available.

Long Pond, Belgrade, has yet another exotic species to deal with. The presence of walleyed pike was first documented during the annual fall trap netting for salmon in 1996. To date there have been 29 walleyes harvested by trap netting. In 1996 the fish were all three years old; currently these fish are nine years old. To date there is no evidence of natural reproduction. Future plans for Long Pond are to continue annual fall trap netting and remove all walleyes that are caught.

Remember, it is unlawful to introduce fish (including baitfish) or fish eggs into any public or private waters without first obtaining a permit from the Department. A minimum reward of $2,000 is offered through Operation Game Thief for the apprehension of the person or persons responsible for the illegal introduction of fish into any inland waters in Maine. To report information about illegal introductions in Maine call Operation Game Thief at 1-800-253-7887. Violation of this law can result in fines up to $10,000!

-Scott Davis, Fisheries Biologist Specialist

Region C - Downeast The pleasant weekend weather resulted in a surge of fishing activity. Sunday's aerial angler count conducted for us by the Maine Forest Service revealed seasonal highs, or close to it, at the following waters: Mopang Lake with 28 anglers, Patrick Lake with 22 anglers, Pennamaquan Lake with 23 anglers, Boyden Lake with 31 anglers, and Big Lake with 32 anglers. Hard water enthusiasts will certainly be able to pursue their sport until March 31st this year as weekend anglers had to drill through 2 1/2 feet of ice. It's likely that the mid-April trolling opportunities "enjoyed"...with their snowmobile suits on...by open water sports in recent years at various regional waters will be a NO SHOW this year.

After an unexpectedly slow start, fishing has improved in recent weeks at West Grand Lake. Some anglers have enjoyed good fishing for larger than average, 18-19 inch whitefish. A good proportion of the salmon are in that same size class. On Saturday, my friend caught a nicely shaped 3-yr old salmon weighing about 2 1/4 pounds...yours truly got skunked. My excuse?...the weather (sunny with high pressure) was simply too nice for the fish to bite. Over the years, I've had much better luck for salmon and togue on overcast, low pressure days.

I have some very encouraging news for trout fishermen who enjoy fishing brooks and streams. I, along with many of them, have been very concerned with the widespread decline in fishing quality on numerous Downeast streams supporting wild brook trout. Over the past 15 years or so, the explosion in the beaver population has had some impacts on some of our prime trout spawning and nursery areas.

Back in the 1970's, when beaver populations were kept in check by trappers, our streams were characterized by: 1)naturally-occurring flows with few beaver dams. 2) relatively cool temperatures. 3) healthy riparian zones providing shade. 4) lightly degraded (as a result of beaver impoundments) critically important headwater brook trout spawning/nursery habitat.

Now, due in part to beaver depredations, many of our streams have: 1) altered flows due to numerous beaver dams 2) relatively warm temperatures 3) denuded riparian zones providing little shade 4) moderately-severely degraded key headwater spawning/nursery habitat.

These adverse changes to a highly prized natural resource with considerable economic value prompted me and other fishery biologists to seek a meeting with high-level wildlife administrators to discuss our concerns. The good news is that this long-hoped for meeting was held yesterday. The even better news is that it was one of the best meetings I have ever attended during my 32-yr career. Considerable progress was achieved, and I'm quite certain that some long-overdue changes in beaver management policies will be forthcoming.

My colleague, regional wildlife biologist Tom Schaeffer, and I were given permission to draft a set of regional guidelines which would result in increased harvests of beaver. If approved by Augusta administrators, some of the desired changes in policy could be implemented as soon as mid-April. This meeting represented an extremely important first step in the effort to improve some of our beleagured wild brook trout fisheries. Wildlife Division Director Mark Stadler deserves much credit for facilitating this successful meeting...well done, Mark. I, and many Downeast trout fishermen, are truly grateful. Our next meeting is tentatively scheduled for April; I'll keep you posted on further progress.

-Ron Brokaw Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region D - Western Mountains Since Maine's splake program began in earnest around 1990, we've noted that these fish are highly 'mobile' and will readily migrate upstream and downstream from lakes in which they're stocked. Wyman Lake, a large impoundment on the upper Kennebec River, is perhaps the most visible example of how this occurs. Splake are stocked in Wyman to provide a winter sport fishery in a part of the region where few ice fishing opportunities exist. While many Kennebec River anglers enjoy catching these fish as an added bonus to their summer fishing, a few have expressed serious concern that splake may harm the river's brook trout and salmon populations.

Information we have collected through our voluntary angler diary program, however, does not support this view. During the period from 1991 to 2002 (splake have been in the system since 1997), volunteers have provided detailed reports from nearly 550 fishing trips on the Kennebec both upstream and downstream of Wyman Lake. If survival and growth of trout and salmon in the river were being negatively impacted by splake, then this would appear as declining catch rates for one or both species, as well as reduced size quality. In fact, catch rates for each have remained stable in the presence of splake: 2.2 hours to catch a trout from 1991 to 1996 - 2.1 hours from 1997 to 2002, and 1.1 hour to catch a salmon from 1991 to 1996 - 1.7 hours from 1997 to 2002. The average size of both haven't changed dramatically either: 9.8 inches for trout from 1991 to 1996 - 9.9 inches from 1997 to 2002, and 10.9 inches for salmon from 1991 to 1996 - 11.3 inches from 1997 to 2002.

The Wyman Lake splake program has clearly been a successful project - winter angler use at Wyman has nearly doubled since 1987, largely due to the fast fishing provided by these fish. Splake do not appear to be serious competitors with trout and salmon in the river. It is our view that smallmouth bass, which are now colonizing the upper Kennebec from illegal stockings made in Mossehead Lake and Moxie Lake, pose a far more serious threat. We will, however, reduce splake stockings in the lake beginning in 2003. This action should reduce numbers of splake outmigrating into the Kennebec River, while improving size quality of those remaining in Wyman Lake.

For a glimpse of some nice fish caught this winter in Region D, please click here: http://www.state.me.us/ifw/fishing/regiondphotos.htm

-Dave Boucher, Assistant Regional Fishery Biologist

Region E - Moosehead Region

Not with a whimper, but with a bang! Once again Sebec Lake has lived up to its reputation of producing a "few nice fish" each season. Last week Warden Dan Carroll sent us a report of a 22-plus-pound lake trout caught there. Unfortunately the name of the skilled angler who landed the leviathan did not make it to our office along with its weight. It is also unfortunate that for the rest of us it's "wait until next year" to ice fish at Sebec. It closed to ice fishing last Saturday, but that's certainly a way to end an ice fishing season on a positive note.

Another fine weekend weather-wise saw another good turn out of anglers at Moosehead Lake. Over the weekend Jay Seyfried and Steve Seeback, on loan to us from his normal duties in the Bangor area, took advantage of what may be the last good weekend for travel to check the lake from Greenville to Northeast Carry... not once, but twice. Once again good weather meant slow fishing, but the catch was noticeably better on the northern end of the lake. Jay and Steve weighed and measured more than 100 fish, and recorded information from more than 350 days of fishing, including a report of 3 white perch caught in the Rockwood area. (The white perch were "harvested".) The Fish and Wildlife Department and Maine anglers are fortunate to have dedicated workers like Jay and Steve!

After a slow start this winter, most likely due to the cold weather, use at Moosehead has picked up considerably during the last half of the season. On Saturdays we are seeing counts of more than 100 parties per day. That is good, because the ice fishing season is the time to harvest lake trout on Moosehead. They are vulnerable to anglers of all skill levels, and can be found throughout the lake at all depths. Taking advantage of the opportunity to harvest Moosehead's abundant lake trout will benefit the ongoing effort to increase the amount of forage available to salmon. Although some still cling to the hope that Moosehead's game fish populations can be sustained through an annual feeding program of stocking smelts and smelt eggs, others recognize that in a 75,000-acre lake balancing predators with their available prey is the most practical approach.

Last week's request for volunteers to keep fishing records for us brought an unprecedented response. We appreciate very much the offers we have received from all those who have contacted us. Judging by the places folks indicated they will be fishing, we anticipate some very valuable additions to the information we have on Moosehead Region waters. Your books for the 2003 open water season will be sent out in April.

This week our call goes out to Moosehead Lake anglers. We would like to increase the number of Moosehead Lake record-keepers and double the amount of fishing information we presently receive, from 500 days to 1,000 or more days during the open water season. Whether you live year-round in the area, have a seasonal camp on the lake, or travel here to fish on a daily basis or for a vacation, your information will make a significant contribution to our ability to assess and manage the lake's fishery. Contact us at the Greenville Headquarters and we will sign you up.

For people who would like to go an extra mile in volunteering to help assess Moosehead Lake, this summer will provide an opportunity for you to help us update information on the lake's water quality and productivity. Biologists from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection are preparing a plan and schedule for the sampling. From ice out through September volunteers will be needed to take biweekly water clarity secchi disc readings, and perhaps some surface water samples, in the major basins throughout the lake. Training sessions will be scheduled for everyone who is interested in participating. The sampling equipment will be provided, but volunteers will need a boat and motor. We will provide more information on the 2003 water quality project as we head into spring.

-Paul Johnson, Regional Fishery Biologist

Region F, Penobscot Region Fishing continues to be good to excellent in Region F. Pressure was down this past weekend form the previous weekend count. Most of the anglers checked this weekend were pleased with their fishing experience, but most of all, they were glad the sub zero temps of the past few weeks have turned into above freezing temperatures.

The ice conditions continue to be excellent on most of our lakes and ponds. Presently, the ice is snow covered but with the warmer temperatures predicted for this week, it will turn to glare ice fast.

We had a couple of reports of 2 lb + brown trout harvested form Nicatous Lake this past weekend. This is the only brown trout water in our region. It has been slow to give up fish to anglers, but when they are caught, they are nice fish. They also reported a few salmon and excellent pickerel and white perch fishing. Even if you don't get what you are looking for, the lake always provides action.

The lake trout continue to bite on Cold Stream Pond. It has slowed down some since the start of the season, but there are plenty of them left to catch. Very few of the 353 fish handled and marked this past fall in trapnets have been caught this winter. Salmon fishing, however, continues to be slow.

Matagamon's good lake trout fishery continues to provide some nice fish. In addition to the 20" lake trout, several 17" to 18" salmon were also observed. Brook trout in the 14" to 17" range continue to be caught by the anglers fishing for them.

Schoodic Lake is still producing 4 to 9 lb lake trout every weekend. Most of the anglers are having great success. Last Saturday, almost every party checked had at least one 4 lb laker. The day time anglers are also picking up some very nice cusk. Several were observed in the 20 " range.

You may have noticed that I said most anglers are having great success. Well, there is one angler, let's call him Cliff, who has been fishing almost every weekend on Schoodic Lake this year, and he still has yet to catch a fish this winter on Schoodic. Just two weeks left to go, lets hope Cliff's luck changes soon !

Cedar Lake, Endless, Seboeis and Lower Togue Pond are still producing some good fishing for splake. White perch fishing has been very good on South Branch, Dolby Pond and South Branch Lake.

As the temperatures climb and the days lengthen, make sure you get out and enjoy the beginnings of spring. Don't forget your sun block and your sunglasses.

- Brian Campbell, Fisheries Biologist Specialist

Region G - Aroostook County

Long, Cross, Square and Eagle Lakes in the Fish River Chain saw their last day of ice fishing on March 15. Other lakes remain open but with warm weather forecasted for this week, travel on the lakes with a snowmobile may be rather tentative. Slush has not been a great problem to date but with no hard crust on the lake surface, it will probably take complete saturation of the 15+ inches of snow and a hard freeze to eliminate hazardous travel. Those who have experienced being stuck in slush with a heavy snow machine towing a tote sled know exactly what I am refering to and would rather not be there. So please plan accordingly if you are venturing forth trying to get in the last days of fishing. Time may be more productive attending the several sportsman shows scheduled for the upcoming weekends and checking tackle for open water fishing than trying to get in one more ice fishing trip.

-Dave Basley, Regional Fisheries Biologist