Early in Maine’s 2009 Ice Fishing Season: Cold Stream Pond Yielding Fast Fishing
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On the first week of ice fishing on Cold Stream Pond in Enfield, Maine.
A week into Maine’s 2009 ice fishing season, Cold Stream Pond in Enfield is already producing healthy catches of brook trout.
Cold Stream Pond, in the small village of Enfield, has a solid reputation among devoted anglers in Maine. Perhaps known for quality catches instead of fast fishing days, the “pond” this year has yielded some very exciting brook trout fishing.
Scores of anglers fishing the Lincoln end of the lake report catching brook trout faster than they can possibly keep five lines baited. This is likely in part due to the Penobscot IF&W Hatchery, which is located nearby in Enfield, releasing it’s brood stock of 12″-16″ nearby. While this is exciting and good for many anglers, perhaps the more exciting word comes from other parts of the lake, where brook trout catches are reportedly very strong.
Reports are for many four to six fish days, with some wild trout registering 14″-16″ being taken. One angler reportedly caught nine brookies in an afternoon, releasing all but three over 12″.
All this for a body of water, that until recently, was looking as if the ice were not safe even for a single person on foot.
The early season fishery is generally a warm up for the later season togue (lake trout) and salmon fisheries, which routinely produce larger than average fish. I personally landed two togue approaching five pounds within fifteen minutes of one another last year, and on the same day witnessed a nearby fisherman lose a five pound plus landlocked salmon as it spit bait a foot above the hole, just as he had had a moment to admire it.
Whether it is in the narrow stretch of the pond where anglers vie for brook trout or the coves where they hope to catch a cruising salmon on a live smelt, or a spot on the hard water over one of those legendary togue holes, Cold Stream Pond has much to offer.
Even on a slow day there is quality scenery, lively interaction with other fishermen and local IF&W fishery biologists who frequent the area, and the potential to land fish you can be proud of. If you get out to this pond and don’t land a big one, don’t get discouraged. That next photo-worthy catch might be just around the corner!
2 Comments
In the UK we never get the chance to go ice fishing but it does sound a very interesting way of catching fish. Do you fish mainly for the pot or is it good sport as well.
It is actually incredible sport. We fish for food primarily, but there are regular contests, one a state wide competition, in which there are prizes for largest fish in species, etc. It is a great challenge, and I seldom get the same thrill during “open water” season as I do during ice fishing. When a flag goes up and just as you get to the hole you realize you’re “spooled” which means your reel is all out of line, the fun is just beginning. Now you have to maneuver a sometimes 5-6 lb. 25″ longer or larger fish up through an 8″ hole after fighting him back to the hole not with a reel but by taking up line with your bare hands. There are many variables, and I would say the actual landing of a big fish through the ice is every bit as challenging, or more so than, catching one with a rod and reel. Between break offs, bad sets and the possibility that the line saws off against the sharp edge of the ice hole, it is something everyone angler should do at least a few times.