Fishing Report

From Fisheries Resource Technician Brian Lewis, 5/30/24

Where to fish:  The month of June is a great time to be an angler in Maine.  The stocking trucks have done their work, bass can still be found on nests, and those wonderful wild brook trout streams are fishing at their peak.  Fishing over bass nests is primarily a boater's activity, and likely spots include Keoka Lake in Waterford, Little Sebago Lake in Windham, and Long Pond in Parsonsfield.

Fishing tip: For the angler limited to fishing on the shore, brook trout streams are hard to beat for scenery, tradition, and sheer spunk of the target.  These beautiful fish can be found statewide, but good spots include West Branch Pleasant River in Mason, Worthley Brook in Poland, and Branch Brook in Sanford. 

From Fisheries Resource Supervisor Jason Seiders, 5/31/24

Where to fish: St George River and Medomak River have been heavily stocked with brown trout and brook trout, and they should offer great trout fishing while the water is still cool. Trout are stocked at several road crossings along each river, creating great access opportunities and really nice spots for bank fishing or wading.

This is a great time of year to fish some of the region's smaller brook trout ponds. The fish are actively feeding and there are always insect hatches in the evenings. Here's a list of some nice brook trout ponds in the area where you could expect multiple age classes of fish and some occasional whoppers:

• Kimball Pond (Vienna)
• Egypt Pond (Vienna)
• Bowler Pond (Palermo)
• Tyler Pond (Manchester)
• Gould Pond (Manchester)
• Halfmoon Pond (Prospect)

It's a great time to target bass, both largemouth and smallmouth. Here's a list of some of our best regional bass waters. These are places where you can catch a lot of fish, and you could catch a trophy!

• China Lake (China)
• Cobbosseecontee Lake (Winthrop)
• Great Moose Pond (Hartland)
• Messalonskee Lake (Belgrade)
• Long Pond (Belgrade)
• Great Pond (Belgrade)
• Androscoggin Lake (Wayne)

Fishing tip: June can be an incredibly productive time of year for a variety of fish species and fishing techniques. If you're just looking for an opportunity to get out and catch something (any critter that will bend your fishing rod), evenings can be especially productive. We run into a lot of folks that are just looking to catch something....anything.....and sometimes they might be overthinking things. We often see folks using hooks and lures that are too large for the fish they're after. Often times you'll increase your catch by downsizing your bait and hook size a bit. And for those anglers looking for brook trout or panfish, those small mouths require smaller hooks and smaller bait.

From Fisheries Resource Supervisor Greg Burr, 5/28/24

Where to fish: Warmer weather is finally here, and that means warm-water fish species are active.  Namely, smallmouth, and largemouth bass.  These fish have recently moved into the shallows from their deeper water winter haunts to spawn.  As such, both species of bass can be easily sight fished close to shore in front of rocks, submerged trees, and vegetative substrate.  These habitat features are great backdrops for male bass to build nests, spawn, and then guard the eggs that the females have distributed in the "bullseye" area that the males have cleared for spawning.  In the shallower, tannin-colored lakes and ponds, bass spawning has already taken place and males are now on nests guarding.  In the deeper, clear, headwater lakes, spawning is just about to get underway, and males will be ferociously taking any lure that comes close to their sentry post. 

Waters that I highly recommend anglers to fish for bass are as follows:  Grand Falls Flowage – Princeton, Meddybemps Lake – Meddybemps, Big Lake – Greenlaw Chopping Twp, Cathance Lake – Cooper, Pocumcus Lake – T 6 ND, Wabassus Lake – T 6 ND, Third Machias Lake – T 43 MD, Pocomoonshine Lake – Princeton, Crawford Lake – Crawford, Love Lake – Crawford, Alamoosook Lake – Orland, Toddy Pond – Orland, Branch Lake – Ellsworth, Webb Pond – Eastbrook, and Long Pond – Mount Desert.

Chain pickerel are also now very active in the shallow weedy ponds in the region.  These toothy veracious predators are in the pike family, and although they are smaller than most adult pike, fishing for them can be fast and fun in the lily pad areas of the lakes.  Casting top water weedless lures is best, but weedless silver spoons also work well.  Children have a terrific time fishing for these "green torpedoes" as they streak through the water and lunge for their lures, and then battle the rod all the way to boat.

Here are the chain pickerel waters that I recommend in the region:  Alamoosook Lake – Orland, Wights Pond – Penobscot, Scammon Pond – Eastbrook, Hamilton's Pond – Bar Harbor, Crawford Lake – Crawford, Pocomoonshine Lake – Princeton, Fourth Machias Lake – T 5 ND, and Grand Falls Flowage – Princeton.
For walk-in fishing locations I recommend:  Mariaville Falls in Mariaville on the West Branch of the Union River for smallmouth bass, Goodwin's Bridge on Route 181 for smallmouth bass and white perch, the Route 1 bridge in Princeton for white perch, the Munson Rips crossing on the East Machias River below Round Lake off the Eastern Ridge Road for smallmouth bass, and at Salmon Falls on the East Branch of the Union River off the Fox Hill Road for smallmouth bass.

Fishing tip: My tip is that when fishing for bass, remember that they key in on sound.  On that note, for better success, fish with lures that have rattle beads in them and with spinners that have bell bodies that click when retrieved.  They also home in on smell.  So, use scented worms and grubs.

Reminders: Also, remember in the Downeast region many lakes and ponds have special regulations on bass, so check your lawbook before fishing the waters in area.

From Fisheries Resource Technician Tyler Grant, 5/31/24

Where to fish: It's June in the Rangeley Lakes Region, and even though it looks like summer outside, the water temperatures are still cool, and the fishing is excellent.  June is traditionally one of the best months to be out on the water, and this year is no exception.  The Rangeley Region is well known for its brook trout, and June is one of the best times to target them.

Small ponds are some of the best places to target in the spring.  The water is still cool, and the insect life is hatching.  For anglers looking to get out and adventure, Hurricane Pond in Kibby TWP might be a good destination.  This 20-acre, 11-foot-deep pond has an excellent population of medium sized but healthy brook trout.  Anglers can access the pond via the Gold Brook Road, off Rt 27 in Chain of Ponds TWP, and then a smaller logging road that leads to the short access trail on the East shore of the pond.  The pond is managed under general law tackle restrictions, and anglers are allowed to harvest two brook trout, only 1 may be over 12".  On the way there, anglers can stop and fish Kibby Stream, well known for wild brook trout.  Be sure to check the regulations though, as Kibby stream and all of it's tributaries are fly fishing only. 

Anglers looking for a larger water might try Smith Pond in Brighton Plantation.  This 32-foot deep, 160-acre pond is stocked with both brook trout and brown trout and has good populations of both.  Additionally, anglers can expect steady action on medium sized pickerel, and some really exceptional white perch.  Access is through a campsite at the southern edge of the pond, just off Rt 151. 

Anglers looking to fish from shore have plenty of opportunities in June.  The stocking report on the IFW website will help direct you toward stocked populations, and almost any small river or stream in the Western mountains is likely to have brook trout in it.  Get out and explore, and you might find a hidden gem.  One river with great access and multiple species is the Sandy River.  This large river flows from the Sandy River Ponds in the Rangeley area to the Kennebec River in Norridgewock and is stocked every spring below the town of Phillips with brook trout and brown trout.  The river is highly accessible, with many excellent access points along Rt 4 from Sandy River Plantation down to Farmington and Rt 2 all the way to New Sharon.  Trout anglers should concentrate on the upper section as the lower river is known for large smallmouth bass.  As always, pay attention to the regulations, as they change at the Rt 142 bridge in Phillips from artificial lures only with a 2 trout limit above, and general law tackle with a 2 trout limit below. 

Fishing tip: When looking over a new river to fish, satellite imagery can be an excellent tool to help locate fast moving sections of water and deep pools.  Access points and trails can also be found by scouting the river online, and the Fishing Laws Online Angling Tool can help with the regulations.  Nothing can replace the boots on the ground, and seeing the river for yourself, but some online sleuthing can often save you some time.

Reminders: Anglers new to the area should keep in mind that the Rangeley Lakes Region was hit with two major rainstorms last year.  Many of the roads and bridges that we depend on to access remote waters were damaged and are still not accessible.  Be cautious when travelling off road, as most of the remote areas of Western Maine don't have cell phone reception.  Leave a travel plan behind where you will be, when you will be back, and don't try to push yourself or your vehicle past its abilities. 

From Fisheries Resource Supervisor Tim Obrey, 6/4/24

Where to fish: June is a great time of year to hit the trout ponds in the Moosehead Lake Region.  The mayfly hatches are well underway and typically the caddis hatch starts around the first of the month.  Evenings and early morning are the best times, especially with flat, calm conditions. There are so many ponds to choose from, it's sometimes difficult to pick which direction to point your flyrod.  But there is a cluster of wild/native trout ponds in and around Cold Stream Pond, just west of Moosehead Lake and east of Route 201, that offers some great brook trout angling opportunities.  Similarly, there are also a number of ponds just east of Greenville that provide a variety of fish sizes and catch rates.  These ponds are easily accessible, and the fishing can be very good. 

The East Outlet is excellent fishing in June.  The caddis, mayflies, and stoneflies are hatching throughout the day. The best way to fish the river is by drift boat.  There are many excellent guides offering trips on the river. A lot of anglers wade the upper sections of the river as well.  Just check the flows at SafeWaters.com to be sure the river is safe.  Flows below 1800 cfs are best for wading.  If the flow is too high, you can always fish off the dam or the adjacent lawn/rocks and never get your feet wet.  Many fish have been caught here over the years.

Fishing tip: The West Branch of the Penobscot River below Rip Dam is also another good river fishery in June.  It has insect hatches similar to the East Outlet as well as the occasional "smelt hatch".  Smelt are sporadically transported through Rip Dam/McKay Station downstream into the river. The salmon quickly key in on these baitfish giving anglers a chance to mix up the typical June fly box and try dead drifting a smelt pattern. It can be very effective. Make sure to check the flows at SafeWaters.com.

Reminders: Again, check the flows on the SafeWaters.com website and wear your flotation device when wading or boating. 

From Fisheries Resource Supervisor Kevin Dunham, 4/26/24

Where to fish: Prime angling opportunities abound year-round in the Penobscot Region, and the month of June is a particularly good time to target brook trout in some choice waters, whether you're fishing from shore or paddling a canoe or kayak. All conveniently located in T40 MD along the Morrison Ridge Road are Loon Pond, Trout Pond, and Middle Oxhead Pond. All three of these small waters get stocked each year with harvestable size brook trout and are easily fished from shore or while enjoying a leisurely paddle. Generally, all these ponds produce the best fishing during springtime and early summer before the water warms too much and fish become lethargic. 

If early season trolling on larger waters is more your thing, a great place to try this month is East Grand Lake (Danforth, Forest City Twp., Orient, Weston). After a couple good years of springtime smelt runs, we've been recently receiving reports the lake has been producing robust landlocked salmon at a steady pace. Also on offer at East Grand Lake are healthy natural lake trout and stocked brook trout populations. Another water we've received multiple reports from anglers of steady landlocked salmon action is the Pemadumcook Chain of Lakes in Millinocket. After observing a large number of naturally reared salmon in our sampling efforts at Pemadumcook, we ended our landlocked salmon stocking program in 2018. Since that time the natural salmon population has developed nicely, thanks mostly to healthy rainbow smelt runs in the West Branch Penobscot River, and anglers have slowly started to experience an increase in salmon catch rates. The Pemadumcook chain can be accessed by boat launches at either South Twin Lake off Rte. 11 in T3 Indian Purchase Twp. or in T1 R9 WELS off the Golden Rd. at Ambajejus Lake.

Fishing tip: As the water begins to warm in June, begin to pick up boat speed just a bit when trolling to mimic natural baitfish, which tend to become more active as water temperatures become optimal.  During the end of June and into later months fish deeper as surface water temperatures warm, lakes stratify, and fish seek deeper, cooler, well-oxygenated conditions.

Reminders: Also be aware of a new law which went into effect recently. Specifics can be found on our website, but in general; beginning January 1, 2024, a person born on or after January 1, 1999, may not operate a motorboat greater than twenty-five (25) horsepower for recreational boating purposes on inland waters of this State or territorial waters, unless that person is 12 years of age or older and has completed a boater safety and education course.

From Fisheries Resource Biologist Jermiah Wood, 5/22/24

Where to fish: Summer weather predictions continue to be a topic of much discussion among northern Maine anglers this year. After experiencing multiple years of extreme drought that impacted many of our trout waters, we got a break in 2023, with cool, wet weather all summer. The increase in brook trout survival resulting from that wet year is being experienced this spring, with excellent fishing throughout the region. Will it hold up, or will another hot, dry summer set us back a couple more years? It's anybody's guess, but for the month of June, good fishing should continue.

Eagle Lake, Fish River Chain: The abundant population of small salmon can provide really fast fishing in June, particularly once you find the fish. Salmon will be feeding near the surface in concentrated areas within the lake. Most salmon in Eagle range from 8-14" long and they are feeding primarily on young-of-year smelts, which are typically less than 1" long in June. Those smelts are concentrated in specific areas where they are feeding on zooplankton, and the salmon are following them. Rather than randomly trolling around the lake, focus on areas where you catch salmon and continue trolling back and forth in those locations for best results. Flashy lures, smelt imitations and anything with the color orange seem to work particularly well this time of year. 

Last year we examined stomachs from 128 salmon on Eagle and found that most (73%) were feeding on young-of-year smelts, and each salmon had an average of 33 smelts in its stomach. Similar data from St. Froid Lake (63 salmon, 92% were eating smelts, average of 52 smelts/stomach) indicates that we continue to have a serious predation problem affecting smelt numbers and salmon growth. There is no bag limit on salmon less than 14" in these lakes, and we encourage you to harvest more of these fish. A serious reduction in the number of small salmon is necessary if we ever want to improve salmon growth on these two waters. Whether we'll ever see enough angler harvest to achieve this goal is another question.

Fishing tip: Consider fishing in small streams. June is a great time for brook fishing in northern Maine, and with an abundance of high quality habitat in the area, almost any small stream road crossing provides an opportunity to catch brook trout. Using a spinner and a worm is the most popular and effective method, but small lures and flies can work great as well. Targeting these brooks is one of the simplest and most effective ways to get youngsters their first taste of trout fishing.

Reminders: Be prepared for black flies and mosquitoes: usually when the fish are biting, so are the bugs!