By Al Raychard

Last winter was one of the coldest on record, according to New England meteorologists. The smaller lakes had enough ice to allow access as soon as the season opened in most of the Northeast, and even the largest lakes, which normally ice over late, had safe ice earlier than normal. Just about everywhere, good winter fishing could be enjoyed right through the end of March.

As a consequence, the region's hardwater anglers enjoyed one of the longest ice-fishing seasons in recent memory.

This year could be just the opposite, however. One of the great unknowns in our neck of the woods is when ice will form, when it will allow safe access and how long it will remain.

There is, however, one certainty: Once conditions allow, there will be ample opportunities to take some big trout through the ice. Not only are most of the region's fish and game departments stocking increased numbers of fish in the fall in anticipation of the winter season, but some have been stocking larger fish, even some brood stock as well, which means the chances of pulling in a keeper, perhaps even a lunker or two, has never been better.

In general, January ice-fishing is some of the most productive of the season because the fish have not been hard hit yet. All things considered, if Ol' Man Winter cooperates and provides safe ice early, the winter of 2005 should be another great one. Here's a sampling of places to go for some hot winter fishing action near you:

Lake trout in the 3- and 4-pound class are the average these days, but lunkers weighing into the double digits are a real possibility. During last year's annual Sebago Lake Ice-Fishing Derby, held annually each February by the Windham Rotary Club, the largest entry weighed more than 18 3/4 pounds! The runner-up weighed just over 18 pounds. Not all fish caught are of this caliber, but during the course of the two-day event, more than 2,230 registrants caught over 1,100 lake trout, many in the 6- to 10-pound class.

Along with the potential for a trophy catch, Sebago's winter lake trout enthusiasts can also expect consistent action as soon as safe ice forms.

More information on the derby can be found on the Internet at www. icefishingderby.com; or call (888) 423-3524.

Of course, the real unknown is whether Sebago will form sufficient ice early, late, or even at all. Some years, the lake has failed to freeze, most recently in 1999, and it came close in 2002. Most winters, however, getting on the lake is possible in early January or by the end of the month, certainly sometime in February. It is always a good idea to check with a local source to check ice conditions, and a good one is Jordan's Store in East Sebago. The store sells bait and other angler needs, and the owner keeps tab on where the action is.

The telephone number there is (207) 787-3866.

Early hotspots are off the Dingley islands in the northeast corner of the lake and off the Muddy River launch in the northwest corner. The Songo bar off the mouth of the Songo River can be good, too.

The area around Frye's Leap on the west side of Raymond Cape and Jordan's Bay on the east side of the cape can produce some good action as well. The same is true along much of the west shore all the way from North Sebago south to East Sebago, Long Beach, Harmon Beach and down to Lower Bay.

Great Shoals, about one mile off the mouth of the Northwest River outlet at East Sebago, is extremely popular, too. On average, the water is around 30 feet deep there, but it drops off to 200 feet on all sides.

Photo by Paul Updike

Access to areas along the west shore is easy at various points along Route 114. The Lower Bay area can be accessed off Route 35 in Standish.

A lot of the lake can be reached from Route 302 and various secondary roads on the east.

If you are unfamiliar with the area, DeLorme's Maine Atlas and Gazetteer is a good reference. DeLorme also publishes a map specifically of Sebago Lake showing various roads and access points. The Gazetteer and Sebago map are sold at book stores and other outlets in the area, or you can contact DeLorme directly by calling (207) 865-4171. Or check out the Web site at www.delorme.com.

If you decide to hit the Lower Bay area, there is no fishing allowed within 3,000 feet of a red post on the shore marking a point between the two Portland Water District (PWD) intake pipes. Also closed is the area within 100 feet of the Standish intake. Motor vehicles, not including snowmobiles or ATVs, are prohibited within two miles of the PWD intakes in Standish.

For information on lodging, bait and tackle and other services in the area, contact the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce at (207) 892-8265; visit them on the Internet at www.windhamchamber. sebagolake.org, or send an e-mail to info@ sebagolakechamber.com.

For details on Maine's 2004-05 ice-fishing regulations, contact the regional office of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in Gray, Maine, at (207) 657-2345.

At just over 850 acres, Hancock is relatively small, but over the years it has been a perennial hotspot for large browns. Six- to 10-pound specimens are possible, and a few fish of this size are taken each winter season. Most winter browns are smaller, in the 1- to 3-pound range, and while at times the pond is a bit slow and tedious to fish, at other times it seems the angler can do no wrong. This is one of those places where being at the right place at the right time is key to success, so more than one try might be needed, but when you hit it right, few lakes in southern Maine produce better brown trout action.

The secret behind Hancock's history of big browns seems to be its supply of forage fish. For years, the pond was a favorite among smelt anglers. Smelt are still present in good number, and in the early 1980s, landlocked alewives were introduced as supplemental forage. Between the two, the pond's trout have plenty to eat, and respectable-sized browns are the result.

Hancock Pond has a maximum depth of just under 60 feet, and most of the deep water is in the so-called "narrows." Elsewhere, the water is relatively shallow, averaging perhaps 30 feet. Some of the best fishing is at or under this depth, especially along the dropoffs close to shore.

Access to Hancock Pond is relatively easy via the Hancock Pond Road, which leaves Route 107 east of East Sebago. There is public access on the north end opposite of Swamp Road.

Lodging is limited in the immediate area, so most visitors utilize the tourist cabins and other facilities on Sebago Lake. The closest facilities and services will be found along Route 114, on the west side of the big lake. Contact the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce mentioned above for availability of services.

The reason is the lake's famous lake trout and brook trout, both of which are available in quantity and quality. Landlocked salmon can also be taken through the ice, but not until the middle of February. Until then, and even after, trout are the major draw.

Moosehead's lake trout in particular are doing extremely well. In fact, the daily bag limit was increased to five fish back in 2002 to bring numbers under control and to take pressure off the smelt supply. Only one lake trout (togue) may be greater than 18 inches, but all five may be between 14 and 18 inches.

Despite the increased bag limit, Moosehead's lake trout fishery continues to thrive, and last year many specimens in the 10-pound class were taken, and hardwater fishermen found plenty of action.

Generally speaking, lake trout are found in deeper water than brook trout or landlocked salmon, and fishing at depths down to 40 or 50 feet seem to be about right. Prime depths vary at times depending upon smelt location, so don't hesitate to move around and explore. Considering that the lake covers more than 74,800 acres, there is plenty of room for everyone, and some of the best action is often found away from the crowds.

This is especially true when hunting for brook trout. This angler has had some of his best luck fishing in relatively shallow water, under 25 feet in many cases, in areas off rocky points and major tributaries, in places that have not received a lot of attention.

Tip-ups and jigging are popular methods for lake trout and brookies. The daily limit on brook trout is one fish, with a minimum length limit of 12 inches.

Because of its location and size, Moosehead gets hit by some brutal cold and wind at times, and while many ice-fishermen tend traps in the open air, the use of fishing shacks is extremely popular. Many of the fishing camps and lodges on the lake have shacks for rent, so be sure to inquire.

A list of camps and other services in the Greenville and Rockwood vicinities, the two most popular fishing areas, is available from the Moosehead Region Chamber of Commerce by calling (877) 876-2778, or by visiting the agency's Web site at www.mooseheadlake.org.

DeLorme (see above) publishes a Moosehead Lake map showing the lake in detail.

Ice conditions on the lake can also be a bit fickle, so be sure to ask when making contact with a camp in a particular area. These same lodge owners and proprietors, as well as bait and tackle shop owners, are also good sources of information, not only on ice conditions but on which areas are producing the best action.

More information on fishing the lake in general may be obtained by contacting the Region E office of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in Greenville at (207) 695-3756.