season dates and rules

[franklin fisher]

  Does anyone know how long North Pond in Smithfield/Rome is open for ice fishing?  Is it a southern county pond, or a northern county pond?  I can't find it listed under Somerset nor Kennebec counties.  If it is considered northern county, is it an A pond or a B pond? It is not in the lawbook nor is it online.

[Jim_C.]

It straddles the Kennebec/Somerset County line.  My bet is that they are putting it under the Southern and Eastern rules.  It's not listed so that would mean it's legal all year for ice or open water fishing.

[Fishn'Rod]

Jim, that's exactly what I was thinking but it not being listed under Somerset does make it confusing....

[gamefisher]

It straddles the Kennebec/Somerset County line.  My bet is that they are putting it under the Southern and Eastern rules.  It's not listed so that would mean it's legal all year for ice or open water fishing.

Jim C. has it - more liberal laws apply in these cases.  You don't see it specifically named as many of the general law pond aren't, fish to the conditions.

[hardwater12]

Any pond not listed goes under general law, there's really nothing confusing about it.

[Fishn'Rod]

For Northern and Western counties, which is where Somerset county falls under the law says

•All lakes and ponds are closed to ice fishing, unless indicated with an A or B code, which defines the winter fishing season.

and it's not listed, that's why it's a little confusing to me.  A simple phone call to IFW could settle the issue.

[Resperator]

http://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/lakesurvey_maps/

That's actually a very good question.  Looking on the lake survey maps online, North Pond is listed under Kennebec county, even though most of the pond is in Somerset, so I would think the Kennebec county rules would apply.  Call the regional office in Sydney and they should be able to help you out. 

[Fishn'Rod]

According to IFW it falls under the Southern and Eastern counties.  Wes said to give him a call if you catch anything remarkable...207-547-5316.

[Cool Blue]

You can fish til the last safe ice...I fish North all the time right up til the end. Just drilled some holes a couple days ago. About 2 feet of ice maybe a bit more..Just stay away from the outlet or inlet this time of year if your not familiar with the lake.

[franklin fisher]

Thanks for all the input. I figured it must be open until it opens up but, I didn't want to make a wrong assumption.

[Blue heron]

Just took a walk on pattees pond better now than it was a week ago. Tomorrow im going fishing😊😥