In just a few days, on April 1, open water fishing season begins. Chest waders will be a must for any April Fool’s Day angler and that will be just to climb up the huge roadside snowbank to look at the river. Open waters likely to be scarcer than hen’s teeth, so why not postpone the pipe dream of bait casting and go ice fishing one more time.
I’m counting on the old adage that March “comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb” to be true. The first half of the month has been stormy and nasty, perhaps this last week will be clear and sunny. Over the years I’ve found that fishing results seem to decline in late January and throughout February, but perk up in March. Maybe fish sense the weather change, that spring is imminent and they become more active. As for fishermen, late March usually offers the most comfortable outdoor conditions of the entire winter season.
Hard water anglers in the Presque Isle region might consider staying close to home with a visit to Arnold Brook Lake. Brook trout abound and its location and ease of access make a pre- or post-work outing for an hour or two a great option. Over the years I’ve often seen sportsmen drive out during lunch hour, drill a hole or two and set traps near shore. Then sit in the vehicle, eat a sandwich and hope for a flag.
Diehard ice drillers around Caribou should visit Madawaska Lake for one last auger outing. This waterway offers only a half season of ice fishing since it doesn’t open until mid-February. On the plus side, the lake receives two or three heavy, late fall stockings, and some of the brook trout are large, thick brood stock fish, so March action can be very exciting.
Madawaska Lake is simple to reach as it sit just a rock’s throw from Route 161 and visiting anglers can fish a short distance from any of the three plowed shoreline roads. This isn’t a deep waterway nor does it have any outstanding holding pools so setting out tip-ups at random works fine. This lake should also be remembered for spring trolling as soon as the ice clears.
Winter fishermen from the St. John Valley, would be remiss not to visit nearby border water Glazier Lake. Over the last few years this narrow lake formed by the St. Francis River has become renowned for record book musky. These toothy water wolves put up a tremendous battle on a handline and 20-pound fish are common during the winter months.
Heavy duty lines, leaders and hooks along with 6- to 12-inch bait fish alter fishing tactics, but upgrading gear remains a small price to pay when one of these behemoths hooks up. Glazier Lake can be reached from either U.S. or Canada, but live bait cannot be transported through the border so plan on buying bait at one the New Brunswick shops along the highway.
One of my personal favorite lakes for March outings continues to be Drew’s Lake near Houlton. The healthy population of brown trout, a rare species in Aroostook, keeps me returning year after year. I’ve seen brown trout well over five pounds pulled through an auger hole on the waterway. Prodigious numbers of pickerel, perch, brook trout and a few salmon keep flags flying even when the brown trout become picky eaters.
Drew’s Lake only requires a 15-minute drive from town, has a plowed road right to the outlet end of the lake and parking for several vehicles. While a snowmobile aids access to the large lake, a 50-yard walk is all that’s required to fish the small lake area near the boat launch.
If you’re looking for an all-day venture with a different quarry than run-of-the-mill brook trout or salmon, try for togue on the Musquacook lake chain. It’s a notable trek over rough roads into the North Maine Woods, but 2- to 4-pound lake trout are plentiful, a few top five pounds and other anglers remain scarce.
There are plenty of other late-season ice fishing options as well, but most I’ve mentioned are nearby and dependable. Like every other sportsman, I’m thinking spring, hoping for sun and open water, but the snow drifts keep blocking my view. Might as well make the best of the last week of the season and give ice fishing one more go. At least you’re outside and you might just hook a trophy. Spring’s just around the corner, unfortunately that corner happens to be down the road a ways.
