Moosehead Lake Region fishing report
By Tim Obrey, Moosehead Lake Region regional fisheries supervisor
Normally, I would be writing to let you all know what to expect for fall flows in the rivers around the Moosehead Lake Region. The dry weather has really put a cramp in the upcoming September river fishing. The spring and summer started wet, but I’m sure everyone realizes just how dry it is now. There’s nothing we can do except make the best of it.
Most of the impoundments are below long-term average right now. I’m meeting weekly with dam operators to monitor the situation. The plan is to delay any fishing-related releases until we are sure there is adequate water to run through the end of September. We don’t want to fill the rivers with water and fish, then have the rivers dry up. Also, the forecast is for warm temperatures in the first week of September and it doesn’t make sense to spill what precious little water we have when it’s that warm.
So, with that in mind here is what I can tell you today:
Roach River: Look for an increase in flow around Sept. 8 or 9.
West Branch Below Seboomook: Currently running 400 cfs to conserve water. At some date (still not determined), we hope to increase the flow to 750 cfs.
East Outlet: Currently running 800 cfs to conserve water. At some date (still not determined), we hope to increase the flow to 1200 cfs.
Moose River: Currently running 300 cfs to conserve water. At some date (still not determined), we hope to increase the flow to 800 cfs.
Lower Wilson Pond: FYI for the campowners. You can look for us to begin the fall release around the 8th or 9th this year.
I was up to Chesuncook Lake last weekend and that impoundment does have some water available. If you’re itching to fish a river, the West Branch of the Penobscot between Rip Dam and Pemadumcook Lake is the place to go for now. The flows are still managed for rafting and angling and should be in the 2000 cfs range, which is good for fishing.
While the impoundments are low, there is still hope for increased flows later in the month. However, the free flowing rivers and streams are a total loss for the foreseeable future. Natural inflows are at extremely low levels and there is little rain in the forecast for the next 10 days. I drive over Kingsbury Stream on my way to work and there is very little moving water right now. The USGS gauge is reading between 2 and 3 cfs.
I will update everyone as more info becomes available. This is all I have for now.