If you’re looking for a new fish to contend with this season, but prefer to stay within the boundaries of our state, don’t overlook those hard-hitting brown trout.

The state continues to offer lakes and ponds that host some heavy hitters, and you could possibly be within close striking distance of one. However, fishermen pursuing them should consider toting along an extra helping of patience as they tend to be harder to catch than other gamefish, which some perceive is due to their nocturnal feeding habits.

Native to Europe, they were first introduced in Branch Lake in Ellsworth in 1885, making this the third state in the country to receive the introduction of brown trout. One hundred years later there were 91 lakes and ponds in Maine managed for browns, according to regional fisheries biologist John Boland.

Today that number has increased to 140 lakes and ponds along with 65 streams, said Boland. However, the fish have trickled into a few other tributaries around the state.

At one time the state introduced them into Sebago and Rangeley lakes, but it was only for a short time. The stocking program at Sebago Lake ceased in 1948 after three or four consecutive years of managing them just prior to the cutoff date.

Over the years the population of browns has dwindled in Sebago, but not before producing a few real bruisers. In 1958, it delivered a state record with a brown trout weighing 19 pounds, 7 ounces, but in the winter of 1996 it was stripped of the title by a 23-pound, 8-ounce brown iced from Square Pond in Shapleigh.

If you’re looking to tie into a few browns, Downeast holds some promising waters, such as Spring River Lake. Located in T10SD, it’s capable of widening your eyes with a 4-pound brown. It continues to show positive results since it was stocked in 1992, said fisheries biology specialist Greg Burr. Some other impressive waters Downeast, according to Burr, are Molasses Pond in Eastbrook, Jones Pond in Gouldsboro, Walker Pond in Brooksville, Rocky Lake in Whiting, and Round Lake and Pennamaquan in Charlotte.

Slow opener at Big Eddy

Up on the West Branch Of the Penobscot River at the Big Eddy, fishing was light on opening day.

A few anglers were successful, but there were no record-breakers, said Big Eddy Campground owner Peter Pray. Last Friday, one fisherman latched onto a 4-pound, 24-inch landlocked salmon, but it was on the slender side, he said.

Just 2-3 miles downstream from the Big Eddy, fishermen were able to address the Nesowadnehunk Deadwater on opening day, with reports of a few salmon being caught, said Pray.

But on Friday, the water flow was reduced to 800 CFS, making it difficult for anglers launching boats to fish the Deadwater. When Tuesday arrived, the water flow had been raised to 1200 CFS, giving anglers ideal conditions to fish the river, said Pray.

Sebago area best in south

Looking to the southern section of our state, fishermen are pursuing what open water they can locate, and presently a few areas near Sebago Lake seem to be the best game around.

In Raymond, the Panther Run, which connects Jordan Bay in Sebago Lake to Panther Pond, continues to receive frequent visits from anglers. However, there have been no reports of any real eye- openers caught, said Carol Cutting, owner of Jordan’s Store in East Sebago. Fishermen have been catching a few landlocked salmon in the Panther Run, according to Cutting.

So far the big news in the fishing world close to Sebago Lake was manufactured in Naples, in the thoroughfare between Long Lake and Brandy Pond, said Cutting. One fisherman reportedly landed a 6-pound brown trout, he said.

Branch Lake access

Here’s a note to inform fishermen still unaware of how to access Branch Lake in Ellsworth by boat since the closing of Hanson’s Landing in the fall of 1999.

If traveling from Bangor, fishermen will need to extend their trip about an extra three miles on Route 1A past the Winkumpaugh Road on the right, which leads to Hanson’s Landing. Take a right onto the Red Bridge Road just prior to Merrill’s Apple Farm, and then take a right onto the Mill Dam Road. Just a short distance down the Mill Dam Road you’ll be greeted with a boat landing.

However, conditions are not as accommodating as Hanson’s Landing were. The parking is limited and the ramp is gravel, where Hanson’s had a cement ramp including a dock to tie your boat to.

But the primary problem is the causeway crossing the lake, located at the entrance of the Lower Lake. On average it only allows clearance of four feet from the surface of the water, closing the lake to fishing for anglers hauling deep hull boats.

Fishermen launching small boats should remember to keep a tight grip on the tiller arm when entering the Lower Lake faced with a northwest wind. The lake can be rather nasty.

Outdoor Calendar

On April 28 the Sunkhaze Stream Chapter of Trout Unlimited will hold its 29th Dinner and Biologist Appreciation night. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Brewer at the Penobscot County Conservation Association clubhouse. There will be awards, an auction, and a raffle. Proceeds will benefit Atlantic salmon, an anadromous fish conservation in the lower Penobscot Watershed. For more information, call (207) 827-6715.

Question of the week

Rangeley Lake once produced a 19-pound, 4-ounce brown trout. True or false?

Answer to last week’s question: Where did the Grand Lake fly pattern originate? A group of guides from Grand Lake Stream.

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