Togue now the dominant fish in Sebago’s waters

Sebago Lake. It was once viewed as a real powerhouse for landlocked salmon fishing and rightly so. For years it consistently produced salmon that have been the envy of most other lakes and fishermen could always depend on a strong showing of heavyweights seeking just the right moment to strike. After all, we’re talking about a lake that released the state record in 1907, which tipped the scales at 22 1/2 pounds.

However, today its waters are less friendly toward the salmon fishermen and those heavyweight salmon are not quite as common. The salmon did show up in some hefty figures for a few years in the late 1990s.

“We’ve noticed a decline in the overall condition of the fish since about 1992,” said Francis Brautigam, a fisheries biologist with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The DFIW soon discovered the smelt population was declining, said Brautigam. He explained that smelts are a key ingredient for salmon to reach their maximum weight.

Fisheries biologists working for the DIFW discovered a huge piece of the problem was due to the rapid growing population of togue, which, like salmon never pass up a feed of smelt, said Brautigam. Since togue were introduced in the early 1970s, they’ve been multiplying at a rapid pace. By the early 1980s anglers were reaping the benefits, Brautigam said.

However, during these years the salmon fisheries gradually took a back seat as Sebago turned out to be an ideal water for togue. The togue felt right at home in Sebago’s numerous spawning grounds and a depth of 316 feet.

Brautigam said no one could predict the togue problem at the time they were stocked as some felt that the two fish could compete and give Sebago that much more to offer, which it did for years.

However, the togue fisheries have become the dominant force at Sebago and taken command in such a way that may produce a state-record fish.

Today, the goal of DIFW is to maintain fisheries of large togue while also working to decrease the overall population. This could aid in the return of the abundance of smelts, said Brautigam. The salmon would then have an adequate feed of smelts to pack on the extra pounds.

In the future, Sebago Lake will hopefully be recognized for the landlocked salmon as it was in the past. Then fishermen will have another heavyweight contender to battle – togue.

Sulphur Dun works at Big Eddy

Up in the Big Eddy the dry flies are in, and the Sulphur Dun and dark Caddis fly are contributing to most of the action, according to Peter Pray, owner of the Big Eddy Campground. However, he added the Sulphur Dun should be a first choice while remembering that this is a very short-lived hatch.

On Tuesday, the surface water temperature was 62 degrees, with a water flow of 2,300 cubic feet per second. Morning and evening are again the most productive for fishing.

Dam Pool busy at Grand Lake

At Grand Lake Stream the majority of the action still points to the Dam Pool, as the water remains low, reports Ian Spencer, a resident of the town. The streamer flies are catching mostly bass in the stream, while the Blue Wing Olive or light-colored Caddis dry flies are the landlocked salmon’s first choice. However, Spencer added that the Beaded Nymph has been producing landlocked salmon as well.

Trout ponds busy at Moosehead

Although the mayfly hatch has nearly passed by, it’s no time to disregard those small trout ponds in the Moosehead Lake area, reports Dan Legere, owner of the Maine Guide Fly Shop in Greenville. The Green Drake hatch is soon to explode, although as of last Monday there were still no sign of their presence on the ponds. Indicators show they should be right on schedule because of the precise timing of all the other hatches.

Big Lake producing bass

Bass fishermen should take a venture to Big Lake in the Princeton area. Last week anglers were experiencing some smashing action, according to fisheries biologist Ron Brokaw. A guide Brokaw spoke with mentioned his sportsman landed an extremely high number of bass for one day, which included a large amount of smallmouths between 15-18 inches.

At Moosehead Lake the surface water is extremely warm for this time of year, according to fisheries biologist Scott Roy. It’s out of the ordinary for the water to exceed 70-72 degrees, but anglers have recently witnessed temperatures as high as 74 degrees, he added.

These temperatures usually arrive during the month of August. So, if you’re searching for the lakes best fishing, rig up the down riggers or toss in a spool of lead line.

Question of the week

What fish is most abundant when migrating up Maine’s coastal streams and rivers?

Answer to last week’s question: Silver salmon were once introduced in Maine waters. Yes

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