Sportsmen may consider limiting their catch

Maine. Among sportsmen it’s more than just another state attached to the corner of our nation’s map. Over the years this state has gained the reputation for satisfying the appetites of the most avid fishermen, and rightly so. Before the final bell sounds and the curtain closes on another fishing season, many of our lakes and ponds will once again deliver a trophy capable of feeding a hungry family or widening the eyes of a well-seasoned taxidermist.

But today we’re faced with added pressure from a growing population and lakes becoming more accessible, allowing some waters no time off from fishing pressure. We’re no longer living in the days when snowshoes were the primary means of travel and a trip to a remote lake had to be carefully planned to ensure enough fishing time to justify the journey. Today snowmobiles and power augers have turned those trips that were once a workout into a tote sled attached to your hitch, and a couple more bends in a well-groomed trail.

Please understand I’m not advocating doing away with these luxuries. As a matter a fact, I’m presently giving my old ’75 Scorpion a thorough examination for an upcoming fishing trip that requires a number of miles of unfamiliar trails. And we’ll be accompanied by a power auger holding more battle scars than a prize fighter.

I just think it’s time to dust off the old thinking cap and load an extra dose of common sense into the pack sled. Before we pull that next fish through the hole, let’s do a little soul-searching. Ask yourself this question: Will this fish become another victim of freezer burn and just another item in the trash bag when spring cleaning season sweeps through your home? If the answer is no, heat up the oven and dust off your recipe book, because I believe there’s still enough inventory in our lakes to justify a fish dinner.

But if we can limit our catch, it may give our fisheries a boost, ensuring a whole lot more action in the future, and once again tackle boxes will harbor streamer flies so torn from doing battle with angry salmon the pattern is vaguely noticeable. After all, this great heritage is only ours to borrow. There’s another generation expecting to receive this gift in the same condition we did.

Sebago yielding large togue

Carroll Cutting, owner of Jordan’s General Store in East Sebago, reported Sebago Lake remains on the list of waters continuing to deliver heavy fish. Although there were highs and lows in the action this past week, anglers still managed to ice a handful of togue that ranged between 9 and 14 pounds.

The reputation of the Stinger Jig continues to travel and Cutting is held close to the reorder forms as fishermen add this jig to their arsenal of lures. Cutting still has a few of these jigs on the shelves, but hopes for another shipment before this weekend’s ice fishing derby.

The bait tanks at Jordan’s are full with shiners and suckers but the amount of bait may be limited to fishing parties this weekend in order to meet demands from the tournament and for a good reason. As of last Wednesday, the Sebago ice fishing derby was a sold-out event, with more than 2,000 tickets purchased. But if your entry form is postmarked by Feb. 21, it will be accepted. This sellout doesn’t come as a surprise, especially when you’re looking at a first-place purse that pays $5,000 and a drawing that could give a lucky fisherman keys to a new four-wheel-drive pickup.

West Grand hot spot Down East

Here’s a look into the pages of last week’s report from the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Greg Burr, Fisheries Biology Specialist, reported West Grand Lake continues to be a hot spot in the Down East area. This season the lakes produced generous catches of salmon, togue and whitefish. Last Friday, a party of two hooked onto nine togue and two salmon.

Congratulations to Walter Davis of Orrington, who captured first place in the record books for the largest pickerel from Brewer Lake last week. It measured 28 inches, and weighed 5 pounds, 5 ounces. Davis threatened to break the record a few days prior, but fell sort of the mark with pickerel measuring 25 inches and weighing 4 lbs. It did qualify him for a second, “The One That Didn’t Get Away Club” patch.

Moosehead fishing traffic heavy

Regional Fisheries Biologist Paul Johnson witnessed heavy fishing activity on Moosehead Lake this past weekend. On Saturday alone there were more than 475 anglers on the lake, the busiest they’ve observed this season, said Johnson.

Caution is still the word as slush conditions continue to stop snowmobiles in their tracks. One area of the lake that has shown a clear picture of these slush conditions is Lily Bay. On Saturday it was the site of abandoned snowmobiles and ATVs held captive by the slush, said Johnson. It was also a site of ice-fishing shacks upended by last weekend’s wind.

Bait is back, ice thin in Greenville

At the Indian Hill Trading Post in Greenville, live bait is plentiful again and should remain so for the remainder of ice-fishing season, said store manager Craig Watt.

Craig issued a good reminder about the ice conditions on Moosehead Lake. He mentioned to be aware of the ice conditions even though the lake froze over earlier than in recent years, because heavy snow cover has slowed ice-making. Areas of the lake that normally carry two feet of ice have received about a foot this season, said Craig.

Fishing time limited at Allagash

From Macannamac Camps on Haymock Lake, Sharon McPhee reminds fishermen that Allagash Lake closes its doors for ice fishing at the end of February, so make arrangements while there’s still time. Remember to check your law book if you venture in that direction, as Allagash Lake has a few extra restrictions.

Aurora VFD volunteers time

Hats off to the hard work from the crew at Aurora Volunteer Fire Department which donated its time for the seventh straight year and hosted The Great Pond Ice Fishing Derby to raise funds for the Fire Department. The group rolled up their sleeves and went to work, setting up a shelter at the water’s edge to do business from, and when Saturday morning arrived, they were as ready for action as contestants. But there was still no time to lean back and relax, hungry anglers kept the crew close to the grill and the coffee pot brewing overtime.

Question of the week

Beach Hill Pond holds the record for the state’s heaviest togue. What year was it caught and how much did it weigh?

Answer to last week’s question: When were Landlocked Salmon introduced to the Fish River Chain? 1894

Terry Farren’s Outdoor Report is published each Friday in the NEWS Sports section. He can be reached at 990-8067 or by e-mail: outdoor report@bangordailynews.net