A 76-year-old man from Lanesborough, Mass., died in an apparent drowning on Thursday. His body was located at approximately 10 a.m. today (Friday) by a Portland Water District employee who offered to help in the search.

Richard Robinson, 76, was last seen trolling in his boat at approximately 6 p.m. Thursday on Sebago Lake in Raymond, and a passerby spotted his empty boat a half-hour later.

The Maine Warden Service and local agencies searched for Mr. Robinson until approximately 11 p.m. Thursday, and resumed their search this morning. The Portland Water District employee, Rod Beaulieu, asked if he could help and eventually found Mr. Robinson in the lake off of Hollister Point Road in Raymond, between Frye Island and the mainland, according to Maine Warden Service Lt. Adam Gormely.

The Maine Medical Examiner’s Office will examine Mr. Robinson to determine a cause of death.

Assisting the Maine Warden Service in its search were Raymond Fire and Rescue, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Cumberland County Dive Team, and Windham, Standish, Casco, Gorham, and Frye Island fire departments, as well as numerous volunteers.

Mike Jones of Farmington, Maine wins Drift Boat Championship

The weather was superb and the excitement was high for the Upper Andro Anglers Alliance Two-Fly Contest and Drift Boat Championship. As the photo shows, the morning began on the foggy side but soon cleared out for a great time.

Wende Gray, spokesperson and organizer of the event, said, “Everyone had a super, duper time and I think we’ll double the number of entrants next year.”

In the Two-Fly Contest:

Winner of the Largest Fish – Tyler Gammon, fishing from the Northern Outdoors boat.

Runner Up – Mike Jones, Farmington. Mike was fishing in the Fly Rod & Reel Magazine boat.

Winner of Largest Catch – Chad Hughes, Camden. Chad represented the Fly Rod & Reel Magazine crew.

Runners Up – George Smith, Augusta. George was fishing in the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine craft.

Kevin Carleton, Norway. Kevin was fishing in the Schiavi Home Builders boat.

Teams and boat sponsors were as follows:

Fly Rod & Reel Magazine
Mike Jones, Oarsman
Joe Healy, angler
Chad Hughes, angler

Northern Outdoors
Chris Russell, Oarsman
John Williams, angler
Tyler Gammon, angler

Skinny Moose Media
Bob Dionne, Oarsman
Kevyn Fowler, angler
Steve Minich, angler

Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine
Bill Pierce, Oarsman
George Smith, angler
Doug Rafferty, angler

Gray Ghost Productions
Carter Davidson, Oarsman
Luke Gray, angler
Brad Jerome, angler

Kenworth
Stephanie Percival, Oarsman
Joanne Hicks, angler
J.D. Percival, angler

Schiavi Home Builders
Scott Stone, Oarsman
Mark Hiebert, angler
Kevin Carleton, angler

Results of the Drift Boat Championship:

First Place: time of 7 minutes 25 seconds Mike Jones, Farmington

2nd place : time of 7 minutes 35 seconds, Scott Stone, Bethel

3rd Place: time of 8 minutes 21 seconds, Chris Russell, The Forks

1/4 mile course from Bethel Outdoor Adventures to Davis Park, circling two buoys

Photo by Phil Savignano
Winners of the First Annual Northeast Drift Boat Championships held Sunday, September 21 on the Androscoggin River in Bethel are (left to right) Third Place, Chris Russell, The Forks, representing Northern Outdoors; First Place, Mike Jones, Farmington, representing Fly Rod & Reel Magazine; and Second Place, Scott Stone, Bethel, representing Schiavi Home Builders. The oarsmen raced for the fastest time over a 1/4 mile course from Bethel Outdoor Adventures to Davis Park navigating three buoys and carrying an angler who was required to remain standing throughout the race. The winning time was 7 minutes and 25 seconds.

Tom Remington

AUGUSTA – Former Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife marketing specialist Bill Pierce recently was named a recipient of the prestigious L.L. Bean 2008 Outdoor Heroes award.

Mr. Pierce, who worked at the Department from 1999 until April 2008, was nominated by Fisheries Division Director John Boland. He now works at the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust.

The L.L. Bean Outdoor Heroes Program was developed to thank individuals who have dedicated their time to preserving the outdoors and encouraging the use of recreational outdoor space.

Winners are awarded a $5,000 grant towards their organization to support continued preservation, conservation and educational efforts. IF&W will apply the grant to its youth fishing and education programs.

“The award honors those people who make a difference in the world around us – the one we enjoy today and the world that we will pass along to our children and their children,” said Mike Gawtry, project line manager for hunting and fishing at L.L. Bean.

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is grateful to L.L. Bean for its continuous support of its conservation, and youth fishing and education programs.

“Bill’s love of Maine’s great outdoors is evident in his never-ending enthusiasm to share its fishing and hunting opportunities with others, and the programs he developed while at the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife could be viewed as an invitation for all to go outside and play,” said Commissioner Roland “Danny” Martin. “We thank our partner L.L. Bean for recognizing the dedication we saw in Bill, and for its generous donation to our programs that bring outdoors opportunities to Maine’s youth.”

Among Mr. Pierce’s accomplishments:
* Airing hunting and fishing information on Maine Turnpike Radio;
* Creating and posting hunting, fishing and outdoors safety informational videos on www.mefishwildlife.com, and e-mailing the videos to tens of thousands of people;
* Branding IF&W’s logo on merchandise that is sold through the internet and private partnerships, including one with L.L. Bean, which raises thousands of dollars for conservation and education programs;
* Pitching Maine’s outdoors and recreational opportunities to outdoors writers, sporting magazines and television shows, thus giving Maine international exposure and drawing visitors to the state.
* Establishing corporate partnerships with several companies, including L.L. Bean, that have generated funds for IF&W projects such as the Outdoors Partners trailer, fishing and hunting publications, wild trout initiatives, and threatened and endangered species programs.

“Maine is now a destination for hunters and anglers from across the nation due in part because of Bill’s work with local and national television, radio, web, and print-based media,” Gawtry said. “Anglers, hunters, birdwatchers understand the management programs and needs of IF&W due to Bill’s work.”

Mr. Pierce said he is grateful for the Outdoor Heroes award, noting that “the Department’s mission of managing Maine’s fish and wildlife resources – and the resources themselves – are such wonderful things to promote.”

“I am grateful to be honored by L.L. Bean with this award, but any success I have enjoyed is largely due to the hard work of my friends and co-workers at IF&W,” Pierce said. “I am truly blessed to have worked with a lot of very special people in the main office, the regional staff and the Maine Warden Service. Those folks are the real Outdoor Heroes.”

Former Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife marketing specialist Bill Pierce (second from right) celebrates receiving a L.L. Bean 2008 Outdoor Heroes Award with (from left) Mike Gawtry, product line manager for hunting and fishing, IF&W Deputy Commissioner Paul F. Jacques, IF&W Fisheries Division Director John Boland and IF&W Commissioner Roland “Danny” Martin, during a recent ceremony at L.L. Bean.

Tom Remington

AUGUSTA – Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife biologists have retrieved a non-native koi/carp from Pickerel Pond in Limerick and have received reports that there may be at least one other in this particular body of water.

Koi, which is the Japanese term for carp, is an invasive species that can survive and reproduce in Maine’s waters and cause devastating harm to the state’s native fish species, aquatic plant life, and the quality of water.

Based on public reports, it is believed the koi was introduced into Pickerel Pond earlier this summer, but it is not known how it got there. IF&W was alerted to the koi by Limerick Town Selectman Dean Lepage and resident Ilene Dashner, and these reports prompted a quick response from fisheries biologists who hope their efforts will reduce the risk of the koi taking over the pond.

“We’re very concerned about the illegal introduction of this non-native, destructive species into one of Maine’s lakes and have begun an all-out assault to minimize any harm it may cause,” said Commissioner Roland “Danny” Martin. “Fishing has a nearly $300 million a year economic impact in Maine. Illegal fish introductions not only can ruin native fisheries, but can impact businesses such as stores, camps and restaurants.”

The three-pound koi was captured on Sept. 10 when IF&W fisheries biologists Francis Brautigam and Jim Pellerin deployed the Department’s 18-foot electrofishing boat. Electrofishing is a process that generates an electric current to temporarily stun nearby fish, allowing them to be netted for identification. This particular koi/carp was orange with a black spot on its head and had white-fringed fins. Reports to the biologists suggest there may be a second koi, which is predominantly white in color, and possibly others.

To eradicate or control the infestation in Pickerel Pond, the Department will:
* Contact shorefront property owners, town officials and those who manage water access to Pickerel Pond and request their assistance in the timely reporting of any additional koi that may be present. Where possible, we’ll request public assistance in catching and removing koi;
* Install a screen at the pond outlet to prevent migration from Pickerel Pond into Little Ossipee River subdrainage, including downstream Lake Arrowhead;
* Conduct additional koi removal efforts, particularly in response to timely reported sightings of koi.

A koi can grow to greater than 50 pounds. A small koi similar to the one found in Pickerel Pond may produce in excess of 36,000 eggs. In contrast, a similar-sized native brook trout may produce only 1,200 eggs.

Koi and other nonnative fish transported into Maine also may carry parasites and diseases not currently found in Maine which may be harmful to native fisheries.

Koi or carp feed on both aquatic plants and animals. The species commonly suck up bottom sediments and muck and then spit out the material to select desirable food items, including aquatic insects and mollusks.

“This disruptive feeding behavior is detrimental to native plant and fish populations in part because this feeding behavior increases the turbidity of the water and reduces light penetration,” according to Brautigam. “They uproot and destroy native submerged aquatic plants important as food, cover and spawning habitat for native fish and other aquatic organisms.”

Their behavior also reduces local wildlife populations, including waterfowl, by degrading marsh habitat important for wildlife production.

Koi may be easily confused with the closely related goldfish, although koi may grow to a much larger size. This size advantage allows koi to create even more significant ecological impacts. The presence of small “barbels” or whiskers along the margin of the mouth is found on koi and is used to distinguish koi from goldfish.

It has been illegal to possess koi in Maine for more than 25 years. Maine law states that a person may not introduce, import or transport fish into the state without a permit, nor may someone have in their possession fish that were imported or transported without a permit. Possession is a Class E crime with fines ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.

“Invasive fish not only threaten our native fisheries, they have already changed things forever in places like the Rapid River, Moosehead Lake, Long Pond, and more recently the Penobscot River and Sebago Lake,” according to Brautigam. “Once koi or other invasive fish establish a reproducing population there is little that can be done to eradicate or control the infestation.”

As an example, the proliferation of pike, also an exotic species, is threatening Atlantic salmon, an endangered species, in the Penobscot River, and will ultimately have a negative impact on the native Eastern brook trout and landlocked salmon in this drainage.

Who introduced the koi to Pickerel Pond and why is not known. Any information regarding the illegal introduction should be directed to Operation Game Thief at 1-800-253-7887 or #GW or *GW from a cell phone.

This Fishing Report is written by biologists at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and is produced bi-weekly during summer months. For more information about fishing in Maine, visit IF&W’s Web site at www.mefishwildlife.com.

Region A – Southwestern Maine

Fall fishing season is here, and it is certainly one of my favorite times of the year to get out there and wet a line. There’s nothing like fishing for landlocked salmon and brookies on a cool, crisp fall morning, while enjoying the striking reds, oranges, and yellows of the surrounding foliage.

Many anglers think the Department’s annual stocking season is over by late spring and for the most part they are correct. However, southern Maine also has a relatively large fall stocking program where many of our rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds are stocked with larger sized trout and salmon. The following rivers have good fall stocking programs and extended fall fishing seasons that make them a popular choice among local anglers: the Presumpscot River (Rte. 35 area in Windham), the Saco River (below Skelton and Bar Mills Dams), and the Royal River (below Elm St. in Yarmouth). In addition, don’t forget to give the sea-run brown trout rivers (Ogunquit, Mousam, and Salmon Falls) in York County a try. The Crooked River is a good bet for quality landlocked salmon in a riverine setting, but be prepared to have some fishless days. The Crooked is over 60 miles long and the salmon can quickly disperse in this large river system, which can make for some spotty fishing. On the other hand, you’ll have an opportunity to catch some decent 3- to 5-pound salmon!

Many of our lakes and ponds also receive fall stockings and most are open until the end of October or even as late as the end of November. Check out last year’s stocking report on our website (www.maine.gov/ifw) to get an idea where we typically plant fall stocked fish. Fall anglers have the first crack at these fall stocked beauties, which typically run in the 12- to 15-inch range for fall yearlings and up to several pounds for the brood fish. Although few anglers take advantage of the extended seasons, those hard core anglers that do have reported some great days of fishing.

Regional Fisheries and Wildlife staff, as well as, volunteers from the Town of Denmark have completed a new carry-in access site to Pleasant Pond. Pleasant Pond is a shallow, weedy 239-acre water located in the Towns of Brownfield, Denmark, and Fryeburg. The pond offers great opportunities for warmwater fishing, waterfowl hunting, canoeing/kayaking, and wildlife viewing. Previously, the only way for the public to access the pond was by paddling up the outlet from the Saco River or via permissive trespass over private property.

The recreation committee at the Town of Denmark reminded us that our wildlife management area had over 1,000 feet of frontage on the pond, and requested MDIFW to develop some sort of carry-in access. This is an excellent example of how different organizations can come together to accomplish a meaningful and worthwhile project. Two MDIFW Divisions (Fisheries and Wildlife), the Town of Denmark’s road commission, and volunteers from the Town’s recreation committee all pitched in to provide labor, equipment, materials, and funding for the project. The site now has an improved access road off the Walker Falls Road, a gravel parking area for 4-6 vehicles, and a 500-foot mulched trail down to the pond. MDIFW would like to thank the Town, the recreation committee, and the various volunteers that helped make this project a success.

This is the last regional fishery write-up for the openwater season, but we’ll be back to keep you posted during the winter months. In the meantime, our wildlife staff will be writing informative articles throughout the various fall hunting seasons.

– James Pellerin, Assistant Regional Fishery Biologist, Gray

Region B – Central Maine

The fall air is now beginning to cast its spell on surface water temperatures in the central Maine region. With these changes come many fishing opportunities for both warm and coldwater game fish.

Bass will start to concentrate and begin to seek out their wintering grounds as water temperatures begin to cool. Both species of bass will over winter in habitat that consists of abrupt drop offs and rocky shoals at desirable depths. While bass seek out these wintering refuges their need for food is crucial to survive the long Maine winter. Although bass can become more lethargic as the cooling process extends into the winter months, bass will not pass up an easy meal, particularly when small jigs are retrieved very slowly around these wintering grounds.

Other warm water game fish like perch and crappie will also be preparing for the Maine winter that lies ahead. These species can be seen in schools, feeding on or near the surface, particularly during the evening hours when the winds die down. Try casting small spinners and jigs towards these schools of fish when seen feeding on the surface. Other good spots that should not be over looked would consist of slow moving water between two bodies of water usually consistent with some type of crossings or bridge.

Trout and salmon will begin to seek out inlets and outlets of lakes and ponds for the fall spawn.
Moving water can be the trigger to success for fall salmonid fishing. Small or large plugs, spoons and flies retrieved in a jerky motion will normally induce a salmonid to take. Trolling or casting at the mouths of any brook or stream that enters into a lake or pond will also increase your chances for success.

– Scott Davis, Fisheries Biologist Specialist, Sidney

Region C — Downeast

As stream and brook water temperatures decline in Downeast Maine, brook trout will disperse from their spring-influenced summer refugia areas and take up residence in feeding slots all through some of our best trout streams. From now until the end of the month is the optimum time to take advantage of actively feeding trout adorned in their beautiful spawning colors. Remember that most of our rivers, brooks, and streams close to fishing after Sept. 30 to protect spawning trout and salmon. Until then, artificial lures may be used, and I recommend the following terminal tackle for terrific fall brook trout action: For the fly fishing anglers, it’s hard to beat the black ghost and marabou Muddler streamer flies. For the spin fishermen, some of the best lures I have found are the rainbow or copper-colored Phoebe and the yellow and black Panther Martin spinner.

Here are the waters I recommend for terrific fall brook trout fishing: Old Stream – T 31 MD; Pleasant River – Deblois; Mopang Stream – T 24 MD; Crooked River – T 30 MD; Tomah Stream – Waite; and Chandler River – Jonesboro.

We hope you are able to get out and enjoy this time of year. Good luck and be safe!

– Greg Burr, Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist, Jonesboro

Region D – Western Mountains

The last two weeks of September provide some of the best fishing of the year. Temperatures are cool, there are few biting bugs to contend with, and the scenery is increasingly spectacular. But, best of all, salmon and trout respond to the cooler temperatures with increased activity in preparation for their spawning runs. They frequently congregate at the mouths of streams, waiting for a flush of water to induce them to move upstream. It’s not the time of year to harvest many of these fish, as their true value is in reproduction. That fact is reflected in regulations which limit the number kept or restrict fishing to catch and release only. Nonetheless, anglers have a great time catching and releasing these fish, which tend to be highly colored and full of fight.

And so the season changes for us also. During the summer months much of our sampling is done by gillnet; more recently we have been electrofishing streams to make annual comparisons of population abundance. Not surprisingly, with several good water years behind us, fish populations in streams are thriving. Soon we’ll be turning our efforts to fall trapnetting, wherein we’re able to sample large numbers of trout and salmon, collect our information, and release them unharmed. This fall we plan to work on Rangeley Lake, the Richardson Lakes, Varnum Pond in Temple, and Little Jim Pond in Jim Pond Township. We’ll let you know how we do.

– Forrest Bonney, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Strong

Region E – Mooseshead Lake

The Fisheries Staff in Greenville has been busy once again this summer making our way to a few of the many unsurveyed ponds we have in the Moosehead Region. Our objective was to try and survey five waters that are zoned as Remote Ponds. Everyone seems to have heard of remote ponds and many think that these ponds are ponds located out in the middle of nowhere. Well, this is partly true. Many are in fact located in areas that are very challenging to get to as our experience this summer proved. However, many of the remote ponds in the Moosehead area have road systems that run very close to the pond. This is where the Maine Land Use Regulatory Commission (LURC) comes in. The early to mid-1970’s was a time when much of the Maine North Woods was being opened up by many new road networks, brought about by the large-scale wood salvage operations resulting from the spruce budworm infestation of Maine’s spruce-fir forests. LURC and MDIFW fisheries biologists worked together to identify ponds in the north woods that were deemed worthy of additional protection. By protecting or zoning a pond as remote, this resulted in limiting vehicle access to within a half-mile of the pond. Such limitations resulted in the installation of gates, the removal of culverts or bridges, or placing large boulders across a road to prevent the passage of cars or trucks.

In the Moosehead Region 123 ponds were zoned as remote. Many of these ponds had not been scientifically surveyed, that is, our knowledge of their trout fisheries was based on the reports of anglers. Due to time and resource constraints it was not possible to conduct scientific surveys to corroborate the presence of trout fisheries in these waters in the short period of time they were being designated for zoning. It was determined that it would be best to protect these resources while we could. The ponds would be surveyed as time and resources allowed.

In 2005 the Legislature proposed and IFW supported the designation of the Brook Trout as one of Maine’s Heritage Fish. MDIFW identified 305 Heritage waters (often called “A” list waters), i.e. ponds supporting principal fisheries for brook trout but having no record of stocking. Legislation was enacted to provide special protection for these unique waters. Later MDIFW identified nearly 300 additional waters that support self-sustaining populations of brook trout that had been stocked but not within the past 25 years (called “B” list waters). The Fisheries Division recognized the value of this latter resource by developing through policy an appropriate level of protection for “B” list waters. Based on this research it was determined that the Moosehead Region has 144 trout waters that fall into the “A” category and 99 that are on the “B” list. Many of these ponds are zoned remote and some have never been surveyed by a biologist.

As a science-based resource agency we are actively involved in revising/updating our data to provide the public with the most accurate picture we can and to provide the basis for sound fisheries management. And so, over the past two summers we have surveyed 24 ponds in Region E, of which 17 were on the A or B lists. We will continue to monitor these waters in an effort to better manage this important resource.

– Jeff Bagley, Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist, Greenville

Region F — Penobscot

After a full summer of lake and pond surveys the fisheries staff here in Region F are gearing up for the fall field season, primarily trap netting. Fall is an opportune time to sample the salmonid populations of our large lakes, as trout and salmon are responding to their natural instinct to spawn and are cruising the shorelines in search of spawning habitat and mates.

Trap nets, set at strategic locations around a lake, intercept fish which end up in the box part of the net. Trap netting is a non-lethal method of sampling, which means after the biological data (length, weight, and scales for aging) is collected from each fish it is then released alive back to the lake, hopefully to be enjoyed in the future by anglers. Typically we try to sample at least 30 fish for each of our target species, usually landlocked salmon, lake trout, and brook trout.

Depending on water temperature and timing it may take one or more weeks at each lake to collect the fish that we need. However our goal is to get our sample quickly and move on to the next lake, as our window of opportunity ends with the onset of cold weather, generally around Nov. 1.

The growth data that we collect from these fish helps us determine if the current regulations are effective for meeting our fishery management goals and for our stocked waters if the stocking rates need to be adjusted. In addition to our field work, fishery staff will be analyzing data collected from the summer lake and pond surveys and writing reports and recommendations based on those reports.
Cooler nights and fall rains mean lake temperatures are coming down, and fish are moving up into shallower water to feed and prepare for fall spawning. Fishing for landlocked salmon and brook trout in September can be as good as early season fishing just after ice out. The difference is the fall fish should be in prime condition having fattened up over the summer on smelt and other forage. Male salmon and brook trout are on full display with hooked jaws and brilliant colors as they are preparing for the fall spawning season and should you be lucky enough to hook into one, be ready to hang on for they are full of vigor this time of year. Salmon lakes around the Penobscot Region worth a try this fall include East Grand, East Musquash, Lower Sysladobsis, Junior, Duck, West, Schoodic, Pleasant (Island Falls), Matagamon Lakes, and Cold Stream Pond. Brook trout waters are spread throughout the region; however the majority are located in upper third of Penobscot County, especially in and around Baxter State Park.

Good luck this fall – before you know it we’ll be pulling snowmobiles out getting ready for the first ice fishing trip of the year!

– Richard Dill, Fisheries Biologist, Enfield

Region G – Aroostook County

Nadeau Lake, Fort Fairfield, was surveyed on Aug. 29 by biologists from the Ashland Headquarters. Routine lake surveys include a series of transects to determine water depths, which results in a depth map commonly used by anglers and boaters, water quality, and of course fish sampling. What was unique for this survey was that Nadeau hasn’t been a lake since 1970. In 2007, thirty-seven years after the lake was drained for mining, the MDIF&W built an outlet dam restoring the historic water level. This effort culminated seven years of work by the MDIF&W to improve trout habitat and create a wild brook trout fishery in Eastern Aroostook County.

In 2001 a 33-acre parcel was purchased adjacent the lake for a future public access; later that year an access road, concrete boat ramp, and parking area was constructed on the new property. Over the next several years several habitat improvement projects, funded in part by Trout Unlimited, Trout and Salmon Foundation, Maine DEP, and the Sport Fish Restoration Fund, were completed with the goal of enhancing brook trout production. These projects focused on deepening the future lake, providing cover for adult and juvenile trout, providing spawning habitat, and increasing cold-water inlets. During dam construction in 2007 the low water provided ideal conditions for a chemical reclamation, a process of applying the organic compound rotenone to remove all fishes. The reclamation removed brown bullhead, white sucker, and several minnow species that would compete with brook trout for food. These projects all add to the very productive, limestone-based water quality of the Lake and will significantly increase trout production.

During the fall of 2007, as the lake was filling behind the new dam, the MDIF&W transferred 310 wild brook trout from a nearby waterway. These trout will be the stock from which to build a new population of wild trout at Nadeau Lake. These trout were mostly one-year-old or less, averaged 3.4 inches in length, and weighed less than half an ounce. During our most recent survey, we were able to sample 20 of these trout and found that growth, as expected, was extremely good. The trout had increased in length to 7-12 inches (average, 9.7) and increased in weight to over 6 ounces.

Because of the fast growth all trout that we observed were sexually mature indicating that they will spawn in 2008, good news for our efforts to establish a wild population.

Contrary to what some anglers think, Nadeau Lake is open to fishing at this time. While we try to establish a new trout population, regulations are conservative (two trout daily bag limit), and to maintain high quality habitat in the future the use or possession of live fish as bait is not allowed.

Anglers wishing to angle from a boat will find ample parking

and a concrete ramp but a 10 horsepower restriction is in effect; those anglers fishing from shore will find a convenient bank angling area.

– Frank O. Frost, Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist, Ashland

The Maine Two-Fly Contest and Drift Boat Championships will be held this weekend, September 20 and 21 and Skinny Moose Media will sponsor a boat featuring to local Maine media people. The drift boat, supplied by Sun Valley Sports in Bethel, Maine, will have its oarsman, Nate Wight, a local guide. Fishing will be Steve Minich, sports anchor for the local ABC affiliate News Channel 8. The second angler will be Kevyn Fowler, a videographer from News Channel 8.

We are proud to be able to sponsor a boat for this event. I believe there is still time to enter a team if you haven’t already. I also encourage everyone to take in the event as well. Following the Two-Fly will be the Drift Boat competition which will be easily visible from several locations near town. Awards and a ceremony will also be held in conjunction with the local Harvest Fest.

The event is organized and run as a fund raising event by the Upper Andro Anglers Alliance. The UAAA is made up of a group of individuals and business owners interested in promoting the river as a valuable Maine natural resource and asset to the local economy as well as the state of Maine.

Visit the UAAA website for more information, maps and details of the event.

Tom Remington

Some of you may have noticed that at the top of the page there is an ad banner from one of our new sponsors, Sportsmans Gear Daily. Not only am I encouraging you to visit our sponsor for obvious reasons, you should also check them out for the unbelievable deals they have on a daily basis.

From what I understand, everyday they post up a new product at a ridiculously low price. Visit the site by clicking on the banner above, or right here, and then bookmark it. Make it one of your daily or regular surfing habits to go there and see what deal is being offered each day.

I appreciate your consideration and I know Sportsmans Gear Daily will as well.

Tom Remington

Yesterday, the ranking member of the U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee, Don Young of Alaska (R), addressed the House on the Democrats’ proposed energy bill (see video below). Congressman Young said, “The Democrat Leadership of this body has been asleep at the switch, and the result is an energy train wreck. Is anyone surprised we have record energy prices, record energy imports, and failing economy?”

In a press release received today, Young states that this bill was “conceived in the cocktail parties of San Francisco and Manhattan” and further claims no hearings were held on the bill and democrats are trying to rush the bill through Congress before anyone can discover what the bill really is. Young said that no one knows who the father of the bill is and called it illegitimate.

Aside from the “politics as usual”, Young, having shared with fellow House members that he read all 500 pages of the bill the night before, lays out what he believes this bill will do.

1. Contains massive increases in fees on America’s oil and gas producers – fees that will increase energy prices.

2. Contains a leasing provision that risks shutting down the Gulf of Mexico oil and gas industry.

3. Permanently closes 88 percent of the undiscovered oil resources in the Outer Continental Shelf of the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts.

4. Permanently closes potentially huge oil and gas deposits in Georges Bank at the same time as Canada is thinking of leasing it.

5. Does not permit revenue sharing with States, so States have no incentive to permit energy production.

Young further says the bill completely excludes any drilling in ANWR.

Young blames Congress for allowing the environmentalist for taking over this country’s energy policy beginning back in 1973.

Since 1973, environmental groups have slowly taken over the energy policy of this country. Is anyone surprised we have record energy prices, record energy imports, and failing economy?

On October 1st, the 26-year moratorium this country has faced on drilling for oil in the Outer Continental Shelf will expire. Congressman Young is urging his Congressional peers to do nothing and allow the moratorium to expire.

Polls have indicated that an overwhelming majority of Americans want to see drilling, an expansion of our own energy resources while working toward alternative energy and independence from foreign oil. This bill is the solution proposed by the democrats.

Here you can watch and listen to Congressman Young’s address before the House of Representatives yesterday.

Tom Remington

MAPLETON – The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife confirms that an 11-year-old young man from Mapleton has caught a record-setting Arctic Charr, breaking a 35-year-old record.

Carter McLaughlin, 11, of Mapleton, caught the charr on Aug. 20 at Pushineer Pond in T15 R9. According to IF&W Assistant Fisheries Biologist Frank Frost, who measured the fish, the record-setter was 25.4 inches in total length and weighed 5.24 pounds.

The previous record weighed 4 pounds, 4 ounces and was 22-3/8-inches long. It was caught by Merton Wyman of Belgrade on Basin Pond on May 5, 1973.

What makes this fish a “truly incredible catch” is its overall size and weight as well as the fact that it was caught in one of Maine’s 12 native charr waters, according to Peter Bourque, a supervisor in IF&W’s Fisheries Division. The previous record (1973) was taken from a then-newly introduced population of Arctic Charr, which also are known by the name “blueback trout.” New introductions tend to seek out new niches where they will often grow beyond normal sizes, Bourque said.

According to IF&W records, the fish that was caught in 1973 was one of 27 adult “bluebacks” stocked in Basin Pond in 1969. The 27 adult fish originally came from Wadleigh Pond in Piscataquis County and were part of a fishery research project to perpetuate the blueback trout in waters other than those in which they occurred naturally.

Tom Remington

There were 66,476 applicants for an Any-Deer Permit from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. 51,850 were lucky enough to be drawn, a list that had been substantially reduced due to a very severe winter last year. You can find the results of that lottery by visiting the MDIFW website.

There are a couple of changes that hunters and permit winners should be aware of. In the past, MDIFW mailed to you your permit which included a transportation tag. That will not happen this year. Instead, hunters need to go to the MDIFW website and check the results. If you are a winner, write down the number of your permit. This number needs to be written down on your regular hunting license. If you should get checked by a warden, the warden will have a list of numbers and names available to him. If you tag a deer, that number will need to be presented at tag in time.

The other issue takes effect next season. No longer will applications for an Any-Deer Permit be done by paper. All applicants will be required to log onto the MDIFW website and apply there.

Tom Remington

Region A – Southwestern Maine

To Region A biologists, the last month of summer means it is time to complete the stream surveys scheduled in our annual work plan. Some of these surveys are associated with the statewide brook trout monitoring program. These surveys are completed in each of MDIF&W’s seven regions and involve sampling brook trout and taking habitat measurements in two “close to pristine” streams. The objective is to use these streams as an overall measure of the health of wild brook trout populations statewide.

Our sampling at Worthley Brook in Poland indicated a very healthy population, averaging about one brook trout for every two feet of stream. Our second brook trout monitoring stream, Branch Brook in Sanford, seemed to have a slightly reduced population from past years but can still boast a high quality brook trout fishery with plenty of young trout in the system.

In Region A several other stream surveys are completed annually on the Crooked River and on Mile Brook to keep an eye on the spawning success of wild Sebago Lake land locked salmon. In the past these surveys have alerted us when beaver dams have caused a hindrance to spawning in the Crooked River drainage. Surveys done after beaver dam removal also have shown the positive effects of removal on the spawning success of salmon. This summer Mile Brook and one site on the upper Crooked River in Albany have been sampled. The water levels at the two remaining middle section reaches of the main stem are still too high for safe and efficient sampling.

The last type of stream surveys conducted by Region A staff have the objectives of cataloging the species present and the overall water quality of each stream within the boundaries of each town in the region. This inventory allows us to identify important habitats and the presence of rare species. With this information we are able to plan and prioritize future Maine Department of Transportation stream crossings and comment on Maine Department of Environmental Protection construction applications with confidence. While we strive to survey the streams of three towns per year, high water and other fieldwork have somewhat limited our ability to meet this goal. We have begun surveying the streams in the town of Denmark and hope to complete this town in the near future. So far, about half of the streams surveyed in Denmark have had fishable wild brook trout populations.

– Brian Lewis, Biology Specialist, Gray

Region B – Central Maine

Now that summer is official over its time to get ready for winter, words nobody wants to read. But there’s still time for some great fishing, I know many people that live for fall fishing. What’s not to like? The weather is excellent, the leaves are turning colors and trout are at their prettiest when spawning.
As water temperatures cool the coldwater species will again be in the feeding mode to prepare for the rigors of spawning. Soon trout and salmon in lakes and ponds will move towards flowing waters in an attempt to spawn. Unfortunately, in central Maine suitable spawning habitat is severely limited and although trout may go through normal spawning activities very few offspring will result from these spawning attempts. Nevertheless, even though there’s little survival from these attempts to spawn, we can continue to maintain good fisheries in these waters through annual stocking programs.

For those interested in trying fall fishing one of the better areas in this region is below the dam on Great Pond in the Village of Belgrade. Salmon and brown trout can be numerous there at this time of the year. Every year reports of large fish are common and you may even be surprised with a large pike. We received a couple of reports this summer of walleye being caught in Long Pond. Should you catch a walleye this fall please keep the fish and notify the staff in the Sidney Regional Fisheries office.

River fishing also is very popular and productive in the fall. Portions of the Kennebec and St. George rivers are opened year-round for those hardy souls willing to brave the cold weather. Some of the brown trout stocked in these rivers migrate into the tidal basin during the summer then return to spawn in the fall. We’ve heard reports of people duck hunting in the morning then fishing in the afternoon in these lower stretches and having success both hunting and fishing.

Another river you might want to explore is the lower section of the Medomak River which is open to fishing until the end of October.

Warmwater anglers also should also be happy this time of year. The warmwater species get in the feeding mode to bulk-up to survive the long winter when their metabolism slows and they generally go off the “feed.” As the water cools in the early fall, bass tend to move from the deeper water towards the shoreline where fishing tends to be easier. Anglers should begin the fall season by concentrating their efforts in the northwest part of the Region and then move southeast to extend fishing into the late fall. Great Moose Pond and Big Indian Lake near Hartland would be good places to start your fall fishing efforts. You might then begin moving through the Augusta area to lakes like Cobbossee or Annabessacook, ending your season closer to the coast at, perhaps, Damariscotta Lake.

River systems, such as the Sebasticook, with out migrating young-of-year sea-run alewives also can be very productive for bass in the fall.

Finally, I spoke with one party of anglers late last year that love fishing for white perch in the fall. So don’t forget to give late season panfishing a try.

– Jim Lucas, Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist, Sidney

Region C – Down East

Fall, the season many Mainers live for, with its cool nights, bright sunny days, low humidity, and colorful foliage. With every passing week, September weather produces a change from warmwater summer fishing to renewed surface fishing opportunities for landlocked salmon, brook trout, and brown trout.

As coldwater sport fish approach the fall spawning season, they return to the shoreline in search of spawning habitat. Knowledgeable lake and pond anglers will experience success near tributaries and outlets. Grand Lake Stream, West Grand Lake, Alligator Lake (T 34 MD), and Long Pond (Mt. Desert Island) are good places to try fall salmon fishing. For fall brook trout, try Monroe Lake (T 43 MD), East Monroe Pond (T 43 MD), Simmons Pond (Hancock), and Long Pond (Aurora). Good bets for brown trout are Walker Pond (Brooksville), Lily Pond (Deer Isle), Jones Pond (Gouldsboro), Long Pond (T 10 SD), and Simpson Pond (Roque Bluffs).

Fall also is a prime time for white perch fishing. Anglers who locate schools of this delicious sport fish have fast fishing and ensure many meals of fried perch fillets or fish chowder. If you’re looking for perch, try Grand Falls Flowage (Princeton), Big Lake (T 27 ED), Pocomoonshine Lake (Alexander), Third Machias Lake (T 42 & 43 MD), Chain Lakes (T 26 ED), Georges Pond (Franklin), Abrams Pond (Eastbrook), Lower Patten Pond (Surry), or Green Lake (Dedham and Ellsworth).

Fisheries staff will soon be conducting the annual sonar survey of smelts at West Grand Lake to assess population abundance because of smelt’s importance to landlocked salmon growth. Because smelts tend to stay in schools during the day then break out of the schools at night and forage as individuals, our sampling must be done under cover of darkness. We run GPS (global positioning system) transect lines totaling about 20 miles during the West Grand sampling, which includes mid-water trawling to verify species occurrence at various depths. This information will be used to better manage salmon at West Grand Lake.

– Rick Jordan, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Jonesboro

Region D – Western Mountains

In this fishery region, the western part of the state, there are currently 300 surveyed lakes and ponds and only three full-time fisheries biologist to manage them. Needless to say, there are a few waters that we just don’t visit very often. Twenty years can pass before a body of water gets an official visit by a team of biologists. In those cases, we rely on anglers to collect the data that we can use to evaluate the health of the fisheries. Currently, I have 68 volunteer anglers on my roster who record information from every fishing trip that they make during the summer. These people are very valuable to us as there is no other way to acquire the volume of data that they collect.

In 2007 alone they made a total of 1,063 fishing trips to 75 different lakes and ponds. They fished 3,770 hours and caught 1,800 legal-size fish of various species. If I were to include the rivers, streams, and brooks the number of waters would just about double. We sincerely thank the individuals who take the time to participate in this program.

Over the past months, we evaluated a number of stocked brook trout waters throughout the region. Highlights include a brook trout from Bald Mountain Pond in Somerset County that weighted 5¼ pounds. Other fine trout were sampled from Chase Pond in Moscow, Kilgore Pond in Pierce Pond Twp., Little Ellis Pond in Byron, Lincoln Pond in Parkertown Twp., Lower East Richardson Pond in Adamstown Twp., and Quimby Pond in Rangeley, just to name a few. After the evaluations are completed, decisions can be made, if necessary, to modify the water’s stocking rate and/or regulations. All the waters listed above require a little effort before you are afloat in a boat or canoe, but they are regarded as excellent angling destinations.

– Dave Howatt, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Strong

Region E – Moosehead Lake

We are already seeing signs of the arrival of fall in the north-country. The leaves are starting to change colors and we have seen a substantial decrease in daylight coupled with cooler nights. The latter will slowly lower water temperatures in ponds and rivers across the region. This decrease in water temps should increase the activity of brook trout and salmon on their annual migration to spawning areas.

Reports from anglers and information from voluntary box surveys are very encouraging for the start of the fall fishing season. Anglers are reporting catching some nice salmon and brook trout from the Moose River, Roach River, and the East and West Outlets of the Kennebec. Fish are being taken on a variety of streamer and nymph patterns. Although many of the reports I have received are from the rivers across the region, anglers looking to get away from the crowds can find some great fishing opportunities on our remote ponds. Many of these ponds tend to receive lower pressure during the fall fishing season and can provide some fast action.

As fisheries managers we spend a substantial amount of time evaluating stocking programs in the Moosehead Lake Region. In the summer of 2007 we resurveyed Mud Greenwood Pond in Elliotsville, Piscataquis County. This pond was stocked biennially with brook trout from 1968 to 1980. Data from the file indicate that these early stockings resulted in anglers catching some very fat fish up to 16 inches. However, the stocking program ceased at this water in 1980 due to reports from the local district warden that no one was catching any more brook trout. This was also reflected in a subsequent gillnetting survey in 1981 when the sampling failed to produce any trout.

During our resurvey of Mud Greenwood Pond in 2007, we did not collect any wild brook trout and found no evidence of fishing activity. Region-wide trout stocking evaluations in the 1990’s indicate that fishing was very poor in many waters managed with these every other year stockings. Managers suspect that these fish suffered unusually high mortality rates and/or these ponds were not stocked at all in some years by mistake, which resulted in poor fishing for extended periods of time.

Consequently, managers reduced stocking rates on these waters and began stocking them annually. We feel that this may have been the case at Mud Greenwood Pond but the stocking program was cancelled before our extensive brook trout stocking evaluation.

Mud Greenwood Pond is currently on a list of waters that has not been stocked in over 25 years. We are proposing to remove this water from the list and resume the stocking the stocking program since there is clearly no principal fishery for wild brook trout. Water quality and current species composition are suitable to maintain a brook trout fishery, if stocking were to resume. We plan to use this pond to complete some research on hatchery brook trout survival and than manage this pond as a high quality fishery by stocking it at a low rate using the F1 strain (Maine Hatchery and Kennebago cross) with a high length limit regulation. This proposal is currently going through the internal peer review process and will go through public review sometime during the winter of 2009.

– Stephen Seeback, Fisheries Biology Specialist, Greenville

Region F — Penobscot

As fall approaches and we look back at the past summer, we always seen to wonder “where did summer go?” It seemed as if at first we would have some very hot days and nights, then the skies would open up and, wow, did it ever rain and rain and rain. This was the third summer in a row that the Penobscot Region has had above normal rainfall. This was great news for Maine’s coldwater fish — water temperatures stayed fairly cool and water levels remained high for most of the summer — except at times some of the major rain events pushed the rivers and stream over their banks to almost flood stage.

Throughout the summer we have received good reports from anglers fishing stream and rivers across Region F. In the next few weeks trout and salmon will become more active as the water temperatures cool and we are expecting some great fishing as a result.

On another note: this week fisheries and hatcheries staff will be marking approximately 60,000 brook trout and splake raised at Cobb Fish Hatchery in Enfield, to be stocked out this fall and next spring. With the help of the hatcheries dedicated staff and along with the help of a group of excellent clippers from around the area, the task will be completed in just three days.

This year, we will clip (remove) a fin from 9,500 splake and 50,500 brook trout. The clipping of fins allows fishery biologists to easily determine the age of hatchery fish when observed in an angler’s catch or as part of our sampling efforts. Remember, this is often several years after they have been stocked.

Evaluating fish growth age is fundamental in the management of our stocked waters. If growth is deemed too slow, we may recommend a decrease in the number of fish stocked in a certain body of water in order to lessen the impact on the forage base (generally smelts). If growth is exceptional, then we may increase the number of fish stocked with a goal of bumping up catch rates, while still providing a healthy robust fish for the angler.

Not all the fish raised at State hatcheries are marked though, in fact, Cobb Hatchery will be stocking out more than 100,000 marked and unmarked fish this fall. Cobb Fish Hatchery presently has more than 320,000 fish on station to be stocked in the next few years. The fish on station include Brook Trout, Splake, Landlocked Salmon and Lake Whitefish.

– Brian Campbell, Fisheries Biologist Specialist, Enfield

Region G – Aroostook County
No report this week.

This Fishing Report is written by biologists at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and is produced bi-weekly during summer months. For more information about fishing in Maine, visit IF&W’s Web site at www.mefishwildlife.com.

Region A – Southwestern Maine

As the fall fishing season approaches, anglers are reminded of the new fall fishing regulations in effect this year on Sebago Lake. In the past the open water fishing season on most of the lake closed on Sept. 30. The single exception was a small area near Sebago Station that permitted fishing from Oct. 1 through Nov. 30.

The new regulations allow anglers to fish the entire lake from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31. From Oct. 1 through Dec. 31 togue (lake trout) may be harvested under the same size and bag limits in place for the rest of the year, but all salmon and trout must be released. These new changes are not printed in the current open water fishing law book because the changes were advanced after the current law book was printed. Also, since the changes represented a liberalization of the existing regulation, providing expanded opportunity, anglers could not be penalized (fined) if they weren’t aware of the change.

The regulation change was proposed by Sebago Lake Anglers Association and as adopted is consistent with the new salmon management plan recently adopted for Sebago. The change also is consistent with the Classic Salmon Initiative, which Sebago is being managed under.

The purpose of the regulation change is to increase lake trout harvest opportunity and further reduce lake trout abundance. Lake trout are a strong competitor with landlocked salmon.

The intent of the regulation change is not to allow additional salmon fishing opportunity!

Unfortunately there is no enforceable language that could be adopted making it illegal to fish for salmon. Although the current regulation prevents salmon from being taken from October through December, even catch and release fishing for salmon is expected to increase handling stress and associated salmon mortality, particularly for ripe adult fish. We request that anglers not target salmon after Sept. 30, but take advantage of the opportunity to catch and harvest lake trout during a time of the year when most of the pleasure boat crowd have put their toys to rest, little fishing pressure exists, and the spectacular early fall foliage provides a great back drop to any open water fishing experience.

On another note, in the last several weeks we’ve had some great fishing reports from anglers who have fished some of our quality brook trout ponds. Most but not all are ponds that were previously reclaimed with an organic chemical called rotenone. Some of these stocked ponds are producing 15- to 18-inch brook trout.

– Francis Brautigam, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Gray

Region B – Central Maine

A few years ago I reported on a project that had great potential for fulfilling an important goal of our Department, namely “to provide anglers with the most opportunities for the types of fishing they want while ensuring that these same fish resources are going to be there for those who come after us.” I’d like to take this opportunity to bring you up to date on the status of that project.

A tributary to Pitcher Pond crosses Route 52 in the town of Lincolnville. In the fall of 2003, the Maine Department of Transportation replaced a failing “perched culvert” at that stream crossing. A perched culvert, you may recall, has a drop in elevation at its outlet. If the drop is sufficiently high, fish are unable to pass through the culvert to upstream habitat. The new culvert was installed with an embedded outlet; that is, alleviating the drop. Nevertheless, the elevation difference from the upstream to downstream ends required a slope in the culvert so that streambed movement could be avoided. I was skeptical of the ability of brook trout to negotiate the slope, but told the DOT environmental reviewer the site would be a good place to evaluate fish passage with a stocking of brook trout fry.

Townline Brook, the name I gave the stream at the time in order to satisfy stocking records, is really Rollins Brook, according to Peg Miller, a long time resident that owns land abutting the stream. She indicated that the stream dries up in some years. The brook is designated as an intermittent stream on the area’s topographical map. According to the map, the total length of the stream is about 4000 feet.

Mrs. Miller told me that in a 1954 hurricane, a flood washed out the former stone-cribbed crossing. The culvert replaced by MDOT in 2003, was the result. She couldn’t recall any angling in the brook in her lifetime. Since 1954, the stream was most likely waterless in many summers, eliminating any fish populations above the perched culvert. The vertical barrier formed by the perched culvert, prevented re-colonization of the brook from downstream. Prior to 1954, we do not know if a barrier was present at the crossing, but there is free access from Pitcher Pond to the present crossing. Pitcher Pond has a warm-water fishery, but Sucker Brook, a tributary to the pond, has a natural brook trout fishery that could allow some migration of trout into nearby Rollins Brook.

On June 7, 2004, the Department stocked 1,000 Maine Hatchery strain brook trout in Rollins Brook ranging from 3 to 3.5 inches long. On June 9, I went back to the stream to ascertain the presence of brook trout above the culvert. I observed that the fry made it up through the culvert. Although numbers were not high, it did indicate that the brookies could negotiate the incline in the culvert.
On Sept. 22, I returned to Rollins Brook to further document fish movements. The first brook trout was found immediately above the culvert and I encountered other brook trout at likely pools for approximately 2,000 feet above the culvert. Were they the unmarked brookies stocked on June 7 or migrants from the pond? By all indications, such as deformed pectorals and shortened opercula’s (a commonly observed phenomena in hatchery fish), they were the survivors of the spring stocking of brook trout fry. The fish ranged from 4.5 inches to 6.5 inches and exhibited robustness. No other fish species were found.

On April 22, 2005 I returned to Rollins Brook to evaluate over winter survival of the brook trout. We captured six 5- to 7-inch brook trout from just above the culvert to about 400 feet upstream.
Although 2004 was unusual with respect to cool temperatures and higher than normal water flows, there are some things we can gain from our observations. For instance, Maine Hatchery strain brook trout (which can survive to five years of age, as noted in Little Pond, Damariscotta) can survive in small brooks and are capable of migrating in some unusual conditions. In 2005, 2006, and 2007 our investigations, and angler reports, indicated that brook trout are now using this small watershed. In other work around the region, our brook trout stream monitoring efforts have indicated that these types of small watersheds experience a rebound in brook trout populations when water flows naturally improve.

The most important finding from our observations is that in small streams that are otherwise suitable for brook trout but have barriers to upstream fish passage, the removal of any man-made barrier can greatly facilitate restoration of brook trout populations.

In many towns throughout Maine culverts have been installed that prevent fish passage. Some of these were placed many years ago, and the natural condition of the stream has passed out of local memory. Ultimately, this often results in locals accepting that the stream is devoid of brook trout. Since Maine has many miles of small streams, all of us need to be vigilant in pointing out to town and state officials that if a culvert is perched and preventing fish passage, this is an unacceptable installation, and should be remedied.

– Bill Woodward, Assistant Regional Fishery Biologist, Sidney

Region C – Downeast

As we put the unofficial end of summer behind us, we approach my favorite time of year. September in Downeast Maine gives us cool nights and comfortable days. These conditions cause water temperatures to fall and fish to become more active. This is the time of year that makes me start thinking about all the opportunities fall has to offer. Hiking and canoeing to see the changing leaves, camping with no bugs and comfortable sleeping conditions, and of course fall brook trout fishing.

In the Downeast region the month of September can provide some great stream and brook fishing for trout. In the fall, brook trout exhibit beautiful spawning colors that are more striking than anything else in nature. When that beauty is coupled with the changing foliage, you can’t ask for a more memorable experience.

Every time I think about fall fishing, I am immediately reminded of a day trip I took with a college friend a few years back. We were out fishing a small stream around the Route 9 corridor on the last day of the open water season. The day was sunny with a cool breeze and could not be more picturesque. We took turns fishing for about a mile and a half of stream. We didn’t catch any great number of fish, but every fish we landed made the trip worth it. I took two photographs that day which stick out most in my mind.

Remember, from Aug. 16 to Sept. 30 the regulations on brooks, rivers, and streams are as follows: artificial lures only and a total daily bag limit for landlocked salmon, trout, and togue of one fish. The primary reason behind these regulations is to protect fish that are beginning to exhibit spawning behavior. Depending on where you are in the state, fish may begin to move into spawning habitat as early as mid August and as late as the third or fourth week in September. These concentrations of fish can be quite vulnerable. The reduced bag limit helps prevent overharvest and the artificial lures only regulation improves the survival potential of a released fish. It is very important to protect these trout and salmon since they will be spawning in a short while.

I enjoy fly-fishing in the fall of the year. I have had great luck with various streamer flies, but the one fly I seem to always go back to is a white muddler minnow. In my experience anything that is bright and showy has a good chance of producing strikes, and if one doesn’t work, tie on something else.

Now, I know that fall is a busy time for most of us here in Maine. I certainly have enough to keep me busy with wood to be stacked and of course the list of projects I didn’t complete around the house this summer, but I recommend you take the time to do a little brookie fishing this month. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

– Joe Overlock, Fishery Biology Specialist, Jonesboro

Region D – Western Mountains

One of this agency’s primary missions is to secure public access to Maine’s lakes, rivers, and streams. As regional biologists, we’re responsible for maintaining a list of access priorities, assuring that the list is continually updated, and assisting with locating and designing appropriate sites. We work closely with the Department’s access coordinator and chief engineer, the Department of Conservation, and a variety of local groups to acquire and develop the sites.

Completing a water access project is often a frustratingly difficult and time-consuming endeavor. Nevertheless, we do have some successes each year. In Region D, for example, a full service boat launch is now available on Riley Impoundment of the Androscoggin River near Jay, and a small carry-on site is nearing completion for the Sandy River Ponds, located just south of Rangeley. We recently purchased parcels on the Sandy River in Farmington Falls and New Sharon; when developed, these launches will give anglers and recreational boaters an opportunity to float and fish a 7-mile section of this attractive stream with good smallmouth bass and brown trout populations.

Despite these successes, there is much more to do. Our most pressing needs are at Oaks Pond in Skowhegan and Hancock Pond in Embden. We recently suspended popular stocking programs for splake and brook trout at Oaks, and for salmon and brook trout at Hancock for lack of legal access during the open water months. (MDIFW can not stock waters where public access is denied or is deemed inequitable with shorefront property owners). Also, the traditional access site for Gull Pond in Dallas Plantation was recently put on the market — the current landowner permitted public use of a small launch site, so its future availability to anglers is now very much in question.

In some cases, the Department’s ability to purchase suitable access sites is compromised because we’re not aware of available properties. We do our best to keep abreast with local real estate markets, but it’s often an impossible task for our small staff. Any help our readers can provide is very much appreciated, so please call us if you have good information on potential access sites.

– David Boucher, Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist, Strong

Region E – Moosehead Lake

A typical summer field season in the Moosehead Lake Region includes many different tasks. This summer we have surveyed a number of ponds that have never been inventoried by this Department. We generally find a few new nice trout ponds, while most newly surveyed ponds offer little or no potential for the development of a coldwater fishery. This summer was no different.

What was different this summer was the amount of time we spent investigating introductions of exotic species. Early in the summer we had a reliable report of smallmouth bass in Big Wood Pond in Jackman. Regional staff, along with assistance from Research staff and volunteers, spent several days electrofishing, trapnetting, and angling on this lake that sits in the middle of the Moose River drainage. In addition to the initial angler report of a 17-inch smallmouth, we captured one other smaller bass. It is unclear whether these fish will become established. The drainage is very large and it is possible that a small illegal introduction could disperse and never see each other again. But, like nearly all cases of illegal introductions, there is very little we can do to eliminate the threat. If bass do become established they will be able to move downstream to Brassua Lake, which has a very good wild brook trout population, all the way to Holeb Pond.

We have also spent three days investigating an area north of Ebeemee Lake as part of an evaluation for the Penobscot River Restoration Project. Northern pike are established in Pushaw Lake and have access to the lower Piscataquis River. A fish by-pass is in the plans for the Howland Dam which will provide passage for all fish species, including pike. There is some concern that a large wet area north of Ebeemee Lake may provide a watercourse connection to Jo-Mary Lake and the West Branch of the Penobscot River drainage. The area was certainly wet in August, but more field work will be needed during spring run-off to determine for certain if the two systems are connected.

Late last week we had a report of a largemouth bass in Hebron Lake in Monson. We were able to inspect the fish and verify it was indeed a largemouth, and a young one at that. Based on the small length of this fish, it is likely the result of natural reproduction in Hebron Lake. This lake sits high in the Sebec Lake drainage. We have not completed our assessment of this introduction, but largemouth bass could easily move downstream to Monson Pond and Sebec Lake. Bass will also drop downstream into Wilson Stream which is the major spawning tributary for wild landlocked salmon in Sebec Lake. We estimate that 90-95 percent of the salmon production for one of Maine’s original salmon lakes occurs in this stream and its tributaries. There are large deadwaters on the lower end of the stream that will provide adequate bass habitat. Young, wild landlocked salmon must travel through these deadwaters to reach Sebec Lake.

– Tim Obrey, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Greenville

Region F — Penobscot

As we move into the early fall, the surface temperature of our lakes and ponds has begun to drop, and salmon and brook trout angling will pick-up substantially. Late season tactics of a shallow line and a quick retrieve will begin to produce again, as brook trout and salmon start their transformation from feeding to reproductive activity. Fall fishing can be the most rewarding of all seasons. Salmon and trout are in the best shape of any time of the year. Salmon are fat and bright, and nothing is as stunning as a brook trout all dressed up in its fall spawning colors! The scenery is hard to beat as the hardwood foliage starts to change from green to red, yellow and orange.

Next week we start our annual fall fin clipping operation here at Cobb Fish Hatchery. In years past we have marked up to 150,000 fish here at the Enfield, most of which are brook trout. This year we have made a concerted effort to reduce those numbers of fish to be marked to approximately 50,000. Demands on staff time and hatchery space as well as increasing fuel costs have forced us to reconsider marking as many fish as we have in years past.

The marking program has been a very helpful management tool evaluating our hatchery product. All salmonids, except lake trout, have a four-year rotation of fin clips. Lake trout have an 11-year fin clip rotation based upon their longevity. The presence of marked fish allows the fishery biologist to determine the age of any of our stocked salmonids as they encounter them in the field, without taking scales and reading them in the office at a later date. It also allows knowledgeable anglers the same ability to determine the age of any clipped hatchery fish that they catch.

Access to all of those stocked hatchery fish has always been a high priority for the Fisheries Division. We still have a number of lakes and ponds that do not have guaranteed public access. As more shore frontage of our lakes and ponds is sold and subdivided, access becomes ever more important.

Regionally we have eight projects that are in various stages of development. The other six Regions have similar numbers of access projects planned. Four of those eight sites in Region F have been purchased and are in development, and an additional four sites are awaiting transfer of ownership. Of those eight projects, four are located on streams and rivers and four on regional lakes and ponds. Of the four projects currently slated for lakes and ponds, all have active stocking programs; although two of those lakes have had hatchery programs interrupted or halted until access issues were resolved.

– Gordon Kramer, Assistant Regional Fishery Biologist, Enfield

Region G – Aroostook County

During our routine fisheries management which often involves measuring hundreds of sport fish per year, we occasionally get reports of exceptionally large fish. While not the norm, large fish are worthy of recognition for the state of Maine and the angler. This summer we have had two notably large fish caught in Aroostook County, one of which will qualify as a new State record.

First, a new state record Arctic charr was caught by Carter McLaughlin, age 11, of Mapleton on Aug. 20, 2008. A locally common name for the species is “blueback trout.” This particular fish was caught at Pushineer Pond, T15R9. Carter was accompanied by his father Lionel (on right in attached picture). The charr was 25.4 inches total length and weighed 5.24 pounds.

The previous record was a 4 pound 4 ounce fish caught by Merton Wyman at Basin Pond in 1958. Arctic charr are a rare fish, occurring in only 14 lakes and ponds scattered throughout the interior highlands in northern and western Maine. Normally, Arctic charr in Maine waters are small (6-10 inches) and inhabit deep, cold water of mountain lakes. Currently, the greatest threat to these rare fish are introductions of non-native species of fish that are competitors with or predators upon Arctic charr.

The second large fish was also a member of the charr family, a lake trout, commonly called togue in Maine. The fish was 36 inches long and weighed 20 pounds; it was caught by Wayne McGary at Nickerson Lake on August 2.

Togue are oftentimes the largest sport fish caught in Maine in any given year. What is unique about Wayne’s catch is the size of the water it came from; Nickerson Lake is only 234 acres, a small togue water for Maine. Typically, the waters we manage for togue exceed 1,000 acres. Togue were first introduced to Nickerson Lake by the State of Maine in 1960 and has been managed for them ever since along with brown trout and brook trout. In 1994 togue stocking was discontinued due to natural reproduction within the lake that was resulting in a very large population of small togue; in 2002 we liberalized harvest regulations by reducing the minimum length to 14 inches (down from 18 inches).
This change resulted in more togue being kept by anglers and eventually a dramatic increase in the smelt population, the togue’s primary forage fish. The increased smelt population now has a faithful following of anglers who target this sport fish for not only for their own consumption but also as live bait. In the next few years, we expect very good growth in the togue population and we also expect that brown trout will benefit greatly from the increase in the smelt population. The next large fish report from Aroostook County might be a brown trout from Nickerson Lake.

– Frank O. Frost, Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist, Ashland

Posted by Tom Remington