As we transfer into the warmth of the summer time, freshwater fishing Maine can turn out to be tougher.
Hotter water means many species similar to brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout and landlocked salmon are going to be shifting into cooler and typically quicker shifting water.
That places the onus on anglers to make use of extra ways designed to extra successfully goal fish in these areas.
Fortunately, the Maine Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has a set of biologists and technicians who’ve specialised information about fisheries of their areas of the state.
Right here, we’re sharing with you the most recent fishing experiences offered by DIF&W within the hope of serving to you get pleasure from some productive fishing this month.
Table of Contents
Penobscot Area
From Fisheries Useful resource Technician Brian Campbell: Summer time is formally right here, although issues have been relatively cool for essentially the most half. The cooler temps have been nice for the coldwater fish species that inhabit the marginal waters across the state. The black flies have subsided, and the brook trout are hungry. The mixture of the summer time temps, cooler water and subsiding of biting bugs is nice information for the avid angler.
Most brooks and streams are nonetheless holding some good brook trout. Each native and stocked relying on the physique of water you might be fishing. If you’re fascinated by waters which can be stocked, you’ll be able to try waters stocked on the DIF&W web site. All stocked Maine our bodies of water are listed by county exhibiting date stocked, numbers of fish and dimension vary of the stocked fish.
Center Oxhead (T40 MD) is one such pond. It has quick access and is sort of distant. This brook trout-stocked water has canoe carry entry and nice fishing alternative from shore. There are a number of good camp websites alongside the lake as effectively.
If you’re in search of native brook trout, the Penobscot Area has many brook trout waters. Waters like B Pond (TB R11 WELS) and Misplaced Pond (T7 R7 WELS) are greatest fished with a small boat or canoe. If you happen to occur to be trying within the Baxter Park space this might be an excellent alternative to hike in and hire a canoe and have an excellent wilderness fishing journey. For extra details about what the park has to supply you’ll be able to contact Baxter Park Headquarters at 207-723-5140.
The DIF&W net web page comprises some nice info and solutions for the avid Maine angler. In case you have not checked out this web page, would possibly I counsel you achieve this. I can assure one can find info that can make it easier to in your subsequent angling journey.
For some nice smallmouth bass fishing, the Penobscot River is the place to go. Now we have been getting some nice experiences of quick angling for these feisty fish. One native angler was bass fishing the Penobscot within the Greenbush space. He observed that the 2 bass he saved for dinner had been nonetheless gravid with eggs. Usually, at the moment of 12 months they’re on the nests defending their eggs. He additionally famous that the fishing was incredible for the smallmouth bass.
Moosehead Area
From Fisheries Useful resource Supervisor Tim Obrey: July and August should not regarded as nice months for trout and salmon fishing, however listed below are a couple of tips/ideas that would make it easier to. The fish are nonetheless there, simply down deeper and never as lively. You’ll should get all the way down to their degree. Salmon and brook trout like to hang around on the high of the thermocline, that space in deeper lakes the place the water stays chilly.
For larger lakes like Moosehead, Chesuncook, Sebec and Chamberlain lakes, that often means that you must be fishing within the 35-to-50-foot vary in the summertime. Lake trout like that vary too however can usually be discovered deeper. Nevertheless, the very deepest water, say in extra of 90 ft, is the place the small lake trout often hang around. You don’t must go this deep.
Smaller ponds with deep water (higher than 25 ft) additionally stratify in the summertime, however most of those ponds are void of oxygen within the deepest areas and the fish can’t survive there. Don’t waste your time fishing the deep gap. For smaller trout ponds strive fishing within the 12-to-15-foot vary. A thermometer with a cable is the easiest way to find the thermocline. Decrease it down the water column and look ahead to the temperature to drop. That’s the depth to begin fishing.
July and August are excellent for taking a household fishing/canoe journey. The pesky bugs have receded, and the climate is nice for outside actions. In fact, the Allagash River is the quintessential Maine canoe journey. The pleasant people on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway do a superb job managing the river and lakes within the Waterway. The campsites are immaculate and there all the time appears to be a very good stream within the river.
We see a number of trippers heading up Chamberlain Lake on the start of their journey. The Penobscot River between Lobster and Chesuncook Lakes is one other good possibility when you’re in search of a much less difficult paddle. The Bureau of Public Lands manages this space and there are many good campsites on the river and the lakes. The trout fishing won’t be at its peak, however the perch and chubs will hold the youngsters occupied till it’s time to prepare dinner the smores.
Grand Lake Area
From Fisheries Useful resource Supervisor Greg Burr: Summertime fishing is right here! Nice alternatives abound in Down East Maine for heat climate fishing. That is one of the best time of 12 months to fish for heat water species similar to perch, bass and pickerel. For white perch we extremely advocate the next waters: Abrams Pond in Eastbrook, Georges Pond in Franklin, Massive Lake in Princeton, Meddybemps Lake in Meddybemps and Second Gardner’s Lake in Marion.
For smallmouth bass we advocate Department Lake in Ellsworth, Abrams Pond in Eastbrook, Clifford Lake in T 26 ED, Meddybemps Lake in Meddybemps and Massive Lake in Princeton. For largemouth bass a few of the greatest locations to go are Alamoosook Lake in Orland, Toddy Pond in Orland, Webb Pond in Eastbrook, Crawford Lake in Crawford and Pocomoonshine Lake in Alexander.
For chain pickerel we advocate Scammon Pond in Eastbrook and Fields Pond in Orrington.
For financial institution fishing alternatives we propose Mariaville Falls on the West Department of the Union River for smallmouth bass, Simmons Pond in Hancock for brook trout and the Grand Lake Stream Canal (kids-only water) for brook trout for the youngsters.
Fishing tip: A fishing tip for white perch is to troll a worm behind a spinner. When you catch your first white perch by trolling, cease and nonetheless fish in that spot persevering with to make use of a worm and spinner beneath a bobber or dwell minnow with a bobber.
Reminder: Bear in mind to all the time examine your lawbook earlier than fishing the above waters as particular rules might apply.
Fish River Lakes Area
From Fisheries Useful resource Supervisor Frank Frost: Cooler than regular climate and plenty of rain not too long ago has resulted in some nice fishing circumstances in northern Maine. Northern Maine has skilled two summers of drought circumstances however the pattern in 2022 is for cool, moist circumstances; the small brooks and streams have suffered from the dry, scorching circumstances the previous two years however ponds and lakes are experiencing some nice trout fishing. Now, trout ponds are prime for the upcoming hex hatch whereas the big lakes are nonetheless experiencing top-water motion for salmon and trout.
Some waters to strive the following two months:
Cross Lake — trout and salmon can nonetheless be discovered on this 2,500-acre lake; anglers should not focusing on invasive white perch that had been first reported in 2017. An incredible place to fish from shore is the general public touchdown off Route 161 and the Disy Highway.
Sq. Lake — our largest lake in northern Aroostook County, Sq. is greatest recognized for its wonderful brook trout fishing; the hex hatch may be wonderful for these in search of a spot in early July.
Eagle Lake — an ample salmon inhabitants and a liberal bag restrict (see rule e-book) attracts anglers to this northern Maine lake that boasts greater than 5,500 acres and a big parcel of public land on the East finish of the lake. Salmon will nonetheless be discovered within the high 10 ft of water in early July and catching them is the subject of this month’s fishing tip.
Fishing Tip: Catching salmon on the floor requires minimal gear. Attempt utilizing a medium-weight rod, a silver dodger adopted by a 16-inch chief and fly of your selection. Attempt a small, single-hook sample (Gray Ghost, Wooden Particular, and so on.) and troll at speeds of 2-2.5 mph. Additionally, there’s a liberal bag restrict on many waters together with Eagle Lake so please take into account harvesting your catch.
