Fishing is still plenty fast statewide and the bass are just coming on Down East.
Unfortunately for Central Maine, the walleye continue to be the news of the week in the Belgrade Lakes region.
REGION A: SOUTHERN MAINE
The best reports in southern Maine this week are the rainbow trout in Norway Lake, said regional fisheries biologist Francis Brautigam with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
“We’ve heard about a good mixed bag at that particular pond, with brown trout in the 14-to-18 inch range,” Brautigam said.
Meanwhile, stocking trucks are hitting streams and rivers in York County.
REGION B: CENTRAL MAINE
While the walleye work in the midcoast region continues to point toward an established population of the non-native fish in the Belgrade lakes, IFW biologist Jim Lucas said these monster fish may have been put in other watersheds.
Another walleye taken from Long Pond was reported to IFW and biologists got a report that a walleye may have been caught in Messalonskee Stream. Not good. That would give the illegal fish the ability to taint a different watershed.
“That dumps right into the Kennebec River. That would be another spot for them to grow and develop,” Lucas said.
There were reports of some salmon caught in Long Pond in the Belgrades. But while biologists decided last fall to maintain the stocking program there, it’s not expected to take off, Lucas said.
“To be honest, it’s dismal. We still trap net every fall and if we get four to five salmon over three weeks, we’re doing well, whereas the average 10 years ago was 100 in one week,” Lucas said.
REGION C: DOWN EAST
Brook trout fishing is picking up in Washington and Hancock counties, and regional biologists say if you wait, you’ll miss it
“The brookies are just hot. It’s good on streams region-wide,” said IFW biologist Greg Burr.
Also, the smallmouth bass fishing is coming on now as the fish move into pre-spawning mode swimming in along the shores, Burr said.
He suggests fishing off docks for smallies.
REGION D: WESTERN MAINE
There were few fishermen at Rangeley Lake last weekend, which surprised regional biologist Dave Boucher, who said streams and ponds should start to pick up with the warm weather.
“Usually this is prime time. With the heat we’ve had there will be a number of trout ponds kicking into gear,” Boucher said.
REGION E: MOOSEHEAD LAKE REGION
Moosehead Lake was buzzing with fishermen on the first weekend it was legal to fish there, said regional biologist Jeff Bagley.
Small trout ponds around Moosehead Lake also are offering great fishing now, and that’s only going to improve with an increase in hatches, Bagley said.
REGION F: EASTERN MAINE
Bass fishing in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties is ahead of schedule as the bass move to spawning beds in the warmer water.
“As it is we are progressing through spring and right into early summer,” said regional biologist Nels Kramer.
REGION G: NORTHERN MAINE
The Aroostook River is fishing well and the Deboullie chain of lakes is wide open with access, said regional biologist Dave Basley.
Although Basley cautioned there is still snow on logging roads.
Staff Writer Deirdre Fleming can be contacted at 791-6452 or at:
dfleming@pressherald.com
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