Mainely Outdoors: Odd Fish out

Unlike open water fishing where the angler has some control over casting, bait selection, mobility on lakes and streams, and targeted fish species, ice fishing is a sport of surprises. A flag signifies a bite, but not necessarily a hook-up, and a hook-up doesn’t mean the fish will eventually be pulled from the ice hole. The largest question mark of all is which species will be on the other end of the ice fishing tug-of-war.
Any variety of trout, a togue, or a landlocked salmon, Aroostook’s anglers triumvirate, are the most sought out gamefish. Despite their diminutive size, smelt get a lot of angling attention as well, a popularity based on great taste and regional prevalence. Perch and pickerel are also widespread in local lakes and provide consistent action, yet many winter fishermen look on them with disdain. Two other odd species of fish are widespread throughout northern Maine, but seldom pursued as gamefish. Cusk and whitefish are plentiful, bite well, fight well and taste excellent.
Thirty years ago cusk were considered a trash fish, and when caught were often thrown out on the ice to freeze and feed the scavengers. I’ve cut many a line allowing a cusk to drop back into the lake rather than handle the ugly, slimy and often smelly creature. Years ago while getting a haircut I was ranting about losing hooks while releasing a half a dozen cusk during a recent trip to Pleasant Lake. The barber informed me that despite their looks, cusk had very white meat with a delicate, mild taste perfect for fish chowder.  From that point on he got many of my cusk, while I kept a few for my own chowder once I discovered how tasty the recipe really was. This fish has gained greatly in popularity and price in the last ten years, as a quick check at the local supermarket fish counter will prove.
Cusk look like they’re part catfish and part sucker, with a tail like a giant eel. Actually the cusk is the only fresh water member of the codfish family, often called burbot, and the resemblance to its saltwater relative is uncanny, even to the single chin whisker. Although they will eat live bait, cusk are generally bottom feeders and readily scoff up cut bait or dead minnows fished right on bottom. Cusk will bite anytime, but feed better at dawn and dusk, and peak feeding is during the night.
Cusk offer consistent action for young anglers as well as novice ice fishermen with no special gear or techniques. Monofilament lines should be at least ten pound test and a size 2 hook prevents lost fish during tenacious tug-of-wars. Visit Square, Eagle and Long Lakes of the Fish River Chain, Glazier Lake, Pleasant Lake, Portage Lake,  St. Froid Lake and Beau Lake for sure results on one of the county’s oddest fish.
A second unique regional species that also offers dependable ice fishing and great taste is the whitefish. Satiny white with a greenish cast, whitefish readily take cut bait and small jigs, and are more frequently caught through the ice than during open water fishing. Averaging two pounds some whitefish reach the 4- to 5-pound mark. Landing good-size whitefish can be a challenge since they have a soft, weak mouth that allows hooks to pull free easily. Size 6 hooks work well for either cut bait or small live minnows.
Beau Lake, a boundary water at the tip of Maine, has a healthy population of whitefish. Carr Pond, Chamberlain Lake, St. Froid Lake, Ross Lake and Big Eagle are other area waterways where ice fishermen can do battle with this little appreciated species. As with any species, an angler never knows when a flag will indicate a whitefish, but they often move about in schools, so when one is caught, get a bait back down quickly just in case a hungry relative is nearby.
Cusk and whitefish are far from well known and sought after ice fishing trophies among Aroostook ice drillers, but they are often far more cooperative than trout and salmon. Arguably tastier than perch and pickerel they fight better than smelt. Winter anglers seeking a new challenge might want to investigate a waterway harboring both of these unique finned specimens. Try them on a hook and on the dinner table and I’ll bet you go back for more.