The latest news about Maine lakes and ponds.

Early Heat Wave Causing Decline in Some Freshwater Fisheries

May 30, 2010 - The hot, dry summer weather that has delighted most folks in Maine means a sad end to the fast fishing as water temperatures warm and fish head to cooler waters.

Last week state biologists reported brook trout and salmon fishing was still going well in some parts of Maine. So get it while it's good before it's gone.

REGION A: SOUTHERN MAINE

Smallmouth bass spawning is well under way in southern Maine, reports biologist Francis Brautigam with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

But Brautigam cautions anglers fishing for bass.

"We'd like to caution to not dispose of the plastic lures in the lakes and ponds, because those plastic lures persist for a long time and the fish that do ingest those can have an adverse effect in terms of growth and health," Brautigam said.

Anyone looking for bass waters, remember the new search engine on the department's website, at www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/fishingGuide.html.

REGION B: CENTRAL MAINE

Fishing remains good in Central Maine throughout the region, IFW biologist Robert Van-Riper said.

Good reports have come out of Jamies Pond in Manchester and Flying Pond in Mt. Vernon.

"People up there are limiting out in really short time," Van-Riper said.

REGION C: DOWN EAST

Smallmouth bass are still on nests Down East, although it's the end of spawning season, said IFW biologist Greg Burr.

Brook trout fishing remains good in small trout ponds as well as brooks and streams, although that will fade with the hot weather.

Trout will be heading into cooler stream holes and to deeper water in lakes, as well.

REGION D: WESTERN MAINE

The salmon derby on Mooselookmeguntic Lake on June 11-13 will help reduce the number of salmon in the lake, and biologists in the region are seeking support for this event.

An overabundance of salmon in the lake has led to a decline in the size of the fish.

Because the salmon fishery is supported entirely by natural reproduction, harvest by fishermen is the only way to reduce the numbers there, said IFW biologist Dave Boucher.

Doing so will help create a better balance between salmon and the forage fish, smelts.

Registration the day of the event will be at the state boat launch at the south end of the lake and at Haines Landing in Oquossoc.

To learn more, call 864-5582 or go to www.rangeleyguidesand sportsmen.org.

REGION E: MOOSEHEAD LAKE REGION

IFW biologist Tim Obrey reports the smelt population in Moosehead Lake is on the upswing.

"Nearly 90 percent of the lake trout stomachs examined contained food, primarily smelts," Obrey said. "Reports from this spring are also very encouraging. Volunteers noted that there were smelt runs in several tributaries this spring."
Obrey credits the thinning of the togue through liberal bag and size limits. And the work is ongoing.

Obrey said in late April biologists and the Moosehead Lake Coalition collaborated on an effort to transport live adult smelts from Thissell Pond to Moosehead Lake tributaries. Obrey hopes the 225 gallons of smelts brought to Lily Bay Brook and Wiggin Stream will help the Moosehead situation.

REGION F: EASTERN MAINE

IFW will be initiating no size and bag limit regulations for largemouth bass at Endless Lake to help cull the species, said biologist Nels Kramer.
Posters will be going up in the region to educate anglers.

Fishing is slowing slightly in eastern Maine with the water levels in brooks and streams dropping in the warm weather.

"Lake fishing seems to be holding up. Typically up here Memorial Day weekend is when everyone heads out to do a little brook fishing. That will probably be slower this year," Kramer said.

REGION G: NORTHERN MAINE

A state record muskellunge was caught by Onezime Dufour in the St. John River in Madawaska on May 15.

The fish was 48 inches long and weighed 33 pounds. It took Dufour half an hour to land it.

The previous record of 48 inches and 31.69 pounds was held by Steve Thibodeau since Sept. 23, 2009. Thibodeau caught it in Glazier Lake.

By Deirdre Fleming, May 30, 2010, Portland Press Herald

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