Conference wahoo::fishing

    Hi Andy
    I have fished Castel Island, outside of Sidney.
    the water is shallow around the island. There are lots of Bass in
    the shallows and south of there. I used several luers.
    The little (big-o) white and black worked real well for small mouth
    and large mouth. If you want to catch perch, just try a small (#1)
    mepps spinner with a grub tail (white).
    There are a lot of pickeril in the area, red and white daredevil
    was also a good one for them.
    Fish close to the cover and get ready for a lot of snags.
    Lots of dead timber in the lake. Fish slow and use fish formula(orig
    formula). Have fun... If you get time try the Kennibeck River by
    the Sidney boat ramp, lots of mean smallmouth in the 1 1/2 to 2
    lb range.               good luck have fun and respect the Loon!!
    			
    
    
    						Danny Day
    

    Hi Andy,
    
    I live three miles north of Belgrade Lakes Village (The Dam), on
    a road that dead-ends on Great Pond.  I've lived here 13 yrs.  I'm not 
    much on lake fishing...I like river fishing for trout and salmon...so
    I can't advise you on specific areas or techniques.  But...
    
    Mid-June is good anywhere in Maine !  Long pond and Great Pond have
    Bass, perch, pike, salmon, trout, sunfish, and pickeral.  The white
    perch run (reduced in the last few years by the ever increasing
    population of Pike) will be long over by mid-june.  Bass should
    be good at that time.  I don't know if salmon will still be "on top"
    then or if you'll have to troll deep.  New salmon length limit on
    Long Pond this year is 16"...Long Pond is closed to ice fishing
    BTW so that makes for better open water fishing.      
    
    I would assume the usual lures would work well in the Lakes.  BTW
    - there is no such lake as Belgrade Lake.  The term Belgrade Lakes
    refers to a chain of waters that are connected by streams.  They
    are, I believe; North Pond, Great pond, Long Pond, and Messalonskee.
                          
    This isn't much help I know...but it's better than nothing.  When
    you find out where you're staying let me know and I'll tell you
    more about the area...
    

    
    
       Thanks Gary, I'll know friday nite.
    
    
                                            Andy

    
    
    I'm staying at the Woodland Camps on Great Pond. Has anyone fished
    here??? Is this a good place to fish???
    
                                                    Thanks
                                                         Andy

    
    Great Pond is my favorite lake-I fish it atleast once a week.  Its
    a beautiful lake with good fishing for both cold and warm water
    species.
    
    You haven't said what type of fishing you're interested in or how
    you are equiped(trolling,bass boat,rent a boat).  More info please.

    
    
    We'll be fishing for warm water species, and also renting a boat
    from the camp we're staying at.....Can you give us any help in
    what areas are more productive than others!!

    Every year I spend a week or two on Damariscotta with my inlaws.
    This year my brothers in law want to try some different fishing 
    spots and the Belgrade Lakes have come up.  I told them maybe we
    could get some good advice from this notes file.
    
    We fish almost only for bass with fly rods and release what we get.
    Mostly, we only fish the north end of damariscotta close to the
    family camp near the river and around the islands and that is usually
    productive in the early morning or evening hours.  Last year we
    tried a small pond nearby during midday and had a lot of fun and 
    would like to find some more spots.
    
    Can anyone suggest some favorite places fairly close around the north 
    end of Damariscotta?   We don't root around too much because it takes
    longer than it's usually worth to take the boat out of the water, find
    another place to launch it, etc.   Please send mail if you don't 
    want to make it public.  We honestly do release the fish and are
    usually only there for the first two weeks in July.
    
    Thanks.
                                    .......Lou

    Lou, I live in Augusta but most of my fishing is up north. Very
    little in the Damarascotta area..
    
    Two suggestions....Drive to belgrade and spend the day on either
    Long Pond or Great Pond...It's not far from Damarascotta, maybe 50
    minutes. The other is cross post your request to DNEAST::MAINE...
    Maybe some folks who vacation down that way can give you a few
    pointers.
    
    Jim
    

    Thanks, Jim.  I'll put up my note in dneast::maine, also.
    
    I use a topographic map of Maine but not all the boat launch symbols
    pan out; nor are all the places to lauch a small boat identified.  
    It's the same here in Vermont with our topo.  Can you give an idea
    where/whether there is a launch at Long Pond or Great Pond and how
    far from the launch to the Bass.
    
                                            .......Lou

    
    	To launch into Great Pond, I think you can access the lake
    from the marina next to Bartlett's CG on Rt 27 just before 
    getting into Belgrade Lakes proper !!! 
    	To access Long Pond, take Mt Vernon Rd. off Rt 27, ref
    the signs for Castle Island Camps....and shortly after you 
    cross over Castle Island, there is a nice state ramp.
    
    dave_whos_folks_live_on_Long_Pond_June_thru_August

    Lou, Dave in .10 hit the nail on the head.
    
    Also, for launches, I suggest you buy the Maine Atlas and Gazzateer.
    It has recently been updated and is very accurate. The atlas also
    has campgrounds, full service cabins and other information. It is
    definately worth the price, which is about $12.
    
    Jim
    
    

    Thanks, Jim/Dave.  By the time fishing season rolls around 
    we ought to have some good spots lined up.
    
    I have the Maine Atlas and Gazzateer; it's only about 5 years
    old but hasn't been too reliable.  Last year went to what should
    have been a public launch and there were 'no tresspassing' signs
    before we even got close to the water.  We also found 2 launches 
    at a nearby pond that weren't on the map.  Maybe it is the age of it; 
    I have one for Vermont, which is newer, and it is very accurate.
    
    Thanks, guys........Lou
    
    PS  don't be shy about letting me in your absolute favorite spots;
        I'll keep it in strictest confidence.

    I know the feeling of heading into a "marked" launch, only
    to find it posted or not there...
    
    The new Atlas is very up to date. LOTS of people complained about
    the same issues you mentioned. As a result, Delorme checked every
    location for launch's and such (at least that's what they said). I
    really suggest you get one. 
    
    I'll give you a good bass spot, although I do not go after them. Just
    before Belgrade is Messalonski. The launch is right on Route 27. The
    lake is good size and is full of bass...I'll find out the best spots
    for you from a bass'er I know. Also, Belgrade Stream runs from Long
    Pond to Messalonski. You can use a boat for almost the entire length.
    There are some real good spots to fish...
    
    Have fun..
    Jim
    

    
    Keep it coming, Jim.  This is great!  I told my brothers in law
    we'd probably get some good info from DEC people in Augusta.  
    They'll be happy to hear this!
    
                                                    .....Lou
    

    IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN MORE INFORMATION CONCERNING DAMARISCOTTA LAKE
    , GIVE ME A CALL . I LIVE A MILE FROM THE LAKE AND FISH IT ALL YEAR .
    I AM NOT A FLY FISHERMAN BUT  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SOME OF THE
    FINEST BASS FISHING AROUND YOU ARE STAYING ON THE RIGHT LAKE . I HAVE
    FISHED SEVERAL TOURNAMENTS ONTHE BELGRADE LAKES ALSO (LONG & GREAT
    POND) SOME OF YOUR COMPADRES IN BTO WILL REMEMBER THAT I DO FISH A
    LITTLE .
    
    AL VORHIS 
    
    

    Hi
    My brothers and I are heading to the Belgarde lakes in a week.  How are
    they hitting and what are they hitting and if any of you maine folks
    would like to share some of your current hot spots I would be most
    obliged.
    
    Brian