For Immediate Release
July 11, 2005

July 11, 2005 Fishing Report

Region A- Southwestern Maine

Recent reports indicate that good fishing for trout and land-locked 
salmon
can still be had on many of the region's lakes and ponds.  An early 
start
while the fish are still feeding on suspended baitfish and fishing 2-4
colors down seems to be the key to success.  The early bird angler 
knows
that salmon in particular will shut off between 8 and 10 in the morning
depending on sky brightness.  Good bets are Thompson Lake in Otisfield,
Pleasant Pond in Casco, Lake Auburn in Auburn, and Peabody Pond in 
Sebago. 

Ever tried to find an unmarked public access point to a pond you have 
never
been to with only a map and a general description to go on?   This kind 
of
activity can be quite an adventure but can also lead you to places you 
would
not have ordinarily wanted to go.  For myself, this task was undertaken 
as
part of an effort to place public access signs at some of our 
previously
unmarked, state owned access sites.  Such activity is complicated by 
the
possible risk of placing the signs at the wrong spot and inciting an 
angry
phone call from a resident whose land is being crossed for access based 
on
my uneducated say-so!  Being relatively new to the region, you can bet 
this
kind of risk is foremost on my mind.  

Other recent activity regarding public access includes repairs and 
clean up
at state owned sites and at public access sites provided by supportive
private landowners.  Trash detail at any public access site should be
unnecessary but is particularly damaging at launch sites on private 
lands.
Littering and the chaining of boats to trees without permission can 
result
in the loss of traditional access sites.  Please carry out what you 
carry
in!

	Summer field season is just about to get under way and boy do we
have a lot to do!  You may see a biologist crew out electrofishing 
streams
to catalogue the regions cold water fisheries resources or out on the 
lakes
netting brown trout to keep a pulse on the size quality of the region's
stocked brown trout.  We also plan to return to two of our recently
reclaimed brook trout ponds to evaluate success of reclamation and the
post-reclamation size quality of stocked trout.  We'll keep you posted. 
	 
-Brian Lewis, Fishery Biology Specialist

Region B - Central Maine

This is the time of year when the larger bass derbies really heats up. 
We
attend a number of these bass derbies to gather information on not only 
bass
sizes but also gather information on the number of bass that are caught 
and
released.  The first large bass derby we gather information from is the
annual Father's Day derby at Androscoggin Lake. We've been monitoring 
bass
derbies at 4 lakes and a few others lakes intermittingly for more than 
12
years.  We collect information regarding the number of bass the 
participants
catch (both kept and released) by size to classify the population.     

	Two standard indicators of bass populations are Proportional Stock
Density (PSD) and Relative Stock Density (RSD).  PSD is the proportion 
of
bass of quality size, in Maine we determine quality size of largemouth 
bass
to be over 12 inches.  RSD is the proportion of largemouth bass over 16
inches. By collecting data at bass derbies we maintain a long-term data 
base
to observe possible changes that may occur in the bass population.  
These
data have shown slight annual fluctuations although the long-term 
population
dynamics does not appear to have changed dramatically.  

	Bass derbies generally begin in the morning when anglers start
fishing and return to a single location later in the day to have their 
bass
weighed to determine the winner. The weigh-in offers the opportunity 
for
those interested in seeing how many big bass there really are in a
particular lake. Visit our web site,
<http://www.state.me.us/ifw/fishing/derbies.htm>, if you're interested 
in
finding a bass derby in your area. 

	For those interested in participating in bass derbies I would
suggest you contact any of the many local bass clubs throughout the 
State. 

Heard through the grapevine: good fish last week has been reported at 
Long
Pond, Belgrade and Shawmut area of the Kennebec River. 

-Jim Lucas, Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region C - Downeast 
	
Two public informational meetings were held last week on our proposal 
to
manage Cathance Lake as one of Maine's Classic Salmon waters. Lance 
Wheaton,
the Washington County representative on the Advisory Council, took time 
from
his busy schedule to attend both meetings. On Wednesday night, the 
Cathance
Lake Association hosted the meeting which was moderated by Neil Hallee, 
and
attended by about 50 folks. The format was structured so that I had 20
minutes to speak in favor of the proposal, local veteran Cathance 
salmon
fisherman Jim Robinson had 20 minutes to explain his opposition, and 
then
the moderator took questions from the audience. In the end, Lance 
Wheaton
called for a vote which was overwhelmingly against our proposal. 
Management
Supervisor Denny McNeish attended the meeting, and has concluded that 
we
should meet to discuss possible options/courses of action which will 
address
the Associations' concerns.

	The following night, SAM's program coordinator for the Classic
Salmon initiative, John Hunt, joined me at the Calais Rod and Gun Club.
About 35 citizens were present. John gave a Powerpoint presentation on 
the
program from the statewide perspective, explaining how and why it got 
off
the ground. He answered a number of questions about the statewide 
program as
well as some specific ones about Cathance. It was apparent that most 
folks
were there to listen, and only one voiced an opinion, in support of the
proposal. Lance didn't ask for a vote.

	Last week, regional staff sampled brook trout at Salmon Pond in
T30MD. The survey sampled 20 age I+ Maine Hatchery strain brookies 
growing
at an average rate. We were disappointed to not find any older-age 
trout.
It appears as if an abundant population of golden shiners, some of 
which are
5-7 inches long, is adversely influencing growth/survival of the 
stocked
fall fingerlings.

In response to a report of yet another illegal fish
introduction...smallmouth bass into Fox Pond in T10SD...we check-netted 
this
water during the day.  Fortunately, we sampled 7 brook trout, 3 brown 
trout,
and no bass.  While this doesn't mean bass are not present, at least it 
was
an encouraging preliminary finding. Yesterday, Greg Burr officiated at 
a
bass derby in Eastbrook put together by Mike Klingerman to raise money 
for
the local volunteer Fire Department. All bass lakes in Hancock County 
were
eligible to fish. The event was successful, well attended, and a good 
number
of bass, 35 smallmouths and 2 largemouths, were entered.  The three 
largest
(all smallmouths) were: a 4 lb., 10 oz fish from Molasses Pond, a 4 lb, 
8 oz
fish from Graham Lake, and a 4 pounder from Molasses.  While Abrams 
Pond
yielded three fine smallmouths between 18 1/4- 19 inches, most entries 
were
from either Molasses or Graham.     

-Ron Brokaw,  Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region D - Western Mountains 

We had heavy thundershowers in the mountains this past weekend with 
more
than two inches of rain reported in the Rangeley area.  The resulting
increase in flow will boost the morale of brook trout that have been 
holed
up in cold-water refuges, but it also wrecks havoc with our plans for 
stream
surveys.  So we'll postpone by a day a work trip to the Cupsuptic River 
to
measure transects.  I monitor the real-time hydrographs on the USGS 
Water
Resources page to see what's happening throughout the area with stream 
flows
and plan the work schedule accordingly.  The flow charts are a 
wonderful
resource for fishermen as well.

As Dave Boucher mentioned in previous reports, brook trout radio 
tagging and
monitoring on the Magalloway and Rapid Rivers is taking up much of our 
time,
but efforts to save wild brook trout in the face of an illegal bass
introduction is top priority.  Nonetheless, Dave Howatt has found a few 
free
days to resurvey ponds to update our inventory and assess current trout 
and
salmon abundance and growth rates.  Once again, the staff of the Embden
Rearing Station has been a big help conducting fieldwork this summer.  
Their
availability will come to a screeching halt, though, when the 
improvements
to their station are completed this fall and they go back to work 
rearing
even more fish than previously.  We have been preparing for that day by
developing a list of additional waters we'll stock when the new, 
improved
hatchery is on line.  Most of the new waters will provide seasonal 
fisheries
for brook trout.  For example, we'll "bring fishing to the anglers" by
stocking more waters near population centers.  Because many of these 
waters
have competing fish species, we'll stock bigger trout to avoid 
predation.
We can do the same in the fall to provide better ice fishing, and we'll 
be
experimenting with increased stocking in our larger rivers.  As always,
we'll want to assure that these expensive fish survive well and are 
caught
by anglers.

-Forrest Bonney, Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region E - Moosehead Region

Earlier this year, the Greenville Fisheries staff teamed up with the 
Lakes
Research crew to evaluate an experimental splake stocking in northern 
Maine.
Most splake stocking programs are designed to provide additional 
fishing
opportunities to anglers. However, this water was stocked with splake 
for an
entirely different reason: to control or eliminate illegally introduced
smelts.  

This pond was chemically reclaimed in 1962. Domestic strain brook trout 
were
stocked annually until 1980 when it was determined there was sufficient
natural reproduction to sustain the fish population and the fishery. In 
the
early 1990's, campowners reported smelts were present in the pond.
Voluntary angler records indicated that catch rates for brook trout 
started
to decline soon after the smelts became established.  During the spring
smelt run, the smelts were observed congregating in the same spawning 
areas
that the brook trout used in the fall.  We believe these large adult 
smelts
were feeding on trout fry as the emerged from the spawning areas in the
spring.  Initially, the Fisheries staff tried to reduce the smelt 
population
by trapnetting and transferring the smelts to Moosehead Lake.  However,
after several years, we realized the futility of this effort.  We were 
able
to reduce the number of older smelts in the pond; however, overall the
population actually appeared to increase.

Splake were stocked in 1998 in an effort to control the smelt 
population and
hopefully restore the brook trout population.  We trapnetted the pond 
in
1999 and 2000 and found the stocked splake were feeding on the smelts 
and
growing well.  The brook trout catch was considered low.  We had not 
been
able to get back to the pond to evaluate the progress of the splake 
program
until this spring due to shortages in staff and a burgeoning fall 
workload.

Early in May, we set two trapnets for just three nights and caught 227
splake and 13 brook trout.  One net was set precisely in the area where
smelts spawned in the mid 1990's.  We did not catch any smelts.  We 
examined
the substrate in the area and did not find any smelt eggs. Even more 
telling
was the condition of the splake.  Most were very skinny, almost 
emaciated.
In contrast, the adult brook trout captured during the spring netting 
were
in excellent condition.  We examined the stomach contents of 30 splake 
and
found only insects, leeches, crayfish, and a salamander.  No smelts or 
brook
trout were found in the stomachs.  Clearly, the splake stocking program 
has
successfully reduced (or possibly eliminated) the smelt population.  

Splake will no longer be stocked in this pond and they should slowly
disappear over the next several years.  It is unclear how long it will 
take
for the trout population to rebound. Stocking or transferring a wild 
strain
trout may be an option to supplement this population that originated 
from
many years of stocking domestic strain hatchery brook trout.  

It is well known that splake are a valuable tool in the fisheries 
managers'
toolbox. For years, splake have been used to provide additional fishing
opportunities in waters where brook trout cannot compete.  This study 
shows
how splake can be utilized, in the right situation, to assist in the
restoration of wild brook trout fisheries when undesirable species have 
been
introduced.

-Tim Obrey, Regional Fisheries Biologist


 
Region F, Penobscot Region

The summer season continues to be a "roller coaster" ride.  Days of 
hot,
humid weather are followed by days of cool weather with intermittent 
heavy
rainfall.  Most of the brook trout stream fishery is over for the 
summer,
despite the freshets caused by the heavy showers.  Trout have moved 
into
areas providing refuge from the summer heat.  Trout fishing in Baxter 
Park
has become spotty and relies on being at the pond when the right 
conditions
occur, which usually is either early morning or late evening.  Lake 
fishing
for salmon and lake trout requires the angler to fish deep which is 
normal
for the summer season.  

Bass have been very active in regional waters and providing good action 
on
both streams and lakes.  Anglers report exceptional action on the 
Penobscot
River and, despite earlier concerns, there appears to have been a very 
good
spawning of smallmouth bass on that water.  One fish species that is 
quite
popular in the region but many anglers know very little about is the 
white
perch.  Despite its common name, the white perch is not a true perch 
but is
a member of the striped bass family.  Perch in Maine were originally 
found
only in coastal waters up to the first barrier that prevented upstream
movement.  The fish were highly prized by early settlers as a source of 
food
and were quickly spread to other waters as settlers moved inland.  
Although
white perch are capable of living in salt water they, like striped 
bass,
must spawn in fresh water.   Spawning takes place in the spring when 
water
temperatures reach about 60 degrees F.  The total  number of eggs per 
female
varies from 20,000 to 300,000 depending upon the size of the fish.  A 6 
inch
long perch would have about 22,000 eggs.  The eggs hatch in about 4 - 5 
days
at 60 degrees F.  The average life span is 5 - 7  years.  Where 
conditions
are favorable, white perch form very large populations that 
occasionally
dominate the waters they inhabit and result in large numbers of smaller
fish.  Even small, slow growing perch can mature and spawn successfully 
thus
perpetuating a large population of slow growing fish.  Fishermen prefer
larger perch for food and sport and are likely to be concerned when the
perch are all small.  This is one species that does not need to have a 
catch
and release fishery.     
         
-Michael R. Smith, Regional Fisheries Biologist     


Region G - Aroostook County
	
We have received numerous inquiries in recent weeks about "blackspot"
present on the skin of brook trout.  These blackspots are the 
intermediate
stage of a parasitic worm known as a trematode.  Adult worms are found 
in
the intestine of fish eating birds such as the loon, kingfisher, duck, 
gull,
cormorant, with the heron being the most common.  After reproduction, 
eggs
are subsequently released into the water with the droppings of the host
bird.  The eggs soon hatch into a larval form and seek out an 
intermediate
host snail.  Further development requires the larvae to burrow into the
internal tissues of a specific species of snail within a short period 
of
time or else the larvae soon perish.

Within the snail, the larvae undergo two more stages of development 
within a
month or two.  Under the influence of warming water and light, the
cercariae, as they are now called, break out of the snail and begin to 
seek
a suitable fish, the second intermediate host.  As with the snail, if
contact with an appropriate fish is not soon made, the cercariae will 
die.
Upon contact with a fish, the parasite bores through the scales and 
skin and
occasionally the muscle whereupon it is surrounded with a thin wall.  
The
fish in turn lays down a black pigment around the encysted parasite 
thereby
producing the "blackspot" visible to the angler.

The final stage of the life cycle occurs when a bird, the final host, 
eats a
fish infested with blackspot.  Digestive juices within the bird's 
stomach
frees the encysted parasite from the fish's skin whereupon it migrates 
to
the bird's intestine and develops into a sexually mature worm, 
completing
the life cycle. 

For a picture of a trout that has visible "blackspot" markings, please 
click
here: <http://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/fishlab/vol2issue8.htm>. For 
more
information on other fish health issues, please visit here:
<http://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/fishlab/issues.htm>.


We are not aware of a situation in the wild where blackspot has been 
lethal
or harmful to adult fish.  Nor is it necessary to refrain from eating a 
fish
infested with blackspot.  Cooking the fish will destroy the parasite 
and the
parasite is not known to survive in humans.  So, although the presence 
of
blackspot may detract from a trout's appearance, it is of no 
consequence to
its edibility.   

-David J. Basley, Regional Fisheries Biologist


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


Planning a boating trip on one of Maine's lakes or ponds? Pay attention 
to
Maine summer afternoon weather. Lightning and thunderstorms are not 
uncommon
in Maine during summer afternoons. A lake or pond might change from a 
flat,
hot breathless body of water to a turbulent, wave tossed waterbody in 
just
minutes. Add lightning and hail, or other severe weather factors and it 
can
spell trouble for the unprepared boater. If you do go boating and 
lightning
occurs, go to shore and find cover. High winds can occur in minutes as 
the
result of thunderstorms, and they can capsize and swamp even very 
stable
boats. If bad afternoon weather is a possibility, it is prudent to make
alternative plans and wait for better weather - or plan on boating 
early in
the day when severe weather is less likely.


-Colonel Tom Santaguida, Chief of the Maine Warden Service