In years past, ice anglers waited anxiously for Jan. 1, which served as the semi-official opening day of their season.

Of course, the ice had to be safe … and some lakes and ponds opened earlier or later in the year, or not at all.

This year, more lakes and ponds opened early, thanks to a new state designation allowing fishing whenever safe ice formed.

And some other lakes have opened for ice fishing for the first time in years.

I received an e-mail last week detailing the opening of one such water, and adding a few cautions.

Elizabeth Caruso, the first selectman of the town of Caratunk, explained Pleasant Pond was opened to ice fishing by the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife on Jan. 1, but access remains a problem.

“The waters of Pleasant Pond are surrounded by private landowners, and the Town of Caratunk owns no point of access,” she explained. “In addition, the main access to Pleasant Pond, the Pleasant Pond Road, is dangerous and often snow-covered. The Caratunk roads at Pond, North Shore and West Shore [roads] are narrow and offer no parking without obstructing the travel lane and endangering the public.”

The Caratunk Board of Selectmen acted to ban parking on town roads and will have violators towed, she wrote.

But there’s good news.

“Fortunately for ice fishermen, lakeside access and parking will be available at Young’s Landing on the West Shore Road,” she wrote. “Toilets will be provided. Fees will be charged to offset the costs of providing this service. Parking is limited, and reservations are strongly recommended.”

Reservations for parking can be made by calling 672-4059.

One final word of warning: Caruso warned that Pleasant Pond is spring-fed and deep, and it doesn’t freeze as fast as many other Maine lakes. Caution is the best option.

‘Tis the season … for fishing

Anecdotal reports filtering in this week indicate plenty of people got out on the traditional opening day of ice fishing season to try their luck.

Slush seems to be common on many lakes, and the insulating layer of snow should serve as a warning to snowmobilers that ice conditions may not be ideal.

With that said, there are plenty of ice fishing derbies coming up in the weeks ahead, and we’d love to let people know about yours.

Drop me a line and I’ll let folks know what you’ve got on tap … and if you want to pass along some ice conditions from your favorite lake, I’m sure others would be interested in that information as well.

SAM Congress on tap

Colleague Kevin Miller and I will head to Augusta on Friday for the 13th annual Sportsman’s Congress, which is organized by the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine.

The Congress is always an interesting affair, with SAM representatives, legislators, Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife staffers and other experts joining forces to illuminate a number of issues that are important to outdoor enthusiasts.

This year’s topics of discussion: moose, deer and coyotes, land and water access, and legislative issues.

On Saturday, Miller and I will offer you a tag-team account of the day’s discussions, including a presentation on the modern moose hunt that promises to be interesting … and perhaps controversial.

Stay tuned.

Freeze-Up this weekend

If you’re one of those folks who refuses to make any concessions to winter, you can meet plenty of like-minded souls this weekend.

The event: The annual “Freeze-Up,” which is organized by Kevin McKay and his Web site, www.maineflyfish.com.

Participants will meet Sunday at Rogers Pond in Kennebunk – some will show up as early as 6 a.m. – and spend the day fly fishing.

That’s right: Fly fishing.

A year ago, 22 anglers gathered on a day when the weather was downright balmy, with temperatures in the mid-60s.

Sunday’s weather won’t be that warm, but it won’t deter these determined anglers.

If you want to join in, check out McKay’s Web site for more information. And if you want to be instantly welcomed, take a good pile of grub to share with your new friends.

Dog days in Bangor

While some of you may be complaining about the recent barrage of snowstorms, there are others who don’t give a rip about your shovel-soreness.

Take Pudge, for instance.

One of the joys of dog ownership, I’ve found out, is watching carefully (and chuckling) as my English springer spaniel tromps headlong through life.

And the little bugger loves snow.

It doesn’t seem to matter that the soon-to-be 5-year-old is barely a half-drift tall at the shoulder. It doesn’t matter that the snow sticks to his muzzle and ears and quickly makes him look like a miniature four-legged yeti.

Pudge just loves it. And truth be told, when I’m ambling around the park on our regular walks, waiting in the cold for nature to call (umm … for him, not me), it’s good to have some comic relief – like my little buddy hopping and flopping and burrowing in 2 feet of fresh powder.

It almost makes you want to go play in the snow.

jholyoke@bangordailynews.net

990-8214