[caption id="attachment_2287" align="alignright" width="507"] Large, plump salmon are often the reward if you are willing to dress warmly in order to troll Rangleley Lake right after ice out.[/caption] By IFW Fisheries Biologist Dave Howatt Based on our records, the average ice-out for Rangeley Lake is about May 3, but this year a couple of warm days and high winds moved things ahead and official i

By IFW Fisheries Biologist Greg Burr Some of the best of the Downeast Maine’s small brook trout pond fishing is now upon us! These ponds are the first to warm up and higher inshore water temperatures activate insect activity that attract trout.

[caption id="attachment_2263" align="alignright" width="518"] This lynx with an attached GPS collar, was collared and released earlier this winter.

[caption id="attachment_2252" align="alignright" width="534"] Brad Carlton caught this nice brown trout on Webb Lake, which was one of the lakes Region D fisheries biologists were surveying this year.[/caption] Creel Surveys are an essential tool for IFW fisheries Biologists.

[caption id="attachment_2245" align="alignright" width="364"] Game Warden Joe McBrine handles the oldest eagle ever documented in Maine, which is nearly 34 years old.[/caption] The resurgence of the bald eagle is one of the department’s more remarkable conservation success stories. In the early 70’s, bald eagles were endangered and there were less than 30 nesting pairs in Maine.

By Chuck Hulsey, Wildlife Biologist, Region D Regional wildlife biologists in the northern half of Maine are in winter number three of a project to extensively survey selected townships for Canada lynx. So far this year Assistant Regional Wildlife Biologist Bob Cordes and I have surveyed Mayfield Township, Tim Pond Township, Upper Cupsuptic Township, and Redington Township. Spring Lake Township was surveyed for us by the regional wildlife biologists from Region A, headquartered in Gray.