Maine: Maranacook's Healthy but Vulnerable Trout/Salmon Fishery

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Maine: Maranacook's Healthy but Vulnerable Trout/Salmon Fishery 

Maranacook Lake is an 1800-acre water in Kennebec County, and is one of the jewels in the Winthrop lakes region.  Maranacook is almost like two lakes, with its northern basin that is relatively shallow and approximately 700 acres, and the 1,000 acre south basin that reaches depths of 118 feet and boasts a robust cold water fishery for salmon and brown trout.

Last fall, Region B fisheries biologists spent a number of weeks trap-netting Maranacook Lake. A trap-net, for those unfamiliar, is a stationary net intended to collect fish that are moving through shallow areas. The fall is an opportune time to use trap-nets, as most trout and salmon are in spawning mode and cruising the shoreline in search of suitable habitat and potential mates. Due to spawning habitat limitations, trout (brook & brown) and landlocked salmon stocked into Maranacook Lake are unable to spawn successfully, but that certainly doesn’t stop them from trying.

Three trap nets were deployed in early October near the outlet stream intown Winthrop, at Roseanne Brook on the western shore, and off a rocky peninsula along the eastern shore. The nets soaked for over a month and collected a whole mess of different fishes including brown trout, largemouth bass, golden shiners, white perch, white suckers, landlocked salmon, brown bullhead, and many more. While hundreds of fishes were measured, it was the salmon and brown trout that were most impressive.

In total, 94 salmon and 5 brown trout were trapped, measured, and released. The salmon were comprised of many age classes and averaged nearly 19” and 2.3-lbs. The 20 older salmon (age III+ and IV+) averaged over 21” and 3.3-lbs, with the largest individual tipping the scale at 24” and 5-lbs. The brown trout collection wasn’t as numerous, but it was equally notable. The five browns averaged nearly 20” and 2.5-lbs, with the largest measuring 26.5” and maxing out the 5.5-lb scale!

Maranacook is monitored closely since not only does it have an outstanding coldwater fishery, but it also is bordered by waters where invasive species such as pike and crappie are present. While these species are documented in Maranacook, both populations appear limited at present. For now, their scarcity means good things for the trout and salmon programs.

If you’re looking to catch trout and salmon in central Maine, Maranacook Lake is one you’ll want to put on your bucket list. The salmon are numerous and the brown trout grow large.  But, based on its close proximity to a handful of connected northern pike and black crappie waters, its trout and salmon programs are always in jeopardy. Both invasive species pose a constant threat to native salmonids in the lake. It’s a threat we take very seriously. We’ll continue to actively monitor the fishery through future nettings, frequent creel surveys, and regular correspondence with Maranacook Lake anglers.

Source: Outdoor Wire and Outdoor Wire Photo.

Massachusetts Wachusett "Reservoir Zone" Controlled Deer Hunt

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

DWSP has designated a "Reservoir Zone" hunting area as the 2,800 acres around the Wachusett Reservoir within the boundary set by Routes 110, 12, 140, and 70. 

The Wachusett Controlled Deer hunt will take place from December 1 to December 31, including shotgun and primitive firearm seasons. 

The Reservoir Zone is open for white-tailed deer hunting ONLY.

Hunters must apply for a permit.  Permits will be a randomly selected based on a specific hunter density. Selected hunters will be given a special access permit to hunt within the Reservoir Zone. 

Hunters will be required to walk into this zone from one of the existing gate locations.

Permit application instructions:

1. Click here to apply for the Wachusett Reservoir Controlled Deer Hunt. 
    
2. Application available until August 31.

Governor Scott Appoints Three New Fish & Wildlife Board Members

Poste by Wayne G. Barber

MONTPELIER, Vt – Governor Phil Scott has appointed three new members to represent Addison, Essex, and Grand Isle counties on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board. The new members are Wendy Butler from Addison County, Mike Kolsun from Essex County, and Bryan McCarthy from Grand Isle County. 

 

The fourteen-member Fish and Wildlife Board is a group of Vermont citizens that enact fish and wildlife regulations for hunting, fishing, and trapping. Members serve six-year terms.

 

“The Fish and Wildlife Board members bring a strong level of personal experience to the job of setting Vermont’s hunting, fishing, and trapping regulations,” said Gov. Scott. “Volunteer board members give a great deal of their time and energy to the task, so I’m grateful to them for stepping up to serve the people of Vermont.” 

Wendy Butler lives in New Haven. A certified volunteer hunter education instructor since 2007, Butler enjoys guiding new hunters, many of whom have returned with their first deer, turkey, or duck. She has instructed women in outdoor skills at ‘Becoming an Outdoor Woman’ Camp and at Doe Camp. Butler works to improve wildlife habitat on her family’s 250-acre property, releasing apple trees, creating brush piles, and working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to improve habitat for golden-winged warblers. 

 

Mike Kolsun is a resident of Brighton. A self-proclaimed “late-onset hunter,” Kolsun took up hunting in his early twenties, learning about safety, ethics and respect for the sport through good friends and mentors. Kolsun was inspired by these mentors to give back and has been a hunter education instructor for 30 years, in addition to being a certified bow hunter and trapper education instructor. He also instructs for the Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow program and helped develop Vermont’s “Let’s Go Fishing” program.

 

Bryan McCarthy lives in North Hero. A trustee of The Nature Conservancy of Vermont for the past eight years, McCarthy serves as the organization’s ‘sportsman outreach’ representative; he has previously chaired the conservation committee. McCarthy has a strong appreciation for wildlife management science and habitat conservation, having volunteered with Lake Champlain International and as a member of the Lake Champlain Walleye Association, Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, Ruffed Grouse Society, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and Vermont Traditions Coalition.

 

“We’re glad to welcome Wendy, Mike, and Bryan to the board,” said Kevin Lawrence, Fish and Wildlife Board chair. “Board members are charged with the complex task of setting fishing, hunting, and trapping regulations after evaluating the scientific recommendations and legal advice from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, along with the input from the state’s hunters, anglers, trappers and wildlife watchers. I look forward to the fresh perspective these new members will bring to our discussions.”  Vermont Fish and Wildlife Media Press Release

Phenology Calendar

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Fourth Week of July

Earthworms make up 15-20 percent of a robin's summer diet. Many worms are plucked from mowed lawns where the robins can more easily see them.

Crows may be getting help in raising their chicks from last year's offspring.

Sharp-shinned hawks eat small birds, averaging about one per day.

First Week of August

The lovely song of the hermit thrush may still be heard. Most other birds have stopped singing.

Milk snake eggs that were laid in the spring are hatching.

Large dragonflies such as the green darner (Ajax junius) may replace flying with some gliding on hot days to prevent overheating their flight muscles. Source: Northern Woodlands, Virginia Barlow 

Fish & Wildlife Biologist to Speak on Threats to Vermont’s Moose Population

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Fish & Wildlife Biologist to Speak on Threats to Vermont’s Moose Population 

WILMINGTON, Vt. – From climate change to parasites to the state’s changing forested landscape, moose face a variety of challenges. Scott Darling, wildlife biologist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, will give a talk on Vermont’s moose population entitled Moose in Vermont – The Tiny Threats to Our Biggest Mammals on Wednesday August 15 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in Wilmington. The presentation will be given as part of the Hogback Mountain Conservation Association’s Annual Meeting at Memorial Hall. The talk is free and open to the public.  

With nearly four decades of experience in conservation in Vermont, Darling has worked on many conservation initiatives in the state, from his internationally recognized work conserving Northeast bat populations to his efforts leading the department’s managed large game species program, which conserves moose, deer and other game species in Vermont.  

Darling will explore the status of Vermont’s moose population in the face of climate change and introduce to the audience two new critical parasites affecting moose in the Northeast. He will also discuss the future of moose in Vermont as well as share what Fish & Wildlife biologists and conservation scientists are doing to learn more about moose and how they’re working to conserve this iconic species.   Source: Vermont Fish and Wildlife Press Release

Time to tie on a Weedless Frog !

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

July means enter the weedless frog. In my opinion, no other type of lure works as well for bass sheltered under thick, matted vegetation. The weedless design of this lure permitted it to slide over and around weedbeds, lilypads, limbs and stumps. What’s more, it allowed us to fish in places other lures couldn’t go without hanging or picking up moss.

There are several models of these frogs currently on the market and, typically, these lures are built around a double-pronged hook and engineered to remain weedless until they are engulfed by the predator bass as it breaks the surface to attack the intruder. It is at that time the hollow design proves most ingenious as it collapses, exposing the hooks and allowing anglers to hook into the bass. Bass fishing with hollow topwater frogs is among the most exciting techniques as it’s a completely visual application that often results in vicious attacks.

I’ve found working one of these lures is a no-brainer because all you have to do is cast it out and work it to any open space in the matted vegetation. However, a word of caution is in order. Be prepared to lose one or more of these lures because, along with bass, pike and even ling will smash it as well. Pike will cut the line; ling will crush the hooks.

The soft-bodied Scum Frog has been available for years and it currently comes in a variety of colors and casting weights. The Live Target Hollow Frog has all the attributes to catch big fish, including lifelike anatomy, detailed color and a simple, effortless action that often elevates the thrill of topwater fishing to a whole new level.

Both soft-bodied frogs will catch bass, and the Hollow Body Frog walks incredibly well and floats tail-down, enticing bass to come up and clobber it. Because of thick vegetation, fish really can’t go anywhere after they’re hooked, so a heavy or medium-heavy rod with a fast tip and strong backbone is recommended for winching fish out of the thick cover. Like the Scum Frog, the soft body of the Hollow Frog collapses easily on the strike, exposing the custom double hooks for higher hookups.

Source: by Mike Raykovicz  

Massachusetts: antlerless deer permit application deadline July 16th

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

The deadline to apply for an antlerless deer permit is July 16, 2018. If you want to hunt antlerless deer in 2018, you need an antlerless deer permit (sometimes called a “doe permit” or “doe tag”). An antlerless deer is any deer without antlers or any deer with both antlers less than 3 inches long measured on a straight line form the center of the front base of the antler burr to the tip.

If you apply for an Antlerless Deer Permit by the July 16th deadline, you then must check to see if you have been awarded the ability to purchase the permit. The award period begins August 1st at 8 a.m. and ends on December 31st. Your odds of being awarded a permit are the same regardless of when you check your permit status. You can check the status of your permit through MassFishHunt, or by visiting a MassWildlife office or license agent location. A $5 fee is charged only if you are awarded a permit.

How to apply online:

1. Log into MassFishHunt
2. Click Enter Sales
3. Click Hunting Permits and Stamps
4. Click Add next to Antlerless Deer Permit Application
5. Select the zone you want to apply for
6. Click Checkout*

*There is no fee to apply; however, a hunting or sporting license is required to apply for an antlerless deer permit.