Fishing Report

From Fisheries Resource Management Supervisor James Pellerin, 2/17/26

March is a great time to get out ice fishing, the days are getting longer and warmer.  If the weather holds anglers may get to ice fish for the whole month of March.  December through mid-February was extremely cold and most waters have had good ice, even Sebago Lake set up well by early February.  We haven't seen ice like this on Sebago Lake in about 6 years!  Anglers have had mixed results on the lake for togue, many anglers are reporting lots of activity on their fish finders, but the fish are often being finicky.  Lots of looks, but few committing to take the lure.  A few anglers have reported catches of 20-30 fish.  Jigging with sonar in water 70 ft or deeper is the preferred and most productive method on the lake.  Thompson, Mousam, and Great East Lakes are other good bets for lake trout.
 
Late season fishing can also be good for Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout as they are more resistant to winter angling and persist until the end.  Some good bets for Brown Trout include: Square P (Acton), Stearns P (Sweden), Hancock P (Denmark) Range Ponds (Poland), and Sabbathday Lake (New Gloucester).  Kennebunk P (Kennebunk), Stanley P (Hiram), Range Ponds (Poland), and Worthley P (Peru) all consistent producers for Rainbow Trout.  For rainbows, jig the weed beds or use worms/salmon eggs/ power bait just off bottom in water 10' or less.
 
March is a great time for bass and panfish, and they often seem to get a bit more active with increasing day length.  These species are the best option to introduce kids to ice fishing, they often provide fast action that keeps them interested and engaged.  Weedy coves and bays are productive areas for perch, pickerel and other fish and can be found on many of our medium to larger lakes.  Little Sebago Lake (Windham), Tripp P (Poland), Pennesseewassee Lake (Norway), Little Ossipee Lake (Waterboro), and Round P (Greenwood) are popular waters for warmwater fish.
 
There's no shortage of tips, tricks, or lures — but success comes from trying them. Experiment with different setups, locations, and species. The more you mix it up, the faster you'll learn what works for your fishing style.
 
At the time of this writing, the 25th Sebago Lake Rotary Derby just wrapped up.  Adam Hamilton of Derry, NH won 1st place in the lake trout category with a 38.75" laker that weighed 17.45 lbs.  There were lots of other winners and a full list can be seen on the organization's Facebook page.  This derby event works with MDIFW to encourage lake trout harvest to keep the salmon and togue populations in better balance.  In addition, they bring any unwanted lake trout to Nova Seafoods for processing, which are then distributed to those in need.  Lastly, funds raised are donated to local charities and nonprofit groups.  A fun time many, while supporting some great causes. 

Just a reminder to be cautious out there, particularly in March as the ice thins and shoreline areas that had the thickest ice early on may now be the thinnest due to warming conditions and heat absorption along the shore.  Other problem areas include:  causeways and any areas near flowing water open up fast with spring rain and thaw cycles; areas with large boulders above and below the ice, and shallow bars/points can also be prone to thinner ice.

From Fisheries Resource Supervisor Jason Seiders, 2/25/26

Young angler proudly holding
one of the many small lake trout he
caught recently on Sheepscot Pond.

Sheepscot Pond (Palermo): Sheepscot Pond has some of the best water quality in this central Maine region, and it supports some great trout fisheries. We stock a fair number of brook trout in Sheepscot, and we've seen great catches on those fish this winter. Additionally, Sheepscot supports a robust population of wild lake trout. There are some occasional large fish to be had, but it also has some fast action for smaller fish. They can be found virtually anywhere, but depths of 30-40 feet can be very productive. These are some really unique looking lake trout; almost black in coloration. Sheepscot has a small population of wild landlocked salmon, which is incredibly unique in this area.

Burbot (Cusk) Waters: This is a great time of year to target burbot, what most Mainers call cusk. We don't have a ton of burbot waters in central Maine, but we have a fair number of options. You probably won't catch a giant, but you can certainly catch enough to have a great time and bring some home for dinner. Here's a list of waters where we routinely see burbot:

• Wassookeag Lake
• Parker Pond (Fayette)
• Flying Pond (Vienna)
• Woodbury Pond
• Sand Pond
• Echo Lake (Fayette)
• Minnehonk Lake
• Great Moose Lake (Harmony) 
  

Fast Action Waters: March means warmer weather and nicer days, and those are great times to hit some waters where you can expect some fast action. March is a perfect time to get kids on the ice (as long as the ice remains safe) because you're far less likely to get complaints of cold feet! While you might find good numbers of fish on any given lake or pond, the list below contains some places where you'll usually have fast fishing for a variety of species.

• Beech Pond (Palermo): Pickerel
• Hermon Pond: Largemouth bass, Yellow Perch, Pickerel, panfish such as black crappie (an invasive fish with no size or bag limit), brook trout
• McGrath Pond (Oakland): Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Pickerel, White perch, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Brook Trout
• Taylor Pond (Fayette): Largemouth Bass, Pickerel, Yellow Perch
• Berry Pond (Wayne): Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Pickerel, White Perch, Yellow Perch
• Tolman Pond and Dam Pond (Augusta): Largemouth Bass, Pickerel, Yellow Perch
  

March is a really good time to target bass because they're feeding heavily before spawning season. Depths can vary depending on the water you're fishing, but largemouth fishing can be really good in 10-20 feet of water near vegetation, and look for smallmouth around rocky habitat in 20-feet or so. Jigging can be a really exciting method of catching bass through the ice because they put up a great fight on a jig rod.
 
March is a wonderful time to go ice fishing, but please use caution.  Warm weather means melting ice, so watch out for areas near rocks and points, and areas of flowing water. Spring is right around the corner, so you won't have too long to wait to get your "fishing fix" if the ice gets a bit sketchy.

From Fisheries Resource Supervisor Jake Scoville, 2-25/26

All of a sudden, we are in the back end of winter. February has come and gone, and overall, it was a great month for ice fishing here in Downeast. All the lakes in the region have had safe ice, and conditions on the lakes have been fairly good, given the amount of snow we received early in the month. I anticipate March being very favorable for late-season ice anglers.

Where to fish: I mentioned in the February fishing report that anglers should keep an eye out for Tunk Lake. Tunk is one of the last lakes in the state to freeze completely, and this winter, we are lucky to have safe ice on Tunk. Anglers are catching a good amount of smaller lake trout under 23 inches, and a few larger fish near 30 inches have been reported. Salmon have been caught that are pushing 23 inches. Given the rarity of the safe ice conditions, I would make this lake a priority if you are looking to fish Downeast. Harvesting some smaller lake trout would also benefit the fishery.

Beech Hill Pond in Otis is generally known for its lake trout fishery, but it is currently boasting one of the region's best salmon fisheries. An experimental regulation was put in place on Beech Hill several years ago, and anglers cannot keep salmon until March 1st. Now that March is here, anglers who fish for the salmon in Beech Hill shouldn't be surprised to see healthy salmon consistently around and over 20 inches.

If you are looking to change things up and don't mind catching some warm water fish along with a chance at a rainbow trout, you should try Jones Pond and Flanders Pond. These lakes are the only bodies of water in the Downeast region that have populations of stocked rainbow trout. Both lakes support a wide variety of warmwater fish, such as perch, pickerel, and bass, making them great places to take the family to chase flags.

Tips: Don't be afraid to move your spots. If the fishing is slow at first, don't just bank on the fish finding your bait; try moving depths or locations altogether. I have seen time and time again that new trap locations are how you can get on the fish if you don't have the patience to sit and wait all day. Don't forget to check your bait, too.
If targeting those pesky rainbow trout, try small hooks tipped with worms in shallow water. Near small tributaries is also a good bet.

Reminder: Thanks to a couple of large snowstorms, the Downeast lakes do have a lot of snow on them. This can make travel on the lakes or just accessing them in general difficult. Keep an eye out for slush. Many small waters already have significant slush, and as temperatures warm and the snow settles, slush may be an issue over much of the region by the middle of March.

From Fisheries Resource Supervisor Dylan Whitaker, 2/25/26

We've had a true, old-fashioned Maine winter so far, and many of our Region D waters have built up plenty of safe ice. Conditions should hold strong through the rest of the month. March is arguably the best time to be out there—days are getting longer, the sun feels a little warmer, and the temperatures are often much more manageable. Winter isn't done with us yet, so grab your tip-ups and get out on the hard water if you haven't already.

Sturtevant Pond is an adventure for those willing to travel toward the New Hampshire border. The pond requires a snowmobile ride, but its relatively undeveloped shoreline provides a great, remote atmosphere. It's stocked each fall with landlocked salmon and also offers fishing for pickerel, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch. Remember, this water is no live fish as bait.

Chain of Ponds, near the Canadian border, is known for being a cold, windy adventure in the early season. However, if the weather delivers one of those beautiful, calm, sunny March days—and you happen to have the day off—consider this water. As the name suggests, it's a chain of five ponds interconnected by thoroughfares. All five provide great fishing for an abundant wild landlocked salmon fishery, as well as stocked brook trout. While not common, there's even a chance you might stumble upon a cusk. Anglers typically focus on the lower four ponds (Natanis, Long, Bag, and Lower) as they offer better habitat for trout and salmon.

Western Maine isn't known for an abundance of cusk waters, but for anglers in the area looking to give it a try, there are a few options. Clearwater Pond in Industry and Embden Pond in Embden both offer opportunities to target cusk. As a bonus, both waters provide chances to catch stocked brook trout and landlocked salmon, as well as wild lake trout.

If you're targeting lake trout in March, fishing near known tributaries where smelt spawn can be productive. Smelt may begin congregating in preparation for spawning, and lake trout won't be far behind. With that in mind, always use caution—mouths of tributaries and shorelines are often the first areas to open up as spring approaches.

Fisheries Resource Biologist Stephen Seeback, 2/25/26

The ice fishing continues to be very good throughout the region. The word trickling in from anglers up north indicates the waters above Moosehead are fishing fine. Scattered reports from Allagash, Chamberlain, Chesuncook, and Lobster Lakes have been positive.

There are reports of excellent fishing on Allagash Lake. It seems the brook trout and lake trout are biting well. Hopefully anglers are keeping a few! We have seen pictures of nice salmon caught from Chesuncook Lake over the last few weeks. The salmon appeared to be in very good shape, which may be an indication that our liberalized bag limit is having a positive impact. Anglers are catching lake trout in the 18–25-inch range at Lobster Lake and some skinny salmon. Lobster Lake is now open to ice fishing through April.

Remember, we are encouraging anglers to keep a limit of lake trout in the following size ranges from Allagash Lake (2 fish, 18-inch min. length), Lobster Lake (2 fish, 18-23 inches), and Moosehead Lake (5 fish, less than 18 inches) to help reduce lake trout in these size-classes. On Maine's third largest lake, Chesuncook, we need anglers to harvest more of its robust salmon population of fish less than 16 inches. Take home as many as your cooler will hold!  Regulations on these waters focus the harvest on these size ranges and we need anglers to harvest a few more fish from each of them. Be sure to check water-specific regulations before heading out.

March is also an especially productive time to pursue cusk. The uptick in catch rates this month coincides with the cusk spawning season. Cusk spawn under the ice in late winter. Cusk get to the party late! Night fishing is typically most successful, as it aligns with the species' nocturnal feeding habits. Cusk can also be caught incidentally during daylight hours by anglers targeting other cold-water species. Anglers who locate spawning concentrations near sandy or gravelly shorelines, or around rocky shoals, often experience the best success. They can be found in the forementioned waters. After a day of harvesting lake trout, anglers can further their fishing experience into the evening by switching tactics and targeting those rocky and gravely areas in water less than 25 feet. This species has developed a strong following the last few years and earned a spot on many angler's bucket list. If cusk is on your radar, March is the best chance to check it off the list!

Hopefully the warmer longer days of March will inspire anglers to get outdoors after an extremely cold January and February.  With any luck you will pick a "Blue Bird T-Shirt Day", without a hint of wind.

Fisheries Field Biologist Chris Introne, 2/17/2026

With March knocking on the doorstep, anglers can expect some much more comfortable "t-shirt weather" temperatures in the not-too-distant future. With the cold start to the winter, we expect favorable ice conditions to last well into the month of March, providing an excellent opportunity to bust out your sunglasses and jig sticks, and enjoy a full day on the hardwater (without your boots freezing to the ice)!

Where to fish: This winter we have been encouraging anglers to get out and fish Schoodic Lake, in Lake View PLT to help reduce the overabundant lake trout population that has significantly reduced the size quality of both landlocked salmon and lake trout within the lake. Recent creel surveys have shown that the anglers are indeed doing their part! We have seen good catch rates and numerous parties well into double digit numbers on harvested lake trout.

Right next door to Schoodic Lake, Seboeis Lake in T4 R9 NWP is another cold-water fishery that has been fishing exceptionally well. Anglers are reporting fast splake and landlocked salmon fishing, with good size quality due to the abundant smelt population within the lake. Additionally, there are plenty of white perch and pickerel flags to keep the whole family busy all day long.

For anglers looking to target a species not often caught during the open water fishing season, late February through mid-March is the perfect time to target cusk. This coincides with their spawning season, and they can often be stacked in heavy numbers in areas with sandy or gravelly bottoms. Because of their nocturnal feeding habits, fishing at night will produce more fish. Cold Stream Pond in Enfield, Millinocket Lake in T1 R8 WELS, and East Grand Lake in Danforth are a few of the more prestigious cusk waters within the region.

Fishing tip: Because cusk feed at night they rely on their barbels to detect vibrations and their nostrils to smell out their next meal. Cusk are generally bottom feeders and won't hesitate eating live or dead bait. Try leaving a bag of dead shiners out on the counter the day before you go fishing to give them a little extra "ripeness".  An irresistible scent for an opportunistic species such as cusk.

Reminders: With the warmer temperatures and sunny skies that come with March ice fishing, be aware that ice conditions can deteriorate quickly. Sometimes from the time you put on the ice, to the time you get off. Use caution when venturing in and around exposed rocks, and shorelines, as these areas are generally the first to melt. Melting snow and ice also means slush. Make sure you are aware of the lake conditions before venturing out via snowmobile or 4-wheeler. Getting stuck in a deep pocket of slush is a quick way to ruin a fun day.

Fisheries Resource Biologist Jeremiah Wood, 2/24/26

The cold weather and lack of snow in northern Maine this winter have created ideal ice conditions heading into March, setting us up for some excellent late season ice fishing. For anglers looking to take advantage of the longer days and mild weather this time of year, a backcountry ice fishing adventure might be ideal.
 
Big Eagle Lake is a 9500 acre lake within the Allagash Wilderness Waterway that provides excellent angling opportunity for brook trout and lake trout. The lake is reached via long stretches of logging road from either Ashland or Millinocket. Several winter access points exist around the lake, most requiring a short snowmobile ride. Big Eagle has numerous tributary streams, and brook trout fishing is often best near the mouths of these, including Snare Brook, Soper Brook, Indian Stream and Woodman Brook. Lake trout fishing is usually most effective in deeper water – 30 to 50 feet, using live bait at varying depths.
 
For a backcountry experience without the long drive, Scopan Lake in Masardis provides the opportunity to fish for splake, smelts, salmon and brook trout. In addition to the annual allotment of splake, we stocked a large number of salmon and brook trout in Scopan this year due to program adjustments and hatchery surplus fish.
 
Several reservoirs in eastern Aroostook County are now open to ice fishing and are regularly stocked with brook trout. Durepo and Trafton lakes in Limestone and Monson Pond in Fort Fairfield are great places to enjoy a short fishing trip with the family. Be sure to consult the fish consumption advisories in our rulebook when considering keeping fish from Durepo.
 
Tips: This is the time of year when bait shops usually run into difficulty keeping live baitfish in stock. If planning to purchase bait, call ahead to confirm its availability, and remember that worms can often be a great substitute, particularly when targeting brook trout.