by Bill Graves
Governor Baldacci’s good will legislation in the form of an emergency bill to allow statewide open water fishing season to begin a week early was well intended. Thanks to an unusually mild winter, even the far northern reaches of Aroostook County had brooks and small streams ice free and fishable in late March. Unfortunately, Mother Nature stepped in and vetoed the idea only one day after the law went into effect. Throughout the state, torrential rains have turned flowing waterways into moving mud puddles and plunging temperatures in the Crown of Maine set the spring thaw back several days. High temperatures and sunny skies over Easter weekend proved enjoyable for outdoor activities, however the resulting snow melt only served to raise stream and river levels as well as infuse more mud and floating ice.
It will still be two or three weeks before ponds and small lakes become fishable and near May until the big lakes up north are fully free of ice. On the plus side, over the next week a few regional spots on flowing waterways will recede and clear up enough to produce a few trout on well fished worms. Faster runs will require bottom bumping bait by using a sinker or split shot to keep the current from moving the worm too fast, while in bogans, backwaters and shallow coves, a bait and bobber rig will work best.
Perennial holding pools on the Prestile Stream include the deep holes below the Mars Hill and Robinson dams where large schools of trout currently reside. Both sites are easy to fish and can accommodate three or four bait casting anglers. Using hip or chest waders allows better access but trout can often be caught right from shore on nightcrawlers and medium weight sinkers. There is a cove in the Robinson Pond above the dam and a bogan below the Robinson bridge where trout hole up to avoid the fast, cold flow of the main stream. Both of these shallow spots boast warm, calm water perfect for bait and bobber fishing.
Houlton anglers enjoy the added excitement of brown trout as well as brookies in the Meduxnekeag River. There are a couple of likely pools near Littleton’s Covered Bridge and several eddies and backwaters below the old starch factory worth investigating. Worms remain the best bait for both species and casting from shore the simplest and safest approach considering water levels.
Fishermen further north would be wise to visit the Fish River, especially Soldier Pond. Just this week, despite dirty, debris-filled water, one lucky sport caught a 29-1/2 inch salmon. Fishing for trout and landlocks will only improve over the next couple of weeks and since Soldier Pond is actually only a wide spot on the Fish River it can be fished with bait rods from either shoreline. Once the river level and color settle down, trolling lures, flies or sewn smelt from canoes or small boats will also offer consistent results.
Due to its many feeder brooks and creeks, the Aroostook River will take a bit longer to recede and clear up, but even before it drops to trolling levels, bank fishing with bait produces action. Of the dozen or more towns and villages along the Aroostook, all have several access points for shoreline bait casters. Select eddies below islands or those formed by sweeping curves in the river’s course, or visit bogans and backwaters created by high water.
Any pool out of the direct current, and runs of shallow, warmer water will attract trout this month. The large eddy formed where the Presque Isle Stream joins the Aroostook River attracts and hold large numbers of trout every spring. Bottom bouncing bait or bobber and worm fishing both work at this annual hot spot. Although productive fishing holes are scarce, fish can be caught now, while most year’s Crown of Maine fishermen would only be able to wish and dream during early April. Rig up and give it a try this week or next.
