Messalonskee

[Mainah]

Hello All,

I am going to be fishing mesalonskee in mid feburary and i am looking for a couple pointers. I don't want hot spots or anything I'm just looking for two different things. (going for pike)

What depths are they at? and what is the best bait? I am going smelting soon and maybe i can use those?

Thanks for any input.

[Loves To Fish]

Hello All,

I am going to be fishing mesalonskee in mid feburary and i am looking for a couple pointers. I don't want hot spots or anything I'm just looking for two different things. (going for pike)

What depths are they at? and what is the best bait? I am going smelting soon and maybe i can use those?

Thanks for any input.

So far, Messalonskee / Snow Pond has been fishing very well this year. Lots of big pike, splake, browns, really nice humpback white perch, and some decent crappie. You can catch fish using smelts, but I wouldn't waste my money buying them. Use med shiners. They will work just as well on all those species and they're alot cheaper. I prefer using the red fins or emerald shiners. The white perch and crappie are usually caught fishing a foot off bottom. Try to target 20 to 30 ft deep water. The rest of the fish I'm getting are only 15 feet down,  even if fishing over deep water, 50, 80, even 100 plus feet, set a few of your traps at just 15ft down. It maybe slow fishing, but you have a good chance on catching a couple really nice fish. Good luck.

[Mainah]

Thanks a lot! What's the biggest you've pulled out of there?

[Loves To Fish]

Thanks a lot! What's the biggest you've pulled out of there?

I've caught several over 20lbs in past years. This year so far, a couple of 16 lbs, and one 18 lbs.

[fishcaptain1]

Heading up there on the 18 just wondering if the stream is frozen yet my friend has a camp on the stream or do we have to access the lake by the boat launch
Have done well in the open water just wondering if you fish the same places I would then and can you fish by the boat ramp or should we bring the four wheelers of the travel is ok have no idea how much snow is up there we only have a dusting in southern my any info would be great thanks for the help guys tight lines

[Loves To Fish]

By the 18th, things can change quite a bit. Suppose to be several storms hitting us before the 18th, including tonight. But right now , you can use both sleds or 4 wheelers. Easy traveling.  Belgrade Stream is still wide open, but people have been putting on next to the carry on launch. There's a pretty good trail that follows the edge of the stream. I don't particularly like gaining access that way. I've been fishing from the middle of the lake, in 100 ft water. Also, I sometimes make my way down near the southern end to fish. I like moving around as some days can be slow fishing, while other days are much more productive. It's good to change spots because I believe the fish are chasing the large schools of shiners. That's why the fish are so healthy. By moving around, sooner or later I'll set-up where the fish are.
I can give you better Lake conditions as you get near the 18th, if you like..

[Mainah]

I will be picking up new jack traps and bait from them. heading up tomorrow. thanks again for the advice.

[Loves To Fish]

Good luck out there. I'll be fishing Sat and Sun. If we get that foot of snow that they're predicting for Sunday night thru Monday, that will slow down my fishing. Too much snow out there will create too much slush. I'm getting too old for the slush.

[slimeypete]

Any chance this predicted snow blows off the bigger belgrade lakes?? 12-20 inches seems like a hefty amount but with the predicted winds there might be a chance a lot of it blows off the ice. I have a trip the 23rd-26th and without a sled or quad I would love to have the walking not be a complete thigh burner. Tight lines

[Loves To Fish]

There's always a chance, but this storm is the width of the whole state, which makes it very difficult for it to miss the Belgrades even with 40 mph winds. The northern part of the state is the only portion getting a foot or less. Looks like the rest of us are going to get 18 to 24 inches.
It will definitely slow down my ice fishing after this storm.

[icewoman]

There's always a chance, but this storm is the width of the whole state, which makes it very difficult for it to miss the Belgrades even with 40 mph winds. The northern part of the state is the only portion getting a foot or less. Looks like the rest of us are going to get 18 to 24 inches.
It will definitely slow down my ice fishing after this storm.

I agree Dennis, it sux getting old!!  We wanted to come fish Messalonskee too, but with all this snow...unsure now!  😕

[lunkahville]

40 mph winds if anything will tumble that and beat it right in. Hopefully making it pack a little. Agreed 2 feet of fluff would really ruin it for walking. But hopefully it shifts and makes it managable

[9huskies]

Forecasts are saying mid 30s next weekend. If that happens it will settle the snow a lot. Once it refreezes getting around will be much easier.

[Loves To Fish]

Oh my God!!
I think we got all the snow predicted and then some. Can't even see the shack from shore.

[Scalloper]

And it's not going to let up until 6-8pm.

[Loves To Fish]

I see on storm tracker, your area is going to get the maximum snow fall as well Doug.
Good luck digging out.

[slimeypete]

i guess the only bright side after hearing about all that snow you guys got is that my trip isnt for another week or so, im praying to the ice gods that the slush and snow will harden by the time i get up there. Cant think of a worse feeling than lugging the jet sled 100-200 yds with snow up to my thighs 

[gamefisher]

i guess the only bright side after hearing about all that snow you guys got is that my trip isnt for another week or so, im praying to the ice gods that the slush and snow will harden by the time i get up there. Cant think of a worse feeling than lugging the jet sled 100-200 yds with snow up to my thighs 

You better be thinking way south or way north of here, won't be any fishing now until ice out. 

[thedirtydirtyfisherman]

welcome to maine, went from awesome to terrible conditions in a week haha

[Loves To Fish]

i guess the only bright side after hearing about all that snow you guys got is that my trip isnt for another week or so, im praying to the ice gods that the slush and snow will harden by the time i get up there. Cant think of a worse feeling than lugging the jet sled 100-200 yds with snow up to my thighs 

Don't give up hope SP. Alot can happen within a week's time. It might pack down good, depending on the temps.
At the very least, there should be some snowmobile trails that you can at least walk out on far enough out to fish. Sidney boat launch should have some beaten trails for you to walk out on by next week.
Good luck.
I'm gonna take the wait and see approach before I venture on any of the local lakes here in Belgrade.

[BigG3206]

What do you have for ice up there?

[fishcaptain1]

Just wondering how much snow you got plan on coming Saturday if all goes well down here

[gamefisher]

Just wondering how much snow you got plan on coming Saturday if all goes well down here

Save your gas money and stay home, almost 4' in the last week with another foot on the way.

[slimeypete]

looks like ill be loading up the truck with 5 or 6 shovels for our group too (possibly a snowblower)  , 10 late twenty something year old guys should shovel out some walking and fishing room in a few hours. Hopefully the hard work and back pains will pay off with some fish. Tight lines guys and stay positive

[Mainah]

there is 17" of ice, 12" being black ice. we got one 17'' pike

[slimeypete]

Anyone been out around the belgrades the past few days? I heard the snow you guys got was substantial, hopefully the lakes didn't get too messed up. Tight lines

[weskeagclouser]

I live across the road from Great Pond, and the snow is DEEP. 4 feet in my yard, easy. I wouldn't plan on traveling far if you go out on the ice.

[mattyb516]

Any idea how the Sidney launch is looking? I was hoping that snowmobiles would be packing down the snow and making some decent walking trails. Getting to my shack is a nightmare with 3 feet of fluff. I was hoping a more public and utilized area would be a bit better for accessing. Hopefully the weather cooperates and melts a bit of snow

[Loves To Fish]

Any idea how the Sidney launch is looking? I was hoping that snowmobiles would be packing down the snow and making some decent walking trails. Getting to my shack is a nightmare with 3 feet of fluff. I was hoping a more public and utilized area would be a bit better for accessing. Hopefully the weather cooperates and melts a bit of snow

Sidney boat landing was full of vehicles today. Lots of trails leaving the launch in several directions. Saw people fishing from a couple portables, plus from shacks.
I figure if a person lays down a couple of passes with their sled, should be firm enough to walk and fish from.

[mattyb516]

Sidney boat landing was full of vehicles today. Lots of trails leaving the launch in several directions. Saw people fishing from a couple portables, plus from shacks.
I figure if a person lays down a couple of passes with their sled, should be firm enough to walk and fish from.

Awesome. That's just what I was hoping to hear. Thanks!