Some tips for early-season ice fishing

By Matthew LaRoche
Superintendent
Allagash Wilderness Waterway

    Ice fishing season on the headwater lakes of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway (AWW) begins on January first, except Allagash Lake. Brook Trout usually bite fast and furious during the first few weeks of the season. The trout haven’t seen a lure or bait since the last day of September; therefore, they are not very wary about hitting whatever offering an ice fisherman puts down a well-placed hole in the ice.

Matt LaRoche photo

    NICE CATCH — Rob Flewelling with a nice Chamberlain Lake brook trout, taken by Stella Flewelling.

    The best places to catch the native brookies of the Allagash are in shallow water, often only two or three feet in depth under the ice. Anywhere along the shoreline seems to be good when the season first opens.
    I like to fish with a night crawler in about three feet of water. The bait needs to be suspended about six inches off the bottom for best results. You can use a sounder to determine the bottom or you can actually look down the hole.
    I lay on my chest with my hands covering the sides of the hole to shade the sunlight so that I can see more clearly under the water. The perfect depth to hang a night crawler is just off the bottom
    When you first look down the hole you might not see the bottom clearly, so just keep looking and try to block out as much sunlight as possible with your hands. Eventually, the bottom will come into focus. When it does, spend a little time watching your bait. I’ve actually watched the trout swim around the bait, bump it a few times, and then open its mouth and inhale the crawler. That’s the time to set the hook!
    Bag and length limits on game fish within the waterway are very conservative and vary by water body, to protect the “all native” fisheries of the AWW. Check the fishing regulations before heading out on the frozen headwater lakes of the waterway.
    When releasing a fish, please remove the hook as quickly as possible. If it looks like you can’t get the hook out rapidly, cut the leader close to the fish’s mouth. The hook will dissolve in a few days without injury to the fish. I have actually caught brook trout with a piece of leader sticking out of their mouth from being released by someone else.
    The AWW provides a plowed parking area and winter campground at Chamberlain Bridge. Drinking water and vault privies are provided at the parking lot.
    There are groomed snowmobile trails to Chamberlain and Round Pond/Telos Lakes. Camping fees are required for overnight stays in the waterway, payable at the ranger station.
    Visitors that do not want to sleep in a tent at one of the remote campsites of the waterway or stay in a self-contained camper in the winter campground at Chamberlain Bridge have the option of staying at Nugent’s Camps. The camps offer no frills waterfront cabins on the shore of beautiful Chamberlain Lake. For more information, visit www.nugentscamps.com for other facilities near the waterway that are open in the winter.
    For information on ice conditions, hazard areas, AWW rules & regulations, or fishing regulations check in with the ranger at the Chamberlain Bridge Ranger Station.
    A snowmobile is nice for travel to the more remote sections of the lakes, but good fishing can be found within walking distance of the parking lot at Chamberlain Bridge.
    Enjoy the day out fishing in the wilds of the waterway with some hot dogs cooked over an open fire and some tea or coffee boiled on the coals of a nice warm fire. Campfires are allowed in the fireplaces at designated campsites, or below the normal high-water mark when the ground is snow covered, without a permit.
    The first of the season ice fishing only happens once a year. So get those tip-ups out, check the lines, tie on new leader and hooks. Then head to the AWW for some unforgettable native brook trout ice fishing.
    AWW Notes: Amendments to the AWW rules were recently adopted. ATV’s are no longer allowed within the waterway except when lack of snow limits access by snowmobile, changes have been made to the designated snowmobile access locations, and winter camping may be allowed off authorized campsites by special activity permit. AWW rules may be viewed at: www.maine.gov/allagash.