Moosehead Lake and Penobscot regional fishing reports
By Tim Obrey and Kevin Dunham
Places to go: April can be a tough month for anglers wishing to dip their toes in the waters around the Moosehead Lake region. A lot of years, April 1 looks like Feb. 1. But this year we’ve had a mild winter in general, so we expect some ice out fishing toward the end of the month. The Piscataquis River in Dover-Foxcroft opened up on March 28 and the general rule of thumb is two more weeks until Sebec Lake starts to open up and another 10 days until Moosehead clears. Of course, Mother Nature doesn’t follow any of our rules, but it’s safe to say you can look forward to open water fishing sometime after the third week of April up this way. The first two weeks are good for prepping the gear and restocking the fly box.
Moosehead Lake, Sebec Lake and First Roach Pond will be good bets at ice out. There are some quality-sized fish in all these lakes. Of course, if you’re looking for a lot of action, then head to Chesuncook Lake. We just wrapped up our winter surveys up there, and the fishing was pretty good, especially for those anglers that could travel up the lake a mile or two. There are plenty of salmon left and traveling on the Golden Road from Millinocket was good.
Fishing tip: Ice out fishing is some of the best fishing of the year. The big brook trout are cruising the shallows and have a voracious appetite. In the ponds, the mayfly nymphs will be active along with leeches. In bigger lakes, salmon and lake trout will be tight to shore chasing smelt that typically spawn just as the ice is clearing the lakes. So, use your streamers and smelt imitations, if not the real thing, during the first week or two of open water fishing and hug the shoreline.
Reminder: It’s spring and we get some pretty windy days on these bigger lakes. A little wind is good for fishing but use caution and dress warmer than you would if you were on shore. A stiff breeze off the cold water will make it feel 10 degrees cooler. A lifejacket is a must this time of year.
In the North Zone, lakes and ponds with special season code “A” or “B” are open to ice fishing through April 30. Click at https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing-boating/fishing/laws-rules/special-laws.html (Search “A (Open” or “B (Open” in the regulation column to find which waters are open to ice fishing through April) or use the map-based Fishing Laws Online Angling Tool (FLOAT). After April 1, once the ice disappears, you can open water fish on most lakes and ponds in the North Zone.
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Places to go: Anglers are shifting their focus to open water fishing now that April and the spring season has arrived. Smaller brooks and streams throughout the region offering wild brook trout tend to get targeted early since water levels and flows are often advantageous.
Historically, the West Branch of the Penobscot River has been an opening day destination for many anglers. The stretch of river between the Telos Road bridge (T3 R11 WELS) and the Abol bridge (T2 R10 WELS) in the vicinity of Nesowadnehunk Deadwater and Abol Deadwater, just off the Golden Road, is a popular spot for those itching to begin their open water season.
Anglers looking for early season ice out trolling action will want to head to Seboeis Lake (T4 R9 NWP) for landlocked salmon and splake; Endless Lake (T3 R9 NWP) for splake; Hay Lake (T6 R8 WELS) for salmon and brook trout; or Upper Pond (Lincoln) for brook trout. Those lakes are stocked in the fall with each of the species listed and should pay piscatorial dividends right out of the gate. Please remember to check the inland fishing laws at mefishwildlife.com/fishinglaws or download the Maine Fishing Laws Online Angling Tool (FLOAT) before heading out for a day of fishing.
Fishing tip: Success in cold water fishing often relies on slowing down your presentation and retrieval techniques. If not having any luck when trying to entice lethargic fish, use subdued colors and a slow retrieval and your catch rate may improve.
Reminder: As always, whether you are fishing a swiftly flowing river or trolling a newly ice-free lake, spring water temperatures can be dangerously cold. Wearing a lightweight inflatable PFD or a float coat could help save your life if you unexpectedly end up in the water.
In the North Zone, lakes and ponds with special season code “A” or “B” are open to ice fishing through April 30. Click at https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing-boating/fishing/laws-rules/special-laws.html (Search “A (Open” or “B (Open” in the regulation column to find which waters are open to ice fishing through April) or use the map-based Fishing Laws Online Angling Tool (FLOAT). After April 1, once the ice disappears, you can open water fish on most lakes and ponds in the North Zone.
Obrey is the Moosehead Lake region fisheries resource supervisor and Dunham is the Penobscot region fisheries resource supervisor.