Winter hates to give up its grip on northern Maine but ice outs are slowly making their way northward into the region. Presently the spectrum goes from having a few trout ponds open in the southern and eastern part of the region to Long Lake that is still white with ice. Snow is gradually melting from the landscape west of Ashland but the lakes remain iced in.
A call to the North Maine Woods office in Ashland (435-6213) would be in order to learn the status of roads for travel prior to any trip north. The thoroughfare between Umsaskis and Long lakes is one of the few locations ice free and accessible for vehicles. The warmer weather scheduled for this week should go a long way toward opening roads for access and ice outs in regional lakes. There should be a noticeable difference in ice conditions come next week this time.
Anglers have been picking up some trout in the ponds that are opening as the ice recedes from the shoreline. Retired brook trout brood stock are available for anglers in Conroy Lake, Durepo Lake, Echo Lake, Monson Pond and Mud Pond in Linneus. These fish could create quite a surprise at the end of a youngster’s Snoopy pole! Fall yearling brook trout or splake should be available to anglers fishing Madawaska Lake, Arnold Brook Lake, Drew’s Lake, Nickerson Lake and Squa Pan Lake as the ice clears and they are able to troll. Hatchery trucks will be delivering spring yearling brook trout as lakes open up.
A reminder that Mud Brook, a tributary to Long Lake in T17R3 WELS, is open to the taking of smelts with a dip net. This is the only tributary to Long Lake in T17R3 open to dipping. The brook was opened via legislation in 2006 but was left out of the 2007 Open Water Law Book due to an oversight.
Dave Basley, Regional Fisheries Biologist