A couple of new boat launches around the state have improved access, and almost everywhere the fishing continues to get fast two to three weeks earlier than usual.

In the Down East region, state biologist say it’s unreal.

REGION A: SOUTHERN MAINE

The smelts over on Sebago Lake have started to run into the Songo River, which has made for very good fishing both at the mouth of the river and in the river, said biologist Francis Brautigam with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

“There are pretty good reports of stream fishing. Most flows are down and the water temperatures are very good,” Brautigam said.

He recommends Little Ossipee Lake, especially for brown trout.

REGION B: CENTRAL MAINE

Fall yearling stocked last winter can be found at the outlets of rivers in the Midcoast region, said biologist Scott Davis.

And the hatchery trucks are running. If anglers take a minute to look at the website they can find out where (tinyurl.com/yyhslfs).

REGION C: DOWN EAST

Fishing is coming on all at once in the Down East region, said IFW biologist Gregory Burr.

Fishing is a month ahead of schedule in nearly every regard, Burr said.

“What happens is the ice goes out and the trout ponds warm up and then those fish start coming, then the salmon fishing starts coming on, then two to three weeks later the brook trout and streams start coming on. Right now everything is happening all at once,” Burr said. “The insects hatches are coming on in small ponds. It’s just amazing.”

He recommends the brook trout fishing below Route 9 in streams, both stocked and wild waters. Also try landlocked salmon in Cathance and West Grand lakes.

REGION D: WESTERN MAINE

this weekend the smelt runs should all be in full force throughout the region, said IFW biologist Dave Boucher.

In addition, the spring salmon fishing should be fast on Mooselookmeguntic Lake, following the fast action on Rangeley Lake as it does each year, Boucher said.

Mooselook’s fast fishing normally doesn’t kick up until end of May, so it is a few weeks early.

REGION E: MOOSEHEAD LAKE REGION

Last fall in the Moosehead region a new boat launch went in at Harrington Lake, located off the Telos Road about a mile beyond Jackson Pond. The launch was provided by Brookfield Renewable Power and Katahdin Forest Management.

The launch is in deeper water and will provide season-long boat access to this 1,300-acre lake which has a very good wild salmon and lake trout fishery, reported IFW biologist Tim Obrey.

“The new launch has an expanded parking area and a turn-around… This will be a much safer alternative by eliminating traffic on the corner of the Telos Road,” Obrey reported.

REGION F: EASTERN MAINE

Everything about fishing in eastern Maine will be getting good this week, said biologist Nels Kramer.

The lakes are all opened up by now, the water temperatures will start going up, and the brooks and streams should be dropping.

“East Grand fishing is pretty straight ahead and the smelt runs should be in full force,” Kramer said.

REGION G: NORTHERN MAINE

Most of the waters in the Fish River chain of lakes should be open at this time, said IFW biologist Dave Basley.

The trout and salmon fishing in Square Lake is one good choice, Basley said.

And anglers should be reminded that the boat launch at Forbe’s Pit is open to the public.

The much-used launch site between Fort Fairfield and Caribou is now owned by the department. It provides a handy launch site for the Aroostook River.

 

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

dfleming@pressherald.com

 

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