Lack of early lake ice
is no problem for upcoming derby
ST. AGATHA, Maine — Prior to this week’s dip in temperatures and Sunday’s snowstorm, the St. John Valley had been in the midst of an unseasonable warm start to the winter.
Near record temperatures were seen throughout New England in the second half of December, which was on the minds of those looking forward to winter outdoor recreation activities like ice fishing.
In fact, the day before Christmas, Eagle and Long Lakes were largely ice-free. With the Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby coming up at the end of January, that situation may have concerned some people.
But, derby chairmen Paul Bernier of Frenchville seemed relatively unconcerned.
“I’m not worried,” Bernier said during a telephone call, Dec. 23, 2015. “We’re five weeks out,” from the derby.
Although he did not think many people would be out ice fishing on these lakes soon, Bernier felt conditions were right for ice formation once the air temperatures dropped.
“The water temperature is right,” he said. “A few calm nights and cold temperatures, is all we need.”
The lack of early ice may be disheartening to those anglers looking to get an early start to the the season, it is good for water quality in the lakes, according the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife regional fisheries biologist Frank Frost, based in Ashland.
“It keeps the water churning and is better for mixing the water,” which helps improve oxygen levels, he said.
Frost said the unusually warm weather leading up to Christmas was “really bizarre” and will push back opening day for many ice anglers. It also means that ice conditions will be treacherous at the start of the season.
“There won’t be much safe ice on January first,” said Frost. “The fishing will be just as good when people are able to get out, though,”
For Bernier and derby organizers, the late ice should not be a problem by the time the derby starts on Jan. 30. In its 10-year history, the event has never been canceled due to inadequate or unsafe ice conditions, he said.
Unsafe ice, however, is always a possibility when ice fishing.
“We want people to be safe on the ice,” Bernier said.
Bernier said he has not received any calls from derby anglers concerned about the warm temperatures or lack of ice. Approximately half the derby registrations come in the week before the event, Bernier said.
This year’s Long Lake derby has $16,000 in cash prizes up for grabs. Eligible waters now include Carr Pond, Portage Lake and the St. John River, along with the traditional Long, Cross, St. Froid, Square, Eagle, Glazier and Beau lakes.
Bernier said he expects to get enough sponsors to cover the entire purse and donations for other prizes.
Among the raffle prizes entrants are eligible to win is a weekend ice fishing package that includes accommodations ns equipment, valued at $3,000.
A portion of the proceeds goes toward the Edgar J. Paradis cancer Fund.
Going into this year’s ice fishing season, Frost said anglers need t be aware of some “major changes.”
On Long Lake the “slot limit” on salmon was increased from 14-16 inches to 14-18 inches.
For Eagle Lake, there will be no bag limit this season for salmon less than 14 inches. Previously there was a three-fish limit.
That previous regulation “just wasn’t doing what we wanted it to do,” said Frost, who has been working to improve the smelt population the lake.
Overnight temperatures Wednesday through Sunday are expected to only reach between 19 F and -2 F, which should help bring good ice to the reaming lakes in the area.
