Fishing — at least reports about it — is slowing down in much of the state but is still in high form around Moosehead and The County.

Many biologists were busy last week wishing their colleague Rick Jordan well, as the Down East regional head biologist retired after 40 years of service at the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

REGION A: SOUTHERN MAINE

Lake trout fishing on Sebago remains excellent, and biologists ask fishermen to harvest their limit to keep the population down and help the fishery.

“Two years ago we conducted an angler survey and only about a third of the lake trout that were legally caught were actually harvested,” said Francis Brautigam with IFW.

REGION B: CENTRAL MAINE

Messalonskee Lake is getting “pounded with togue and splake,” at least according to one fisherwoman, said IFW biologist Robert Van-Riper.

Fishing elsewhere in the midcoast region is good, with brown trout being caught at Great Pond and other notable catches at Swan Lake and Megunticook Lake, Van-Riper said.

REGION C: DOWN EAST

Fishing-wise, bass can be found around the weedy shoreline areas for now, but soon only in deeper water, said IFW biologist Joe Overlock.

Most of the fast brook trout fishing is winding down in the streams in the region as the water temperatures rise, Overlock said.

Fishermen should think about moving to larger river streams, where there is colder, deeper water, he said.

REGION D: WESTERN MAINE

The state biologists in Strong soon will be working with the owners of the Saddleback Mountain ski area to find public access around Saddleback Lake, said IFW biologist Dave Boucher.

Other than that, they are working on bass management in the Kennebec River.

REGION E: MOOSEHEAD LAKE REGION

The salmon and trout fishing in the Moosehead region continue to be good, said IFW biologist Tim Obrey.

The weather has been ideal, without the wind and rain of last spring, Obrey said.

“We have had many calm, dry evenings and the hatches and fish are cooperating,” Obrey said.

Caddis and mayflies are hatching early and even a few hexes have been spotted in some of the more shallow ponds, Obrey said.

REGION G: NORTHERN MAINE

Water levels in brooks in The County are down and the brook trout fishing should be excellent there, said IFW biologist Dave Basley.

Popular brooks to fish include Whitney Brook and Three Brooks in the Bridgewater area, Caribou Stream and the Little Madawaska River in Woodland and the Sweden area, and Fall and Yankeetuladi brooks in the Dickey area, Basley said. 

Staff Writer Deirdre Fleming can be contacted at 791-6452 or at:

dfleming@pressherald.com