Complements of The Kittery Trading Post

Activity for the 4th week of March, 2001

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March 26, 2001

             Big rains and snowmelt put an end to some of the late season ice fishing and added some problems for the upcoming April 1st opening day for trout and salmon in southern Maine and New Hampshire. Opportunities will also be very limited because of slow receding ice cover and very limited amounts of open water in the more northern reaches.

            Mark Latti, Information Specialist at Maine's Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in Augusta, forwarded this open water fishing information, recently gathered by Maine's fisheries biologists around the state:

            Southern Maine--Sebago Lake's mouth of the Songo River may provide enough open water to allow small boats to fish for salmon and togue (lake trout). Panther Run, at the base of the dam on Mill Street, is a popular area where bank anglers can expect to catch a variety of game fish found in Sebago. The Songo Locks and Muddy River are two additional shoreline locations to fish for salmon and brook trout. Auburn Lake provides some bank fishing along Lake Shore Drive and is a very popular early season fishing destination. Exceptional togue, salmon and brook trout are taken each spring by working the narrow areas of open water between the shoreline and the receding ice. At Thompson Lake, one of the first areas to open is at the causeway between the "Heath", located off the Heath Road and the lake. Some of the first salmon to be caught each spring are taken there.

            Those seeking more of a stream fishing experience might consider fishing tidewater for sea-run brown trout on the Mousam and Ogunquit Rivers. The Presumpscot River's special management reach that crosses Route 35 may offer more fishable flow conditions, as water flows are controlled by dams. You can get information on flow releases by calling Tom Howard at 207-856-4286. This area is stocked with salmon, brook trout and a few brown trout.

            Central Maine--Below the dam where Great Pond spills into Long Pond, anglers will find some ice-free water where there's the opportunity for salmon, pike or brook trout. By the Route 27 Bridge where Belgrade Stream flows into Messalonskee Lake, anglers should see some action for bass, pike and pickerel. Below Cobbosseecontee Dam, anglers generally have good fishing for brown trout.

            Downeast Region--At Grand Lake Stream, dozens of salmon winter in the stream, and opening day is usually quite productive. Some of the most ardent anglers are out on the stream one minute after midnight on April Fools Day to try their luck! East Machias River provides opportunities for landlocked salmon that drop down from the lake in between Gardner Lake and the ocean. Some of the earliest waters that can be ice-free for trolling are on Mount Desert Island. Try Echo Lake for good-sized brook trout, Jordan Pond for lakers and Long Pond for fat, sassy salmon. Inland, try Branch Lake in Ellsworth, Alligator Lake in T34 MD, Big Lake in T27 MD and West Grand Lake in Grand Lake Stream. (Big Lake is a favorite for landlock action).

            Western Mountain Region--Anglers will congregate below Wyman Dam for rainbow trout and other salmonids. The Dead River, below Flagstaff Dam, provides early season rainbow action. (River flows can change abruptly and may not be suitable for fishing). Other early season possibilities are Rangeley Lake, which has lots of large salmon. The main stems of the Kennebec and upper Androscoggin Rivers are now producing wonderful fishing. On the Androscoggin, the reach from the NH border to Rumford contains rainbows, brown and occasional brook trout. Below Rumford, quality-sized smallmouths predominate. Two new access sites there are at Hanover and Canton. The Kennebec has wild rainbows, stocked and wild browns, brookies, salmon and bass. Driftboat guides are available there.

            Moosehead Area--The Moose River, East Outlet and the Roach River don't open to fishing until May 1st. Ice out on Sebec Lake is usually from April 20th-25th and on Moosehead, between May 7th and 10th.

            Penobscot Valley Region--Landlocked salmon anglers will find some action on the Penobscot River at Sourdnahunk Deadwater, on the West Branch below Matagamon Dam, on the East Branch below North Twin Dam (West Branch), and below Mattaseunk Dam. Smallmouth anglers should find a few takers, mostly around deep runs and holes that bass tend to congregate in during the winter. Area lakes are not usually ice-free until mid April into May. Water levels in the smaller streams will affect the opportunities for brook trout fishing.

            Aroostook County--Try Soldier Pond, a wide spot in the Fish River between Eagle Lake and the Saint John River, Prestile Stream right below the Mars Hill Community Dam, and for the adventure seeker, some anglers snowsled into the Allagash River area to fish below Churchill Dam. The Meduxnekeag River in Houlton may afford some open water opportunity. Try this before snowmelt rises the water levels.

            Captain Cal Robinson at Saco Bay Tackle, reports that some of the party boats that fish locally will be starting up April 1st. "Our most productive boat here is the Bunny Clark, who's skipper Tim Tower is legendary for his knowledge of the cod and haddock bottom. There are several other great boats that are also always in the hunt and produce good catches on a regular basis," Robinson noted.

            Dave Ganter at the Kittery Trading Post's Fishing Department, is very optimistic about some of the early season fishing opportunities. "From mid-state New Hampshire and Maine northward, the last storm was all snow. Recent cold nights have kept the melting to a minimum, so stream and river conditions may be better than we've seen in years, if you can get out there before the big melt-down. There's also some unique opportunities around some of the lakes in New Hampshire that are managed for rainbow trout. Some of the stream mouths should be ice-free. Big rainbows in a spawning mood often frequent these areas and patient anglers do well," he advised. Dave also said that as water flows along the coastal areas drop, you'll find the best brook trout conditions by walking far up into the headwaters of these streams.

            Jim MacKenzie at Suds-n-Soda in Greenland, NH was not as upbeat, as high water and ice still lingering on local trout spots look like a late season to him. "It's probably going to be a couple of weeks before the water drops and the temperatures are right for stocking. We are looking for some good saltwater groundfishing this year. Cod and haddock should be hitting, if you can get out there," Mac said.

            In New Hampshire's northcountry, the big Connecticut and Androscoggin Rivers provide early season action. Both of these rivers have their flows controlled by series of dams, so often when water flows are too high in free flowing rivers, these two famous trout rivers are quite fishable. Tom Remick at TR's Bait in Pittsburg, advises the each year early in the season, huge brown trout are caught with both live bait and Rapala and Rebel lures in the stretch of the Connecticut below Murphy Dam and the Town of Pittsburg. On the Androscoggin, George Malloy at River's Edge General Store in Berlin says to fish the mouths of brooks that run into the river, to use bait and to be patient. Some huge browns and rainbows come out of this river each year in the area below the town of Errol.

            New Hampshire's Lake Region was still in the deep freeze as of this morning, with Bill Martel at Martel's Bait in Laconia noting a twelve-degree, frosty wakeup. "We've still got plenty of ice here. And because we got all snow and no rain, the water flows are very low. Of course, that can change quickly. We do have some open water fishing available at Opechee Lake, at both the inlet and outlet. There's a little opening in Winnisquam Lake here, but it's only out to the bar," Bill observed. He thinks it could be several weeks before ice out and the best fishing starts.

            Tink Nelson at Nute's Trading Post in Wakefield, reports stream levels normal and ice still thick. "It's going to be slow fishing here for a while, but if I wanted to get out for some early season fishing, I'd try the Salmon Falls River, or the Branch River above Milton Three Ponds. Some of the little tributaries should also provide good conditions for native brookie fishing, but you may have to ski in or use snowshoes," he laughed.

            George Taylor at Taylor's Trading Post in Madbury, said that the Lamprey River could be down to the point of some decent conditions by opening day and also noted that he'd already had some people come in that were headed for fishing the open shoreline of Bow Lake in Strafford. "Bow Lake's water level has been rising, so there's quite a bit of open water around the shoreline. There's a pretty good chance of picking up trout, bass and panfish there," he said.

            New Hampshire's unique river fishing for Atlantic salmon is open year-round, but the catch-and-keep fishing opens on April 1st. Each year, between 2,500 and 3,500 Atlantic salmon from four to twelve pounds are released in the Pemmigewasset and Merrimack Rivers and provide a memorable experience. NH Fish and Game, in cooperation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, created the Atlantic salmon brood stock fishing program in 1993, using fish that were formally not utilized. The cost of an Atlantic salmon permit is $10 and is needed in addition to the regular fishing license. The permit entitles anglers to five Atlantic salmon possession tags. The limit is one fish per day. Special fly-only waters and catch-and-release sections are noted in the brochure that comes with the special permit. Fishermen are also provided with a special diary and are requested to send in the completed diaries each year to help fisheries managers with their management decisions.

            Striped bass anglers and others interested in marine resources are encouraged to attend a hearing to discuss proposed changes in New Hampshire's striped bass regulations. The hearing will be held Tuesday, April 10th at 7pm at the Urban Forestry Center, 45 Elwyn Road in Portsmouth. Current regulations allow one striped bass of over 32 inches to be possessed. Proposals include changing to two fish with a length limit of 28 inches, which is the federal guide lines suggestions and is backed by New Hampshire's Marine Fisheries people. If you are unable to attend, you may send your written comments to Wayne E. Vetter, Executive Director, NH Fish and Game, 2 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301.

            Pete Santini at Fishing FINatics in Everett, Massachusetts reported that floodwaters have really impacted the freshwater fishing there, but did note one bright spot. "When we had the last flood here at Horn Pond, a lot of the trout ended up below the Amelia Earhart Dam here in Somerville. In the saltwater there, they grew big and feisty. A month after that flood, carp fishermen were getting those big trout by mistake using bread and corn baits! The pond itself is dark and muddy, but some trout are still being caught on chartreuse spoons and Power Bait. Some legal-sized codfish are being caught off Castle Island Pier in Boston Harbor. Use clams, seaworms or cut bait. I like a five-ounce bank sinker so I can keep a tight line to detect the lighter hits. Incoming tide is the best. The boat fishermen around the harbor are also catching cod and have noticed a few herring already showing up," he ended.

Past Fishing Reports 2001

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