September 25
Freshwater Fishing Report

Region A- Southwestern Maine
Fishing season will come to a close on many waters throughout the State
within the next week, and many anglers will shift their focus to all of the
wonderful fall hunting opportunities available in Maine. However, anglers
should keep in mind that most of the lakes & ponds, and many river segments
in the region are still open into October and November (and you can fish on
Sunday). In fact, we now have several rivers or river segments that are
open year-round including the Presumpscot, Royal, and Saco Rivers. Fall
sea-run trout fishing opportunities are also available on the Mousam,
Ogunquit, and Salmon Falls Rivers. It's a great time of year to get out and
wet a line and the fishing can often be as fabulous as the foliage. Fall
anglers also get the first crack at catching many of the larger trout that
are stocked during the month of October including fall yearling trout
(generally in the 12-16" range) and retired broodstock that weigh up to
several pounds or more.

Last week, I got out and fished a small trout stream in the region and
caught 7or 8 native brookies ranging from 7-12". All of the male trout had
their spectacular fall spawning colors. Water temperatures have cooled
quite a bit as a result of the cooler nights, but the flow was still
extremely low. Many of the trout were still bunched up in their summer
holding areas and some fall rains may be needed to encourage the fish to
move and spread out a little.

Last week, the regional staff was able to finish our annual stream
monitoring of Sebago Lake's salmon spawning tributaries. As expected,
salmon production appeared to be lower than normal for both fry and parr at
all of our index sites, but growth was excellent. We also finished up with
our netting efforts on Sebago where we have collected a good sample of lake
trout for age and growth work. In addition, we experimented with netting at
different depths to explore the distribution of different sizes of lake
trout within the lake.

We recently heard of good reports about the rainbow trout fishing on Allen
Pond in Greene, which is the result of several unscheduled stockings. We
netted the pond last week and caught one nice bow that was about 15", and we
caught several browns. The largest brown was 21" and weighed 4.2 pounds!
We have also had several reports that the rainbow trout fishing is picking
up on the Ranges in Poland, which had been relatively slow throughout the
summer months. Most of the fish being reported are in the 15-18" range.
-Jim Pellerin, Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region B - Central Maine
During this past weekend, we began the process to remove the old Sennebec
Dam on the St George River. A new low head boulder-gravel rock ramp was
constructed approximately 1,900 feet above the old cement dam at the outlet
of Sennebec Lake. This new 'dam' is more like a high spot in the river,
built to maintain the lake level while allowing upstream fish migration.
Once the new rock ramp was finished, the gates on the old dam were opened
creating 1900 feet of free flowing stream. The next stage of the project
will be to remove the old cement dam.

On Saturday local supporters and volunteers were present to assist with the
relocation of freshwater mussels as the water receded. A large number of
common mussels were found and relocated along with a few rare mussels, the
yellow lamp and the brook floater mussel. Monday, we received numerous
phone calls from people concerned that fish were unable to escape from the
pools that were created when the water level dropped. I visited the site on
Tuesday to rescue any fish still trapped in pools. Three small pools, all
located within 100 feet of the old dam, contained fish. I captured and
released approximately 100 fish of nine different species. Although it was
reported that there were a number of brown trout and salmon trapped in the
pools, no trout or salmon were observed. Most of the fish were small
young- of- year warmwater species such as bass and sunfish. Also rescued
were a number of tadpoles and crayfish.

As was with the Kennebec River, it will be interesting to witness the
changes in the ecology of that section as it reverts back to a riverine
environment.
--Jim Lucas, Assistant Regional Biologist

Region C - Downeast
Biologists conducted a netting survey last week at Beech Hill Pond. Certain
anglers who regularly fish this water have complained that most of the wild
togue are quite small (18-20") and skinny. Our small sample of 9 fish
substantiated these complaints, as most fish were relatively small and in
poor condition. We will return next month with a trap-net in order to sample
more fish prior to spawning. If our findings are similar to last week's, we
will likely propose a regulation change next year. Our proposal will
probably include a liberalized daily bag limit on togue and repeal of the
current 24-30 inch release slot limit. Natural reproduction of togue has
been so successful that there are probably too many togue for the available
forage supply. This is an increasingly common dilemma at many Maine lakes
that support wild togue. Part of the solution is to convince anglers they
need to keep more of the togue they catch, rather than releasing them.
Unfortunately, this is often a difficult task because the catch and release
ethic is currently a big part of many anglers' mindsets.

Biologists Rick Jordan and Tim Obrey continue to make progress in
outfitting the Fishery Division's new hydroacoustic boat. Most of the
required electronics have been installed, and once some additional trawling
gear is obtained, the boat will be ready for some practice runs. If the
inevitable "bugs" associated with such new gear/rigging can be worked out in
a few days, there will be time to collect some data in October.

Grand Lake Stream is producing some 16-19" salmon for fly fishermen.
Although there's plenty of water as West Grand Lake continues to be drawn
down, the unseasonably warm weather has prevented the stream from cooling
down to the point where the salmon become more active. The predicted warm
weather for the next several days will not help; it seems the best anglers
can hope for is a cooling trend later this week which might improve their
chances for success over the weekend. Anglers can keep one salmon per day
until September 30; from October 1-20, it's catch and release. Over the last
10 years or so, not only have most of our Downeast winters and summers been
considerably warmer than 20-30 years ago, but it seems that our autumns have
also. This unfortunate trend has produced generally poorer September fishing
for trout and salmon compared to that typically enjoyed by anglers in the
1970's and 1980's.
-Ron Brokaw, Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region D - Western Mountains
Members of the Fisheries and Hatcheries Division are attending a meeting of
the Atlantic International Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. This
is a group of fisheries professionals working in northern New England,
Quebec, and the Maritime Provinces of Canada that meets annually to exchange
information and ideas. A major theme of this year's meeting, which is being
held in New Brunswick, is the control and management of exotic, invasive
fish species. Problems posed by invasive fish are by no means unique to
Maine; indeed, fisheries agencies throughout North America have struggled to
manage this form "biological pollution" for many, many decades, mostly
without success. The impact of exotic fish on native fish species, which in
most cases will be negative, may not become apparent for several years or
even decades.

Many recent examples of illegally introduced fish have been noted on these
pages during the last several months. Several of these are being
investigated by our warden service, but illegal stockings are exceedingly
difficult cases to solve. Clearly, fisheries agencies need to devise more
effective education and enforcement programs that communicate to everyone
the very real and enduring threat illegal fish pose to our aquatic
ecosystems.

On a happier note, autumn seems to have finally arrived here in Western
Maine. This is a glorious time to be outdoors and fishing can be
outstanding. While most waters become off limits to anglers after September
30, many remain open through October or November. River fishing
opportunities available in October include the Androscoggin River, Rangeley
River, South Branch of the Dead River (from Rt. 16 in Dallas to the Langtown
Mill Bridge), Dead River, Upper Dam Pool, Sandy River (from Rt. 145 bridge
in Strong to the Kennebec River confluence), and the Kennebec River. In
addition, scores of lakes and ponds are open during October and November.
These waters can be easily identified with the S-23 or S-24 codes in the
fishing rulebook. Special regulations apply during these extended seasons so
be sure to check the rulebook entry for each water.
-David Boucher, Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist

Region E - Moosehead Region
The 2002 regular openwater season is rapidly drawing to a close. This
summer's fishing has reflected the extremes in weather that have run the
gamut from periods of heavy rains early to no water in August to record
breaking heat in September. Our surveys show that this has been a fairly
good season for those folks with the proper gear and the know-how to use it.
The extreme conditions usually work against the more casual or less
experienced anglers, especially those trying to catch coldwater game fish.
With the warm water temperatures, fishing for bass and white perch has been
and continues to be good.

Many of the ponds in the area are open to fishing in October. Some
October fishing has been observed on a few ponds but interest tends to be
concentrated on the region's rivers. Brook trout ponds that receive annual
stocking and most area bass and perch waters remain open beyond the normal
September 30 closing date. It seems that most 'locals' hang up their fishing
poles at the end of September and dust off their shotguns. Some traditions
are hard to break!

The East Outlet of the Kennebec River has been open in October for
the past few years. A small but dedicated clientele takes advantage of the
extended season of Catch-and-Release fishing. The East Outlet October
fishery is dependent on the stocking of spring-yearling salmon directly into
the river. The young fish become 'imprinted' on the release site and return
to the river as adults two or three years after stocking.

A large section of the Piscataquis River remains open to "open water'
fishing methods throughout the entire year. Despite the stocking of
thousands of legal-size brook trout each spring and legal-size brown trout
each fall, the number of fishermen participating in the extended season on
the Piscataquis remains low. Most late-season activity is limited to the
first couple of weeks of October.

The area's major wild river fisheries are closed after September 30.
Where brook trout and salmon populations rely on natural reproduction for
their existence, it is critical to protect egg-ladened adult fish from
excessive handling...or mishandling as is often the case. Our experience
with fish that are ready to spawn is that they do best when handled the
least...the adults survive better and fewer eggs are lost.

In a couple of previous weekly reports, we mentioned the pending
work to be done at Gravel Pit Pond near Greenville Junction. Most of that
work was accomplished this past week. Through the efforts of Mike Theriault
(a Greenville contractor), Marc Albert (a forester for Public Lands), and
Paul Johnson, an agreement was worked out where everyone involved seems to
have gotten a great deal...a rare occurrence indeed! Mike needed material
suitable for 'fill' on a nearby project; Marc oversees the Public Lands
parcel where Gravel Pit Pond lies and has been seeking financing to improve
the grounds around the pond; and Paul (IFW) has been seeking a means to
enlarge and deepen the pond in order to expand its fishing possibilities.
For the material excavated, Mike has enlarged the pond and reclaimed the
surrounding banks which will be seeded to prevent erosion. Marc's planned
improvements have been completed a no additional cost to Public Lands. And,
with a larger pond, the Gravel Pit will be stocked with more legal-size
brook trout beginning next spring. The real benefactor has been the fishing
public because all of this was done as a cooperative effort with almost no
cost to the people of Maine.

Weekly fishing reports will soon be replaced by weekly hunting
reports as the seasons change. That does not mean that fish related work
will stop. We are entering the time when many of our days will be spent
tending trapnets...large nets that catch and hold fish alive. Much of the
data collected in the next few weeks will be used to evaluate stocking
programs, regulations, and management strategies. The information will
influence many of the recommendations that we will make for upcoming
programs. The results of some of the fall trapnetting will certainly appear
in the weekly fishing reports in the coming winter. Even though fall
trapnetting weather can be some of the harshest of the season, the fish that
we see are generally the biggest and the best of the year.
-Scott Roy, Assistant Regional Fishery Biologist,


Region F, Penobscot Region
Last week, Region F staff, along with the assistance of the
hatchery staff and a group of 10 local people marked 125,000 fish at the
Cobb Fish Hatchery in Enfield. A total of 60,000 brook trout, 33,000
splake, 18,000 landlocked salmon, and 14,000 lake trout were marked at the
hatchery. A portion of these fish will be stocked out this fall and the
remainder will be stocked in the spring. Starting this Thursday, they will
begin stocking by airplane and within the next couple of weeks, as the water
temperature cools, we will begin the rest of our stocking in the northern
part of the state.

Angler information from our lakes, ponds, rivers and streams is
very sparse this week. Everyone seems to be getting ready for the moose hunt
which begins this week or getting ready for winter.

As the leaves begin to turn color and the much-needed autumn
rains begin, the fish will become more active. With the record breaking high
temperatures of the past summer, angler success dropped off significantly.
Anglers luck will soon change. The cool water and shortening daylight will
trigger a response in the fish to become more active feeding. This will
improve their fat stores in their body and help them to survive the winter
months.

Don't miss out and make sure you get out and enjoy the great fall weather
and all the outdoors has to offer.
-Brian Campbell, Fisheries Biologist Specialist

Region G - Aroostook County
Water levels continue to remain low and warm in the larger rivers after last
weekend's extremely hot temperatures. The Aroostook River water temperature
was measured in the mid-seventies this week, certainly not conducive to the
trout moving out of the spring holes. Trout are still being caught at water
depths of 25+ feet in deeper lakes. Without rain and cold weather, fishing
for salmon and trout in the outlets of larger lakes will not be productive
this last week of the season.

Although the general law fishing season ends on September 30, a number of
stocked trout ponds will remain open to catch and release fishing in
October. These will be listed as S-23 waters in the 2002 Open Water Law
Book. These waters are distributed both in the eastern part of Aroostook
County and in the woods west of Route 11. The potato harvest is in full
swing in Aroostook County now. Many tractors and trucks are in the fields
and roads digging and transporting this year's crop. No trip to "The County"
would be complete without stopping at a roadside stand and picking up a bag
of new potatoes. The broccoli crop is also being harvested and these fields
of green stand as sharp contrast to the brown potato fields. With the first
week of moose season also occurring this week, hunting season starting next
week and snow just around the corner, the Fish River Lakes region is just
gearing up while the other Maine is winding down.
-Dave Basley Regional Fisheries Biologist

--
James Ehlers

Outdoors Magazine