MAINE
Bass are found in about half a million acres of Maine’s 38,000 miles of lakes, ponds and rivers. The fishery requires experienced management, but Maine’s native bass population is so plentiful that supplemental stocking is not required.

“Maine fisheries biologists continue to sample important bass populations by electro-shocking, rod-and-reel angling and data collection at bass tournaments,” said Richard Jordan, a regional fisheries biologist. “This information will lead to better bass management through regulations changes and more quality fishing in future years.

“Three consecutive years of cool springs may have temporarily reduced bass spawning success in some lakes, but this may lead to improved growth of those which survived.”

Regulations include a 12-inch length limit and one-fish creel limit from Jan. 1 through June 20. For the rest of the year, the creel is three fish, only one of which may exceed 14 inches. Be sure to check the 2007 angler’s guide, available where licenses are sold or online at State.ME.US/IFW/Fishing/Index.htm.

Anglers report early season success along the Penobscot River. South Branch, Seboeis and Pleasant ponds are also worth a try and remain good right through the summer heat.

Also check out Cresent Lake in Raymond, which has a good population of average-sized bass and also gave up at least one 6-pound largemouth last spring. (Continued)

As waters warm, give Moose Pond in Bridgeton a try. Access may be had at a public boat ramp on Route 302. Square Pond in Shapleigh produces some big largemouths. For access to the north end, take Route 11 from the south end of Mousam Lake to Town Farm Road.

Great Moose Pond and Big Indian Lake near Hartland are great fall destinations.

Hardwater fishing will yield plenty of smallmouth bass on Mattawamkeag Lake. Cobbossee Lake in Winthrop is also a popular place to sink some bass-sized auger holes. Both smallmouth and largemouth bass are taken here.

Access is via a state ramp off Route 135 in North Monmouth or off Route 202 in East Winthrop.

For more fishing information, call the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife at (207) 287-8000 or visit Maine.Gov/IFW.

For travel information, call the Office of Tourism at 1-888-624-6345, or visit VisitMaine.com.

MASSACHUSETTS
Bay State bass have been managed by MassWildlife since their introduction to the state 120 years ago. The largemouth population has been self-sustaining for more than 35 years.

Massachusetts has a five fish per day creel limit and a 12-inch length minimum.

“We find healthy populations virtually everywhere we do surveys,” said Richard Hartley, a MassWildlife aquatic biologist. “We also find that the voluntary release rate of legal- sized bass is better than 95 percent. Although this sounds great, as you can imagine, it makes it very difficult to use the traditional tools in a fisheries biologist’s toolbox, such as creel or length limits. These days, I try to preach selective harvest.”

Give Great Herring Pond in Plymouth a try for spring smallmouths. For cartop boat access, take Herring Pond Road north from Route 6 and take a left onto Little Sandy Pond Road.

Long Pond in Lakeville, the state’s largest natural body of water, is a great largemouth bass fishery. There is a paved launch ramp on the southeastern end of the pond off Route 18.