The latest news about Maine lakes and ponds.

Bass Spawning Season Winding Down

June 06, 2010 - With water temperatures reaching toward 70 degrees in some areas, it appears Maine fishermen are heading into the dog days of summer -- before summer has begun.

But read on and find where fishing abounds, with hatches in the Moosehead region, and the fast action in the small trout ponds of The County.

REGION A: SOUTHERN MAINE

The bass spawning season is winding down in southern Maine, said regional biologists who have been conducting nighttime bass surveys.

The positive note has been nice-sized smallmouth bass in small ponds in the region, such as Indian Pond in Greenwood, said Francis Brautigam with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

REGION B: CENTRAL MAINE

The stream fishing in central Maine is still going well. But IFW biologist Robert Van-Riper can't understand why more fishermen are not fishing the bigger rivers, such as the Kennebec.

A new strain of stocked brown trout recently went into the river's Shawmut Dam section and Van-Riper is hopeful about the results.

More toward the coast, fishermen have had great luck in the Pemaquid River, he said.

REGION C: DOWN EAST

Brook trout are moving into spring holes in most of the Down East region because the waters have warmed to July temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees.

Bass below Route 9 are done nesting and can be found in deeper, colder lakes, such as Green Lake. Above Route 9, where the waters are just a bit colder, bass were still on nests last week, said IFW biologist Greg Burr.

REGION D: WESTERN MAINE

IFW biologists in the Strong office were up near the Canadian border last week making sure the access road to Boundary Pond in Beattie Township was open and welcoming fishermen.

The pond is stocked with brook trout and in the past had "no trespassing" signs posted. It sits right on the Quebec border and is used by both Canadian and Maine fishermen, said IFW biologist Dave Boucher.

But the access check this year was positive and the pond will be stocked in the coming weeks, Boucher said.

REGION E: MOOSEHEAD LAKE REGION

Warm weather in the Moose-head region hasn't slowed fishing, it's improved it with increased insect hatches, said IFW biologist Tim Obrey.

"Last week was our second flying ant hatch of the spring and the mayflies are coming off during all times of the day," Obrey reported.

"The first week of June usually brings the first caddis hatches of the season. This is good news for the river anglers."

Obrey recommends the East Outlet, Moose River and the West Branch of the Penobscot for fast fishing in the weeks ahead.

As the bass slow their spawning dance Down East, it is just starting to the north, Obrey said.

REGION F: EASTERN MAINE

Already small trout ponds in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties are starting to stratify, so fishing conditions in this part of Maine remain three weeks ahead of schedule, just as they have been since April, said IFW biologist Nels Kramer.

A little rain helped the brook and stream fishing in eastern Maine, but water levels still remain low, Kramer reported.

He advises trying Schoodic Lake for togue before the fishing there slows this summer.

REGION G: NORTHERN MAINE

Fly fishing in the Deboullie Pond region should be starting to heat up now, reports IFW biologist Dave Basley in Ashland.

There are several small trout ponds that have a mix of fly fishing only, artificial lures only and no regulations on live fish as bait.

Campsites in the township owned by the Bureau of Parks and Lands are well maintained.

Basley says there are also scenic hiking trails with vistas.

by Deirdre Fleming, Portland Press Herald, June 6, 2010

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