2007 Ice Fishing Preview for Maine

At the time of this writing (December 20th), the prevalence of unseasonably warm weather suggests the traditional start of the ice fishing season (January 1) may offer rather tenuous ice conditions in southern Maine. Unfortunately, these conditions will not embrace new ice fishing regulations in effect this year that allow for the taking of catchable brook trout in Class "A" designated waters from the time ice forms in December. Anglers should also take note of the other new statewide regulation changes highlighted on Page 9 of the 2006/2007-ice fishing law book.

The ice fishing forecast for southern Maine is excellent! Fall-stocked ponds received little fall fishing pressure due to unusually rainy conditions. Similar conditions in the spring of the year also limited angler participation during the early part of the season. Furthermore, significant stocking increases this fall including adult retired hatchery brood, and 12 to 14 inch fall yearling brook trout will provide bigger and more fish in many of our stocked waters. In fact, our fall yearling brook trout stocking program has expanded from a program of just 2000 fish in 2001 to about 9,000 fish in 2006. Approximately 353 brood brook trout (2 ½ lbs), 410 brood landlocked salmon (2-3 lbs), and 460 brood brown trout (3 lbs) were retired from Maine’s hatchery system and stocked in southern Maine. These large fish are always well received by anglers. For a complete list of stockings check out the Department's web site (www.mefishwildlife.com).

Expanded hatchery production has certainly increased winter brook trout angling opportunities by growing more and larger, legal-size fall yearling brook trout. Most waters that received fall yearling brook trout in the past were again stocked in 2006, but at much higher rates due to increased production. Significant additional increases in this popular fall stocking program are also planned for the future, made possible by the renovation of the Emden State Hatchery using funds provided by a bond referendum several years ago. Some of the more heavily stocked brook trout waters, where larger brook trout (brood and fall yearlings) were planted include: Little Ossipee Lake (Waterboro), Middle and Upper Range ponds (Poland), Wilson Lake (Acton), Thomas Pond (Casco), Worthley Pond (Peru), Keoka Lake (Waterford), Mousam Lake (Acton), Presumpscot River (Windham), and Kennebunk Pond (Lyman). A number of winter brook trout fisheries also occur where habitat is not suitable to sustain a year round trout fishery, but where fall and winter temperatures support stocking of legal size fish to create winter/spring fisheries. Examples of very successful winter/spring brook trout fisheries include Worthley Pond (Poland), Barker Pond (Lyman), Otter Pond #2 (Standish), Littlefield Pond (Sanford), and Hobbs Pond (Norway), Knights Pond (S. Berwick), Cold Rain (Naples), Halls Pond (Paris), and Silver Lake (Phippsburg), and Sprague Pond (Phippsburg). These waters are fished hard the first few weeks of the season, but often boast high catch rates. Some of these waters continue to offer good fishing throughout the entire winter season. Some additional fall stocking programs that are new for 2006/2007 include: Parker Pond (Casco), Moose Pond (Acton), Horne Pond (Limington), Round Pond (Lyman – open to youth only during the winter), Wilson Lake (Acton), Thomas Pond (Casco), Hutchinson (Albany), South Pond (Greenwood). Expanded fall stocking of legal size brook trout has helped spread out winter angling pressure away from some of the more popular regional trout waters.

The first southern Maine winter brook trout fishery created exclusively for kids under the age of 16 will open on Round Pond in Lyman this winter. Round Pond is owned by York County Fish and Game, who have partnered with the Department to create the only exclusively youth winter fishing opportunity in southern Maine. Beefed up Department fall stocking should offer some exciting youth angling and help promote youth fishing.

The top picks for great lake trout action remain consistent over the last few years, including Great East Lake (Acton), Sebago Lake (Naples), and Thompson Lake (Otisfield). All three waters will offer good catches of 16 to 22 inch togue, with Sebago being the most consistent producer of wall hangers each year. The lake trout found in Sebago are exceptionally fat this year, with reported increases in average size quality. 2006 open water catch rates for togue on Thompson were excellent and there seems to be an abundance of lake trout that should be welcome news to winter anglers. The largest catches of lake trout are usually taken by jigging, and this technique is particularly effective on Sebago and Thompson lakes.

The best winter prospects for large salmon (over 4 pounds) are Trickey Pond (Naples), Bryant Pond (Woodstock), South Pond (Greenwood), but the fishing for salmon is generally very slow on these waters. Most other regional waters open to winter salmon fishing offer higher catch rates, including some of the less fished waters like Long Lake (Naples/Harrison), Panther Pond (Raymond), Crescent Lake (Casco), and Kezar Lake (Lovell). Increased availability of brood salmon have also allowed for the creation of some new salmon fishing opportunities in waters marginally suited for salmon. Most of the retired salmon brood was stocked in Little Ossipee Lake (Waterboro), Thomas Pond (Casco), Tripp Lake (Poland), Mousam Lake (Acton), Presumpscot River (Windham), Pennesseewassee Lake (Norway), Songo Pond (Albany), and Highland Lake (Windham).

Splake enthusiasts will find fast action, but heavy fishing pressure on Bryant Pond (Woodstock) and Trickey Pond (Naples). However, it is likely to be standing room only on both these popular and productive waters, providing favorable ice conditions prevail on January 1st, Brown trout anglers have no shortage of waters to fish. With the exception of the more popular fisheries, like Sabbathday Lake (New Gloucester), Middle/Upper Range Ponds (Poland), Worthley Pond (Peru), and Hancock Pond (Denmark), Square Pond (Shapleigh), many of the approximately 35 regional brown trout waters will receive very little fishing pressure, yet these waters offer quality fish. Sampling undertaken the past few years has indicated that a high percentage of our brown trout waters support fish between 3 and 6 pounds. So get away from the crowds and check out some of the those ponds you don't hear about, but be patient, brown trout do not generally offer brisk action, but they do offer some of the largest fish caught in the region each year. As a bonus, many of the retired brood brown trout brood were stocked in southern Maine, including Horne Pond (Limington), Long Lake (Harrison), Presumpscot River (Windham), and Woods Pond (Bridgton).

For those that still like to open water fish throughout the winter, there are several year round river-fishing opportunities in the region, which have been enhanced under beefed up fall stocking programs. These waters include the entire Presumpscot River, The Saco River (particularly below Skelton Dam, Hiram Dam) and the lower Royal River (below Elm Street). Additional open water trout fishing opportunities continue to increase in popularity on some tidewater rivers, including the Mousam (Kennebunk) and the Ogunquit (Wells), and more recently the salmon Falls River (S. Berwick).

-Francis Brautigam, Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region B - Central Maine

As I write this, the outdoor thermometer on my shelf reads just 32 degrees. While the nights have been cold enough to begin forming ice, the days have warmed to melt it again. Nonetheless, we all know that soon enough winter will be on us. And, once it starts, it will be here for a good while. So, now is the time to be thinking ice fishing and planning for some fun-filled days out on the ice.

Our ‘A’ waters, those open for angling from the time when safe ice first forms, have obviously been what might be termed ‘a tad slow’. Last week though, we did receive reports of several hardy souls out on Little Wassokeag in the northern part of the Region.

Still, with all the mild temperatures lately, die-hard ice anglers are lining out traps and jigging rods, sharpening auger faces and getting ice shacks done up for the opening of the ‘B’ season. B waters open on the first of the year and for many traditionally represent the kickoff of ice fishing in earnest. Hopefully, we’ll get through the holidays with enough cold weather to bring on the ice.

To enhance ice-fishing opportunities, the Department has an extensive fall stocking program of brook and brown trout. We also plant retired brood stock of both species. These are fish retained by the hatcheries to provide a supply of eggs and milt for each year’s ‘fish crop’. After three years, the fish are ‘retired’ and stocked out. Some of them are quite large.

In the mid-coastal region, we stock over 110 waters with fall yearling brook and\or brown trout. With our hatcheries producing excellent quality catchable fish, an angler doesn’t have to go far from home to experience some great fishing.

For those who wish to target brook trout, here is a partial list of waters to consider:
Cobbosseecontee Lake            Manchester
Flying Pond                             Vienna
Maranacook Lake,                        Winthrop
Pleasant Pond                           Turner
Alford Lake                             Hope
Echo Lake                               Fayette
Nequasset Lake                 Woolwich
Pemaquid Pond                   Nobleboro
Puffer’s Pond                           Dexter
Salmon Lake                             Oakland
Three-mile Pond                 Vassalboro

For brown trout, some water to think about are:
Great Moose Lake                        Hartland
Cochnewagon Pond                        Monmouth
Messalonskee Lake                       Belgrade
Torsey Pond                             Mt. Vernon
Unity Pond                              Unity
Damariscotta Lake                       Jefferson
McCurdy Pond                    Bremen
Megunticook Lake                        Camden
Quantabacook Lake                       Searsmont

Then there is ‘cold water fishing for warm water species’. Many of our local waters remain productive for bass, pickerel, white and yellow perch and black crappie. Some waters that consistently produce these species are:

Tacoma Lakes                    Litchfield
Round Pond                              Union
Webber Pond                             Vassalboro
North Pond                              Warren
Big Indian Pond                 Hartland
Chickawaukie Lake                       Rockport
Garland Pond                            Dexter
Togus Pond                              Augusta
East Pond                               Oakland

For those interested in fishing for pike, the Belgrade Lakes are where to go. Winter angling for pike is terrific on Great Pond and North Pond as well as in Messalonskee Lake. This year, the Department retained what was an experimental regulation for winter pike angling on Long Pond. This was done in response to support from citizens and anglers who felt that winter anglers were effecting at least a reduction in the size, if not the numbers of the fish.

I should point out that the list above is not all-inclusive. There are numerous others out there to be tried. Be sure to check the ice fishing regulation booklet for the lake or pond you want to fish or to find a new one to check out.

This winter, Regional fisheries staff will be surveying a number of waters throughout the area. We’ll be out on Brettun’s Pond, Long Pond in Belgrade, Long Pond in Livermore, Saint George Lake, Swan Lake, Woodbury and Sand Pond, the Narrows Ponds, Echo Lake and Parker Pond. We’ll also be spot-checking as many waters as we can get to.

Well, that thermometer still reads 32. Hopefully, the back draft from Santa’s sleigh will pull down a mass of arctic air behind it. That will be a wonderful gift for ice anglers both here and throughout the state. Also, please be sure to check ice conditions before you venture out on to it and continuously if at first it proves safe. See you out there.

-Robert Van-Riper, Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region C – Downeast

With 2006 behind us we enter 2007 with many new exciting fishing opportunities before us. The reasons for these more abundant opportunities are many, and include last winter’s poor ice conditions, new hatcheries online and new management for the Downeast region.

Its not hard for all of us to reason that with last year’s mild winter and thin ice, much of the Downeast’s areas waters were scarcely fished, resulting in low harvests of landlocked salmon, brook trout, lake trout, brown trout and splake. That said, last winter’s frustration will be this winter’s bounty, with many fish that would have been previously harvested, holding over to older ages and bigger sizes to be caught in the new year.

This has certainly bared itself out in the 2006 fall trap netting surveys that biologists conducted on many lakes in Hancock and Washington counties. This past fall biologists observed and documented larger percentages of age four and five year old landlocked salmon and overall more trout and salmon at available resulting from lower use in the 2006 open water and ice fishing seasons. This bodes well for the anglers whose New Years resolutions are to fish more and catch more.

Also is should be noted that the 2007 season’s fishing outlook has been greatly enhanced by the newly expanded Embden Fish Hatchery which produces thousands more brook trout to be stocked state wide. This immensely needed expansion is courtesy of the recent 7 million dollar hatchery bond issue that was approved by voters to improve the state’s fish stocks and economy through the inland sport fish industry, which currently brings in upwards of 450 million annually. In the Downeast region, fisheries biologists are taking full advantage of the increased available brook trout and have augmented base stocking numbers in many cases by more than 100%. The size of the fish being made available has also increased with biologists now having the opportunity to stock large fall yearling brook trout in waters where biologists can fulfill the need for immediate fishing for larger trout.

Other new Downeast fishing opportunities are stemming from a new regional fisheries management regime in place with the passing of torch being handed from long time head biologist Ron Brokaw to his highly respected assistant Rick Jordan, who is now the Regional Fisheries Biologist for Downeast. Ron’s nearly four decades of commendable service to this region, built a solid base of fisheries knowledge and management that has helped propel the area’s inland fish resources into the next millennium. With this solid base now in place, Rick and colleague, Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist Greg Burr, are building on Brokaw’s successes and improving fishing opportunities through innovative stocking schemes, new and improve fish strains and larger sized fish being stocked. As you read below and look for your favorite area ice fishing water or waters within close proximity to your residence, some of these new stocking numbers and fish sizes will likely have you blowing the dust off your fishing gear and sharpening your hooks.

Here is your Downeast preview:

Brook Trout Hot spots

Washington County:

Indian Lake, Whiting – stocked with 6,000 fall fingerling brook trout 6 – 8 inches and 75 retired brood stock brook trout 16 – 20 inches.

Keenes Lake, Calais – stocked with 4,000 fall fingerling brook trout 6 – 8 inches and 50 retired brood stock brook trout 16 – 20 in.

Montegail Pond, Centerville – stocked with 2,500 fall fingerling brook trout 6-8 inches and 25 retired brood stock brook trout 16 – 20 inches.

Goulding Lake, Robbinston – stocked with 1,100 fall fingerling brook trout 6 – 8 inches and 25 retired brood stock brook trout 16 – 20 inches.

Keely Lake, Marshfield – stocked with 1,500 fall fingerling brook trout 6 – 8 inches.

Hancock County:

Lower Hadlock Pond, Northeast Harbor – stocked with 1,375 fall fingerling brook trout 6 – 8 inches and 25 retired brood stock brook trout 16 – 18 inches.

Bubble Pond, Bar Harbor – stocked with 600 fall fingerling brook trout 6-8 inches and 25 retired brood stock brook trout 16 – 18 inches.

Jacob-Buck Pond, Bucksport – stocked with 200 spring yearling brook trout 8 – 10 inches and 50 retired brood stock brook trout 16 – 18 in

Second Pond, Dedham – stocked with 2,550 fall fingerling brook trout 6-8 inches. * First time stocking.
Anderson Pond, T 10 SD – stocked with 475 fall fingerling brook trout 6-8 inches. * First time stocking
Craig Pond, Orland – stocked with 1,100 fall fingerling brook trout 6-8 inches and 75 retired brood brook trout 16 – 18 inches.

Echo Lake, Mount Desert – stocked with 2,500 fall fingerling brook trout 6-8 inches.

Salmon Hot spots

Washington County:

West Grand Lake, Grand Lake Stream – stocked with 12,000 spring yearling salmon and fall surveys indicated many good-sized salmon available for the winter fishery.

Big Lake, T 27 ED – stocked with 1,800 spring yearling salmon and will have many good-sized post spawning salmon available for the winter fishery.

Hancock County:

Phillips Lake, Dedham – stocked with 250 spring yearling salmon and 200 fall yearling salmon 12 – 15 inches. Fall surveys showed good numbers of good-sized salmon available for the winter fishery.

Molasses Pond, Eastbrook – stocked with 250 spring yearling salmon and fall surveys showed fair numbers of large fat salmon available for the winter fishery.

Donnell Pond, Franklin – stocked with 400 spring yearling salmon and fall spawning surveys showed good numbers of fat salmon available for the winter fishery.

Tunk Lake, T 10 SD – stocked with 350 spring yearling salmon and 100 fall yearling salmon 12 – 15 inches. Fall survey showed fairs numbers of larger salmon available for the winter fishery.

Eagle Lake, Bar Harbor – stocked with 225 spring yearling salmon and 50 fall yearling salmon 12 – 15 inches. Fall survey showed fair numbers of good-sized salmon available for the winter fishery.

Beech Hill Pond, Otis – stocked with 300 spring yearling salmon and 200 fall yearling salmon 12 – 15 inches. Fall survey showed fair numbers of very fat salmon available for the winter fishery.

Brewer Lake, Orrington –stocked with 200 spring yearling salmon and 125 fall yearling salmon 12 – 15 inches.

Brown Trout Hot Spots

Washington County:

Pennamaquan Lake, Charlotte – stocked with 600 fall yearling brown trout 11 – 13 inches.

Hancock County:

Molasses Pond, Eastbrook – were stocked with 400 fall yearling brown trout 11 – 13 inches. Fall survey showed a numbers of very fat large brown trout available for the winter fishery.

Lower Hadlock Pond, Northeast Harbor – stocked with 50 fall yearling brown trout 11 – 13 inches. Along with large stockings of brook trout the fishing should be good for both species.

Splake Hot Spots

Washington County:

Keely Lake, Marshfield – stocked with 100 fall yearling splake 12 – 14 inches.
Long Lake, Marion – stocked with 150 fall yearling splake 12 – 14 inches.
Second Lake Old Stream, T 37 MD stocked with 350 spring yearling splake 8 – 10 inches.
Pleasant River Lake, Beddington – stocked with 350 spring yearling splake 8 – 10 inches and 150 spring yearling salmon 8-10 inches and 200 fall yearling splake 12 – 14 inches, plus 50 fall yearling salmon 12 – 15 inches.

Hosea Pug, T 26 ED – stocked with – stocked with 125 spring yearling splake 8 – 10 inches and 50 fall yearling splake 12 – 14 inches.

Hancock County:

Jacob-Buck Pond, Bucksport – stocked with 300 spring yearling splake 8 – 10 inches.
Heart Pond, Orland – were stocked with 150 spring yearling splake 8 – 10 inches and 100 fall yearling splake 12 – 14 inches.

Fitts Pond, Clifton – stocked with 400 spring yearling splake 8-10 inches and 100 fall yearling splake 12 – 14 inches.

Lake Trout Hot Spots

Washington County:

Pocumcus Lake, T 5 R1
West Musquash Lake, Talmadge
West Grand Lake, Grand Lake Stream

Hancock County:

Green Lake, Ellsworth
Branch Lake, Ellsworth
Jordan Pond, Seal Harbor
Tunk Lake, T 10 SD
Toddy Pond, Orland
Beech Hill Pond, Otis

Children’s Only Waters

Foxhole Pond, Deblois – stocked with 300 spring yearling brook trout 8 – 10 inches and 25 retired brood stock brook trout 16 – 18 inches

We recommend fishing any of the above waters and predict anglers with have fair to fast success depending on the waters they choose.

Be safe and have fun!

-Greg Burr, Assistant Regional Fishery Biologist

Region D - Western Mountains

Ice conditions will be iffier than usual this year with record and near-record high temperatures crowding the opening date of January 1. With that caveat, there is good news in the form of more catchable trout stocked in area waters, thanks to the expansion of the Department's Embden fish rearing station. "Catchable" refers to fish that are of legal size when stocked. These fish were a year and a half old when they were stocked in October, and were 12-14 inches long.

Our fall yearling brook trout were stocked as follows: 50 in Toothaker Pond, Phillips and 50 in Tibbetts Pond, Concord Plt. (these two waters will be open to ice fishing for kids only for the first time in 2007 - check your law book), 1,500 in Embden Pond; and 100 in Haley Pond, Dallas Plt.

In addition, we also stocked a number of retired brood fish. These are brook trout raised in the hatchery expressly for the purpose of producing eggs to be raised in our hatchery system. The older ones were "put out to pasture" for your angling pleasure in the following waters: Clearwater Lake, Industry; Ellis Pond, Roxbury; Porter Lake, New Vineyard; Webb Lake, Weld; Wesserunsett Lake, Madison; and Wilson Lake, Wilton. Each of the waters received about 100 of these fish, which are at least as large as the fall yearlings.

Fall yearling brown trout were stocked in the following waters: 200 in Sandy Pond, Embden; 400 in Smith Pond, Brighton Plt.;

1,300 in Webb Lake, Weld; and 2,738 in Wesserunsett Lake, Madison.

Fall yearling landlocked salmon were stocked as follows: 200 in Hancock Pond, Embden; 100 in Spring Lake, T3R4; 160 in Webb Lake, Weld; 300 in Wilson Pond, Wilton; 300 in Porter Lake, New Vineyard; and 500 in Wyman Lake, Moscow.

We stocked fall yearling splake (a cross between lake trout and brook trout) in the following waters: 200 in Lufkin Pond, Phillips; 450 in Wentworth (Ironbound) Pond, Solon; and 3,000 in Wyman Lake, Moscow.

Stocking large fish - especially species other than brook trout - is new to western Maine waters, and we hope that anglers enjoy the experience. These fish are quite content in their new homes, however, so be patient and don't risk disaster by rushing out onto thin ice to catch them. Fish safely!

-Forrest Bonney, Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region E - Moosehead Region

With January 1^st quickly approaching and the start of the ice fishing season it seems that Mother Nature has forgotten to look at the calendar. Many of the waters open to ice fishing in the Moosehead Region have marginal ice conditions and some such as Moosehead Lake are still wide open, with the exception of a few isolated coves and small bays. On December 22^nd, we flew in the Chamberlain Lake and Chesuncook Lake areas and found much of these waters still void of ice cover.

This fall we started a study at Chamberlain Lake to further evaluate the brook trout population there. We collected and implanted 52 fish with radio tags in Chamberlain Lake, Telos Lake, and Round Pond. We are actively tracking these fish to identify spawning areas and annual movements. The information collected from these fish is very important to the future management of brook trout in the Chamberlain Lake System. If you happen to catch one of these fish with a small antenna protruding from the stomach area, we would encourage anglers to please consider releasing this fish, so that it may continue to contribute to the study.

Anglers that like to take advantage of the December fishing opportunities and are able to find safe ice, have a few options available to them in the Moosehead Region.

Thanks to the new hatchery improvements and expansion, we have been able to stock several waters in the region with beautiful fall-yearling brook trout that average 12-14 inches. These fish were stocked in October for the soul purpose of providing winter trout fishing opportunities in waters that cannot support trout through the summer. We are not trying to establish trout populations in these waters that often have populations of perch, bass, and pickerel. This is essentially a winter put-and-take stocking program. Many of these waters are open as soon as the ice forms (in the law book these waters are in Group A). We have also changed the definition of Group A to allow anglers to keep trout in December.

The following waters were stocked with fall yearling brook trout in October and are open to ice fishing as soon as the ice forms: Mountain View Pond (Fitzgerald Pond) in Big Moose Twp just north of Greenville, Shirley Pond in Shirley, Sawyer Pond in Greenville, Harlow Pond in Parkman, Manhanock Pond in Parkman, Brann’s Mill Pond in Dover-Foxcroft, Snow’s Pond in Dover-Foxcroft, and Prong Pond in Beaver Cove.

The following are waters received fall yearling fish and are open to ice fishing under Group B. Brook trout were stocked into Kingsbury Pond in Kingsbury Plt., Center Pond in Sangerville, and First Davis Pond in Guilford. Big Wood Pond in Jackman received fall yearling splake and Center Pond in Sangerville also, received some fall yearling brown trout.

As a bonus, we also stocked 50 retired brood stock trout in each of the following waters: Mountain View Pond (Fitzgerald Pd) in Big Moose Twp., Manhanock Pond in Parkman, Center Pond in Sangerville, Brann’s Mill Pond in Dover-Foxcroft, Prong Pond in Beaver Cove, and Big Wood Pond in Jackman. These big fish should be over 3 pounds.

We hope anglers will get out and catch these fish. However, remember to be careful of the ice conditions, especially this year!

-Jeff Bagley, Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region F, Penobscot Region

Once again this year, the start of ice fishing is going to be governed by ice conditions, or lack thereof, in the region. Currently there are not many waters with ice, none with safe ice, and forecasted weather conditions are not conducive to the formation of ice. Fish populations are very good in most regional waters and there should be some very good fishing once the ice forms.

When planning your ice-fishing trip to Region F (The Penobscot Region), here are a few suggestions from the Regional Fishery biologists.

Brook Trout:
Duck Lake, T4 ND; Middle Oxhead, T40 MD; Cold Stream Pond, Enfield; Spring Pond, T3ND, East Grand Lake, Danforth; Pleasant Lake, T7 R2 NBPP (Kossuth); Upper Jo Mary Lake, TA R10 WELS; Smith Pond, T3 Indian Purchase; Silver Lake, Lee; Weir Pond, Lee; and Scraggly Lake T7 R8 WELS.

Kids Only Fishing, brook trout waters:
Special regulation is as follows: Open to fishing for children under 16 years of age. Restricted to two lines per person. Daily limit on trout: 2 fish.

Little Round Pond, Lincoln; Jerry Pond, Millinocket; Rock Crusher Pond, Island Falls; and Pickerel Pond, T32 MD.

Landlocked Salmon:
Pleasant Pond, Island Falls; East Grand Lake, Danforth; Cold Stream Pond, Enfield; Seboeis Lake, T4 R9 NWP; Pleasant Lake, T7 R2 NBPP (Kossuth); Pemadumcook Lake, T1 R9 WELS; Millinocket Lake, T1 R8 WELS; Duck Lake, T4 ND; West Lake, T3 ND; Lower Togue Pond, T2 R9 WELS; and Lower Sysladobsis Lake, Lakeville Plt.

Lake Trout:
Schoodic Lake, Lake View Plt.; East Grand Lake, Danforth; East Musquash Lake, Topsfield; Cold Stream Pond, Enfield; Pemadumcook Lake, T1 R9 WELS; Millinocket Lake, T1 R8 WELS; and Matagamon Lake, T6 R8 WELS.

Splake:
Lower Togue Pond, T2 R9 WELS; Cedar Lake, T3 R9 NWP; Seboeis Lake, T4 R9 NWP; and Endless Lake, T3 R9 NWP.

Brown Trout:
Nicatous Lake, T40 MD.

Lake Whitefish:
Upper Cold Stream Pond (Big Narrows), Lincoln; Pemadumcook Lake, T1 R9 WELS; Pleasant Lake, T7 R2 NBPP (Kossuth), East Grand Lake, Danforth; and Webster Lake, T6 R10 WELS.

Smallmouth Bass:
Lower Shin Pond, T5 R7 Wels; Endless Lake, T3 R9 NWP; Baskahegan Lake, Brookton Twp.; South Branch Pond, Seboeis Plt.; Upper and Lower Sysladabsis Lakes, Lakeville Plt.; Seboeis Lake T4 R9 NWP; Ebeemee Lake, T5 R9 NWP; and Pleasant Pond, Island Falls.

White Perch:
Dolby Pond, TA R7 WELS; Mattamiscontis Lake, T2 R9 NWP; Baskahegan Lake, Brookton Twp.; Seboeis Lake, T4 R9 NWP; South Branch Pond, Seboeis Plt.; Pushaw Lake, Old Town; Boyd Lake, Orneville; Mattawamkeag Lake, Island Falls; Mattanawcook Lake, Lincoln; Nicatous Lake, T40 MD; Upper and Lower Sysladobsis Lakes, Lakeville Plt.; Wytopitlock Lake, Glenwood Twp.; Saponac Pond, Grand Falls Plt.

Chain Pickerel:
Seboeis Lake, T4 R9 NWP; Saponac Pond, Grand Falls Plt.; Mattanawcook Lake, Lincoln; Passamagamet Lake, T1 R9 WELS; Nicatous Lake, T40 MD.

Cusk:
Pemadumcook Lake, T1 R9 WELS; East Grand Lake, Danforth; and Millinocket Lake, T1 R8 WELS.

-Michael Smith, Regional Fisheries Biologist and Brian Campbell, Biology Specialist

Region G – Aroostook County

Mild winter weather has had its influence in northern Maine. As we write this report, a resident on the shore of Drew's Lake reports looking out at a wide-open lake. Anglers in southern Aroostook should be extremely cautious of lakes that freeze over between now and January 1, especially if there is any snow on the ice. Many lakes in the Ashland area, north and west, have had a catch of ice for a longer period of time but warm days and rain have been a factor to weaken the ice, if not thaw it completely, in some of the larger lakes. Some of the coves on the larger lakes are likely to have thicker ice than the main body - anglers should be aware of this before venturing forth. Four inches of ice is about the maximum that we have heard in some areas of Squa Pan Lake. Anglers should keep aware of cold weather between now and January 1 and plan any ice fishing trips accordingly. If we can offer any advice, it would be to walk from shore checking the ice with a chisel before tearing out on a snow sled. The season for most waters lasts three months; you want to be around to see the end of it.

A new regulation in effect this winter pertains to possession of live bait. In an effort to reduce the incidental introduction of undesirable fish species into Maine waters, it is now illegal to store or hold live bait in any water where the use or possession of live bait is prohibited during either the entire ice fishing or entire open water fishing season. This includes waters restricted to the use of artificial lures only during the ice fishing season and waters restricted to fly fishing only or artificial lures only during the open water fishing season.

The minimum length limit on brown trout in lakes and ponds has been increased from 12 inches to 14 inches.

On Group A designated waters; trout, salmon and bass are now legal (subject to length, bag and possession limits) prior to January 1.

Regional waters that have received stockings of fall yearling brook trout include: Arnold Brook Lake, Drew's Lake, Nickerson Lake, Spaulding Lake and the Hodgdon Mill Pond. For the second year, Madawaska Lake was stocked with fall yearling brook trout and will be open to angling on February 15 - March 31. As a bonus this year, fall yearling salmon were also put in the lake. In addition to brook trout, fall yearling brown trout were stocked in the Hodgdon Mill Pond. Squa Pan Lake received its annual allotment of fall yearling splake and should continue to provide excellent fishing in the central Aroostook area.

Regional biologists and temporary staff will be conducting season long creel surveys on Big Eagle, Churchill, Ross Spider, Big Pleasant and Clear Lakes in the back country area. We will be monitoring Long Lake, Cross Lake and Square Lake in the Fish River Chain and visit Madawaska Lake once it opens on February 15. Spot checks will be done on waters in central and southern Aroostook that have received stockings of fall yearling brook trout and splake. We also will look for an opportunity to visit St. Froid Lake to check on results from the experimental lake whitefish program. As always, we seek angler cooperation with our surveys. Our creel surveys offer an excellent opportunity for one on one conversation between biologists and anglers to discuss regional and statewide fisheries issues. As always, a reminder to read the law book before the season starts to eliminate any embarrassing encounters with the district game warden.

-Dave Basley, Regional Fishery Biologist