Another ice fishing season is pretty much tucked under our belts, and all eyes are focused on April 1. A day when fishermen anxiously brush the winter cobwebs from the cover of their tackle boxes and strike out for a stretch of open water to cast a line into.

Although opening day is not usually known for producing an abundance of fresh fish for the skillet, each year it attracts a number of hard-core anglers willing to fish against those unfavorable odds.

This spring, however, fishermen are faced with another hurdle between them and success. It’s in the form of ice, and to date Mother Nature hasn’t seemed very concerned about removing its lingering presence from our waters.

This year on April 1, even the most seasoned fishermen will find the obstacle too great to fish around. Last year, a mild winter left anglers a decent menu of waters ice-free on April’s number one day of the month.

Last season on Mount Desert Island, Long Pond and Echo Lake were clear of ice by mid-March, but this year ice prevails, and neither body of water will be clear of ice on opening day. That includes the majority of remaining waters in the Down East region, said regional fisheries biologist Ron Brokaw.

Across the state the news is quite similar. Even the Big Bay on Sebago Lake is still socked in, where in the past two or three springs open water was plentiful on April 1.

It’s clear we’ve been fed a taste of what Maine winters once consisted of, but if fishermen are willing to travel outside their normal fishing areas, there’s still a possibility for a fish fry on opening day. However, you may not want to rule out your local restaurant.

Another record muskie

In the far northwest corner of our state lies Baker Lake, comfortably nestled inside the borders of T7 R17 WELS. For years the mention of this lake has been associated with being the No. 1 battleground for anglers longing to fight an overweight muskie, and it has always lived up to that reputation.

But today Baker’s waters are feeling competition from a lake located on the northern border of our state called Glazier Lake, and for good reason. On March 8, James A. Daigle of St. David pulled through the ice a 24-pound, 8-ounce muskie that measured 43 inches in length. It topped the 22-pound, 12-ounce state-record muskie caught in Baker Lake on 1988, and most would have thought this new state record holder would keep the title for a number of years.

However, on March 22, only two weeks after the new record muskie was iced, another one was on the move in Glazier Lake. Just prior to 4 p.m. he triggered the flag on a trap owned by Allen Dufour of Madawaska and fought for 20 minutes. But when fight ended, Dufour had prevailed, and delivered a new state-record muskie. It weighed 26 pounds, 8 ounces and measured 431/2 inches in length.

Open waters highlighted

Here’s a look at some waters mentioned by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife that are clear of ice for opening-day anglers.

In central Maine, there’s some open water below the dam on the Cobbosseecontee Stream in Gardiner. It can be a productive site for fishermen pursuing brown trout.

Down East, the ever-popular Grand Lake Stream will provide open water for April 1 anglers. It’s been viewed as a productive site over the years for fly fishermen anxious for their first strike of the season. But this year prepare to contend with deep snow cover surrounding the stream.

Another location Down East is the East Machias River below Gardiner Lake. Fishing between the lake and the ocean can be productive for fishermen pursuing landlocked salmon.

In southern Maine, there are a few possibilities around Sebago Lake. Panther Run, at the base of the dam on Mill Street, is a promising location for bank anglers searching for a variety of game fish. The mouth of the Songo River may provide enough open water for fishermen to launch small boats.

Over in the western Mountains on the Kennebec River, fishermen can seek rainbow trout below Wyman Dam.

Move your shack

Don’t forget your ice shack. They must be removed from the lake within three days after the close of the season, which is Saturday, March 31.

Outdoor Calendar

On April 6- 8, the Bangor Boat Show arrives at the Bangor Auditorium.

The 2nd Penobscot County, Friends of NRA Banquet and Auction will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 5. The event will take place at the Bangor Conference Center on Hogan Road in Bangor.

For tickets, call 827-3440 or 941-8575. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Question of the week

How many lakes in Maine have depths of more than 200 feet?

Answer to last week’s question: What’s the third-deepest lake in the state? Tunk Lake, between Franklin and Cherryfield, with a depth of 220 feet.

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; outdoorreport@bangordailynews.net