Fishing Report

From Fisheries Resource Supervisor James Pellerin, 7/2/24

Where to fish: Summer has arrived, and this means a change for trout and salmon anglers. Many will give salmonids a break during the summer doldrums and resume trout fishing in the fall.  Others will continue their fishing pursuits but switch to warmwater fish or coastal species like striped bass.  Some may continue to target only clear, cold, spring-fed streams for native brookies, where they can be either harvested or released, as excessively warm water is not an issue. A few choose to fish a bit deeper in our lakes and ponds where the water remains cool to cold. Some view this largely as a harvest opportunity as it can be difficult to release deeper, dwelling salmonids successfully into warmer surface waters of a lake or pond.  Two salmonids commonly targeted in the summer months include brown trout and lake trout.  Many of our avid brown trout anglers think mid-late summer is one of the best times to target brown trout, as they are more concentrated around the thermocline.  Some quality brown trout waters in the Sebago Lakes area include: Square Pond, Acton; the Range Ponds, Poland; Sabbathday Lake, New Gloucester; Hancock Pond, Denmark, and Stearns Pond, Sweden.  There are many others; check out our stocking report available on-line.  The best way to fish is to target the thermocline area where it meets the bottom, which is typically around 17-25' deep depending on the water and time of year.  Trolling with live bait, lures, or flies works best, and the use of downriggers, lead core, or diving devices to target the correct depths is a must.  Lake trout anglers also enjoy mid-late summer trolling, and good bets in southern Maine include: Sebago, Thompson, Kezar, and Auburn Lakes.  Of course, targeting warmwater species like bass, perch, pickerel, and others is a great fit for July and August, and there is no shortage of waters to try, particularly if you have access to a boat, canoe, or kayak.  In addition, we have some fantastic river smallmouth bass fishing with the Big Androscoggin River from Rumford to Brunswick being one of the best and most popular in our area.  We're lucky to have such a diversity of angling opportunities here in Maine! 

Fishing tip: As noted above, anglers targeting cold-water fish on lakes and ponds in the summer should focus their efforts in and around the thermocline and use methods and gear that allows them to do this successfully.

Reminders: Take somebody "new" fishing, and fish where there is likely to be good action to try and get them hooked!  Action is more important than size or species for new anglers.

From Fisheries Resource Supervisor Jason Seiders, 7/1/24

Where to fish:

Kennebec River (The Forks) – The Forks section of the Kennebec River offers incredible outdoor recreation opportunities, including outstanding angling for multiple species. This 19-mile section of the Kennebec starts in the Kennebec Gorge (where rafting takes place) and ends at its confluence with Wyman Lake. The big issue to remember here is that river flows fluctuate greatly, so plan ahead! Safe Waters is a website maintained by the hydroelectric industry, and it details what you can expect for river flows each day. There are several access areas along this section of the Kennebec and they vary from roadside access to a 15 minute hike. This section provides great landlocked salmon fishing for fish ranging from 8-17 inches. The brook trout fishing tends to be more seasonal, meaning as the water warms up, these trout seek cold water tributaries to survive the heat of summer. The brook trout fishing will slow down as we move through July, but you can still get wild trout up to 16 inches+ if you fish earlier in the month. This is a great area to spend a few days with the family, or for the serious angler to catch crazy numbers of salmon and trout!

Gould Pond (Sidney) – Gould Pond is one of the small kettle hole ponds located just north of Augusta. It's relatively small (19 acres), and it's easily fished with a small boat or paddle craft. This is a great spot if you want to catch a ton of largemouth bass. You may not find a whopper here (3 pounds is a big fish in Gould), but bass numbers are incredible. This is a nice place to take kids or grown-ups that just want to catch lots of fish that put up a good fight. Go in the evening with top water lures for some extra fun and excitement! The access to Gould is provided by a gracious landowner, so please be respectful of their property.

Kimball Pond (Vienna) – Kimball Pond is a nice little brook trout pond that is relatively underutilized. Kimball is stocked annually and grows beautiful brook trout. The last time we sampled Kimball we were shocked at the number of trout and the size quality. You can expect to catch fish ranging from 8-18 inches!  It's a relatively small and shallow pond, and it's easily fished by a small carry-in boat or paddle craft.  

Fishing tip: The hot summer weather definitely changes fish behavior. If you want to maximize your catch you should focus your angling time to early morning and late evening. The low-light periods will provide the best opportunities to maximize your chances of catching your target species. Evenings on our local waters can be crazy in terms of fish activity. It can be incredible to watch the number of fish surfacing to feed on insects!

Reminders: This time of year, there are some basic ingredients to making a fishing excursion a little more enjoyable, especially with kids: sunscreen, insect repellent, water or other drinks, and small, packable snacks.

From Fisheries Resource Supervisor Greg Burr, 6/26/24

Where to fish:
The hot summer weather has set in Downeast and with it comes the warming of the surface waters in our lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams.  As such, our cold-water fish species like trout and salmon go deep and can be harder to catch.  Because of this many anglers turn their attention to warm-water fish species like bass, perch, and pickerel.  Here are my recommendations for smallmouth bass waters:  Meddybemps Lake in the town of Meddybemps, Big Lake in Greenlaw Chopping Twp., Grand Falls Flowage in Princeton, and Branch Lake in Ellsworth.  For trophy size smallmouth bass, I highly recommend the following waters:  Bearce Lake in Baring, Abrams Pond and Webb Pond in Eastbrook, Clifford Lake in T 26 ED, and Wabassus Lake in T 6 ND.

For white perch I recommend the following lakes and ponds:  Boyden's Lake in Perry, Big Lake in Greenlaw Chopping Twp., Second Gardner's Lake in Marion, Meddybemps Lake in Meddybemps, Third Toddy Pond in Surry, and Molasses Pond and Abrams Pond in Eastbrook. 

Fishing tip: My tip for the month is for anglers to try trolling with a dogger in the deep cold depths with your favorite trout, togue, or salmon lure trailing behind 18 inches.  Slow trolling this set up can produce terrific results.

Reminders: My reminder to anglers who go out fishing for trout or salmon in the summer months is that these cold-water species will descend below the thermocline.  This time of year, the thermocline with its cool water will be found 10 to 15 feet down.  Later in July and August the thermocline will be found 20 to 30 feet down.

Tight lines!

From Fisheries Resource Supervisor Liz Latti, 7/1/24

Where to fish: Summer has landed and with-it anglers are looking forward to time outdoors in Maine's "shortest season." Although much of the state has received recent heat waves and severe rainstorms causing flash flooding, the fish are still biting and any day on the water fishing is a good day! 

Anglers looking to troll a lake with no agenda of catching a trophy fish but rather experience tight lines should consider salmon fishing on either Mooselookmeguntic Lake or Aziscohos Lake. These lakes have liberal salmon regulations and easily reward anglers with the day's catch for dinner and the opportunity to catch a beautiful native brook trout.

Anglers looking for a hike in a pond should consider The Horns Pond off the Appalachian Trail. The pond is nestled on top of Bigelow Mountain in Wyman Township. The Horns Pond is one of few waters in the state that is stocked annually by hiking brook trout fry in a backpack to the water. The shortest trail, the fire warden trail intersects the AT for a total 4-mile hike to the pond's shoreline. The fishing trip can be coupled with an overnight stay at the Appalachian tent sites or lean-tos nearby. Anglers who don't have a float tube can easily wade out from the shore and still catch plenty of trout. The Pond isn't known for producing large trout but rather vibrant colored brook trout that will make any angler thrilled, especially after a 4-mile hike.

Upper East Richardson Pond in Adamstown Township provides a relatively easy access trout fishing experience for any level angler. The pond is 500 feet off the road, with a trail convenient to carry a canoe or kayak. Once there you'll find a remote feel with a lightly developed shoreline. The pond is stocked annually with 500 spring yearling brook trout and known for providing a fun day of fishing for multiple size classes.

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: Remember to keep an eye out while fishing Mooselookmeguntic Lake, Kennebago Lakes, and tributaries for yellow tags near the dorsal fin.  This is part of an ongoing research project in the region. If you're lucky enough to catch one of these tagged fish, biologists ask anglers to report the fish's unique number found on the tag, the fish's length, and catch location.

From Fisheries Resource Supervisor Tim Obrey, 6/27/24

Where to fish:
The water temperatures in the Moosehead Region are still cool as we begin the month of July.  This should extend some of the fly fishing opportunities for brook trout. Of course, the Hex hatch starts in late June or early July and this is a good time to hit your favorite trout pond just before sunset.  The big yellow mayflies will start popping around 7:30pm and last well after dark.  Big Wulff patterns are great this time of year.

If fly fishing isn't your bag, then trolling for lake trout and salmon can also be productive.  Try to locate the thermocline, which is usually about 25 to 30 feet deep on our bigger lakes and 12 to 15 feet on smaller waters.  You'll need a downrigger or lead line to reach them. Salmon like to hang out in the thermocline while lake trout may be just below it.  Waters like Moosehead, Chesuncook, and Sebec Lakes are steady producers and have good access sites.

Fishing tip: The river fishing can start to wane by the end of the month. The water temperatures on the East Outlet will be on the rise so the bigger fish will head upstream to Moosehead Lake.  There may be a few good ones around but expect a lot of smaller fish.  River anglers may want to head a little further north to the West Branch of the Penobscot below Rip Dam.  There should be some better fishing here, and there is plenty of room to spread out and find some virgin water to fish.

Reminders: Also, this is the time of year where we get calls about "fish kills" when in actuality people are seeing casings from Hexagenia mayflies that have recently hatched. So, if you see hundreds or even thousands of these little critters, do not be alarmed.  Instead grab your flyrod and head out on the water just before dark.  Certainly, whatever fish are in the pond will be actively feeding on these big mayflies.

From Fisheries Resource Supervisor Kevin Dunham, 6/28/24

Where to fish: Prime opportunities abound in July for warmwater species.  If smallmouth bass is your target, there are no shortage of destinations to be considered in the South Zone+ portion of Region F.  Pushaw Lake is handy to Bangor and offers great action for smallmouth bass as well as pickerel and white perch.  There are good boat launches in Glenburn and Orono.  With the recent hot weather and spawning activity, the smallmouth action should be second to none.  Perch (Mud) Pond in Old Town is another spot to try your luck at angling a smallmouth or two. An added incentive at Perch Pond is the potential to hook into some brook trout, early in the season before water temperatures warm too much. This is an ideal time to entice possible hold-over trout from our fall stocking, and bank-fishing is possible in many spots.

The Penobscot River and Stillwater River, a couple of more popular regional waters for smallmouth bass anglers, should offer some good bass action during July.  There are several options on both waters to either launch a boat or angle from shore. Stretches of free-flowing river and head ponds from Medway to Veazie provide ample opportunity for any type of angler. An underutilized section of the Penobscot river, the former Veazie dam head pond is easily accessed using the old boat launch in Eddington. Ample shoreline for angling access was exposed when the dam was removed in 2013.

Baxter State Park has some excellent wild brook trout ponds.  Though many of these ponds are rather remote and require a hike to get too, the payoff can often be brook trout in the 12-17" range.  Canoes are generally available at these remote ponds, check with Baxter State Park personnel for details.  Two such ponds, Lost Pond and Foss-Knowlton Pond, both in T3 R10 WELS can be accessed via a hiking trail from the Daicey Pond campground, though beware of construction vehicles this summer as the cabins at Daicey Pond are being renovated.  Both Lost Pond and Foss-Knowlton Ponds are restricted to Fly Fishing Only, with a 5 brook trout bag limit, 6" minimum length and only one of the trout may be over 14".  If you're looking for a trout pond with little to no hiking needed check out Rocky Pond and Round Pond in T2 R9 WELS.  Both are located just off the Baxter Park Tote Road and canoes are available at Round Pond.  Both ponds are stocked with brook trout and general law terminal tackle allowed.  There is a two brook trout, 6" minimum limit at both ponds.

Lower Sysladobsis Lake (Lakeville, T5 ND BPP) has given up some fine landlocked salmon in the 4-5 pound range so far this summer, and anglers able to troll deep should continue to have luck.  Finally, we have received numerous reports that anglers at Nesowadnehunk Lake are routinely catching some beautiful brook trout.  This lake, in T5 R11, T4 R11 and T10 R11, is a Fly Fishing Only water with an abundant brook trout population that is known for its fast action in the evenings during the green drake hatch.  All reports indicate angling this year is exceptional at Nesowadnehunk and the spectacular views from this waterbody are an added bonus.

Fishing tip: Now that the water has warmed up be sure to troll deep enough to get below the thermocline; usually at least 25 feet below the surface.  This is where landlocked salmon and splake will hang out and feed, in the cooler, well oxygenated water.  Down-riggers are ideal as they can place your line precisely where you want to be, but you can still get your lure below the thermocline if using lead-core line.  Just troll four or five colors at an easy speed and you'll have your bag limit before too long.   

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 Supervisor Frank Frost, 7/2/24

Where to fish: Northern Maine has entered the warmer days of summer which means a different set of angling opportunities awaits in the north country.  Evening fishing on trout ponds and dead waters along with brook fishing for wild trout are a major focus this time of year.  Insect hatches on trout ponds in the evenings and even into darkness can be intense and bring sport fish to the surface for great fishing action.  Northern Maine has an abundance of these waters scattered across Aroostook County.  Wading brooks and streams has nearly become a forgotten sport in recent years, so anglers can have miles and miles of flowing water all to themselves.  A cool, wet summer in 2023 means lots of brook trout in these habitats for 2024 and with the relatively wet summer and recent cool weather so far, anglers can find some great action on our brooks and streams. 

A few suggestions for anglers this time of year:

1. Salmon Brook, Washburn.  Lots of parking at the town park and an easy walk makes this a great water to wade for wild brook trout.  The dam removal completed in 2013 has resulted in some great pool habitat in the old impoundment area. Wading upstream from this point, anglers can also find some great habitat.
2. Beaver Brook, T13R5 WELS.  This is a large tributary to the Aroostook River.  Access is off a gravel road (Beaver Brook Road) from Route 11 between Ashland and Portage.  Anglers can wade up and downstream from the BBR bridge.  The best areas to fish this time of year are spring holes and mouths of cool tributaries. 
3. St. John River, Frenchville.  A modern boat launch off Route 1 a few miles north of downtown provides great access for boaters and bank anglers.  There are some great pool habitat both up and downstream of the launch that can be easily fished by wading.
4. Cross Lake, T16R5 WELS.  There is a well-maintained boat launch off Disy Road and Route 161 north of Stockholm.  This launch facility also has some bank angling opportunities off a gravel beach.  Brook trout and landlocked salmon can be caught here as well as several species of non-sport fish.

Fishing tip: Anglers should focus time very early in the morning and late in the day.  Sport fish tend to be active in low light conditions when water temperatures are elevated.  Early mornings are best since water temperatures tend to cool overnight making it a better time for fish to be actively feeding.

Reminders: Anglers should be aware there is a newly established population of invasive zebra mussels in the St. John River system.  Please see the information at this link for important information to help prevent the spread of this damaging new species: https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/fisheries/aquatic-invasive-species/zebra-mussels.html