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For Many Maine Anglers, it's the Cast and Blast Season

October 06, 2009 - Many rivers around the state are open in October, and biologists this week recommend where to go. Fishing season is officially slowing down as some waters close to fishing – but not in Washington County, or western Maine, for that matter.

No worries if you've got a hunt planned. As Rick Jordan says, Down East it's the cast and blast season.

REGION A: SOUTHERN MAINE

Trap netting reports pouring in around the state are all good. And around Sebago Lake, biologist Francis Brautigam said it's good news with the Crooked River, where salmon production is excellent.

"Looks like we'll see a lot of production out of the Crooked," Brautigam said of the river where the landlocked salmon spawn.

REGION B: CENTRAL MAINE

It's all about trap nets in central Maine. Despite the loss of daylight, the spawning runs are tough to time, and biologists are waiting for the fish to get going on their spawning runs, same as the fishermen.

REGION C: DOWN EAST

Bear hunters heading Down East should grab their fishing rods and head to Grand Lake Stream, Jordan said.

At nearly 3 miles long and 100 feet wide, the stream is crystal clear, and prime salmon spawning ground.

"Salmon should be dropping out of West Grand Lake in preparation for spawning," Jordan said. "It is as pretty a stream as anyone ever fished."

Streamers, nymphs and dry flies all work. But chest waders are recommended to access all the pools.

REGION D: WESTERN MAINE

Deer and moose hunting is huge in western Maine — but so is riverine fishing right now.

Biologist Dave Boucher said now is the time to hit the South Branch of the Dead River, Rangeley River and the Upper Dam pool.

South of Rangeley, the Sandy River also remains open in October.

Other good rivers hopping with brook trout and brown trout are the Carrabassett, Kennebec and Androscoggin.

REGION E: MOOSEHEAD LAKE REGION

The first rain in three weeks up north spurred fish movement in the Moosehead region.

However, in October, only stocked waters will be open for fishing, as waters with wild fish close to protect the fish during the spawning season.

Anglers should check the law book, but up around Maine's biggest lake, fishing pressure is light in October, except for the East Outlet.

REGION F: EASTERN MAINE

Trap netting in Penobscot County is resulting in nice-looking salmon.

Out of East Musquash Lake in Topsfield, biologists have taken salmon between 18 and 23 inches, all of which are in great shape, said Nels Kramer.

Likewise, at East Grand Lake, salmon are in the 16- to 18-inch range and in great shape.

"We're hopeful for East Grand Lake," Kramer said. "It's been a rough road the last 10 years (with the smelt population declining). So we reduced stocking of salmon, and it's starting to pay off. There is indication the salmon growth is starting to improve."

REGION G: NORTHERN MAINE

Biologists at the Fish River Lakes regional office in Ashland confirmed a new state record for muskellunge.

Steve Thibodeau of Fort Kent landed a 31-pound, 11-ounce muskie on Sept. 22 on Glazier Lake in Township 18, Range 10, west of the easterly line of the state in Aroostook County. The fish was 48 inches long.

Thibodeau had it weighed on a certified scale by Jim Albert at Paradis Shop and Save in Fort Kent with two other witnesses present.

The previous state record was caught in Glazier Lake by Jeff Albert of Madawaska on March 24, 2007. That muskie was 46 inches long and weighed 31 pounds, .02 ounces.

DEIRDRE FLEMING, Portland Press Herald, October 1, 2009


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