Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife





*mefishwildlife.com*






Dreaming of more flags? These small changes can make a big difference.

people walking ice fishing [ [link removed] ]

Fishing for brook trout? Think small and shallow!

Brook trout like shallow, near-shore habitat in the winter, your best brook trout water is going to be between 4 and 12 feet. Although some prefer less than 5 feet of water! And keep your bait small. Small minnows or pieces of nightcrawler work just fine. You can certainly bait-up with a big shiner, but just know that brookies may keep picking at that bait without getting hooked. A small bait works best for brook trout. Always check regulations to make sure live bait fish is allowed.?

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Fishing for wary trout and salmon??

Try using fluorocarbon line as a leader on your fishing trap or jig stick. For tip ups, two to five feet of 6- or 8-pound fluorocarbon line after the ice line and tied directly to the hook will minimize the visibility of the gear and may lead to more flags. A #8 hook size is ideal when using small smelt.

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Think "just under the ice" for landlocked salmon

Landlocked salmon are frequently caught ?just under the ice? and should be targeted within the first 15 feet below the ice.?Ice anglers also have luck jigging for salmon. When jigging use small, colorful spoons or flashers as attractors.

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Fishing for lake trout? Think deeper!

Try fishing around points of land that extend into deeper water.?Focus on water depths of 15-40 feet off these landmarks. Large togue cruise these areas searching for food and can often be caught close to the surface as well as near bottom. Ice fishing for lake trout can be quite productive in water depths between 10 and 100 feet.

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*Seeking warmwater fish, such as bass, perch, and chain pickerel??*

Warmwater fish can be found throughout the water column (various depths) during the winter months. However, these fish typically favor areas with lots of cover such as woody debris, weed beds, and rocks. Try fishing 2 to 10 feet off the bottom.

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Get jigging!

Anglers who catch the most fish, jig! They also aren't afraid to move locations if they aren't getting much action.?

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Wondering where to fish?

Each month fisheries biologists across the State put together a list of recomened waters, how to acess them, and fishing tips. Click here to read the February Fishing Report [ [link removed] ]_.?_Or view the Stocking Report [ [link removed] ] to see where we stocked fish near you (focus on waters that were stocked fall 2022). Before you go, look at a depth map online to find an area with your target depth.?

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]

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person drilling an ice fishing hole with an auger
*Enjoy your day on the ice, and remember these tips*

There is no question, ice fishing is a large part of Maine's outdoor heritage. Enjoy your ice fishing trip, and remember:??


* *Leave no trace ??*Carry out all that you carry in.?
* *Park in public or designated areas*?- Don't block paths or other roads. Be mindful of muddy, soft road conditions.
* *Respect private property ??*Utilize public access sites or areas where you have permission to park or access.
* *Be prepared ??*Check the weather, bring what you need for the day, and let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.
* *Take care of your catch?*???**If you are practicing catch and release, do so quickly and responsibly.?If you harvest your catch, please bring it home with you. [ [link removed] ]

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man setting ice fishing trap
Beginner?s guide to ice fishing in Maine

Starting a new hobby can be both exciting and intimidating, luckily ice fishing is a winter hobby that can be enjoyed with a few pieces of equipment and there are endless opportunities throughout the state. Learn what gear you need to get started and more in our beginner's guide [ [link removed] ].?


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ice fishing hole
Ice safety tips

Winter is one of the greatest seasons to enjoy the Maine outdoors but to do so safely, you must keep in mind that ice conditions are always changing. There are many factors to consider when determining whether the ice conditions are safe, and they can vary from day-to-day and from one water body to the next. Here are some important tips and tricks to keep in mind when judging ice conditions. [ [link removed] ]







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More information

Buy a fishing license [ [link removed] ]
Monthly fishing report [ [link removed] ]
Beginner?s guide to ice fishing in Maine [ [link removed] ]
Ice safety tips [ [link removed] ]
Search Maine fishing laws [ [link removed] ]
Fishing Laws Online Angling Tool (FLOAT) [ [link removed] ]
Protect our Waters from Invasive Species [ [link removed] ]
Fishing resources [ [link removed] ]
Current stocking report [ [link removed] ]
Maine Fishing Guide [ [link removed] ]
Fishing with soft plastic lures [ [link removed] ]
Learn how to be a good land user [ [link removed] ]
Hire a registered Maine guide [ [link removed] ]








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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife ?41 State House Station ? Augusta, ME 04333-0041 ? (207) 287-8000 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]