Trout fishing fans flock to Aroostook’s Square Lake

If you’re in search for some topnotch trout fishing in this state, then possibly you should chart a course for Square Lake in Aroostook County. The jury is in, and all the facts and figures are extremely favorable.

Historically, Square Lake has always been a premier trout fisheries in the area, dating all the way back to the 1950s, said fisheries biologist Frank Frost. However in the early 1980s, the heavier-than-usual ice fishing pressure on Square raised some concern about its future. Fisheries biologists monitored between 1,000 and 3,000 anglers fishing the lake through the course of the winter season.

In 1990 the lake was restricted to a two-trout limit, requiring a minimum length of 12 inches, whereas earlier it was a two-trout limit with a 6-inch minimum length. “A decision that was made based on trap netting samples, which showed female brook trout in larger lakes usually don’t spawn until they reach a 12-inch length,” said fisheries biologist Dave Basley. In 1996 a regulation that only allowed one of those trout to exceed 14 inches in length was placed on the books, in hopes of giving anglers a higher yield of large trout, said Basley, adding both new regulations affected open-water and ice-fishing seasons.

As these changes were made, the results were monitored closely, and today the figures are way up, said Frost, adding last fall’s trap netting showed a 400 percent increase in brook trout over 18 inches in length. “Something we feel could be a direct result from the 1996 regulation,” said Frost.

However, large trout have not been the only positive result, he adds. Since the new 1990 regulation, periodic trap netting results have shown the entire trout inventory has grown, and this spring anglers have been reaping the benefits, said Frost. His office has received an overwhelming number of reports from enthused anglers this spring, which entailed a good supply of trout between 16-21 inches in length, said Frost. He added he personally witnessed three trout caught out of Square Lake last weekend that measured 17-18 inches in length.

However, I’m not surprised to hear of the success. Two weeks after ice-out this spring, Square Lake was at its best, and more than one fishing party has been on the receiving end. I recall reports of anglers experiencing relentless action from a day on the lake, with as many as 20 being caught. Although I must confess those hard-hitting landlocked salmon it harbors contributed a fair share of this action, I think anyone would agree that’s just another reason to plot a course for Square Lake.

Long Lake looms large

Long Lake in Aroostook County is still at its best. Since digging out of its slump which occurred toward the end of May, it has continued to put some hefty figures on the scales, according to a large handful of reports. Fishermen are presently using a mixed bag of briberies on the end of their lines, such as streamer flies, Mooselooks, and the list continues; however, be prepared start adding weight to your lines.

Last weekend the 28th fishing derby hosted by the Sportsmen Incorporated of Stockholm was held, and all the lakes in the Fish River Chain were included. However, when the water settled and the figures were in, Long Lake was where it happened.

Dick Laliberte of Leeds and Jim Ayotte of Sinclair earned the two available first-place positions. Laliberte boated a 5-pound landlocked salmon, and Ayotte latched onto a brook trout that weighed 2 pounds, 15 ounces.

Big Eddy caddis hatching

The rain and drizzle last Sunday did nothing to hamper the fishing at the Big Eddy, according to Peter Pray, who owns the Big Eddy Campground. “It helped create ideal water levels for fishing,” said Pray, mentioning the current water flow of 2,200 cubic feet per second, as of Tuesday. He also mentioned the caddis hatch is under way, and until about Aug. 1, there’ll be some hard-hitting action at the Eddy.

Mackerel making move

Mackerel are trickling in. A week ago today, a fisherman hooked a few while fishing for stripers close to the mouth of the Penobscot River. They’re also showing up in Rockland. On June 14, Dave Small of Old Town caught 10 while casting into the breakwater.

On June 11, Small addressed Nicatous Lake in pursuit of some action with the lake’s smallmouth bass. Between 6 and 10 a.m. he boated some 20 bass, which averaged about 14 inches in length, and it was all done with the help of a Rapala, said Small, who caught the majority of the fish casting toward shore. “Although I did catch a couple while trolling back to the boat landing,” he added.

Grand Lake Stream may pick up

Looking around the state, Grand Lake Stream was slow last week for salmon, with the majority of the action confined to the Dam Pool about a half hour before nightfall, according to fisheries biologist Ron Brokaw. However, all this could change in a hurry as the caddis hatch is due to appear, said Brokaw.

Little Sebago Lake in Windham produced a fair amount of brown trout over the last couple weeks, according to fisheries biologist Francis Brautigam. He added the majority of the fish measured 14-18 inches in length. Crystal Lake in Gray produced a few browns as well, and one weighed in at 4 pounds.

At Sebago the salmon fishing has been slow, but the togue fishing has really come alive, said Brautigam. He mentioned there had been as many as 12 togue caught in a single outing.

Question of the week

True or false: Silver salmon were once introduced to Maine waters.

Answer to last week’s question: Atlantic salmon that remain in fresh water over the winter are known as what? Racers.

Terry Farren’s Outdoor report is published each Friday. He can be reached at 990-8067 or by e-mail at outdoorreport@bangordailynews.net