Aroostook fishermen petition state to dip smelts in Long Lake

To dip or not to dip smelts is question of concern among some Aroostook County residents.

In 1982, Long Lake in Aroostook County and its tributaries were closed to the netting of smelts. The action to close occurred after some 50 people met in St. Agatha at a public hearing concerned about the lack of large salmon in Long Lake.

Today, this nearly 20-year-old regulation is under fire. About mid-January the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife office in Augusta received a petition signed by 363 Van Buren residents, along with some 200 other petitioners, asking to reverse the law.

Van Buren resident Maurice Saucier, who spearheaded the petition to reopen Long Lake and its tributaries to dipping smelts, believes there are plenty of smelts in Long Lake to warrant reopening it. This spring there were dead smelts floating on the surface just going to waste, said Saucier, adding that it also happened three or four years ago.

“Smelts have a short life span,” Saucier said, speculating that maybe the dead smelts are due to them reaching the end of their life cycle. If so, isn’t this proof there are enough smelts in the lake to reopen it to dip netting, he asked.

The young kids also “used to enjoy going smelting in the spring, being able to catch smelts with a net.” It was an anticipated event, Saucier added.

Other supporters of the petition would like to see Long Lake reopened because it’s much easier to catch the smelts during the spring spawning season. At this time of year when they’re running heavy in the tributaries, a feed of smelt can be taken with ease, said Saucier. The present law on the books allows them to be fished by hook and line in Long Lake, during a winter and summer season, but this style of fishing can be slow, and some folks can’t get on the ice during the winter months, Saucier said.

On the other side of the petition many feel the present law has done its job and a number of anglers want the present law kept in place.

Records show that during the open water fishing season from 1968-81, 22 percent of the salmon caught were larger than 18 inches, said DIFW fisheries biologist Dave Basley. During ice-fishing seasons, beginning in 1971, and continuing from 1974-81, 15 percent of the salmon caught were more than 18 inches, he added.

Since smelt dipping was discontinued in 1982 the number of larger salmon taken from the lake has increased. Records show between 1982-2000, 31 percent of the salmon caught in the open water fishing seasons were more than 18 inches, said Basley. The ice-fishing seasons from 1982-2001 revealed 36 percent of the salmon caught were more than 18 inches.

Biologists are also “dependent upon Long Lake’s abundance of smelts to boost other lakes in the region,” said Basley. The entire string of lakes in the Fish River Chain have at one time or another received a helping of smelt eggs from Long Lake. A few years back Eagle Lake’s smelt population was brought back to the front with aid from Long’s smelt inventory, Basley added.

The tributaries around Long Lake are easily accessible to attain smelts eggs efficiently and they’re nearly 100 percent free of the Glugea parasites, Basley explained.

During the last year Long Lake has produced some very large salmon, and for this to occur an abundance of smelts needs to be on hand, said Basley, explaining salmon grow slower and don’t pack on those added pounds without smelts.

Kennebec outlet gives up salmon

This past weekend, fishing at the East Outlet of the Kennebec River delivered a few welcome rewards, according to Daryl and Linda O’Kresik of Old Town. Nymphs were the most rewarding, said Linda O’Kresik, especially the No. 12 Pheasant Tail and the No. 12 Beaded Head Prince. They were both responsible for yielding landlocked salmon that were around 18 to 19 inches.

For dry flies the No. 16, Tan Elk Hair Caddis was the most rewarding and was responsible for mostly brook trout, said O’Kresik. However, don’t overlook the Mickey Finn Streamer, she added because one tied on a No. 12 hook was responsible for catching brook trout and salmon.

A.M. vs. P.M.

Fishing in the evening at the dam pool is still the most productive for Grand Lake Stream anglers, according to Kurt Cressey, owner of the Pine Tree Store, located just up the hill from the stream. Although last Wednesday the morning proved most rewarding for one angler, said Cressey. This fisherman caught five salmon working an Elk Hair Caddis in the Hatchery Pool, which only a short jaunt down stream from the dam pool, said Cressey.

Seboeis splake striking

At Seboeis Lake, splake are continuing to strike, according to DIFW fisheries biologist Brian Campbell. However, be prepared to wrestle with some hearty catches of smallmouth bass and white perch.

Just next door, Schoodic Lake in Brownville has been consistent in producing togue with the bulk of the action featuring 3-to-5-pound fish.

Question of the week

Brook trout in coastal areas sometimes frequent salt or brackish water. They’re known as sea-run trout or what?

Answer to last week’s question: The brown bullhead is a fish in Maine that is identified more frequently by what other name? Hornpout.

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