~ - - - - -¡ - - -- -- - - - -- -- --
----- - - - - ---- - - -
Fishable populations of brook trout are found in Kennebec County in Basin Pond, Kimball Pond, Chamberlain Pond, and Desert Pond; Long Pond is on Isle Au Haut in Knox County: Lincoln County offers Peters Pond, Ross Pond, and Wiley Pond; in Somerset County, try Ripley Pond; Halfmoon Pond (Brooks Township), Halfmoon Pond (Searsport Township), and Mixer Pond are good bets in Waldo County. Our brook trout ponds are fished quite hard in the spring but not very heavily later in the season. August and September fishing can be good, and the ponds won't be crowded. Most of these br ok trout water open to fishing later in the spring than other waters so check the regulation book before planning your trips. Rainbow trout. Although rainbows are being managed in only one pond in the region, this experimental stocking has been quite popular and adds some variety to area angling. Egypt Pond, Kennebec County, has been stocked with rainbows for several years and, for its size, has provided a great deal of angling enjoyment. The bulk of the fish caught are in the 10-14 inch class, but a number of 2-4 pounders are creeled along with them. Smelt. Besides serving as the main forage fish for our salmon, trout, and togue populations, the smelt is much sought by two-legged predators. Dipping smelt from the
spring spawning runs in brooks is a traditional Maine outing, and many people carry this sport into the summer months by hook and line angling in the deeper water of some of the larger lakes. Damariscotta Lake in Lincoln County and Long Pond and Messalonskee Lake in Kennebec County are popular spots for smelt angling. Anaclromous species. The Atlantic salmon is the elite of these fish which live in salt water and return to freshwater to spawn, and the Sheepscot River is the southernmost stream in the United States with a fishable salmon population. The Sheepscot population is a natural one, and we estimate the run of adult fish entering the river at 100 to 200. This is a relatively small river and is not as well known as the more northerly Maine rivers, but for those who take the time to learn the stream, the fish are there. Each year, fish in the 10-15 pound class are taken, but the size of the run is such that we would not expect more than an occasional really large fish. The bulk of the anadromous fi hery is centered around the striped bass. This fish is found in the Kennebec River to Augusta and moves up the Penobscot as far as Bangor. Just about all the coastal streams support fishable bass populations. Fishing begins around June 1 and continues into early winter: fish from 2 to 35 pounds make up the catch. Popular fishing areas are at the reversing falls and Westport Island on the Sheepscot River: Damariscotta River; New Meadows River; St. George River; and the Passagassawakeag River. All the tributaries of the Kennebec up to Augusta are good, and during May and June, the mouth of Cobbosseecontee Stream is a hot spot, particularly at night. The salt-water version of the melt is pursued on its spring spawning runs but it is the ice fishing for this critter that is most popular and another traditional Maine pastime. Colonies of smelting shacks spring up on the tidal estuaries and rivers as soon as ice conditions are safe, and the old wood-stoves hardly cool off until spring. It's every bit as much family sport as it is a night out with the boys. Most of the smelt fishing in this area is done on the tributaries of Merrymeeting Bay on the Kennebec River: Marsh River: St. George River; Medomak River: and the New Meadows River. Ice fishing. Fresh-water ice fishing is becoming more popular in Maine. The development of the snowmobile, ice auger, and motorized ice auger have taken a lot of the work out of the sport. The season on pickerel, perch, and smelt begins on many ponds at ice formation: and on those waters where ice fishing is permitted, salmon, rogue, and trout can be taken during February and March. We now have an ice fishing season on bass - it coincides with the salmon and trout season. All ice fishing ends the last of March. You should consult the ice fishing regulations booklet before trying your luck.
The spring white perch runs draw a lot of anglers to such places as the inlet of Long Pond in Belgrade Village.
Maine Fish & Game -
Summer 1972
31