What you need to know to catch fish in Maine this month

By Pete Warner, Bangor Daily News Staff

Ice anglers are excited about getting out on Maine’s frozen lakes and ponds, but make sure you check conditions before venturing out this month.

The January fishing reports from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife list several small bodies of water that typically freeze first, but it is up to anglers to test for ice safety before heading onto the ice as warm temperatures have not been conducive to good ice formation.

DIF&W recommends that ice anglers always tell someone where they are going and when they plan to return as part of an outing.

Also, be aware that many new regulation changes for specific waters have taken effect for 2023. You can check out the new regulations here.

Penobscot Region

From Fisheries Resource Supervisor Kevin Dunham:

For many winter anglers Jan. 1 is the long-awaited “official” opening of a new ice fishing season. For some, the start of a new year brings anticipation of fun-filled days on the ice with friends and family enjoying the great Maine outdoors. Others may look forward to spending some solitary days on the ice, relishing the opportunity to slow down and recharge after a long, hectic year. However you choose to kick off 2023, may the year ahead bring you happiness, good health, ice-free holes and tight lines.

A few possible waters to fish in January include Hay Lake (T6 R8 WELS), which typically has adequate ice come January. Hay Lake is stocked with brook trout and landlocked salmon each fall to enhance anglers’ opportunity to catch one of these coldwater salmonids. Another water, which we believe to be underutilized during the ice fishing season, is Lunksoos Lake in T4 R7 WELS. This waterbody is not the easiest to access during the winter, but those that make the trip are often rewarded with brook trout in the 12- to 14-inch range and no crowds. 

A third possible water to fish this winter is actually a new opportunity for most in 2023. Little Round Pond in Lincoln has had a special regulation in the past which designated the pond as a “special opportunity water” from Dec. 1 to April 30 for use by persons under 16 years of age or those holding an eligible complimentary fishing license. Information we’ve gathered from winter creel surveys indicated Little Round Pond was not being utilized during the December through April timeframe. As a result, we implemented a regulation change that takes effect beginning Jan. 1 which will open Little Round Pond as a year-round angling opportunity for all anglers. A great “new” fishing opportunity close to the town of Lincoln.

Fishing tip: It can be worth the effort to set an ice fishing trap in close to shore rigged with an earthworm, especially early in the season, when targeting brook trout. Trout are often cruising the shoreline looking for a quick meal and ice anglers can use that to their advantage.

Moosehead Region

From Fisheries Resource Supervisor Tim Obrey:

There’s been very little fishing ice fishing activity so far in the Moosehead Lake Region. We’ll need some cold, calm nights for the ice to set up. So, stay on the small ponds for now. Waters like Mountain View (Fitzgerald) Pond, Sawyer Pond, Prong Pond, Branns Mill Pond and Snow’s Pond will be the first to have sufficient ice. They are all stocked late in the fall, so the fish are there.

Big Wood Pond in Jackman is a larger body of water, but it seems to freeze earlier than most mid-sized lakes. Big Wood offers some fast early season action for splake, brook trout and the occasional salmon. It’s located in downtown Jackman, so access is easy. It’s going to be a while yet for Moosehead and other large lakes.