Western Mountains
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Date
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10-Jun-08
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Water Condition
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Water Temperature
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Conditions
: Providing public access to Maines lakes and ponds is one of the Departments
highest priorities. Securing access is a difficult and time consuming task,
however, so when we succeed its always worth mentioning.
Here in western
Maine, weve just completed the development of one site and have several others
in various stages of development. A new carry-on launch was recently opened on
Middle Sandy River Pond in Sandy River Plantation. Middle Sandy River Pond
supports an excellent brook trout fishery and connects to Upper and Lower Sandy
River Ponds, which also provide trout fishing. So in essence, boat access is
guaranteed for three trout ponds for the price of one! This hand-carry launch is
located about 8 miles south of Rangeley along Route 4.
Access to the
Sandy River also will improve when newly acquired sites in Farmington Falls and
New Sharon are developed. This 5.5-mile section will be an outstanding paddle
through some fabulous farm country with good fisheries for smallmouth bass and
brown trout. The upper site will be located just east of the village of
Farmington Falls and extend downstream to New Sharon in the vicinity of Muddy
Brook.
The Departments of Conservation and Transportation are
cooperating on improving boat access to Chain of Ponds in northern Franklin
County. Two new sites are being developed one near the Natanis Pond Campground
on the north end and one at Lower Pond, which is the southern-most lake in the
chain. This is a highly scenic area with great fisheries for both brook trout
and landlocked salmon.
Were pleased with this progress, but recognize
that theres much more work to do. Our highest priorities for access acquisition
and development now focus on Oaks Pond in Skowhegan and Hancock Pond in Embden.
Popular and heavily utilized fisheries dependent on stocking programs were
recently suspended on both waters for lack of suitable access for summer
anglers. If you become aware of properties on either water that might be
suitable for boat access, please give us a call (778-3322) and well
investigate.
The Rangeley Lake salmon fishery is showing some clear
signs of recovery following several sub-par years. As reported here earlier,
several robust year-classes of wild salmon placed a great burden on the lakes
delicate forage population (smelts), and the growth and size quality of salmon
suffered accordingly. In order to reduce the number of smelt predators and
facilitate a recovery, we curtailed the salmon stocking program and encouraged
anglers to harvest a few more fish. Salmon captured during last falls trapnet
survey showed improved growth, and there was a great spawning run of smelts in
late April. Game wardens and anglers reported improved numbers of larger salmon
in this springs fishery, so it seems the lake is finally coming around.
- Dave Boucher, Regional Fisheries Biologist, StrongReported by: |
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