REGION — Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has released its February fishing report. For the most up-to-date fishing news and suggestions from Maine’s fisheries biologists, visit maine.gov/ifw.
Remember to always use extreme caution when venturing onto Maine’s waterways. Accessing lakes and ponds should be avoided unless you can be certain of ice conditions by checking ice thickness. Before stepping out, use a chisel or auger to test ice thickness in several places. Remember that ice seldom freezes uniformly and conditions are always changing and can vary from one location to the next. Ice that forms over flowing water and currents, especially near streams, bridges and culverts, can be particularly dangerous. We hope you have a great ice fishing season! Visit the IF&W website to learn more about ice safety.
Before you head for a day of fishing, always tell someone where you are going and when you will return. Please enjoy the Maine outdoors safely and responsibly!
Monthly Fishing Report for the Rangeley Lakes Region
by Fisheries Resource Technician Tyler Grant, 1-24-25
It’s February, and the weather is certainly reflecting that. It’s finally been a good old-fashioned winter in the Rangeley Lakes Region. Subzero temperatures at night and the lack of snow cover means the lakes are frozen solid and deep. After such a short winter last year, it’s time to get out and fish.
Anglers looking for some great coldwater fish opportunities should try Porter Lake in the towns of Strong and New Vineyard. A plowed parking area on the north side at the Strong town beach makes access easy, even without a snowmobile. Anglers can target brook trout near shore, or venture further out for landlocked salmon and lake trout. Chain pickerel and a few smallmouth bass are also taken in the shallow cove on the southwest of the lake, and along the weedy shorelines. Porter lake is stocked with 1,500 brook trout and 300 landlocked salmon each fall, so there is a good chance that you will find some fish if you are patient. Porter Lake was also stocked this year with 75 retired brood stock brook trout. At over 18″ in length, catching one of those would create a lasting memory.
Another option for anglers with easy access is Wesserunsett Lake in the town of Madison. A public boat launch and parking area off the East Madison Road, by the outlet dam, provides easy access for anglers. This 22-foot deep, 1,400 acre lake is stocked yearly with 1,700 fall yearling brown trout and 2,200 fall yearling brook trout giving it the potential to be a fast action coldwater salmonid fishery. 47 retired broodstock brown trout were also stocked this year, giving anglers the chance at a trophy sized catch. There is also a great fishery for large white perch out in the middle of the lake providing fast action, and Wesserunsett has both large and smallmouth bass.
If you are looking for a place that’s easy to get to, but far off the beaten track, give Chain of Ponds a try. Chain of Ponds is a long chain of interconnected ponds located off Rt 27 in Chain of Ponds TWP that form the headwaters of the North Branch of the Dead River. Specifically, they are Natanis, Round, Long, Bag, and Lower Ponds, and for fisheries purposes, they are managed as one long waterbody. Access to the ponds is easy from one of the many points off Rt 27. Chain of Ponds is stocked with brook trout in the spring and the fall and has a wild population of landlocked salmon managed under a more liberal harvest rule. Anglers are allowed 3 salmon, with a minimum length limit of 12 inches, and only one salmon is allowed over 16 inches. The purpose of this regulation is to encourage harvest of those smaller mature fish and reduce the population density, so don’t be afraid to bring some home for dinner.
Fishing Tip: When jigging, experiment with different colors and speeds. You never know what the fish might be looking for at that moment, or how the light through the ice is changing the color of your lure. I like purples and greens, but white is a good choice too. Keep in mind the clarity of the water. The clearer the water, usually the smaller the lure should be. If the regulations allow, adding a chunk of fish from a legal baitfish species is a great way to increase the attraction of your jig
Reminder: February 15 and 16 is one of Maine’s free fishing weekends, and a great time to introduce new anglers to the sport. Remember that ice fishing trips with young or beginner anglers are not only about fishing, but also about creating traditions and memories. A slow day on the ice can be brightened up by bringing outdoor games. Horseshoes and cornhole, frisbees, a kite, even skis or ice skates are popular choices for ice entertainment. Something to keep the group occupied and having fun can turn a slow fishing day into a memorable day on the ice.
Fish Tagging Study: Fisheries biologists are currently studying the brook trout populations in Wilson Pond in Wilton and Webb Lake in Weld using Floy tags. These small fluorescent tags are inserted behind the dorsal fin, each tag has a unique identification number that allows biologists to track individual fish through angler reports. If you catch a tagged fish, we encourage you to take a photo of the tag ID# and report your catch online. Each tag provides a web address for easy reporting. Please note that Floy tags are not GPS-enabled or transmitters, so the data collected relies entirely on public participation. All information is confidential and used solely to support fish population management, which helps enhance the fishing experience for everyone.