If last year’s fall fishing action was any indication, trout fishermen should start off the 2005 season with a bang across New England. In general, last summer was one of the wettest on record, particularly during the prime months of May and June. Anglers were generally upbeat across the region, but spring and summer weather conditions were far from ideal.

In addition, state wildlife agencies continued to make their annual fall stockings, with some departments increasing their fall allotments. With these fish, added to the growing numbers of wild trout and fish stocked last spring that were not creeled due to the difficult spring and summer conditions, fall anglers found an abundance of trout. It is expected that a large percentage of those fish will be available this spring as holdovers to start off the new season.

Every state in the region gradually initiated progressive management programs to improve fish quality. Those management programs have not only continued to increase angling opportunities, but have produced some of the finest trout fishing seen in modern times.

MAINE

The trout situation in Maine has gotten nothing but better in recent years. It all started back in 1994, when the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife under then-commissioner Bucky Owen introduced its innovative Quality Fishing Initiative (QFI). The new restrictions included lower bag limits, higher length limits and tackle restrictions on 400 wild brook trout ponds. Fishing regulations were changed on some ponds from general rule to artificial lure or fly-fishing only.

On most of these waters, all of which are in the northern half of the state, the native brook trout angling is now as good as it was in the “good old days,” especially in terms of average size.

Those regulations changes will remain in effect this year. The program has been so successful that the department hopes to include more waters in the future.

While Maine is internationally known for its wild brook trout, the state is taking steps to improve trout-fishing opportunities throughout the state. In November 2002, voters approved a $7-million bond issue to improve the state’s hatchery system, and improvements that will allow the rearing and stocking of more fish are ongoing. The Embden hatchery facility has been renovated and updated, and the Governor Hill Hatchery in New Gloucester and the Phillips Hatchery have well water rearing stations to accelerate fry growth.

These improvements allowed the department to release more than 1,400,000 trout during the spring and fall last year. Similar numbers are scheduled for release this year.

One of the more exciting study programs to get underway in recent years is the reintroduction of rainbow trout to Maine waters. Rainbows were first introduced here in the 1930s, then again in the 1960s, but those attempts weren’t successful. In 2001, about a dozen waters in the southern part of the state were stocked with 10,000 rainbows as part of a five- to six-year study to determine how they will fare compared to brook and brown trout in Maine waters. All the data has yet to be compiled, but the results so far have been impressive, with some specimens in the 4- to 6-pound class already showing up.

Right now, top-rated streams including the Upper Androscoggin in Bethel and Gilead, the Little Androscoggin in Oxford and Auburn, the Kennebec below Shawmut, the Swift River below Coos Canyon and Upper Range Pond in Poland have been producing some good catches.

For anglers who like working big water, Maine will be continuing its splake-stocking program this year. Splake are a cross between brook trout and lake trout. Splake have been around in Maine since 1958, and specimens up to 10 pounds have been creeled.

Presently, 53 waters in Maine are managed primarily for splake, 14 under the general rule, and 29 under Quality Management and 10 under Trophy Management.

Maine’s sea-run brown trout fisheries developed in the Ogunquit River and a handful of other coastal runs will be continued this year. The fishery has become one of the most exciting fall angling opportunities in southern Maine. October through November are considered prime times, but fish are still active and fishing is still possible into January, depending upon weather and river conditions.

For more information on the trout-fishing opportunities in Maine, contact the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife by calling (207) 287-2871, or visit the agency’s Web site at www.mefishwildlife.com.