Monthly Archives: January 2024

Ice fishing for brook trout on Silver Lake in Phippsburg, Sagadahoc County, Maine (January 27, 2024)

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Most of the brookies I catch this morning are of this modest size.

 

Silver Lake is a 12-acre body of water located right next to the ocean in Phippsburg, Sagadahoc County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 6 E5). If you are quiet and listen attentively when on the ice, you can hear the waves crashing on the nearby beach! To reach this location, drive on Route 209 from Bath and pass Popham Beach State Park. The pond will appear within less than a mile from the entrance of the park. Just before reaching the southern tip of the pond, turn right on Hunnewell Avenue, which is a gravel road that splits off from Route 209. Drive 200-300 ft. on this road and leave your vehicle on the side. The access point will be to your left. Keep in mind that parking space is limited to a handful of vehicles (note: no parking is available or allowed on Route 209) and may also be a problem after a snowstorm.

 

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Ice fishing for brook trout on Charles Pond in Georgetown, Maine (January 20, 2024)

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It’s tough to be a baitfish…

 

Charles Pond is a 14-acre body of water located next to Route 127 (Five Islands Road) in Georgetown, Sagadahoc County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 7 D1). The pond is located immediately next to the road and is therefore easily accessible. Vehicles can be parked along the wide shoulder. However, beware that parking may be a challenge following a snowstorm after the plows have pushed piles of snow on that shoulder.

 

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Ice fishing for brook trout on Big Eddy Pond, Topsham, Sagadahoc County (January 15, 2024)

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The parking lot next to the transfer station can accommodate multiple vehicles. Note the total lack of snow…

 

Big Eddy Pond is a small, four-acre body of water located in the back of the Topsham Transfer Station at the end of Townsend Way, off Foreside Road in Topsham, ME. The pond is not shown on the Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map. Consult the Google Maps link provided above to find your way in. Note that when the transfer station is active, one can just drive through the open gate all the way to the shore of the pond. However, make sure to stop and talk to one of the attendants to explain your intent. If the transfer station is inoperative, leave your vehicle by the small parking lot to the left of the closed gate and walk in. It takes less than 10 minutes to get to your destination.

 

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So, you want to go ice fishing this winter? Tips and tricks (part 1)!

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In a previous blog, I described the basic equipment required to catch fish through the ice. Today’s article is the first of three blogs about tips and tricks that will enhance your ice fishing experience.

 

 

Ice safety: Ice in southern Maine is at its thinnest in late December-early January when it sets, and by the end of March when it starts melting. I like to see a minimum of 3 inches of solid black ice in early winter, plus people fishing or their traces (e.g., footsteps on the snow, ice-fishing holes). If so, I will check the thickness with my ice spud before venturing out and make it a point to stay over shallow water close to shore. Late-winter ice can be tricky too. Typically, the ice will still be 1 to 2 feet thick, but the edges right along the shorelines may already have melted and refrozen, thereby creating dangerous breakthrough conditions. If unsure, always check to avoid falling through; I know from personal experience. When unsure about the conditions, I place retractable ice picks around my neck. I fortunately have never had to use them but they could one day save my life in an emergency situation… Finally, make it a point to wear cleats on your boots when walking on glare ice to avoid slipping and causing a severe back or head injury.

 

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So, you want to go ice fishing this winter?

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This article is the first in a series on a topic close to my heart. Ice fishing is deeply interwoven in the fabric of our local culture and has been enjoyed by generations of Mainers. It is a fantastic way to appreciate the great outdoors during our long winters, create lively memories for the kids, and bring home a few fish for the frying pan. With a relatively small investment, ice fishing gets folks outside without the high costs associated with more expensive winter activities, such as snowmobiling or downhill skiing.

 

Like all sports, ice fishing requires some basic equipment, much of which has not changed much over the last 100 years. I describe below the main pieces of gear needed to practice this sport.

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Ice fishing for brook trout on Shirley Pond in Shirley, Piscataquis County, Maine (December 31, 2023)

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Shirley Pond is a 60-acre body of water located in the town of Shirley, Piscataquis County, Maine (see The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 41 E2). To reach this location, drive north on Routes 6/15 (Greenville Road) towards Greenville and take a left on Upper Shirley Corner Road. Drive towards Shirley Mills for less than 2 miles. The pond will appear to your right after passing two stop signs. The public access point is by a small public park right before the outlet. Space is available to leave a few vehicles by the park. Access to the water is down a steep slope.

 

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