Fishing season picking up all around the state Memorial Day heralds angling activity

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Each week the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife compiles weekly fishing reports. The complete report is available at www.state.meus/ifw/

Downeast

Spring trolling for landlocked salmon and lake trout continues, with salmon still providing surface action on trolled streamers and lures, especially on cloudy days. On sunny or calm days, experienced anglers fish with two to four colors of lead line to catch both salmon and togue about 5-15 feet deep. As June and warm weather both arrive, lead core line or downriggers will become the standard fishing methods for the remainder of the summer for these popular cold water sport fish.

Popular lakes for salmon, togue, or both species are Branch, Green and Phillips Lakes along with Beech Hill Pond in the Dedham-Ellsworth area, West Grand Lake in Grand Lake Stream, Tunk Lake in Township 10 SD, Long Pond and Echo Lakes on Mount Desert Island, and Alligator Lake in Township 34 MD.

On eastern Maine rivers and streams, mayflies are hatching daily, creating surface action that delights fly fishermen. The recent cool weather will help maintain good fishing conditions. Early fishing reports indicate some reduction in the catch of brook trout this spring, probably due to mortality during last summer’s hot, dry conditions that seriously reduced water levels and flows in streams.

Salmon fishing at Grand Lake Stream is reaching its most popular period of the spring. From Memorial Day to late June is the peak spring fishing period in the stream, as mayfly and caddis fly hatches keep salmon actively feeding. Occasional schools of smelts drop out of the lake and drift downstream, creating flurries of action for streamer anglers. A few large “brood salmon” have been released into the stream from the Grand Lake Stream Hatchery, producing a surprise and a thrill to the anglers who have hooked these 4-6- pound fish on light fly rods.

Water temperatures on the more shallow lakes have finally started to warm, and bass are beginning to become active, producing some good catches as fish move onto the shores and begin to spawn. Spawning should reach a peak during the first week of June, and males will continue to guard the nest and fry for nearly two weeks. During the next week anglers should try lakes like Graham Lake in Ellsworth, Georges Pond in Franklin, Meddybemps Lake, Woodland Flowage and Big Lake in the Princeton Township 27 ED area. Larger and deeper bass lakes will be an additional week or two warming up enough to produce peak spawning activity.

Finally, this is a perfect time of the year to take a youngster fishing. Go for action, not big fish. To them, a 7-inch trout or a 4-inch sunfish may be a trophy they will never forget!

– Rick Jordan

Moosehead Lake

A quieter weekend than normal in the Moosehead region this past Memorial Day Weekend. Weather was somewhat mixed. Saturday was breezy, but otherwise nice. Sunday was not as nice, and of note to anyone who likes to be outside, the weekend also marked the beginning of the black fly season in our area.

Simply put, anglers who put in their time were rewarded. It wasn’t fast fishing, but the fish were there for those who were out. Reports from our people out and about was that fishing was slow in the backcountry, but there were anglers out on lakes and ponds.

Water temperatures are still below what is considered normal for this time of year, but with the recent warmer weather, they are recovering. The soaking rains that blanketed much of the central and southern part of the state in April and May were not as pronounced in this region. We still need rain. While lakes and ponds are full, the levels are more consistent with what you would see in late June, as opposed to late May, and once things warm up, levels will drop. We still need rain.

The East outlet is running high at 3000 cfs (cubic feet per second), but reports are that they will be cutting back flow levels soon. The Roach River is at summer flow, which does not bode well for the summer unless we get more rain.

We will finish our spring yearling trout stocking this week, putting brook trout in the West Outlet and the Piscataquis. Last Friday, we stocked Prong Pond, and we also stocked the outlet of Hebron Pond in Monson. Some fish have traveled over the spillway there, and kids are catching them in some unique locations below the Spillway.

– Paul Johnson

Penobscot Valley

Fishing activity was up over the holiday weekend but, according to warden reports, not as high as in the past over the Memorial Day weekend.

Last year at this time, bass and salmon fishing was nearing its seasonal peak activity, but this year cooler water temperatures have delayed the peak activity. Bass spawning activity is just getting under way on the lower Penobscot and lakes in the lower half of the region. Early bass action can be found on lakes in the Nicatous area, on lakes in the Lincoln area, and South Branch Pond as well as on the Penobscot. There has not been any bass activity on the upper Penobscot or more northern lakes although this should change soon as the water warms up.

Salmon fishing has been getting better with good catches reported in upper Hancock County lakes, Cold Stream Pond, and portions of the West Branch Penobscot River. A warden working the Debsconeag Falls area reported many salmon being caught in the 14- to 19-inch range and very good looking.

Anglers are reporting great lake trout action on Cold Stream Pond, Schoodic Lake and East Grand Lake although salmon fishing has been slow on East Grand. Lake trout are generally smaller in size on Cold Stream due to significant numbers of lakers in the pond. Anglers are encouraged to keep more fish up to the limit on this water which is three lake trout with a minimum length of 14 inches. A few anglers have reported good success catching brook trout in some parts of Cold Stream Pond and salmon fishing has been slow.

Brook trout fishing in the smaller, stocked ponds has been good in the southern part of the region and slow but steady in the northern part. Wardens working on Sourdnahunk Lake and other Park waters have reported slow but steady fishing success and that the trout are good-sized fish. Stream fishing success for brook trout was very good over the weekend through lower Penobscot County and in Hancock and Washington Counties. Trout fishing on the East Branch is still slow but should pick up soon.

Overall the best fishing in the region has not arrived yet but things are improving and the peak should arrive soon. Perhaps by next weekend.

– Mike Smith

Aroostook County

Memorial Day weekend turned out to be a fair one for those out fishing. The wind did not blow a gale and the weather, though unsettled, cooperated with outdoor enthusiasts for the most part. There were reports of lots of angler use on the lower Aroostook River in the Presque Isle and Caribou area with good fishing for trout 10-14 inches. On the upper Aroostook and major tributaries, flows are coming down and water temperatures are rising. Conditions should be just about ideal for river and brook fishing this coming weekend. It may be tough canoeing but those who can use a pole should have the advantage.

Mixed reports were received on fishing success from area waters. There were reports of a six-pound salmon and four-pound trout at Long Lake. Lots of anglers but little success this weekend at Square Lake. The District Warden reports that fishing had been very good prior to this weekend. Both Square and Long Lakes are known to have fishing pick up near Father’s Day weekend. A few togue are coming at Eagle Lake in the Fish River Chain. Trout were coming from the smaller trout ponds this weekend as the water began to warm, sizes ranging from 8-16 inches.

Waters that will be stocked this week include Squa Pan Lake with splake and Long, Cross, and Square with salmon. All of the lakes that are stocked by air received their fish last week. This includes togue in Second and Third Musquacook Lakes, Clear Lake, Umsaskis Lake and Millimagassett Lake to name a few. Spring yearling trout were stocked several waters including Round Mountain Pond, Upper Elbow Pond and Island Pond.

– Dave Basley