Regional Fisheries Biologist
New regulations have been implemented for this season, and the new ice fishing law book should be required reading prior to any fishing trip this winter. Except as provided by rule, all waters are now open to ice fishing 24 hours a day. All lines must be under the immediate supervision of the person who set them. The exception being that all lines set at night for cusk must be visited at least once every hour by the person who set them. Also eliminated was the regulation that allowed night fishing using three hooks per line, hooks not to be less than four inches apart.
In central Aroostook, Squa Pan Lake continues to be a popular destination for the splake and smelt fishery. Fall yearling brook trout have been stocked in Arnold Brook Lake. This has been a disappointing fishery the past few years, but this easily accessible lake might be a good destination early in the year.
Smelt anglers that routinely fish Long, Cross, Square and Eagle Lakes for smelts from Jan. 1st to the 14th should be aware that this fishery still is limited to night fishing from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise. There is no limit on the number of hooks per line. From Jan. 15 to March 15, fishing is allowed for all fish 24 hours a day.
At Eagle Lake in the Fish River Chain, the daily bag limit on togue now is six fish with a minimum length limit of 14-inches; only one may exceed 23-inches. The daily bag limit on salmon is three fish with a 12-inch minimum length limit.
There has been no change in the brook trout regulation. Anglers fishing Eagle Lake may legally possess 6 togue, 3 salmon and 2 trout in one day.
First, Second and Third Musquacook Lakes also have had the daily bag limit on togue increase to six fish with a minimum length limit of 14-inches; only one may exceed 23-inches. An angler fishing one of these lakes may legally possess in one day six togue and two trout.
At Portage, St. Froid and Square lakes, three salmon may be harvested per day with a minimum length limit of 12-inches. A reminder that the minimum length limit on whitefish is 16-inches and the daily bag limit is three fish.
Anglers fishing Big Eagle and Churchill Lakes need to be aware that the daily bag limit on togue has increased to two fish.
These lakes remain closed to the taking of whitefish.
