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We hope you have had a safe and memorable ice fishing season so far! If you haven't been out yet, what are you waiting for? Sunny skies and bright blue days in March make for enjoyable days on the ice!?Check out the March Fishing Report for tips on where to fish.?
March is an excellent time to target cusk (burbot), which are highly sought after by anglers who wish to make fish chowder or fry it up into nuggets. Check out the monthly report for cusk fishing tips and cusk fishing opportunities near you.?
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Reminder: Ice fishing season dates
Remember that most of Maine's lakes and ponds open to ice fishing, remain open through the month of April.?
South Zone:?Under General Law in the South Zone, lakes and ponds are open to ice fishing and open water fishing year-round (unless otherwise stated in the special fishing laws section).
North Zone:?In the North Zone, lakes and ponds with special season code "A" are open to ice fishing and open water fishing year-round; lakes and ponds with season code??B? are open to ice fishing through April 30.?Click here to search Maine's special fishing laws?(Search "A (Open" or "B (Open" in the regulation column to find which waters are open to ice fishing) or use the map-based?Fishing Laws Online Angling Tool (FLOAT).?After April 1, once the ice disappears, you can open water fish on most lakes and ponds in the North Zone.
Ice Fishing Shack Removal:?A person who owns any shack or temporary structure used for ice fishing must remove the shack or structure?(1) In any area of the State in which there is a closed ice fishing season, by ice out or 3 days after the close of the ice fishing season, whichever is earlier; and (2) In any area of the State in which there is no close of the ice fishing season, by ice out or March 31st, whichever is earlier.
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:??
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Leave no trace ??Carry out all that you carry in.?
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Park in public or designated areas?- Don't block paths or other roads. Be mindful of muddy, soft road conditions.
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Respect private property ??Utilize public access sites or areas where you have permission to park or access. Be mindful of muddy roads as we head into spring.
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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.
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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.
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